When a cinema camera is able to operate flawlessly in extreme conditions and challenging environments, then you know its credibility was well earned. That’s the case of the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (4K & 6K) that have been utilized to shoot a documentary on the top of the Swiss Alps, handling harsh freezing conditions, and without any issues. Read the story below.

Shooing in minus 15 Celsius

Cinematographer Frank Mirbach has chosen the Blackmagic Pockets to shoot on top of the world in the Swiss Alps. The conditions were harsh and extreme (minus 15 Celsius and incredibly heavy winds). The major tools for the job were the Blackmagic Pocket 6K and a 400 mm Canon lens. The project titled ‘Switzerland: Glacier Pilots’ is a documentary produced for European cultural broadcaster, arte. The film, produced by Aachen-based production company, MineWorks Film GmbH for Medienkontor Movie GmbH, focuses on active glacier pilots and the Swiss Air Rescue Service, known as REGA. All the post was crafted in DaVinci Resolve Studio (editing + grading).

Keeping it small

Mirbach stated: “Due to COVID and the necessity to keep our crew and equipment as small as possible, we decided upon using the Blackmagic Pocket 4K as our A-Cam for the first time where we would normally use our RED cameras. Combined with a TILTA full cage and Metabones Speedbooster Cine for our Canon EF lenses, it´s a compact, fantastic combo that never lets us down, even in the harsh conditions of the Swiss alps at wintertime”. The BMPCC 6K served as B-Cam for multi-camera shoots.

We decided upon using the Blackmagic Pocket 4K as our A-Cam for the first time where we would normally use our RED cameras.

Cinematographer Frank Mirbach

‘Intensive shoot’

“We had to keep the crew and our equipment as small as possible; not only due to COVID restrictions, but also because of the limited space in the helicopters, and the physical implications of filming at such a high altitude and on top of vast glaciers,” Mirbach explains. “It was an intensive shoot, but the Pocket cameras offered such great picture quality, we didn’t feel that we were having to make a compromise.”

Tools (lenses and rigs)

The main tools for the job were a Pocket Cinema Camera 6K with a full cage acted as A cam, with the 4K mounted on a Sachtler Flowtech for multicam and B cam footage, alongside Canon EF 16-35mm, 24-70mm and 70-200mm L series lenses. “Both cameras handled the very cold and very bright conditions well,” continued Frank. “The whole look from the cameras is just fantastic and we were pleased with how well they match with other cinematic camera packages, in particular with skin tones.”

Both cameras handled the very cold and very bright conditions well.

Cinematographer Frank Mirbach

4K and 6K BRAW

The shoot was completed in 4K and 6K Blackmagic RAW, allowing the Mineworks team to crop into its UltraHD masters without losing quality in the detail during post. The 52-minute documentary was edited and graded in DaVinci Resolve Studio, and the team was also able to make a premix to share with the composer. “Creating preview copies directly from the timeline was such a smooth and simple process, and very practical when working remotely” concludes Mirbach. “The customer and the broadcaster were both able to approve content safely from their respective offices, without any delays to the production timeline.”

Final thoughts

It’s always nice seeing an affordable cinema camera that delivers, not only outstanding images but also proves well-deserved stamina and credibility in the harshest environment. That allows you to tell your story in a cinematic and professional way, and without breaking the bank. Check out the whole episode below. Let’s know your insights regarding the ‘cinematic quality’ of the project. 

Product List

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA
• Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA