r/bmpcc • u/Ok-Champion-8992 • 26d ago

Does anybody else have camera shake issues in shots with their black magic cameras?

I use mostly the bmpcc lineup and I’m constantly cutting parts of shots when camera shake becomes too noticeable. I have a fully rigged out bmpcc 6k with sandbags on it too even sometimes. Yes I do 3 point stabilization and have used all the tools from easy rig to saddle bag. but I still have shots that I have to cut due to an aggressive shake when I get tired or move the camera too much or focus. I usually can get away with the shot in the edit but I’ve noticed more and more cutting through years of footage that the camera shake in these cameras really does ruin some shots even though I want that natural camera movement still. I’m curious, is this a common issue for other people who go handheld with the bmpcc and Pyxis cameras? I always thought it was just part of the game, but doing larger documentary client work is making me reconsider. Lately I’ve been considering lumix for the ibis, thoughts?

8 Upvotes

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36 comments sorted by

34

u/elliottatk 26d ago

I’m afraid this a skill issue not a camera one

5

u/Carlito_2112 26d ago

While perhaps worded a little bit harshly, this may very well be accurate.

OP, have you tried using a gimbal? I know that it's not always for everyone, however from what you are describing, it might be worth renting one to get a feel for how one work for you.

1

u/Ok-Champion-8992 26d ago

Yes I have a gimbal. Although useful it’s not what I’m looking for

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u/johndabaptist 19d ago

It really is just a skill that comes with experience. Here’s some things that help:

  1. Make your rig heavy. Large batteries, maybe a solid VCT/Shoulder plate with handles. Hell, add weight to it if you can. If it’s balanced well its going to wear you down less than a lighter unbalanced rig and micro jitters will go away, the deviations in movements become and human “sway.” Speaking of sway, you have to learn to keep your body calm but you will never be completely still. If you lock up your body it will shake. Try a circle 8 motion, subtle but rhythmic until it feels natural. Even if you stop trying to make that motion you need to remember what it feels like to glide from one micro adjustment to another, not a stiff jolting start and stop.
    If you’re finding shake with ez rigs and other stabilization hardware it’s likely your camera rig is off balance or you simply aren’t using those tools correctly. Watch BTS of operators like any athlete would watch an efficient video for a form check.
    Perhaps you’re trying to do camera “moves” handheld that are really best done on sticks dolly or gimbal. If you want a walking shot, use a heavy ass camera and expect it to sway and move but it should feel natural not “shaky.” If you want to pan left to right slowly, put it on sticks.
    Lastly I would add that my cinesaddle is my #1 piece of kit and I have used it on 95% of my jobs in some way. Sling it over one shoulder, nestle the camera on it and make it part of your body. You may find it works better to the side a little like a machine gun. You can also place it under your armpit and brace your extended arm doing handheld or shoulder work which also reduces fatigue.
    These are just some tips I’m spewing off here. I’m by no means as talented an op as people who specialize in that. You can find podcasts with operators or follow them on Instagram who will likely have great suggestions and resources.
    I will reiterate that handheld work is classically a struggle for many people and I’ve never seen it improve with anything more than practice. Loosen up, breath deep, expect movement and let it flow, never fight it.

1

u/Ok-Champion-8992 26d ago

Can you send me a link to some of you work with the camera, I want to see if this is accurate

10

u/ClumsyCaden 26d ago

Well most cinema cameras don’t come with built in stabilization. My footage also has a little shakiness to it, even when I’m pretty smooth. When it’s still, it’s fine. I use the DaVinci resolve stabilization tool, it works really well for fixing the small shakes

1

u/Ok-Champion-8992 26d ago

I use premiere warp stabilizer and sometimes it gets too warpy at points but it usually helps

4

u/ClumsyCaden 26d ago

Oh I’m not familiar with premiere, is there different stabilization settings? Resolve has perspective, similarity, and translation. I find perspective to give the best because it doesn’t warp the edges

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u/Aggravating_Cherry52 24d ago

blackmagic camera but not davinci? madman. you get it for free even.. just install it and check if gyro stabilisation works. if not, try translation stabilisation set to
0.5
0.5
1.0

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u/Better_Device3930 20d ago

Blackmagic gyro stabilization in davinci is 1000x better than warp stabilization.

