The Blackmagic camera you didn’t know you needed - Micro 4K G2 Review
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 มิ.ย. 2024
- A full review of the new Blackmagic Micro Studio Camera 4K G2. The Blackmagic Micro G2 fills a gap for a lot of filmmakers and cinematographers who may have overlooked this little camera when it was announced. With a little understanding and rigging, the Blackmagic Micro 4K G2 could be one of the best all around cameras in the market today.
Micro Cage and Accessories: www.xlcsdesigns.com
Blackmagic Micro Studio 4K G2 Menu Overview: • Blackmagic Micro Studi...
MY GEAR
BMMSC 4k G2: amzn.to/3tOOfEw
Samsung T9: amzn.to/4950gnX
Olympus 12-100: amzn.to/4alozyO
Meike Cine MFT 50mm: amzn.to/3ScAHw2
Meike Cine MFT 12mm: amzn.to/3HmHYTz
Blackmagic Video Assist: amzn.to/3He63vM
Manfrotto Element: amzn.to/3kOTzP0
BMPCC 4k: amzn.to/3h6w5m8
Panasonic Lumix 12-35mm f/2.8 : amzn.to/3f8wbgV
GODOX ML60: amzn.to/3zkTxpy
RODE NTG 2: amzn.to/2Y68I4I
Variable ND: amzn.to/3v29FMP
Websites: www.willvontagen.com
www.xlcsdesigns.com
Instagram: / xlcsdesigns
00:00 - INTRO
03:19 - USER INTERFACE
07:00 - PHYSICAL BUILD
10:25 - MICRO vs POCKET 4k
11:48 - USING THE MICRO G2
17:23 - LOW LIGHT
18:43 - CLIP PLAYBACK
20:16 - CAMERA HACKS
25:16 - AUDIO
27:28 - CONCLUSION
#bmpcc4k #blackmagicmicro #microstudio4kg2 - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
![[Live] : ONE 167 วันนี้!! "ตะวันฉาย vs โจ"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D9_dvfIa6Ao/mqdefault.jpg)
This is the most comprehensive video out on this camera! I have two and ordered your cages and multiple accessories and have built out two micro cinema beasts that I am using in interviews, event coverage and as broll rigs on my gimbal. Great job!
Thank you so much!
Best camera review I've ever seen! Good work mate, very informative and I appreciate the effort involved in making this!
This video and the one about the cage were the reason I ordered one. I can't wait to ditch my GoPros on stage and step up my concert videography with the new 4K G2.
Great video will! Thanks for the shout out, couldn’t have made any of my onboards work without the killer accessories you’ve made for the camera. ❤️🙏🏽
I really appreciate the pull no punches approach to this review. I for one am really not impressed by all the numbers, what impresses me is the image a camera can produce and that’s why I want a black magic camera. Yes it takes some finessing but that is where the true art comes from. After all if a camera did everything perfectly for us aren’t we then just a tripod?
Good points! Thanks for watching!
All I was waiting on was seeing whether the USB-c port can handle multiple outputs. Thank you!
Glad I could help!
Same here
This was the review I was looking for. Liked and subbed. Fantastic approach.
Thanks for the sub! Glad I could help!
Thanks for your hard work and time in putting this together. Really liked the two hacks. I was not aware of either. Also liked that you spent time on the clean output issue and the need to fix it. I use the camera for live streaming so these issues are very important. Another issue is if you have many of them connected to an ATEM via SDI you need a separate return SDI program feed going to each camera in order to control the camera via SDI (not needed for HDMI control). One then has to incorporate other work arounds to create enough program feeds for each camera being controlled via SDI.
Excellent! Thanks again, Will, your Blackmagic reviews are top-tier. You're a Genius. 😎
Thanks so much and thanks for watching!
Perfect review, thank you for all the clarification man ! and ur rig kit is just perfect for this camera
Thank you so much!
Excellent presentation.
