No longer just an i/o device company, Australia-based Blackmagic Design has released a number of innovative camera systems aimed at indie filmmakers looking to own (instead of rent) their very own digital cinema camera. Starting with 2012’s Blackmagic Cinema Camera, which contained a 2.5K sensor, captured RAW CinemaDNG files, and had 13 stops of dynamic range, Blackmagic has released up to two cameras a year, including the Blackmagic Production Camera 4K, Pocket Cinema Camera, and Blackmagic Studio Camera. What sets Blackmagic cameras apart from other cameras in the same price range are pro-level features, high resolutions, and RAW capture.
Last year, Blackmagic released URSA, a digital film camera designed for on-set workflow with several built-in accessories and features you wouldn’t find in a camera with a $6,000 price tag. Sound too good to be true? Well, no camera is perfect, and because URSA weighs more than 16 pounds (body only), it was impossible to operate handheld, alienating its target audience of indie filmmakers.
Run-and-Gun Option
At NAB 2015, Blackmagic listened to its user base and announced the URSA Mini, which took some of the best pro features of URSA, while being compact and light enough for handheld work. And although it doesn’t have all the features of URSA (120-fps in 4K RAW, three monitors, etc.), URSA Mini offers the same sensors, core processing, battery processing, and captures to CFast 2.0 cards.
URSA Mini features the same 4K and 4.6K sensor options as URSA and is compatible with Blackmagic’s new URSA Viewfinder ($1,495). The Mini features frame rates up to 60 fps, and it has a bright 5” articulating full HD touch screen that folds out.
URSA Mini also has several mounting points so it can be easily outfitted with lenses and camera support (rails, follow focus, matte box, etc.). There’s also a Blackmagic URSA Mini Shoulder Kit (sold separately), which features a shoulder pad with a quick release mount to go from handheld to shoulder or to a tripod without changing the rig. Third-party camera support accessories will soon be available from companies like Zacuto, Redrock Micro, and Wooden Camera.
Major Updates to Mini
It took a while, but after a few metalwork delays, URSA Mini is now shipping and Blackmagic has added a few nice features since their NAB announcement. Many of the new features help transform URSA Mini into a live production or studio camera.
Now the camera includes a reference video input with timecode on the same connector so you now have a free 12G-SDI input, enabling more efficient use with an external recorder. With a simple program button, you can monitor your 12G-SDI input on the URSA Mini’s LCD screen or through a viewfinder. (Both the EF and PL models of URSA Mini will have the 12G-SDI input.)
Since URSA Mini is now small enough to perform handheld work, Blackmagic announced a B4 lens mount (designed for the Mini’s PL-mount versions) at IBC 2015. A B4 mount allows you to use 2/3″ HD broadcast lenses. This is a very smart move by Blackmagic to target working ENG professionals, who might not be able to afford a broadcast camera body by Sony or Panasonic but still have the option of shooting live events or doc-style productions.
URSA Mini’s B4 lens mount has optics that are compatible to the B4 lens standard and maps the lens mount to form an HD window on the URSA Mini’s sensor. Changing to a B4 lens mount is also a better solution than using an adapter, because it lets you take off the added weight of the PL mount, plus it’s smaller and stronger.
According to Blackmagic, removing the PL-mount is easy — simply take the PL lens mount off like you’re shimming a PL lens and once the mount is removed, bolt on the new B4 mount and plug the lens into the new lens mount connection.
Another new feature Blackmagic is releasing is a B4 lens control connector to the Mini PLs. This lets the camera power the lens, and you can control the IRIS as well as start and stop camera recording. The lens control connector can work with both analog and digital lens control standards, even with older broadcast B4 lenses.
A big advantage to shooting full HD with broadcast lenses on URSA Mini is that you can capture up to 80 fps, as well as professional formats like RAW, ProRes, and DNX. Because broadcast lenses have a smaller aperture than cinema lenses, the zoom range has much more reach.
URSA Mini’s B4 mount is a big deal. For the low cost of the camera, you now have the option of shooting cinema style with a production crew, run-and-gun, or handheld like a live broadcaster or documentary shooter. You get the best of all worlds.
One feature that Blackmagic has delayed for URSA Mini is GPS. Hopefully this will be fixed in future updates, since GPS has become a must-have feature when shooting on location — especially in nature settings.
Because there are two lens mounts and two sensor options, there are 4 URSA Mini flavors. URSA Mini 4K EF is $2,995, URSA Mini 4K PL is $3,495. With the new 4.6K sensor, URSA Mini 4.6K EF is $4,995 and URSA Mini 4.6K PL is $5,495.
The new URSA Mini B4 Turret will be available for $295 and it can be used on both the 4K and 4.6K URSA Mini PL models.