cinematography Sharing Thoughts On The Black Magic 6K Pocket Pro Camera

[Indiecuttingroom]

Just made a settings walkthrough for the Blackmagic Pocket 6K Pro — menus look super intuitive, especially for a cinema cam at this price point.

But I’m curious for those of you who’ve shot with it: how does it feel in-hand during a real shoot? The body feels kinda like cheap plastic to me, almost toy-like — but the internal specs are hard to argue with.

How do you think it stacks up against other options like the FX3, C70, or even the RED Komodo? Is it a solid indie workhorse or more of a stepping stone? Interested to hear your thoughts.

 

[Scoopicman]

I think Blackmagic looks more cinematic than Sony. Is RED even a thing anymore??? Nikon bought them out. Even as far as two years ago, their NAB booth was a very small display, compared to Blackmagic. I edit on Davinci, which handles Blackmagic BRAW natively, which means it can read gyroscopic (for stabilization), color, and ISO (can change exposure after the fact) data in each shot.

As far as the feel of the Blackmagic, I put a small rig cage on mine and it feels like a tank. Samsung T-5 drives were discontinued, so I stripped the rubber off of a T-7 Shield, and I use that. I never use C-Fast or SD cards anymore. Not for the last 3 years, in fact.

I like the portability of the 6K, but it is still very hefty.

 

[Indiecuttingroom]

I think Blackmagic looks more cinematic than Sony. Is RED even a thing anymore??? Nikon bought them out. Even as far as two years ago, their NAB booth was a very small display, compared to Blackmagic. I edit on Davinci, which handles Blackmagic BRAW natively, which means it can read gyroscopic (for stabilization), color, and ISO (can change exposure after the fact) data in each shot.

As far as the feel of the Blackmagic, I put a small rig cage on mine and it feels like a tank. Samsung T-5 drives were discontinued, so I stripped the rubber off of a T-7 Shield, and I use that. I never use C-Fast or SD cards anymore. Not for the last 3 years, in fact.

I like the portability of the 6K, but it is still very hefty.

Your 6K Pro build looks like an absolute beast! That tank-like feel with a SmallRig cage really gives it that “ready-for-anything” vibe. I totally get what you’re saying about RED—some cinematographers are so deep in that ecosystem, it’s like a religion at this point. They’re fully committed and probably won’t ever switch, even with shifts like the Nikon acquisition.

 

[Chris Tempel]

I've just finished post on a feature shot on the URSA Mini 4K. It's basically a ten year old camera, but it did the job and looks great. When this dies, I'm totally looking at a 6K Pro. I love the Blackmagic image and shooting raw (CDNG in my case) has been a game changer. From a price to image standpoint, I don't think there's anything else that comes close to these cameras.

 

[Indiecuttingroom]

I've just finished post on a feature shot on the URSA Mini 4K. It's basically a ten year old camera, but it did the job and looks great. When this dies, I'm totally looking at a 6K Pro. I love the Blackmagic image and shooting raw (CDNG in my case) has been a game changer. From a price to image standpoint, I don't think there's anything else that comes close to these cameras.

That's awesome — mad respect for getting a full feature done on the URSA Mini 4K! That sensor has such a distinct look, and CDNG really brings out the most in it. Totally agree with you: Blackmagic cameras punch way above their price point when it comes to image quality. The 6K Pro feels like a natural next step — internal ND, tilting screen, better battery life (especially with the grip, if you can deal with the bulk ). It's wild how much these cameras offer for indie filmmakers. Let me know when you make the jump — would love to hear how it compares for you!