Thank you very much!
Excellent reporting! Thank you for all the effort!
My pleasure, thanks for watching!
Wanted to get this as a dedicated gimbal and car cam, but I think I may get a few more for live events too. Can’t wait, this review got me totally jazzed!
So glad it was helpful!
Great review! Been waiting for it for a while! Now, I'd love to see different rig configuration senarios in detail and cinematic footage! Keep up the good work! Cheers :) 👍👌😊
Thanks for watching! Cheers!
This was an excellent review!
Thank you!
Times change. Imagine a superb 4K camera and awesome editing suite for a price of 1 year Adobe Premiere subscription. I hope, Blackmagic still gives Davici Resolve Studio licence with their cameras. Of course, you have to buy some accessories, but lenses are so available these days on secondhand market.
Good to see your review on this. Loving the rigging capabilities of the XLCS case for this. I wasn't sure if I really wanted a zoom demand handle, but, I think you've convinced me that it's probably a smart move for the programmability of the buttons and lack of Bluetooth. One note; I did get a Belkin USB Ethernet adapter and was able to remotely use the Lens control HTTP API pretty easily once I understood that in most cases, the GET method returns the 'current' settings in a JSON object. To change the settings, I send a PUT request with that same object with the settings altered that I wanted to change. As practice, I made a zoom-in button that adjusts the aperture and then zooms in using powered zoom to 40mm. Then waits 10 seconds and zooms out again and resets the aperture with 6 HTTP requests using curl to two API endpoints; control/v1/lens/iris and control/v1/zoom. Two to get the current settings. Two to open the aperture and zoom. Two to set the aperture and zoom to what they were. These are the kinds of things that I would be doing with Bluetooth. I might take a look at the construction of the zoom handle and disassemble it to see if I can make it a bit more compact. One final note, the ATEM camera control works pretty well. I have an ATEM mini pro and it can make a myriad of camera adjustments with the software control but it does require that you lug around a laptop also to run the control software.
Fantastic review!!!
Glad you liked it!
You would think most editors would be able to handle BRaw but I had one literally cry about it once. Some editors will freak out if you even mention raw to them.
Been waiting for this video! So good!
In your opinion, between something like this and a lumix bgh1, which is the better mft mini box camera? I love Blackmagic colors and would love to get one as an upgrade to my Lumix g9. Thoughts?
Great video ! thanks for the very helpful videos. 🙏
Thank you and you're welcome :)
Been broadcasting with the G2 for a month now. Can’t wait to get there (3) more. Have to get your rig system first. 😊
Great vid man, thanks, clears up a lot about this cam. Can you trigger record via sdi too?
Glad I could help! Yes, you can also trigger via SDI.
Will I just bought the camera, this was a very helpful & detailed video. Thank you for the work you put into it. (Niall)
So glad it was helpful! 👍🏻👍🏻
Great video! And great channel! Even if they added the USB-C recording option, and since this is called "studio" do you think they'll release a BM Micro Cinema Camera G2? Something similar to this BM Micro Studio, but with some sort of internal media (SD, CF type A)?
brrooo! awesome video! love the attitude of "get over it" the real talk is great bro! Thanks for the video!
Thanks so much!
Thank you. awesome video, you are deep diving into the pros and cons of the great little Micro G2 here. That is the best round up on this cam I have seen so far containing ´hacks´ I was not aware of before (e.g. using the Zoom Demand handle in conjunction with Belkins USBC hub, the mic input and so on..) and suggestions to improve further iterations of the cam. I hope BM is watching/listening and will act accordingly! For a short time I thought that the new Mevo Core cam would be a better alternative at present, but now I am again very tempted to get a G2 (when it wiil become available here). And then, of course, will get your awesome cage. We will see if BM releases some news at NAB. Again, thank you very much, Will, well done! 🎸👍
My pleaser, thanks for watching!
