I have an original Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera that previously powered on normally from LP-E6 batteries using the camera’s power button.
I also use a One Little Remote connected through the camera’s expansion port. A few days ago, I bought a SmallRig NP-F battery plate and connected its 12V output to the One Little Remote to power the camera externally.
When I connected the NP-F battery, the BMMCC turned on immediately. I now understand that this is normal behaviour because the camera automatically starts when external power is supplied through the expansion port (according to the BMMCC manual).
However, since then, the camera’s power button will no longer turn the camera on.
Here is what I have tested:
- The power button still works for shutting the camera down.
- The power button does not turn the camera on from an LP-E6 battery.
- I have tried multiple LP-E6 batteries, including new third-party batteries and batteries that previously worked with this camera.
- I completely disconnected the One Little Remote and every other cable, left the camera unpowered, and tried again. It still would not start from LP-E6.
- The camera starts immediately when external power is newly connected.
- With external power connected AND an LP-E6 installed, the camera detects and charges the LP-E6.
- The camera reports the LP-E6 as being at 100%.
- If I remove external power while the camera is running, it continues running normally from the LP-E6.
- If I then shut the camera down, it will not restart from that same LP-E6.
- The same problem also happens while external power remains connected: if I shut the camera down with the NP-F battery still attached, pressing the power button will not turn it back on.
- The only way to start the camera now is to interrupt the external power and reconnect it, either by unplugging and reconnecting the power cable or removing and reinserting the NP-F battery.
- The camera is running the latest firmware.
So the LP-E6 battery contacts and main battery-power path appear to work, and the external power input also works. The specific failure seems to be that the power button can still turn the camera off, but it can no longer turn the camera on from any power source.
I first noticed the problem after I first powered the camera using the SmallRig NP-F plate through the One Little Remote.
Has anyone experienced this issue with a BMMCC?
Could external power through the One Little Remote have damaged the camera’s off-state power-button or startup circuit, while leaving the rest of the camera functional? Is there a known reset or repair for this symptom?
Any thoughts or help would be greatly appreciated!