Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Blackmagic Design: URSA

Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic Studio Camera

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Studio cam:
HD / 4K models
S35 sensor
XLR audio inputs
10" monitor
active Micro 4/3"
built in headset / talkback / tally
fiber in / out
4pin XLR power
4 hour battery

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Love the look of the URSA!!!

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Oh, god. Mind blown. Can't say anything else at the moment; I'm still gasping for air since I read the price.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Incredible, and of course everyone is asking whether they will really deliver the first 2 in July.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Personal reaction: I was really hoping this "broadcast" camera would be 2/3" as there are a lot of great zoom lenses out there & it would be amazing crazy to have a $2k HD 2/3" broadcast camera.


The Cinezoom lenses they show in the photos cost, what... 20-50x as much as the camera it is attached too?


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The URSA looks like a stab at the Sony F5 / F55, doesn't it? I guess the new Panasonic Varicam too (which has a 2/3" flavor, so that might be a unique selling point).

But if it compares to the F5 / F55, it would be killer at the fraction of the price.

At least since this is the 3rd year of Blackmagic Design cameras, people know that BMD has their own set of quirks, troubles, etc. etc. etc. Still exciting to see how things will shape up.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

That URSA model looks really cool.

Oh, and the talent isn't that bad, either.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Huh... only took two years for Blackmagic to realize their camera design was awful.

Regardless... These better be flawless if they want to compete in the pro world.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Yes. 10" LCD!!! That is awesome. The big three are getting it handed to them by Blackmagic. This camera design ticks a lot of boxes. Very interesting.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Wow! Just amazing. RED should be worried.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

The ten inch monitor is unbelievable.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

It says shipping in July but doesn't specify what year...

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

WOW! o_O

Yes!

Yes!

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

That unit at the bottom, without the sensor that allows you to hook up a DSLR via HDMI and have full features seems to be pretty neat....

10" HD Monitor... that is sweet.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Here are the details about Davinci Resolve 11. The editing part has been greatly improved...

Blackmagic Design: DaVinci Resolve 11

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

OK now having a reality check after digesting all the info I can currently find on the URSA.

It's VERY heavy - better start booking gym sessions before I order one
No ND filters (but that is expected on a big Cinema camera where a Matt box would be the norm)
Looks to be the same sensor as the current BMD production camera - so it will not be a low-light king (but at least it could be upgraded in the future with the modular design approach)
Seems many BMD owners are not impressed with the lack of firmware fix announcements today (BMD really risk alienating their existing user base…and this is clearly aimed at a different user base to what's been seen so far from BMD - a risky strategy)
Shipping in July…yes, yes…but of which year? (BMD have rather a lot of "previous" on missing delivery dates)
Also, if I order one, won't a better model be announced by BMD before I even get my hands on it…

Still think its GREAT that there are an increasing number of competitors, such as BMD, to keep the "big boys" on their toes about pricing and features on offer…and despite the above I still, sort of, want an URSA! However, my totally reliable C100 and PMW-300 are safe enough tucked up in their kits bags - for now.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Well, the sensors are interchangeable, and the B4 mount has ND filters. But I agree with you, it's heavy and before they start selling it they have to attend the issues their current customers are complaining about, because they're going to be the main voices and possible clients for the new cameras.

It sounds like a bad idea if you ask somebody who owns a 2.5 or a 4k and he tells you to stay away from BM. I have faith they will fix the issues; it's a marketing win...

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

I was about to pull the trigger on an FS700 but with the announcement of the Ursa Im glad I waited until after NAB. Framerates aside, considering my glass is already all taken care of... it might... just... take the cake. We will see, Ill have to give them a ring after all this craziness that is NAB is over and there are no other things that shout "take my money!".

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

One thing is likely, the development of the two new cameras had to be stretch for a company the size of BMD and has perhaps taken resources away from other projects. What I hope is that software development for the URSA will or has also yield(ed) solutions to some of the issues with the earlier cameras.

The announcement that Resolve will now be a NLE is also really interesting.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

For anyone considering the URSA, also check out AJA's new camera. Yes it is their first, but I feel like AJA designed their camera with camera ops in mind. It has XLR inputs, only took BMD 3 years to add those things.

Keeps on being a very exciting time to be a consumer. All these camera companies keep throwing new cameras at us.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

As a camera shader/engineer for multi-cam projects I find using Resolve to match cameras a bizzare but intriguing concept. For live work the iris control better be very ergonomic, changing iris levels on say 4-8 cameras one right after the other is not uncommon and you really need solid controls to make the changes accurate as well as fast.

And studio cameras should have parfocal zoom lenses, having to re-focus every time you zoom/reframe is a non-starter. So far, MFT lenses with a decent Zoom range, constant arpeture and the ability to hold focus throughout the zoom are a rarity, if even they exist. Yeah, I'm with Zach on the 2/3" sensor. I love what BM is trying to do, but there seem to be so many little 'gotchas' that aren't really little at all.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

As a Black Magic Cinema Camera owner, as others have said here, I would really hesitate about being an early adopter of this camera. It just seems like there is a lot that has to be developed on this camera, and don't forget current users of the 4K rig are reporting fixed pattern noise on many units, and that hasn't been resolved by Black Magic yet. I also think that sometimes Black Magic Design likes to emphasize its design element, and tries to make cool looking things, that may not be usable in the end. That makes me wonder about the 10 inch monitor, and just how convenient that will really be and how well will it perform in bright light and such.

