Hello!

I was curious if anyone had any experience with a BMPCC and the Panasonic 7-14mm lens and using the auto focus/iris functionality? What I am wondering is if the focus and iris adjust automatically while shooting without any user intervention (aka pressing the focus/iris buttons)? I shoot mainly home tours for real estate and am looking for a camera/lens setup that would automatically adjust the iris while I am shooting due to the constant change in scene brightness from room to room. I appreciate the help!

Keith, while Panasonic lenses can support continuous auto focus/iris, the BM Pocket camera does Not support this feature, as it is a "cinema" camera designed for professional grade production applications, which normally do not use continuous auto focus/Iris, as this is usually a hit and miss feature (continuous auto focus) on most cameras that have it, searching for the focus point in many situations. The Iris and Focus buttons on the Picket camera are push to focus and push to set iris only. To,change focus/Iris, you need to push the button again.

However, the new BM Micro Stusio 4K camera dies support continuous auto Iris, but no auto focus support from the camera, manual focus only. However, focus is supported through LANC, remote wireless and ATEM CCU control. Continuous auto Iris however, changes the lens f/stop in 1/4-1/3 steps, depending on the lens.

The Micro Studio camera could support your requirement, but you are going to have to rig it with some type of monitor/recorder like the BM Video Assist, and a grip to aid in handholding it.

I think you would better served with a camera like the Nikon V3 or J5, or their new DL series, that have a outstanding wide angle zoom, and the Nikon 1 series cameras use a video type sensor, and have excellent very fasts continuous autofocus and Iris support. Also most of the mirrorless (DSLR) type cameras like the Olympus Pen series and the Sony A6000 support continuous auto focus and Iris control, as these are more of a still camera feature. The advantage with these cameras, is you can take still photos while shooting video without intruption of the video. Another camera to consider would be a standard video camcorder camera from Panasonic/ Sony and JVC, that offer continuous auto focus/Iris.

Cheers

Thanks for the reply Denny! I was hoping that since the BMPCC had an active mount that at least an auto iris feature would be supported, but like you said, considering the camera's "cinema" designation this was probably not a feature high on BM's list. Although I do think they could implement this feature into the camera through a firmware update to breath some new life into the Pocket, especially now with the number of small handheld gimbal stabilizer available today.

I have mainly been using a Canon 6D for my video work in real estate, primarily because I also use it for still photography, so it was just easier to use the same camera, and maintain a similar look through both mediums. Because a lot of my work involves high-end luxury homes, I am looking to move away from any kind of lossy video codec and into a RAW format that will offer me much greater flexibility with color correction and much higher dynamic range (think water front properties).

I am very familiar with the workflow surrounding the BM cinema cameras, especially with how it relates to the RAW format, so I am not worried about the additional time, or computer power it will take to process the video. I am just looking forward to escaping the world of compressed video and 4:2:0 color space.

Thanks for the tip on the Micro. It makes sense that they would include an auto iris feature with that camera considering its primary purpose to be used on UAS systems. I don't think I would spend the money on it at this time just to gain that functionality, especially since I would then have to add a monitor and batteries to my stabilizer. The Pocket with my Rokinon 7.5mm might be all I need to achieve what I am looking for.

Worth a try, you removed it for all the right reasons. The Micro Cinema is the UAS camera, and it is not known if is supports automdonrptinious Iris. The Micro Studio 4K is more of a handheld gimbal and crane camera, with a feed back to ab external switcher or recorder. It can be used in handheld applications in conjunction with the Video Assist or a Video Devices PixE5 monitor recorder, mKes a nice setup, but would be a larger package than thrmPocket camera on its own.

Be sure you can put filters on the Rokinion 7.5. Another manual lens that works very well on the BMPCC is the SLR Magic 10mm MFT manual lens, which is nice and wide, it has very little distortions, and would work better for your application I think,than the Roki 7.5. Look at some Video samples of both lenses, there are several test vid,dos with themSLR 10mm shot on the Pocket camera.
Cheers