Power ZOOM Lenses on the ATEM with a Pocket Cinema Camera
Photo Moment - June 11, 2021
If you have a powered zoom lens and a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC), you can probably control it from the ATEM Software Control when connected to any ATEM — here's how!
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What this tip is about…
In the previous ATEM (mini) Tip 11 I showed you how to control a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC) through the ATEM Software, and in the case of the ATEM Mini Extreme or ATEM Mini Extreme ISO, even from the hardware. However there was one thing I left out — zoom control. That's because to control zoom on a lens, you have to have a powered zoom lens. After all, without a motorized zoom, how could the camera possibly zoom the lens for you! I recently had a Canon CN-E 18-80mm T4.4 COMPACT-SERVO Cinema Zoom Lens in the studio for a project, and quickly shot this video while I had it. I even figured out something interesting about zoom control and ATEM macros that I had never seen before. Check it out!
📄 Full Video Transcript
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Power ZOOM Lenses on the ATEM with a Pocket Cinema Camera
If you have a powered zoom lens and a Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (BMPCC), you can probably control it from the ATEM Software Control — here's how!
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This video is by request! Lots of people wanted to see how the power zoom works, so here you go 😁 What else do you want to know? Also, please subscribe!! YouTube.com/photojoseph/?sub_confirmation=1
That’s because a format of C4K has been selected, which is a 16:9 aspect ratio. Codec will make no difference (codec refers to internal recording only), but aspect ratio, size and framerate all are reflected on the HDMI output.
Thanks again, PhotoJoseph. Really appreciate the time invested, super helpful!! My next new question regarding the BMPCC 4k: How do the recordings settings in camera affect the HDMI output. When using the BMPCC on the ATEM Mini via HDMI I have noticed that it seems to make a difference what codec and/or resolution has been chosen on the camera's menu. Sometimes the format of the image via HDMI seems to change slightly (adding black bars on top an bottom) etc. Any idea what might be the cause?
@@bandofheroes7609 Second that! Very nicely done, @PhotoJoseph!
Awesome, thank you for watching!
Thank you so much for this. A super niche topic but you answered every question we had about the Atem’s zoom control using macros. Great video and thanks for listening to your fans!
Was there ever an update to tell the zoom when to start and then when to stop? I knew that was a limitation from last time i watched this video.
Does this lens work when adapted to a bmpcc4k?
@@photojoseph fantastic, thanks a lot
Depends on the adapter. As long as there are electronic contacts (i.e. it’s not a dumb adapter) then it should work.
Would this work on BM4K with a speed booster?
Hmm, I don’t know if the zoom electronics would pass through. That’s a question for the speed booster manufacturer. There are cheaper MFT power zoom lenses though, made by both Panasonic and Olympus.
Are there any budget options for remote zoom control of BMDPC4? Maybe some adapters with remote control? I'm trying to setup a small studio that I could operate on my own. I have ATEM mini pro, so the power zoom lenses would be great solution if they hadn't be so expensive.
@@SquareDealProd I'm in a similar situation. Looking for alternatives to basic PTZ stuff. If moving to Sony cameras, you get a lot more PZ lens options, and still have camera control when paired with a DJI gimbal (or just by using their app). The Sony 16-35 G lens with PZ yields about 16-52 with their "clear image zoom" feature. It's an f4 lens for full frame, which yields equivalent background blur to an f2 on M43....and since it's Sony, it's high quality, great image, and has some other great features. Price is moderate @ $1200, and if you wanna get jiggy with it, they've got some other offerings for wider zoom range (28-135 or almost 28-200 with clear image zoom). I definitely wish there were more offerings in this category....the 18-80 cine lens with a BM cam EF speedbooster (closer to full frame, less crop factor) is probably the best all-around option. Are you sure the Metabones speedbooster doesn't support the power zoom feature? Meaning you couldn't use it with a Pocket 4K (M43 native lens), but you CAN with a Pocket 6k (like in this video, native EF lens)?
@@photojoseph Terrible lenses unfortunately as far as image quality. I've seen footage, highly not recommended. Definitely, there is room for a new power zoom for the BM M34 that will also work also with the BM Studio Pro 4K. Because of cropping it is difficult to get any lens like this aside for the B4 Fuji for the BM Broadcast G2 lenses. I believe the Canon CN-E 18-80 and 70-200 servo zooms have 1.9 crop factor making them not so useful for studio use without the Metabones .071 adaptor which is incompatible with the zoom demand from BM until that is developed (from Metabones support). 18mm for example with crop factor gives you 34mm on the wide end. Not good enough for studio work where you need wider preferably at least 24mm. Basically with all these problems and for integration with the AETM I am now looking at the Canon N500 PTZ cameras (for on location streaming events) and the Canon XF605 cameras for use in the studio, yet decent enough for shooting on location as well. Nothing else covers the basis, and we will have to give up on ATEM Zoom control on the XF-605. At least with a camera operator you can zoom in as directed from the switcher operator over talk back. Could be wrong about some things, can you see another workable solution?
Panasonic and Olympus both make a couple of power zoom lenses. Search “power zoom Panasonic lens” and the same for Olympus.
Do you know of any power zoom MFT lenses that have constant aperture?
@@photojoseph I just discovered this device. Pretty amazing. Never considered controlling zoom with the focus motor. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aj83EISWKWA
I can confirm that this works with both the Olympus 24-42 EZ and the Panasonic Vario 24-42 Power O.I.S EZ lenses on the BMPCC 4k. I can also confirm, that sending a macro with "0" stops the zoom and you can resume in either direction by re-starting the original macro.
Interesting! Thanks for sharing.
wouldnt adding a "zero" macro to the list give you a stop button? also would we be able to control any sort of follow focus type device to control power zoom?
@@photojoseph that is what i thought, but i hadnt tried any power zooms, and i will be getting a couple follow focus controls for my 6kpro rig. so far it has been mostly worth working my way into the BM ecosystem.
I tried a zero but that don’t work. And no, the ATEM macros can only control ATEM hardware.
Great video. Can I ask do you know of lens options for bmpcc 4K with the same ability? I’m struggling to find any if they do existing.
@@EmeraldAudiovisual thank you for your fast response
@@abrahamshibeshi6504 I have only tested the 2 i've mentioned above. Those are pancake lenses. Can't see why yours shouldn't work, if those do.
@@EmeraldAudiovisual can you please let me know how. we have Panasonic Lumix G X Vario 35-100mm f/2.8 II O.I.S. Lens, the power zoom control don't work on atem software. Or let me know list of power lenses capable of zoom control from atem software, greatly appreciate your response
I can confirm that this works with both the Olympus 24-42 and the Panasonic Vario 24-42 Power O.I.S lenses on the BMPCC 4k.
Panasonic and Olympus both make a few power zoom lenses; there aren’t many. Google “micro four thirds power zoom lens”
What's a good servo lens for the bmpcc 4k?
Depends on your needs and budget
To stop you need execute “0” zero maco ;)
Is this lens (especially the zoom feature) working with the bmcp4k with a speedbooster?
The zoom seems to only work with my BMPCC 6k not my 4k w/ Metabones speed booster. All other features work through ATEM not the Zoom on 4k. But it does on our 6k - I'm assuming it's the direct EF mount - I'd love to work around this as we have four 4k's matched for our live events and 6k's for run n gun/interviews...
Excellent tip!. Quick question: Let say I need to stream an event in multicam using the ATEM mini pro ISO, with 3 cameras, a laptop as a 4th input, and an SSD to record the program output as well as all four inputs,...and I would also like to have access to the ATEM software functions, would I need to have an additional laptop just to work the ATEM software? Thanks.
That’s advisable. Otherwise you will have to be very careful about switching to your laptop source, knowing with confidence that the right thing is on the second display. It’s not impossible to do with a single laptop, but it’s much easier with two. If you’re using it to play video or photos, consider using an iOS device instead. It’s much easier because the photo/video output is full screen with no UI.
I love your training segments . . . this one was very informative . . .
Just an idea:
Stop zooming with hitting a additional macro with "0".
Can't verify myself as I do not have a BMCC.
Stop zooming with hitting a additional macro with "0".
Can't verify myself as I do not have a BMCC.
Can confirm, this works. I did this with a press/release Button Action in Companion. Works really great
You are spot on. This works.
Can you toggle the macro run button to suspend the zoom?
No, that would just start it again. But someone suggested sending a command of “0” which appears to be “no movement” and maybe that’d stop it.
Cool discovery, thank you!.
Has anybody a tip for a good mft Power-Zoom lens?
Has anybody a tip for a good mft Power-Zoom lens?
To stop the zoom where you want just create a macro with the zero value again! With the macros you've created it continues to press the button for infinite time. More exactly, Even when the lens reaches the max/min zoom it continues the effort like you are still pushing the button. So giving the value of zero again it stops! Even in the middle!? (I suppose!)
@@Volleykanalen that it would. Ok I gotta test this!
Another assumption would be that for those who use Companion and StreamDeck to run macros, the not-zero values on Press Button, and zero value on Release Button would create a satisfying zoom function.
I was struck by the same thought. When you recorded the macro the first time you had released the zoom control and it had returned to the center position (no motion). You then discovered that changing that value caused the lens to move in a specific direction and speed which were dependent on the sign and value, 1.0 being the fastest movement. Since this number defines speed and direction a 0 would logically be don’t move (stop). Would be great is someone could confirm or disprove this.
really! Do you know this, or are you assuming? That'd be awesome if that works!
This is fun. But for the price of this lens... I'd rather just see a 4k capable Atem Mini Extreme come out one day and then just crop in with the switcher or in post (being happy with an HD quality frame).
That's not the only lens of course… there are other motorized lenses. For me the biggest problem with them though is the cheap ones are usually variable aperture.
I have used the bigger Black Majic mixer with the remote that allows you to do everything with these cameras. I find it funny seeing all these high end camera being used on ATEM which only handles HD.
haha totally. I use a 2 M/E in my daily production, and it's constantly back and forth between UHD for internal production and HD for streaming.
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