The Blackmagic Pyxis 6k has been tested in the wilds of Zimbabwe – here's how it got on!
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
South African cinematographer and director Sean Viljoen recently tested out the Blackmagic Design Pyxis 6K cinema camera in the stunning, wild landscapes of Zimbabwe. Known for his immersive documentary style, Viljoen was eager to see how the Blackmagic camera could handle the unique demands of wildlife filmmaking, and the results, shown on the Blackmagic website, were nothing short of impressive.
For Viljoen, one of the biggest challenges in wildlife cinematography is proximity to the subjects. Typically, when filming animals in the wild, you're often using longer lenses to keep your distance. But Viljoen is a fan of documentary filmmaking that makes the viewer feel like they're right there with the characters.
He says, "I've always been a fan of documentary filmmaking that connects the viewer to characters by shooting handheld with that really 'close and wide look". He was excited to experiment with capturing the animals in a more intimate way, contrasting the traditional long-lens approach that's so common in natural history cinematography.
Above: The Behind the Scenes with Blackmagic PYXIS 6K and Sean Viljoen
With the Blackmagic camera Pyxis 6K's full-frame sensor, Viljoen was able to achieve this goal. The camera's full-frame sensor offered him the flexibility to shoot tighter shots without worrying about distortion, which would have been an issue on a Super 35mm camera due to the crop factor. This was crucial when filming both the wildlife and the conservation rangers, as Viljoen wanted to ensure the shots were proportional and felt authentic, especially when transitioning between the two very different subjects.
One of the standout features of the Blackmagic camera Pyxis 6K, for Viljoen, was its ability to shoot in 3:2 Open Gate mode. "This was the first time I had ever used 3:2 Open Gate on a camera," he shares. "When shooting 16:9, I would have framed for the elephant and then had to crop the tree. But with the Blackmagic camera Pyxis 6K, I could capture the full shape of the elephant without losing the context of its surroundings. It's much easier to get that larger-than-life shot when you're not forced to crop".
Another area where the Blackmagic camera Pyxis 6K impressed was its performance in low-light conditions. Viljoen filmed a scene just before sunrise when the light was still barely hitting the landscape.
'We were shooting around 5 am, and it was still quite dark. The clouds were bright, and the boulders were almost completely black in the shadows,' he recalls. 'With such extreme contrasts in light, you're really testing the limits of the sensor's dynamic range. The Blackmagic camera handled it effortlessly, keeping the details intact in both the highlights and the shadows.'
For Viljoen, the camera's versatility and dynamic range made it perfect for the unpredictable lighting conditions of the African wilderness. But what really stood out to him was how easy the Blackmagic camera was to work with, highlighting the renowned Blackmagic Design workflow that supports creators through capture to post-processing with DaVinci Resolve. The workflow ecosystem makes Blackmagic a really enticing brand choice for new filmmakers, as it provides seamless integration across each of the filmmaking processes.
The camera's 6K Open Gate sensor (6048 x 4032) gives it incredible resolution and detail, whether shooting wide shots or up-close intimate moments. Coupled with Blackmagic RAW at a 5:1 constant bitrate, it provides filmmakers with a streamlined, high-quality workflow. Viljoen used Zeiss CP.3 35mm lenses at a T4 aperture, taking full advantage of the full-frame sensor to create a beautiful depth of field and natural bokeh. Shooting at ISO 400 provided him with clean images, even in low-light scenarios, while Nisi C5 True Color VND ND filters helped him control exposure in harsh lighting conditions.
Viljoen's test of the Blackmagic camera Pyxis 6K truly shows its potential as a tool for wildlife filmmakers. Its impressive low-light performance, high resolution, and flexibility in framing make it ideal for capturing intimate moments with both animals and people in the field. You can read more about this test on the Blackmagic Design website.
With its affordable price tag, currently under $2,500, and seamless Blackmagic workflow, it's no wonder that this camera has quickly become a favorite among filmmakers.