This is an amazing tool! What focal length lens did you use for the car sequence?
Working in post and vfx I can say that rolling shutter can have a serious impact on a successful track and I would think could affect stabilization as well. We mostly use Alexa footage which has very little rolling shutter but it very obvious how much better it is to track footage from a global shutter camera.
Thanks for the video! I have a question: Do you think a conventional lanc rec start/stop button connected to the usb-c port would also work? Cheers, Steve
Great review. I took screenshots of every rig you showed 😅
The image quality is great. You did a great job grading the footage. I would really appreciate if there was an opportunity to buy a lut from you
I see two cameras on a single tripod with a 35mm and 85mm focal length for interview/talking head. Or whatever length. On the cheap. Add an overhead shot too. Tons of potential.
Definitely!
I had the OG for years and it is still a workhorse. I got the new G2 and it just expands my capabilities and is such a special tool for a videographer. I use my trusty BM Video Assists that I have picked up over the years. Just such a good paring. I do have the T5 and T7 SSD's but prefer the Crucial X9 or X10 - better form factor and much faster. I have also done some mini NVME 2240 drives that reduce your footprint further and have insane speed. 4K is fine for my work since I have no dreams of going to Sundance. :) I use the small lenses on these cameras. The Samsung 25mm and 45mm are two of my favorites. But if you like a good cinematic look, I go to the classic Angenieux lenes with a C to MFT adapter. Such a special look. Thanks for your videos on this camera and especially the one about the menu system. 👍👍👍
What a great little camera. I already have a compatible monitor and some SSD drives that I used when I had the BMPCC4K. So, this could be a great option as a B or A camera. Thanks for the walkthrough. Susbcribed.
Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!
Great review! And that’s a sweet Vette.
The car is almost as cool as the guy who drives it! But rumor is he doesn't put Mobile One in it...
@@WillvonTagen 🤣
Nice review! What lens did you use for the car mount scene?
That was the Laowa 9mm 2.8 zero D 👍🏻
So im filming lot of videopodcastes with Panasonic GH5. Thinking of switching. How is quality/low light performance compere to Gh5.
Recording to Atem Iso.
Hey Will, thanks for all the details. What lens did you use for the action shots?
Thanks for watching! I used the Laowa 9mm 2.8 Zero D 👍🏻
One thing: I am using my G2's for live broadcasting to a big screen via HDMI and I can use the clean feed option, so this working not only via SDI.
I bought your cage it’s great perfect fit
Glad you like it! Thanks for the support!
No internal playback is a massive bummer
True, but the video assist is a big help with that.
Typically on other cameras I have an atomos mounted anyways and I find the interface of the atomos to be a lot more intuitive for playback
But the example given of a car rig where the monitor has to be disconnected does make it clear that internal playback of some kind would be needed at times
Okay, NOW you've convinced me this has a potential place in my studio. While the zoom demand may not be tiny, the fact it can do all the things you pointed out gives it the potential to act like the URSA handle with a few extras one used to get from a expansion port remote. Now if Blackmagic can simply give it all the record options as the Pocket 4k, patch the issue you found and maybe release a mini zoom demand equivalent handle, maybe they could call it the micro demand handle, then this would be a near perfect upgrade; however, the zoom demand seems to solve my biggest grievances even if it isn't tiny or inexpensive.
So glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
Brilliant review. Love the opinionated commentary. It's so on-point.
Thank you so much!
Great review, Will. Did I hear you say this camera has a Global Shutter? Just rewatched. It's a rolling shutter. Must've imagined it. Or wished for it 😂
I'm soooo glad you mentioned all the chatter about these camera geeks
those car shots look so good
Thank you :)
Honestly the only thing that kinda makes it a dealbreaker is no playback. I’m sure that was intentional on their part. The external video playback in the hdmi recording doesn’t account for potential corrupt files to see on the internal recording, but I guess you have a backup anyway. Still a hassle, but a great camera
is it support Blackmagic BlueConnect like bmpcc4k?
Great content as always, will! I wanted to ask you for advice on which camera to buy. I'm undecided between the bmcc 2.5k and the bmpcc 4k. the first one has a true cinematic look, but the lack of versatility in terms of ISO and framerate scares me; for the second the opposite applies: it seems too video-like and not cinema-like, even if it has other great features. after seeing this video, studio 4k also seems like an option to me. what do you suggest? thanks a lot!
That might depend on your work. I really don't use slow motion much personally so if it was just hobby work I wouldn't need it. But if you are anticipating paid work where you might need it--it could be helpful. A third option is the original Micro Cinema Camera. It has the same sensor as the Pocket OG but can do 60p.
I see. Well, buying and rigging the Micro would cost me as much as purchasing the Pocket 4k (based on what I found on ebay), so I think this one is my best option, just because of it's great features. However, is there a way to crop the bmpcc 4k sensor so that I can get a s16mm sensor look out of it? I really love the Pocket OG, so maybe I can somehow replicate its image quality and cinematic look for my projects, without renouncing to the versatile Pocket 4k features for other works. Thanks!
Oh man this might be what I'm looking for. Been shooting a car series and the GoPro 12s are overheating like mad and generally useless. On your Tarus shoot (awesome job btw) did they overheat at all in the direct sunlight? How about rolling shutter / jello?
Thanks! No heating problem at all and zero jello. I didn’t even stabilize the shots in post. Used a Laowa 9mm 2.8 lens.
Good job bro
Thanks!
LOVE the car footage! Q: what did you use to mount it in the car?
Thanks! Just a cheap Ulanzi suction cup mount from Amazon and a magic arm 👍🏻
To me it's arguably better than the Pocket due to the form factor. I often find myself shooting vertical (ugh) for clients who need it, and the box configuration with a cage can easily be adjusted for it.
Great vid - Long shot but do you think this would work with DJI's RavenEye? I'm trying to avoid having to use an external screen mountd on the rig
It does work with Raveneye. The HDMI output to the Raveneye receiver is an easy setup. I just hooked it all up in my office and it works great.
@@ChristopherCClark thanks a lot for testing, much appreciated! I think I have no more excuses not to buy it now
For the zoom demand handle, is it just as HID device (like mouse/keyboard)? If so, it might be easy to DIY an alternate in a smaller/cheaper solution.
I'm not sure--but maybe someone else here knows. That would be cool.
Wait, did you say under a 1000!!!!!!!!
Lol, That was the first thing I heard
What lens were you using for the driving bits? LOVE the flares!
That is the Laowa 9mm 2.8 :)
@@WillvonTagen thanks!
I would love for blackmagic to develop a stable wireless camera control ststem - similar to what DJI have done with the Ronin 4D. Having this camera as a bag drop camera with the ability to change settings and monitor remotely would make it even more versatile.
That would be pretty neat but I don’t see BMD going down that route.
Will the metabones 0.58x speedbooster attach without damaging the camera? I know it might vignette and I honestly amd fine with that, I just want to avoid any physical damage.
You could try. It would likely fit without damage since the mount to sensor distance is the same but I don't know about the sensor filter glass thickness or distance. I would be careful--and either way I cannot say for sure.
@Will von Tagen Will the USB-C port work with an SD card reader? Was thinking it would be great to get one of the tiny Micro SD card readers and just plug that into the side for capture. This possible?
Most likely. I was messing around for a bit with building a cfexpress card adapter for this but it had enough issues for me to stop. The camera saw the card and recorded to it-but I had to format the card on a computer. Also the camera has to be powered off and on to recognize a card being removed or inserted. But maybe it will work better with micro sd-I say give it a go 👍🏻
What an outstanding overview, thank you so much. I've been wondering about how this cam could be rigged for various applications other than just in studio. It's a shame it doesn't have bluetooth - being able to use the app with it would be awesome, but hey, it's already amazing value. I run a Z Cam E2 F6 and the app does really adds to how and where you can use it.
