Camera Preview: Digital Bolex D16, Interview with Developers Joe Rubinstein & Elle Schneider
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Date: 2022-09-13
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Comments and reviews: 20
KalikAP01
Not gonna lie, the Bolex sounds like a relatively limited camera that has a few key features (Raw, 2K, price point) that they knew they could sell it based on. A big part of that interview sounded like the creators making excuses for what ultimately amounts to them cutting corners to be able to maintain the low price point. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but take responsibility. Stop acting like your shortcomings make you better than more capable, well-rounded cameras.
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Not gonna lie, the Bolex sounds like a relatively limited camera that has a few key features (Raw, 2K, price point) that they knew they could sell it based on. A big part of that interview sounded like the creators making excuses for what ultimately amounts to them cutting corners to be able to maintain the low price point. Nothing wrong with that, of course, but take responsibility. Stop acting like your shortcomings make you better than more capable, well-rounded cameras.
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Erzmann
In a DSLR the sensor has a native responsiveness as well. All increased iso-levels will be either digital or electronic gain (In canon DSLR's for example, every other iso-step is digital) In any case, it's always a form of gain and will increase picture noise and as a result decrease your actual resolution. Many Sony cameras do not even offer ISO settings but say that it's native at 800 Iso (For the F65) and then offer a set of gain options measures in db.
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In a DSLR the sensor has a native responsiveness as well. All increased iso-levels will be either digital or electronic gain (In canon DSLR's for example, every other iso-step is digital) In any case, it's always a form of gain and will increase picture noise and as a result decrease your actual resolution. Many Sony cameras do not even offer ISO settings but say that it's native at 800 Iso (For the F65) and then offer a set of gain options measures in db.
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Indy
I wouldn't say ALL situations. As Joe and Elle suggested, this isn't an all-purpose camera. It's aimed at serious filmmaking. So if you're using adequate light, 400 ISO plus the ability to push the exposure of RAW should be plenty. (For example, with my one DIY light, I often shoot at 160 ISO, with an ND filter to darken the exposure. Granted, I'm at f/1. 8) But it might be less desirable for casual video-taking at a dark party.
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I wouldn't say ALL situations. As Joe and Elle suggested, this isn't an all-purpose camera. It's aimed at serious filmmaking. So if you're using adequate light, 400 ISO plus the ability to push the exposure of RAW should be plenty. (For example, with my one DIY light, I often shoot at 160 ISO, with an ND filter to darken the exposure. Granted, I'm at f/1. 8) But it might be less desirable for casual video-taking at a dark party.
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TVperson1
The only issue I have with this camera is the 2K bayer, it's going to take a fair bit of sharpness out of the image and won't give that true sharp 1080p look that most movies have. I think they should have used a prism to make it a 3-chip super 16 camera or used a super 16 sized 4K chip and down ressed. But at the end of the day it's like a much better BMD pocket cinema camera without all the issues.
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The only issue I have with this camera is the 2K bayer, it's going to take a fair bit of sharpness out of the image and won't give that true sharp 1080p look that most movies have. I think they should have used a prism to make it a 3-chip super 16 camera or used a super 16 sized 4K chip and down ressed. But at the end of the day it's like a much better BMD pocket cinema camera without all the issues.
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ChasingFilms
This sounds like a really neat camera and not having to pay a large amount of money for lenses is a nice touch. So would this be a better investment then black magic or canon 5d? I was looking at purchasing a mark iii and then getting canons 24-70mm f2. 8L lens which would be larger chunk of cash. I should state I'm still in film school so I am on a budget.
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This sounds like a really neat camera and not having to pay a large amount of money for lenses is a nice touch. So would this be a better investment then black magic or canon 5d? I was looking at purchasing a mark iii and then getting canons 24-70mm f2. 8L lens which would be larger chunk of cash. I should state I'm still in film school so I am on a budget.
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Jackson
I beg to differ. This camera was designed with a pistol grip specifically with handheld shooting in mind. I really wish blackmagic had done something similar. There are few, if any good ways to hold their camera without additional rig. Its a good camera, but its design deffinately could have been improved. The digital bolex actually looks nice to shoot with.
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I beg to differ. This camera was designed with a pistol grip specifically with handheld shooting in mind. I really wish blackmagic had done something similar. There are few, if any good ways to hold their camera without additional rig. Its a good camera, but its design deffinately could have been improved. The digital bolex actually looks nice to shoot with.
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Indy
Agreed. Whether or not you like the Digital Bolex concept, I figured this episode would be a great thought-provoker about full-frame sensors and super shallow depth of field. There's always debate about what really constitutes the film look. Clearly, Joe and Elle prefer the 16mm look, and focus that isn't razor-thin with intense bokeh.
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Agreed. Whether or not you like the Digital Bolex concept, I figured this episode would be a great thought-provoker about full-frame sensors and super shallow depth of field. There's always debate about what really constitutes the film look. Clearly, Joe and Elle prefer the 16mm look, and focus that isn't razor-thin with intense bokeh.
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Disthron
if your not lighting, your not thinking about lighting, your not thinking about telling your story through images.
Dose anyone else feel there might have been more to that sentence? Perhaps it's just been too long since I've used a decent camera but I'm not sure what point she it trying to make.
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if your not lighting, your not thinking about lighting, your not thinking about telling your story through images.
Dose anyone else feel there might have been more to that sentence? Perhaps it's just been too long since I've used a decent camera but I'm not sure what point she it trying to make.
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Water
Will i be able to edit the bolex footage on my intel pentium II (overclocked to 400mhz? I am running two sticks of 256mb ram, and my hard drive is 20 gigs and im using windows 98. Only thing is I don't know how I will fit 2k res on my monitor, b/c my monitor is 14 inches and maxes out at 1024x600.
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Will i be able to edit the bolex footage on my intel pentium II (overclocked to 400mhz? I am running two sticks of 256mb ram, and my hard drive is 20 gigs and im using windows 98. Only thing is I don't know how I will fit 2k res on my monitor, b/c my monitor is 14 inches and maxes out at 1024x600.
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ImTheDaveman
The Bolex reminds me of the 1960's original Star Trek phasers - only a tad bigger - lol - BUT still it sounds like a great camera regardless of its looks!
Could you do a side by side review of the JVC GC-XA1 Addixxion HD Action cam vs Go Pro? or have you done this and I missed it?
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The Bolex reminds me of the 1960's original Star Trek phasers - only a tad bigger - lol - BUT still it sounds like a great camera regardless of its looks!
Could you do a side by side review of the JVC GC-XA1 Addixxion HD Action cam vs Go Pro? or have you done this and I missed it?
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inOut
That is nothing, the BMCC 2. 5k is just $1, 995 now + Davinci Resolve, and you can not just shoot raw also you can shoot Prores for lower budgets.
The developers should think seriously in these facts and benefits to improve their offer to make this camera affordable and handy.
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That is nothing, the BMCC 2. 5k is just $1, 995 now + Davinci Resolve, and you can not just shoot raw also you can shoot Prores for lower budgets.
The developers should think seriously in these facts and benefits to improve their offer to make this camera affordable and handy.
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FOURTH-1000
Maybe a few months ago I was interested in this.
But kinefinity is releasing a super 35mm Kineraw mini, with it's camera design stolen from Red Epic.
Kinefinity is already shipping their $6k kineraw in China, Orders for American release will be taken soon.
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Maybe a few months ago I was interested in this.
But kinefinity is releasing a super 35mm Kineraw mini, with it's camera design stolen from Red Epic.
Kinefinity is already shipping their $6k kineraw in China, Orders for American release will be taken soon.
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Water
12 bit 4: 4: 4 raw will rape anything you can shoot on a 5d or panny. this camera is not for run and gun. its not nearly as limited as canon's h264 video files. i wouldn't call a black magic more capable than this if that's what your alluding to.
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12 bit 4: 4: 4 raw will rape anything you can shoot on a 5d or panny. this camera is not for run and gun. its not nearly as limited as canon's h264 video files. i wouldn't call a black magic more capable than this if that's what your alluding to.
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mrsilveri
C-mount is the most popular lens format? That doesn't seem right at this point in time. I mean it might be correct if you consider most cctv cameras use a c-mount lens but if anything I would think an m42 lens was more popular and a c-mount.
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C-mount is the most popular lens format? That doesn't seem right at this point in time. I mean it might be correct if you consider most cctv cameras use a c-mount lens but if anything I would think an m42 lens was more popular and a c-mount.
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matty9460
The crop factor is 0 just use 16mm lenses that doesn't really make sense considering ISO, low light performance and DOF are affected by sensor size and those 16mm lenses only going to f0. 85 aren't going to help that tiny sensor too much
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The crop factor is 0 just use 16mm lenses that doesn't really make sense considering ISO, low light performance and DOF are affected by sensor size and those 16mm lenses only going to f0. 85 aren't going to help that tiny sensor too much
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DSI
I like the idea, but just too pricey plus only 400 ISO is very limited. I know when u at the real set, you gotta be thinking about lighting. But Seriously how many people have the budget like Hollywood to set up a professional lighting! :)
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I like the idea, but just too pricey plus only 400 ISO is very limited. I know when u at the real set, you gotta be thinking about lighting. But Seriously how many people have the budget like Hollywood to set up a professional lighting! :)
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Erzmann
The FS700 surely is the better camera, yes. But price is also a factor. But since there is also the BMC in that exact price range and also shooting raw + prores, I don't think the bolex will have much of a chance.
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The FS700 surely is the better camera, yes. But price is also a factor. But since there is also the BMC in that exact price range and also shooting raw + prores, I don't think the bolex will have much of a chance.
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Benishe
Huge problem. Many of us use Adobe CS6 for our proyects, and Premiere does not handle CinemaDNG. yet. If they are really making some workflow, I hope they don't go the hipster way and make it Mac only too.
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Huge problem. Many of us use Adobe CS6 for our proyects, and Premiere does not handle CinemaDNG. yet. If they are really making some workflow, I hope they don't go the hipster way and make it Mac only too.
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Indy
Thanks for suggesting the interview, Lukas! (Hopefully it answered your questions) FYI: it's a global cam, being able to capture a variety of framerates: 24, 25, 30, 32, etc. (I'd assume 23. 98, 29. 97)
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Thanks for suggesting the interview, Lukas! (Hopefully it answered your questions) FYI: it's a global cam, being able to capture a variety of framerates: 24, 25, 30, 32, etc. (I'd assume 23. 98, 29. 97)
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Abben
Seems to me that a black magic camera is better in so many ways. ISO only up to 400? That's ridiculously low. That means you don't have the option to shoot low light (night-time) with natural lighting.
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Seems to me that a black magic camera is better in so many ways. ISO only up to 400? That's ridiculously low. That means you don't have the option to shoot low light (night-time) with natural lighting.
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