Specifications

Getting Started
6
Inserting a SSD
You can insert any 2.5" SSD formatted in either the HFS+ or exFAT file systems:
Step 1. Open the SSD door on the right hand side of the camera.
Step 2. With the gold SATA contacts facing towards the camera door, insert the SSD until you feel it press
into place.
Step 3. Close the SSD door.
When you first switch on Blackmagic Cinema Camera, or any time you insert a SSD into the SSD slot, the
status strip will change from NO SSD to a moving dot while checking the SSD, and then READY. If the SSD
has not been formatted correctly, or fails to work, the status strip will show NO SSD. Remove the SSD and
refer to the later section "About SSDs" to check if the SSD is formatted correctly and also check that it works
with a computer. If it doesn't work with a computer, there's something wrong with the SSD and it's not going
to work with your camera. Try another SSD and preferably use a model that is on the recommended SSD list
in the "About SSDs" section of this manual.
Begin Recording
To record with your Blackmagic Cinema Camera, insert a SSD and press the REC button on the front face of
the camera or the record button in the transport control under the touchscreen. Press record again to stop
recording. This is all you need to do to record unless you prefer to record in a different video format.
Choosing the Recording Format
You can choose to record to CinemaDNG RAW 2.5K video or to a compressed, high definition, QuickTime
movie in Apple ProRes 422 (HQ) or Avid DNxHD video formats. To select the desired video format:
Step 1. Press the MENU button below the touchscreen.
Step 2. Press the REC menu icon on the touchscreen.
Step 3. Press the left-right selection arrows to set the desired recording format.
Step 4. Press the MENU button again to exit.
Your camera is now ready to record in the video format you have selected. The current recording format is
shown at the bottom left of the touchscreen display.
Press the REC button on the front face
or on the transport control on the back of the camera
Inserting a SSD