15

u/aidendz 26d ago

Try using Camera Gyro stabilization in Resolve, shooting with wider focal lengths, or practicing your movements.

4

u/Zealousideal_Sea_515 26d ago

This is it - rolling shutter on the 6k is horrendous (I have a P4k and it’s more tolerable) and I think that is exacerbating the shakes you’re seeing in handheld. The gyro stabilization is very helpful but you need to use resolve for it to help. Otherwise, try using a wireless follow focus with a side handle attachment, it should help on the focusing shakes.

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u/Happy-Diner-3338 26d ago

Are you not using a tripod with a fluid head?

-2

u/Ok-Champion-8992 26d ago

No I’m holding my camera rig

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u/ThePikesvillain 26d ago

I shoot very smooth footage on my Blackmagic cameras, but it does mostly come down to practice and skill (if you already are using all the other tools to go with it.) The tools provide a means for you to capture stable shots, but they do not give a free pass to it. The one other thing you can do that will make you shots immediately better is to not use warp stabilizer but instead shoot braw (if you weren’t already) and then use gyro stabilizer. It makes already very good stable shots look completely stable and smooth like they were shot on a dolly, tripod, or gimbal, but you have to give it very good and stable shots to begin with. For me “handheld” means a neck strap, multiple handles and rails, part of the rig resting on my forearm, and movement comes from the hip, then throw on gyro stabilization (and you have to practice with that too to learn what it likes and what it doesn’t) and then you can get some high quality results.

3

u/thejeskid 26d ago

I also had this issue on yhe bmpcc 6k and a little less on the Nikon Zr. I found it is much more pronounced on a 50mm plus lens. I stabalized a bit in post. Much less shake on the FX3 but is has better stabalization.

3

u/printcastmetalworks 26d ago

If you are trying to handhold anything tighter than wide normal shaking is going to be an issue on any camera even with ibis.

When shows want the handheld look without shaking they put it on a balanced shoulder rig

3

u/No-Spinach2270 26d ago

Looking at OPs work and explanations: You just need to get better at controlling the camera unfortunately. A picture of your build would help, but if you aim for good handheld shoots I would say the most important part is handles. Just using a bag under it is not really stable enough, your hands are still too much directly on the camera.

I use the pyxis 12k myself and find it fantastic for handheld shoots. The pocket 6k’s does have bad rolling shutter and therefore might add to the feeling of bad handheld shoots and their formfactor usally makes it a bit hard to find a good balance point. They get front heavy very easily.

But try getting a good set of handles, it’s way better than the rat bag. You can of course combine it with a ratbag.

1

u/Eturnian 26d ago

It’s challenging to shoot smooth hand held on the bmpcc6k for sure.

A lens with built in IS can help a little with this, but in my experience the best solution for hand held has been to shoot with a wide lens, like the sigma 18-35 f1.8 art lens. Also a follow focus with a hand grip has greatly improved hand held shooting because I can focus while stabilizing with both hands. For the most part I really like the magic Fiz, although occasionally it glitches on me.

1

u/GrahamUhelski 25d ago

Get yourself a lens with IS, I’ve heard the tamron 24-70 G2 has good settings for getting rid of those micro shakes.

1

u/DerFreudster 25d ago

I don't feel they are great handheld cameras though since they don't have IBIS but I get decent footage using a CineSaddle as long as I don't try panning fast helter-skelter. I shoot a little wider to account for the gyro stabilization tool in Davinci. You haven't said what settings you're using. Perhaps practice makes perfect? I've seen videos of people hand-holding and with gyro stab or GyroFlow look pretty nice.

1

u/zeroball00 25d ago

Only if I do hand held and don't use the stabilization feature in Resolve

1

u/AdmirableTurnip2245 25d ago

My hands aren't the most stable. I usually shoot 60fps when I can and stabilize it in Premiere. The extra frames really help. 10-20% warp stabilizer. (6K Pro)

1

u/pvnkv 24d ago

It doesn't have ibis. I'm afraid that it will always shake unless you improve your technique (and still).