One quick question: with only one USB C port, is there a way to use the Zoom demand handle and an SSD at the same time?
Hi, thank for the kind words. Yes, in the video I show how you can use a usb hub to use both ssd and the handle. I cover this right after talking about the handle :)
@@WillvonTagen ah great, apologies I hadn't picked up on that.
It creates a fantastic image for the price, and small cube formats are so flexible, seriously thinking of getting one. Thanks again.
lack of BT was a serious miss IMHO
Do you think this camera would be good fixed camera for capturing DJs in a club(low Light)? or would one of the pocket cinema cameras be much better?
The camera will do just as well in low light as any of the pockets-but will be much easier to place in a club environment given its size and lack of screen 👍🏻
I'm still trying to work out how to trigger the shutter remotely in my one man band YT studio without having to buy an Atem - ideas??
Man thanks for this review! I'm looking to upgrade for cameras for filming baseball games. I need a camera that can hang on a fence at a fixed deep focus and run in Southern California summer heat for 3 hours straight. My GoPro's cant do it. My Sony A7iv can't do it and an FX3 isn't in the budget. 4K BRAW for under 1k!?
So glad it was helpful!
what's the difference between G1 vs G2? Can you shoot BRAW on G1? would you still consider G1 this time?
There are massive differences between the two. Unless it was strictly a webcam I would not consider the g1 studio. However, the original Micro CINEMA Camera (not studio) is still a great camera. It records compressed dng raw (not BRAW) and is limited to 1080p but the results are stunning. Please see my recent video comparing it to the OG pocket.
How would you build this camera out as a follow cam for a livestream? Lenses?
I don’t know a whole lot about that type of use, sorry.
Sold!
I want a Swiss army knife hybrid camera. Is this camera serviceable for still photos?
It does not shoot photos, sorry
Is the micro g2 sensor 2x crop like other mft cameras?
Yes, 2x crop :)
I just saw a custem back extension which slso invluded better knobs. 59$ 😁 alt cine. Adds lots of possibilities to build a rig too.
On the BMD site it states that ftp can be used to get files if the attached storage. In order to connect to a network you use the usb port.. now the question is.. do/can you use an USB hub in order to connect both the externsl ssd and the network to the one available usb port on the camera? If not how is that functionally possible?
Can the batteries from the video assist power the g2 as well?
You should watch the video. It answers your question about expanding the USB port.
@@WillvonTagen yeah I saw, I tend to type questions while watching. Short term memory problems. I forgot to delete the question. Apologies for that, and thank you for responding.
Will, can you do a video on the suction cup?
I'll see if I can get a short together for that :)
@@WillvonTagen I ended up buying the Ulanzi SC 02 Suction cup. I have getting too much vibration from the car. I am looking at getting the DigitalFoto Solution Limited HULK-ISO Shock Vibration Isolator.
It would have been great if they had included resolve studio with this
Would have been great, but it's still a great deal. Same price the G1 was when released 8 years ago!
@@WillvonTagenoh, one question, can this take timecode input from 3.5mm jack like the pocket can?
@@wenjun_ntimecode works through the 3.5mm. I used it with the Deity TC-1.
If they just added SD card slot it would been a great camera, as I am not keen on using USB cables as the cables breaks too easily and ports gets loose over time.
Adding the sd slot would have probably required BMD to remove the SDI ports as with the G1 Micros. The USBC port can be protected with the USBC lock for XLCS Cage or with a locking USBC Cable
Is the sensor size supposed to be secret with this camera? I don’t easily find it anywhere.
