Kit Overview

The HaloRC Naked BMPCC4K is the perfect cinema camera for those wanting to upgrade from filming with a GoPro while retaining the potential to fly it like a regular 5 inch drone. We have taken the very popular Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4k and removed every component we could to reduce the weight, making it naked. The components are then reconfigured to create a more suitable form factor for fitting to a drone.

The reduction of over 400g makes a significant difference to flight performance. Resulting in longer flight times, smaller and lighter aircrafts and far more agility compared to a typical heavy cinelifter.

Available as a 'Full Kit' which includes all the parts required to convert your own camera, with the optional 'BMPCC Screen Extension Kit'. A 'Kit and Build' option for those who already have a camera or intend on buying a brand new one and want to send it to us to convert for you, and we also offer a 'Ready To Film' option where we have sourced used cameras able to run firmware version 6.9.6, all converted and set up ready to film.

Firmware plays a big part on how you use your naked BMPCC. Cameras manufactured after May 2021 come flashed with version 7.3 or later. If the camera was originally flashed with 7.3 it cannot be downgraded and will only power up with the screen attached. There is no way of knowing whether it can be downgraded or not until you attempt to downgrade it. If your camera was originally flashed with an earlier version of firmware then it can be downgraded to version 6.9.6, which is the last firmware that allowed the camera to power up without the screen attached.

Attaching the screen using the original connector is very awkward due to the screen needing to be placed parralel to the main PCB which requires you to remove the top plate. We have designed the 'BMPCC Screen Extension Kit' which converts the BMPCC connector to a standard ribbon cable (FFC) connector, allowing you to connect the screen quickly and easily without removing the top plate.

This is the perfect solution if your camera cannot be downgraded, if you want to run the latest firmware version with gyro data for stabilisation, or if you just want to use the original screen for changing setting, adjusting exposure and playback functionality while still running older firmware.

The Blackmagic 4K is a perfect camera for stripping down and making naked due to it only requiring the main PCB, a small Bluetooth module and the camera sensor to run.

The main PCB and Bluetooth module are mounted between two carbon fiber plates keeping them safe and secure, while providing 90x124 AlphaGel mounting points for securing the camera to your frame. This mounting pattern is used by all frames designed for all naked BMPCC cameras, and is the industry standard.

High levels of precision are required to align the camera sensor with the lens and focus properly. So we have designed and printed our sensor case using SLA resin printing. This results in levels of detail and tollerences that cannot be achieved with FDM printed parts and a finish only match by injection moulding.

Our sensor case has been designed to work with all the other naked setups currently on the market, so if you already have one, you can upgrade to our sensor case and keep using your own mounting sollution.

With such a large platform provided by the plates that house the main PCB, it makes sense to mount the sensor case to the front of the top plate, and mount your lipo behind it for even weight distribution. The length of flex cable that connects the PCB to the sensor also defines where the sensor and lens can be mounted.

We created our own unique mounting sollution for the sensor case that uses front mounted strut braces. These are secured to the sides of the top plate using tough resin mounting points, and provide an adjustable mounting sollution for the case that goes from negative 20 degrees all the way back to 50 degrees.

Running along the top of the strut brace is a series of markers set at 10 degree increments making it simple to repeat frequently flown camera angles. The 0 degree marker has a slightly different marker to easily identify the centre point.

By using strut braces mounted to the front we have free'd up all the space behind the sensor case for easy access to your lipos and straps. It has also allowed us to offer three different lipo mounting configurations that use two straps per lipo that are held in place by the top plate.

You can run the standard single lipo in the centre, or for extra capacity or cell count you can run two lipos side by side. When running more extreme camera angles of over 30 degrees, you will find that the space for your lipo is reduced. To combat this we added a third, sideways/toilet tank, lipo mounting point at the back of the top plate allowing you to get the angle all the way back and not hit the lipo.

You may have also noticed the two holes at the back of the top plate, these are for mounting additional accesories such as cold shoe mounts, GPS, antenae etc.

The final feature of the HaloRC Naked BMPCC4K is our BMPCC Control Board. This control board is used to start and stop the recording and to turn the camera on and off. The control board is also used to supply direct power to the camera, and has a green led indicator to let you know when the camera is powered up.

We have also added pads so that you can connect the camera to your flight controller, and start and stop recording using your transmitter. You can also add an additional record button and mount it where it's most convenient to you.

We are working hard on a bunch of optional accesories that can be added to your setup to suit your own needs.