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Black Magic URSA - first modular camera, now from $4995
  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    !image

    • Large high resolution 4K or 4.6K Super 35mm sensor
    • Global shutter
    • 12 stops DR
    • Very unusual design
    • Compatible with PL or EF mount lenses.
    • Changeable sensor and mount
    • Dual recording - raw and prores
    • User upgradable design
    • Built in dual CFast 2.0 card recorders
    • Open file formats compatible with popular NLE software, such as Apple ProRes and compressed CinemaDNG 12 bit RAW.
    • Support for ProRes HQ, ProRes 422, ProRes LT, ProRes Proxy recording
    • Dual XLR mic/line audio inputs with phantom power, 6G-SDI output for monitoring with camera status graphic overlay and separate XLR 4 pin power output for viewfinder power, 6G-SDI monitoring input, headphone jack, LANC remote control and standard 4 pin 12V DC power connection.
    • Built in stereo microphones for recording sound.
    • 3 separate built in LCD monitors for camera settings and metadata entry. Large 10 inch screen folds out for full resolution HD monitoring with wide viewing angle and high brightness.
    • Supports Ultra HD and 1080 HD resolution capture in 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 up to 60 fps.
    • Features liquid cooling system allowing higher frame rates when future sensors support this feature.
    • Supports quick release tripod mounts and adding V-Mount and Anton/Bauer mount battery plates.
    • Includes full copy of DaVinci Resolve software color grading and editing software.

    Introducing Blackmagic URSA, the world’s first high end digital film camera designed to revolutionize workflow on set. Built to handle the ergonomics of large film crews as well as single person use, URSA has everything built in, including a massive 10 inch fold out on set monitor, large user upgradeable Super 35 global shutter 4K image sensor, 12G-SDI and internal dual RAW and ProRes recorders. Because the sensor and lens mount assembly can be changed, you can choose EF or PL lens mounts, or even a broadcast video sensor with B4 mount. This means you can upgrade to the latest sensor technology in the future and keep your investment in the camera body.

    URSA features the world’s most intuitive and advanced touch screen camera user interface! There are two 5” touch screens on both sides of the camera that put your settings, controls and monitoring tools at your fingertips.

    http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicursa

  • 146 Replies sorted by
  • rockroadpixrockroadpix

    From Grant P's email

    Over the last few years it’s been really amazing to watch some of the work being done on our cinema camera and some of the rigs that have been built around it. But when we designed it we never really thought it would be used on such large jobs. It was really designed to be a small intimate camera used for creative work where you need to get in close and personal.

    So we have been watching these larger rigs and thinking about how people are working when they do large shoots. Our thinking is that we needed to design a professional full sized camera that had all the extra on set equipment built into it, so there was no need to rig it up as much. We also wanted a camera with enough size to fit a very powerful cooling system so we could run high frame rates without fan noise.

    The result is URSA, our new camera for professional shoots. It features a stealthy machined aluminum design that’s incredibly strong and has been designed for large film crews. We designed the camera to be divided into separate DOP, camera assistant and audio engineer workstation areas so multiple crew can work around it at the same time.

    The DOP station features a massive 10 inch fold out on set monitor and separate 5 inch screen for settings, camera status and scopes. The camera assist station features a separate LCD screen for camera settings, status and scopes and the audio station features audio meters, controls and audio connections.

    URSA also includes an upgradable Super 35 4K image sensor with global shutter, 12G-SDI connections, XLR audio inputs with phantom power and dual CFast based RAW and ProRes recorders. There is a total of 3 LCD’s built into this camera!

    One of the reasons we have been able to put in such high quality displays and features is because the camera is user upgradable. What this means is the whole sensor and lens mount simply unbolts from the front using 4 bolts and then it can be removed and replaced. So in the future when new sensors are available you can upgrade simply by swapping the sensor and lens mount assembly. This makes the camera virtually future proof!

    URSA is available initially in 3 models. One includes EF lens mount and one has a PL lens mount. An example of how you can upgrade the camera would be if you ordered the EF one, you could later purchase the PL lens mount and install it yourself.