It’s an MFT sensor. Same as the one in the pocket 4K.
just plug in both SDI and HDMI to the video assist, and change the source on that, there instant menus / no menus ;)
When it comes to lenses don't forget the wonderful Leica 9mm f1.7 mft lens.......
just to verify, this g2 model does have a 2x crop (as opposed to like a 2.88x crop)? 🤔
Correct. G2 has the standard 2x MFT crop
can we bluetooth on phones to change settings?
Please watch the video first 😅
Has no Bluetooth at all
Anyone figure out a way to set up a start/stop record button on a handle for this thing. Reaching over to find the record button is kind of weird.
Did you watch where I talk about the zoom demand handle?
@@WillvonTagen Yeah, it's great for sure but I was looking for a simple and much cheaper solution. I have the OG Bmmcc and use a simple lanc to lanparte trigger.
I thought about one, but does it do face tracking or autofocus ?
It technically has autofocus but not continuous. From what you listed though, no. No Blackmagic camera has any of that.
thanks for the reply sir, ill just keep my Eos-r then.@@WillvonTagen
Blackmagic really missed it by not including Bluetooth and having an app specifically for adjusting settings starting and stopping recording.
Maybe also a low resolution/framerate to check your framing. (Not as important as adjusting settings because you can have the external monitor for framing and focus) The video feed doesn’t need to be fully live to check framing
Bluetooth would have been great but I think they would have started from scratch with a whole new design (not using the existing molds and parts for the micro) which would have likely skyrocketed the costs on this.
I subscribed
Thank you!
It sucks it doesn't have Bluetooth. In the example case you used for a streamer, you might want want to quickly change something so you can set it and forget it
Does it come with Resolve?
No resolve but still a great deal.
@@WillvonTagen Sure, just makes the pocket 4K seem better.
can it record to a Ninja monitor?
It can. Watch the review for more info on that.
Well you sold me, how do I get your gear?
Haha, great! The goods are available at www.xlcsdesigns.com 👍🏻
@@WillvonTagen thanks, homie G
So much better than the logi mevo core
Agreed
👏👏👏
Thank you!
I'd love to see this camera compared to the Zcam E2.
I don't have a lot of experience with that camera but I'll see what I can do.
@@WillvonTagen I have one I can send over for a comparison if you want to run a one on one comparison.
Ooh... so close, but no DCI... bummer
Just curious, what makes DCI so preferable over UHD?
@@WillvonTagen It's just my preference. Wider aspect is better. If I could have even more, I would take it. Lately I have been experimenting with anamorphic lenses.
does it has autofocus?
Please watch the review to find out 😅
yes but no
Yes, with compatible lenses
15:51 "Learn to shoot better, I guess." Rolling shutter isn't about shooting better, it's about shooting things that move quickly. If you want to take a video of a stringed instrument, or a campfire, or propellers on a plane, wheels on a car, streetlights as you're driving, sports, animals running, etc. Rolling shutter matters just about everywhere.
No Prores is odd considering that pretty much every other BM camera ever has Prores.
Yeah but they’re moving away from that. The new 6K doesn’t have ProRes either for the same reason-no more licensing fees to Apple.
None of the new cameras from this year or end of last year have it
"As well as those who have been clamoring for black magic to release a box camera."
4:40 - All. The. Time.
You really shouldn't be. The only thing you should be changing is the amount of light filtration before it even enters your lens.
Just a minute😂 from your fravorite boomer
Good review Will
Thanks man!
A couple of things:
1. Its too close to the price of a used 6k pro ( their prices TANKED)
2. Alexa??? Really?? Have you ever touched ARRIRAW files… if you did you would know - even a cheapo lens looks phenomenal on a Mini or Mini LF.
Other than that yeah the studio is awesome just too expensive compared to other used BM cameras 🤷🏻♂️
But no Ethernet , no PoE, no NDI , no EF mount…
True. Hard to imagine using a camera without that.
This thing is really small
watching you read is distracting.
Close your eyes and imagine someone prettier than me 👌🏻
lol lol I'm still going to watch your videos.@@WillvonTagen