PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller Update

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by Jeff LochAugust 20^th, 2020

CDA-Tek, the Irish company behind the PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller, just published an update about its Bluetooth controller for the BMPCC 4K/6K. This update is about the AFX Focus Controller that works in conjunction with the PBC controller and adds autofocus capabilities to the popular Blackmagic cameras. Let’s take a closer look at it!

PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller

Last year, we reported about the CDA-Tek PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller crowdfunding campaign. In a nutshell, the Pocket Cinema Controller is a Bluetooth controller for Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K/6K users.

The tiny device features a built-in battery with five hours of battery life, a small display with camera settings information, and two buttons to adjust your parameters. With the two buttons, you can change your aperture, ISO, white balance, autofocus, autoexposure, and start-stop of recording.

Unfortunately, the crowdfunding campaign was not successful, but the CDA-Tek team continued to work hard to improve its product further.

AFX Focus Controller

The AFX Focus Controller is an add-on module that works with the PBC Pocket Cinema Camera Controller.

The AFX module comes with a handheld controller and allows you to manually control the focus of electronic lenses (MFT or EF lenses) on your BMPCC 4K/6K. Also, you can use it in single or continuous autofocus modes.

Autofocus on the AFX module works thanks to a LIDAR – laser detection and ranging – sensor in the unit. This sensor monitors the distance from the camera to the nearest object and adjust the focus accordingly.

In the video example above, single focus and continuous focus seem to work well for center framed subjects. However, focus changes are very fast and abrupt, but according to CDA-Tek “selectable hold and ramp times are available in AF-C mode. The example clips in the video are to illustrate the speed at which it can lock and re-acquire targets.”

Price and Availability

The Pocket Cinema Camera Controller is already available to purchase on Indiegogo for €74.00. Please keep in mind that Kickstarter is not a retail store but a crowdfunding platform, so there are risks involved with purchasing through that.

The additional AFX module will be available to pre-order next month for €199.00. For more information, please visit CDA-Tek’s website here.

What do you think about the CDA-Tek AFX module? Do you often use autofocus on your BMPCC 4K/6K? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments section!