Budget Cinema – Using an SSD with BMPCC4K
Ammon and Bryan show how to set up an SSD on the Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.
We love using the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, and we found a simple way to mount a Solid State drive to the top of the camera. It stays out of the way and works when mounted to the Zhiyun Crane 2 (check out how to attach the follow focus to the Crane 2). In this installment of our Budget Cinema Series, we’ll show you what we use to set up the SSD and how easy it is to use it.
Houston We Have A Problem!
Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you need more storage on a card? Ammon and Bryan from Blueforest Studios discuss how to set up a Solid State Drive (SSD) to the new Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. We found this tip to be extremely helpful when filming with a larger hard drive, and we had to make a video about it!
Supplies
What you will need is an SSD (we used a Samsung), Angelbird Cable (SATA to USB-C), Joby Cell Phone Holder, Camvate Superclamp, and of course the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. You can set this up in under 5 minutes and here is how we did just that.
Installation
We found that the ¼” – 20 thread fit with the bottom of the Canvey Superclamp. We then mounted the Joby Cell Phone Holder to the tightening ring and mounted that to the top of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K.
Next, we slid the Samsung SSD into the phone holder with the SATA side pointing out to the left of the camera (lens away).
Plug in the Angelbird Cable from SSD to Pocket Cinema camera and there you go!
Ready to roll
We found that this method was the most inexpensive and reliable method for us. The SSD does not take up too much viewing area above the camera. When you turn on the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K the SSD will show up just like it would if you had an SD card in the spot instead. Let us know if you have a different setup. Let us know how you connect larger drives to your Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K. And check out some of the stuff we film on the BMPCC4K and other fun toys!
Blueforest Studios is a Raleigh, North Carolina Video Production company.