Check out our guides for the best cinema cameras and the best cameras for filmmaking.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fantastic Four producer teases the new Marvel movie's villain and says Galactus is "the most epic of the most epic that you can imagine"
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Whatever your expectations are for The Fantastic Four: First Steps villain Galactus, raise them – according to producer Grant Curtis, at least. "The most epic of the most epic that you can imagine," Curtis said in a new interview with Collider when asked what we can expect from the world-devouring entity. "Because that's the global stakes we're dealing with, the universal stakes we're dealing with. That's Galactus. When Galactus's gaze comes across your planet, you're not in a good spot. I think that's as big of a scope and scale you could ever ask a villain to bring with him or her. And that is what Galactus brings... One of the beautiful things about working with Kevin Feige and with [director] Matt Shakman, they are totally in on sci-fi." The movie's big bad will be played by Ralph Ineson, who's best known for his role in the UK version of The Office but has also appeared in movies like The Green Knight, The Northman, and Nosferatu. Julia Garner will play Galactus' herald, Silver Surfer. The character previously appeared in 2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, where he was depicted as a cloud-like form, but First Steps is taking Galactus back to his comic book origins. We recently got our first look at him, headpiece and all, in an unlikely way: a Snapple promotion. As for Marvel's First Family, Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach are bringing Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm to the MCU. The cast also includes John Malkovich, Natasha Lyonne, and Paul Walter Hauser. The Fantastic Four: First Steps arrives in theaters on July 25 as part of Marvel Phase 6. For more, check out our guide to all the other upcoming superhero movies still to come in 2025 and beyond.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fantastic Four leaks aren't stopping and they're getting even more bizarre – with Galactus being fully revealed in a Snapple promotion
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Drink it in: The first full look at Fantastic Four's Galactus is here – thanks to a Snapple promotion. While we've had brief glimpses of the Devourer of Worlds stomping his way through 1960s New York in the early Fantastic Four trailers, we haven't seen the entire figure of the Ralph Ineson-voiced villain. Until now, that is. As you can see below (H/T Galactus is sporting his comic-accurate headgear and – if you ask us, anyway – the face looks modelled slightly on Ralph Ineson, which is a neat touch. There's also more Snapple-related Fantastic Four promos abound. Artist Dylan Schepers is even showcasing most of the work on his website, as well as the flavors tied to each hero. If you're curious, Reed Richards is Snapple Apple, Sue Storm is Peach Tea, Johnny Storm is Peach Tea Zero Sugar, and Ben Grimm is Kiwi Strawberry. If you've been following along, you'll know that this isn't the only Fantastic Four leak in recent days. Thanks to a wave of upcoming Funko Pops, we now know that Sue Storm will seemingly give birth during the course of the Marvel Phase 6 entry, with son Franklin Richards playing some sort of role in the narrative. Fantastic Four, starring Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn, hits cinemas on July 25. For more, check out the upcoming Marvel movies headed into cinemas over the next few years. Then catch up on the story so far with the Marvel timeline and how to watch the Marvel movies in order.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fantastic Four co-writer tried to have "a classic Galactus" as the "big bad" in the 2015 Marvel movie, but "internal push back" stopped it
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The co-writer of 2015's Fantastic Four, Jeremy Slater, has talked about the MCU's upcoming take on Marvel's First Family – and Galactus. "I'm excited. I like the fact that they are taking a big creative swing," he told ComicBook. "They are telling a multiverse story, with a different world and a different set of heroes. It looks like they are bringing them in collision with our Marvel Cinematic Universe. I think that is a smart angle. I think they are getting Galactus right. "I wanted to make him our big bad and there was some internal push back," he continued. "First, he was our big bad. Then, he was just going to appear in one scene. Then, he was only appearing in the post-credits scene. Coming off the Galactus cloud from [2007's Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer], which I was one of those fanboys probably bitching on Ain't It Cool News back then about how he was a fucking cloud, I was excited to bring back a classic Galactus and have that Jack Kirby design. It looked like they've accomplished that, so I can't wait to see him in real life." The first look at Galactus in The Fantastic Four: First Steps came from a very unlikely place – a Snapple promotion. He certainly looks very comic accurate. "The most epic of the most epic that you can imagine," producer Grant Curtis has said of the villain. "Because that's the global stakes we're dealing with, the universal stakes we're dealing with," he continued. "That's Galactus. When Galactus's gaze comes across your planet, you're not in a good spot. I think that's as big of a scope and scale you could ever ask a villain to bring with him or her. And that is what Galactus brings... One of the beautiful things about working with Kevin Feige and with [director] Matt Shakman, they are totally in on sci-fi." The Fantastic Four: First Steps is in theaters this July 25. In the meantime, check out our guide to all the upcoming Marvel movies and shows for everything else that's on the way.
