BlackMagic - URSA Mini

[Brian Drysdale]

Some external battery mounts have 12v,out for camera lights etc, so power shouldn't be that big a problem when putting together a camera rig. although it will need some planning.

My Blackmagic mini converter has what they term a "standard" power connection, unfortunately it isn't the same "standard" as used on my PAG light, although it's the same as on a Blackmagic camera..

[Emmanuel Plakiotis]

In the page of the regular URSA there is a video shot with the new 4.6K sensor which resides in the mini as well. I think the outcome, although heavily graded to judge it properly, shows potential

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/pro...blackmagicursa

[Nate Haustein]

I like it. Seems very neutral and lifelike. It's getting to the point where many cameras can be intercut quite well because modern sensors no longer have a baked in look to them. Nice!

[Mike Watson]

Native ISO 400, Max Gain +6db to 800. Is that a dealbreaker to anyone else?

[Gabe Strong]

Be careful. I mentioned how I thought if this thing had built in ND
it would be 'borderline perfect' over at the 'other' board and wow,
it was like blood in the water. Lots of people not happy with those of
us who had the audacity to want built in ND. Maybe more narrative
filmmakers there and more corporate video types here, not sure.
If it had the built in ND's I'd probably buy one (well I'd rather have more
physical switches and buttons on the body of the camera as well as I'm not
a fan of 'touch screen' operated cameras, but since it doesn't
I'll just stay with what I have for now.

[Brian Drysdale]

Seems it's a custom 4.6k sensor that they're using:

NAB 2015: New Blackmagic 4.6K Sensor Insights on Vimeo

[Brian Murphy]

Originally Posted by Gabe Strong

Be careful. I mentioned how I thought if this thing had built in ND
it would be 'borderline perfect' over at the 'other' board and wow,
it was like blood in the water. Lots of people not happy with those of
us who had the audacity to want built in ND. Maybe more narrative
filmmakers there and more corporate video types here, not sure.
If it had the built in ND's I'd probably buy one (well I'd rather have more
physical switches and buttons on the body of the camera as well as I'm not
a fan of 'touch screen' operated cameras, but since it doesn't
I'll just stay with what I have for now.

Well Gabe I think we both took it on the chin on the other board for wanting ND. Since I just sold my FS100 I now need a replacement and was really considering this camera. But like so many of the cameras at NAB, it will be the Fall 2015 at best before one is available unless they have greatly improved since last year. The other issue is this camera is not much less expensive than the FS7 which I can buy right now ... with ND. I applied to test the Cion for a couple of days and hope that comes through as it also seems interesting. Kept all my 4x4 and 4x5 NDs and Chroziel matte box. Now if they could just sort out the ingest issue with the PXW-X70 I would buy one to pair with my PMW-300.
I thought things were supposed to get simpler with new tech.

[Steve Phillipps]

Originally Posted by Brian Murphy

I applied to test the Cion for a couple of days and hope that comes through as it also seems interesting.

No NDs on the CION either though - and it's a fair bit more expensive.
For the URSA full size camera with the new sensor is of interest - it's the only camera anywhere near that price that does 120fps 4k slow motion - next step up is Epic, then Varicam, then F65!
....or FS700 in short bursts with Odyssey.
Steve

[Ade Towell]

Originally Posted by Mike Watson

Native ISO 400, Max Gain +6db to 800. Is that a dealbreaker to anyone else?

native iso is about 800 possibly a little more according to John Brawley

[Jack Zhang]

I highly doubt that it's a "custom sensor." They're adapting another existing sensor with different ways to call the image from the sensor. That's not "custom."

If it is the Fairchild Imaging sensor, why are they limiting global shutter to 30p when it can do 120p at full resolution in global shutter mode? Theoretically that makes 4.6K60p possible.

[Brian Drysdale]

They say in the video the frame rate limitation is due the cooling requirement. No doubt it's also handy from a market placement point of view.

[Jack Zhang]

Really? If that's the case, why not put in bigger heatsinks like the RED cameras? The price point for this sensor if it supported global shutter 60p would be groundbreaking.

[Brian Drysdale]

The Red Scarlet has a fan, which has caused noise issues. A quiet cooling system isn't simple and the cooling seems to be why the Ursa is so large with its liquid cooling system.

[Jack Zhang]

I re-read the specs of the sensor. It supports 240fps at full resolution in Rolling Shutter Mode and 120fps in Global Shutter mode. It is so possible to use 60fps in Global Shutter mode, it just needs the liquid cooling of the bigger URSA.

[Mike Watson]

Originally Posted by Ade Towell

native iso is about 800 possibly a little more according to John Brawley

I felt like their NAB set was pretty well lit and the thing was set at 400. I shoot corporate stuff in offices where I can augment with a little fill here and there, but doing a full light set up for every shot just isn't practical. I feel like even at 800 I'd need way more.

I wish it would work for me, I love the form factor.