Best Accessories for Blackmagic Design PYXIS 6K Cinema Box Camera
The Blackmagic Design PYXIS 6K Cinema Box Camera represents a significant leap in professional cinema camera technology, offering a full frame 36 x 24mm 6K sensor with wide dynamic range and maximum customizability, with multiple mounting points and accessory side plates enabling easy configuration into the ideal camera rig for any production. To fully harness the potential of this powerful cinema tool, choosing the right accessories is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the essential accessories that will transform your PYXIS 6K into a professional-grade filmmaking powerhouse.
Essential Storage Solutions
CFexpress Memory Cards
CFexpress Type B cards are much faster than even the fastest SD/UHS-II or CFast 2.0 cards and come in a range of capacities from 64GB up to a massive 4TB. The PYXIS 6K features dual media slots, allowing you to keep recording longer because you can hot swap full cards without stopping. For optimal performance, invest in high-capacity, high-speed CFexpress cards from reputable brands:
External SSD Recording
One of the standout features of the PYXIS is its SSD plate offering a convenient and secure mounting location for your high capacity USB-C drive. This capability allows for significantly longer recording times and provides a cost-effective storage solution compared to CFexpress cards. Compatible options include:
Professional Camera Support Systems
Cage Systems
Several manufacturers have developed comprehensive cage systems specifically for the PYXIS 6K:
Tilta Camera Cage Systems: The cage includes five parts: Side Plate, Top Plate, Left Side Arm, Right Side Arm, and Bottom Plate, with modular design choices that match native accessories, offering more rigging and expansion options for flexible shooting. The system includes external recording support via integrated SSD Mount that accommodates hard drives 52mm-60mm wide and less than 12mm thick.
SHAPE Camera Cage: The 15mm LWS Channel Baseplate with rod system includes a 501 Slide plate to attach underneath the camera body and a slim ARRI Compatible Dovetail bottom plate, providing comprehensive rigging solutions with professional mounting standards.
Kondor Blue Cage System: Their modular cage system features packed plates to elevate the production experience, offering ideal use cases for gimbal operation, cutting cage weight in half while providing essential mounts.
Handles and Grip Systems
The PYXIS benefits significantly from proper handling accessories:
Official Blackmagic Accessories: Professional handle for broadcast production with built-in OLED viewfinder and precision glass optics, stereo microphone, record start/stop button and custom function buttons, along with professional side grip for broadcast production with hand strap for secure and comfortable shooting.
Third-Party Handle Options: Various manufacturers offer ergonomic top handles and side grips that take advantage of the multitude of 1/4″ and 3/8″ thread mounts, expanding mounting options for accessories such as handles, microphones, or SSDs.
Monitoring Solutions
External Monitors
While the PYXIS features a large 4″ HDR touchscreen monitor, professional productions often require larger external monitoring solutions:
Electronic Viewfinder (EVF)
For more cinematic shooting experiences, you can add an optional Blackmagic URSA Cine EVF to PYXIS with a bright OLED display that can show a clean feed of your image or critical status information such as histogram, record status, audio meters and more.
Audio Recording Accessories
Professional Microphones
The PYXIS excels in audio recording with professional audio inputs and high quality recording built in, including a mini XLR input with 48V phantom power for high quality microphones. Recommended options include:
Audio Monitoring Tools
Professional productions benefit from quality headphones for monitoring:
Power Solutions
Battery Systems
The PYXIS supports various power options, and battery plates that attach to and lock into the PYXIS camera’s BP-U battery slot can pass power through from high-capacity V-mount batteries, featuring two 14.8V D-Tap outputs, a 14.8V 2-pin LEMO-style output, and a USB-C output.
Lens Support and Focus Systems
15mm Rod Systems
For professional lens support, cages can accommodate 15mm rods on the front and back with standard 60mm spacing needed for standard 15mm rod accessories, allowing you to add battery plates and follow focuses directly.
Follow Focus Systems
Professional follow focus units can be mounted using the standard rod systems, enabling precise focus control for demanding cinematic work.
Tripod and Support Accessories
Quick Release Plates
The PYXIS benefits from standard mounting plates made from aircraft grade aluminum with 2 1/4″ thread mounts and one 3/8″ thread mount which are ideal for adding microphones or brackets.
Tripods and Heads
Live Streaming and Connectivity Accessories
Network Connectivity
The PYXIS supports live streaming directly to platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and X via SRT and RTMP protocols, and can utilize Ethernet connection or 5G/4G mobile phones connected to the USB-C port for mobile connection.
Timecode Synchronization
For multi-camera setups, external timecode generators can be connected via XLR or 3.5mm audio input or BNC sync input connector:
Lens Options and Adapters
The PYXIS is available in three mount configurations: EF, PL, or L-Mount variants, offering compatibility with cinema and photographic lenses from various manufacturers. This flexibility allows filmmakers to choose from L-Mount compatibility with Leica, Panasonic and Sigma lenses, EF mount for high quality photographic lenses, or PL mount for professional cinema lenses from Zeiss, ARRI, Cooke and more.
Additional Essential Accessories
Camera Bags and Cases
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cable Management
Conclusion
The Blackmagic Design PYXIS 6K Cinema Box Camera’s design as the world’s most riggable full frame digital film camera with its compact, rugged body and multiple standard mounting points makes it incredibly versatile for accessorizing. From professional cage systems and monitoring solutions to advanced audio recording capabilities and flexible power options, the right accessories can transform the PYXIS into a complete filmmaking solution suitable for everything from independent productions to high-end commercial work.
The key to maximizing the PYXIS 6K’s potential lies in selecting accessories that complement your specific shooting style and production requirements. Whether you’re building a minimal handheld rig or a comprehensive studio setup, the camera’s modular design philosophy ensures that you can create the perfect configuration for any creative vision. With the comprehensive accessory options outlined above, you can build the perfect PYXIS 6K setup tailored to your filmmaking needs.