And I have been waiting for promised upgrades for a year now on my EF, so this time around, I will wait and see how things pan out. Definitely no preorders like last time. An if Black Magic Design is depending on preorders, I have a feeling the based of buyers that were there last time, will not be there this time. I can remember a definite panic that developed to get on a preorder list last time, and I am guessing that will not be near as big this time.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

The studio Cam has the same image sensor as the pocket
The differences are it can't do raw but it can do a variety of framerates up to 50/60p
Its not a camcorder. It seems there isn't onboard recorder.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

The Ursa is HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUGE!

The body according to the rep I talked to is something like 16lbs without battery. That gives you the jumbo monitor but a lot of people will be surprised if they buy this without handling it first.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

And aptly named. I hope they come out with a baby bear... Ursa Minor.

Pretty amazing package for that price, though. Really, the weight is the only thing that would keep me from seriously considering it... Definitely not a run and gun camera!

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

One of the best hand held 16mm film cameras, the CP16R weighs about 16 lbs, it was used for shooting news. For hand held work, it's how well it's balanced.that's important and that's where many of the large sensor fail because everything gets front heavy when a zoom is stuck on the front.

http://whitehouseaudiovisual.com/ima...imgs/CP_16.jpg

However, the CP is full of mechanics and a 400ft roll of film. I suspect the BlackMagic is being made to a price, which prevents any machining to reduce the weight. The Arri Amira has had a weight reduction since last year and comes in at 9.2lbs.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

16 lbs people. that should sink in before you consider it, even on top of the other potential issues with BM

a smaller camera can always be built up, but this beast cannot be built down

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

The AJA Cion looks a better bet on the weight front with 7.4 lbs with the handle fitted.

An Arri Alexa body with SxS Module, electronic viewfinder and handle weighs 7.7 Kg/16.9 lbs.

The URSA seems to aiming to be a production camera and also high end for documentary work on a budget

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

The Ursa also has a liquid cooling system. That's probably a significant contributor to its weight.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

i imagine the thing is pretty thick solid metal, and yes, weight reduction is added design, time, and cost.

they likely could have solved all of that with stamped 2-4mm metal, like computer cases. but that would of course likely wouldn't come off as ridiculously solid, but still would have been plenty rugged.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

I guess Liquid cooling is a good method to keep down the camera noise, there's a lot of careful fan design in the Arri camera, which adds to the cost.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Liquid cooling probably also allows BMD to take advantage of cooling solutions for personal computers which due to the economies of scale, are quite inexpensive relative to their quality and robustness.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

PVC interview Dan May from Blackmagic about the camera.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Pre-order the URSA today! We have four handy configurations.


Blackmagic Design URSA EF Upgradable 4K (Pre-Order)


Blackmagic Design URSA PL Upgradable 4K (Pre-Order)


Blackmagic Design URSA Broadcast 4K (Pre-Order)


Blackmagic Design URSA HDMI 4K Recorder (Pre-Order)

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

This is an interesting but baffling camera. I didn't think I could be put off a camera by the weight but 7.5kgs without an evf or battery!? Wow! - 3 screens you' have to' carry seems a bit ott. And where are those other flavours of prores?

I have to say though this is a huge amount of camera for the money...literally!

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

I didn't know anything about Ursa when I walked into the BM booth at NAB. Without looking at the specs, two things stood out for me. First, this camera is huge! It's about 1.5 times the size of a standard bread loaf. Massive. Second, why were the audio monitor meters on the right side of the camera? A shooter won't be able to monitor audio, unless another meter is included in the lcd?

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

Warren:

Their idea is that it will actually be a for a sound guy to control sound levels without interfering with shooter. I think the two side monitors can view the same thing, but not certain. Most of us current BM customers blew a gasket when BM suddenly produced these at NAB, when they haven't fixed the issues with the first four cameras.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

BM had best have deep pockets if these new big investments don't sell. Will be interesting to see if there is a price reduction in the next 12 months due to slow sales.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

This makes me think that perhaps BMD doesn't understand their customer base. Do they really think it's the best idea to design a camera that's geared toward running it with a crew (cam op, focus puller and audio tech)? I would think that there would be a majority of single operator users who want to use this instead of a production crew, so it would have made more sense to design the ergonomics for a single operator.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

I've just watched the link Brian gave, and there are so many (critical) questions which could have been asked.....

In particular, they talk about the sound recordist having access to the one side of the camera, hence the audio metering and controls there. Do they seriously think any camera operator is going to be very pleased if somebody starts adjusting knobs on the far side of their camera mid-shot? And is the side of the camera the best place for the recordist to always have to look for his metering?

Surely the arrangement where the recordist lines up a small mixer with the camera pre-shooting, which gives him the flexibility to monitor and adjust levels where it's most suitable to him, far preferable? Oh wait - that's what happens at the moment, so they couldn't advertise anything "new"......

And the 10" monitor - it may be useful sometimes, but is it the only method of viewfinding? What happens on an outdoor shoot in bright daylight?

Overall Ed, I agree. It smacks of having been designed by technicians who think they know what cameraman want - rather than involving those who actually use the gear day in, day out. The comment about it's coming from a company with a base in computing may be more revealing than they intended.....

It's interesting, it's got good points, but I'm just left feeling it hasn't been fully thought through. Which is a shame.

Re: Blackmagic has two new 4K cameras at NAB - "URSA" & "Studio Cam"
 

For the studio camera, what's a decent low cost zoom lens suggestion? I don't see 720P SDI output. That's kind of disappointing. Looks very interesting that's for sure!