The Black Betty is a custom camera housing that combines a Silicon Imaging SI-2K Mini Camera Head and an Apple Mac Mini computer.
The new camera took two years to build and shoots 2K Cineform RAW Quicktimes with 1:1, 3:1, or higher compression to removable (off the shelf) 2.5″ SSDs.
The SI-2K Mini’s filmic 2/3″ CMOS Imager has 11 stops of dynamic range, and a workable ISO range of approximately 160-500ASA.
(You can get a little extra love out of it with Dark Energy.)
“The Morning of Everything” Trailer. Shot on the Black Betty Camera.
Betty was designed to include all the little practical features that filmmakers who were nurtured on 16mm know and love.
You don’t have to build it up to get it on your shoulder. Its one piece and well balanced.
Betty only has two physical buttons: on/off and start/stop. Everything else is driven thru a touchscreen.
Betty’s undercarriage takes a VCT style locking plate, or an Arri 16mm bridgeplate.
It also accommodates large, medium, and small O’Connor, Sachtler, & Manfrotto quick release plates.
All the threads just line right up; we made sure of it.Betty runs on a cleverly recessed Anton Bauer mount, providing onboard 14.4V power for any and all accessories.
She even has a Fischer 3Pin RS stop/start port for hand grip or remote on/off control.
The adventurous can alternatively use a bluetooth mouse as a remote switchBetty has an interchangeable lens mount (PS Technik IMS) that can accommodate PL, B4, Nikon, C, PV, and BNCR, to name a few.
The SI-2K Mini’s sensor is easily covered by 16mm and Super 16mm lenses.
You can put to use 16mm lightweight zooms with wide zoom ranges!
Need more information about the Black Betty Camera and the new Pocket Cinema Rig the guys are working on the please hit up Black Betty Cameras.
Want some BTS of the making of the Black Betty camera then hit up the Building Betty page.