Blackmagic Design has rolled out Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8 software, which includes updated features for all Blackmagic Design cameras. Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8 is available now for download free of charge for all existing Blackmagic Camera customers from the Blackmagic Design support page on the website (www.blackmagicdesign.com).

The new Blackmagic Camera Update 1.8 software features a completely new code base for all Blackmagic digital film cameras and provides a foundation for new features. This update supports the original wide dynamic range 2.5K Blackmagic Cinema Camera, Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera and the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K.

This all new code base also improves performance and includes a new modern user interface similar in design to the new URSA camera announced at NAB. This new user interface is included in all models of cameras available from Blackmagic Design.

Blackmagic Camera 1.8 adds compressed RAW DNG support for the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K model. This allows RAW recording in real time so all sensor data can be captured allowing more range and much higher image quality when doing post production and color grading, according to the folks at Blackmagic Design. DaVinci Resolve 11, also available, fully supports RAW grading and rendering to final output direct from the RAW camera original files.

New features in Blackmagic Camera 1.8 include enhanced lens control support for EF lens mount cameras such as the original Blackmagic Cinema Camera EF and the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K models. This means customers can now get auto focus when pushing the focus button on active EF based lenses, and the cameras will mathematically analyze the center of the image and optimize the focus for maximum sharpness.

Blackmagic cameras are available starting at US$995 from Blackmagic Design resellers worldwide.