    One of the weirdest ideas we had was to make URSA available without a lens and sensor and the URSA HDMI features a ‘cheese plate” with threaded holes and a HDMI input where the sensor and lens mount would normally be. This means you can use any camera on the URSA body and get all the benefits of big screen, scopes, professional audio inputs, CFast recorders and more!

    The camera runs at 60 fps, however the body has the high speed processing and high capacity cooling to run beyond 100 fps, so when faster sensors are available you could upgrade and then get higher frame rates.

    There are a lot more features in the camera than I have space to describe here. The Blackmagic URSA EF will be available in July for $5,995 and the Blackmagic URSA PL will be available for $6,495 from July.

    http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/ursa/

  • kingmixerkingmixer

    I dig the dual recording and global shutter. This will definitely send a lot more people to the Black Magic bus

  • itimjimitimjim

    Looks awesome, but you'll need a serious budget for them CFast cards. Around $1,000+ for 256GB.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    It is cool, but sensor can be same as in BMC 4K and they seem to have issues.

  • endotoxicendotoxic

    im almost positive about sensor being reused.

  • zigizigizigizigi

    BM, Y U NO m43?

  • itimjimitimjim

    Shipping in July. I wonder if the stand reps have to do 6 months poker face intensive training?

  • 3Kids3Kids

    The good part is that the body can run in higher frame rates, so the next sensor upgrade will be more interesting. Also having a factory option to exchange EF/PL mount is nice as well.

  • kholikholi

    Don't forget, it has 12G SDI... there's more expansion than just the sensor... just saying =]

  • kellar42kellar42

    Kind of curious how a GH4 will be mounted on the HDMI version.

  • kingmixerkingmixer

    @Zigizigi I believe they have a studio camera coming with m43 that looks interesting

  • perderperder

    This looks great, can't wait to see the coming sensor modules.

  • itimjimitimjim

    image

    Also looks interesting. No sensor, no mount, just a 4k recorder with the same workflow. Nice!

  • RRRRRRRR

    @itimjim

    If the price is right, I'd consider it in a heartbeat!

  • peaceonearthpeaceonearth

    is see ND filter only for broadcast version?

  • itimjimitimjim

    @RRRR me too. Although, I'd have to shift some of the gear that replicates all of that. XLRs, phantom, audio VU, built-in scopes, battery solution, time code, dual recording, form factor.

    If you're starting out fresh, what a proposition it is. Approximations 4k HDMI recorder $1,500, $700 rig, $700 sound recording, $1,000 monitor, still no time code or dual recording. You're almost knocking $4k off the solution. So if this thing is around $4k...I'd say it's good value....it might be a bit more than that though.

  • itimjimitimjim

    @peaceonearth Makes sense, logistically the mount suits internal ND, plus is more suited to ENG which is synonymous with B4.

  • mpgxsvcdmpgxsvcd

    I would love to see the features and lossless codec options from this camera, the sensor from the Sony A7s, in the body of the GH4 with its menu system, and the IBIS from the Olympus cameras. I would be willing to take out a bank loan for that machine.

  • mattherematthere

    +1 :)

  • PixCanFlyPixCanFly

    URSA looks awesome with the audio meter :)

  • Brian202020Brian202020

    I like the HDMI version.

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    More shots and video at http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/07/blackmagic-ursa/

  • bleach551bleach551

    Didn't nikon file for a patent for interchangeable sensors? maybe that patent doesn't apply because the blackmagic isn't designated as a "Dslr camera".

    http://nikonrumors.com/2013/09/27/nikon-files-a-patent-for-a-camera-with-interchangeable-sensor.aspx/

  • Vitaliy_KiselevVitaliy_Kiselev

    @bleach551

    You need to start learning reading patents (as well as author of article).

    Only points that differentiate your product count. And it can be some very specific things.

    You definitely can't patent ability to change sensor with mount and some other electronics.

  • Craig_RCraig_R

    Looking At the Tech Spec's it says 3840 x 2160p60 but no 50p hope this is a typo

    http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/uk/products/blackmagicursa/techspecs

    So if its the same sensor as the BMCC4K how come it can't do 3840 x 2160p60 ?

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