The latest crop of new footage from the upcoming Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K is so good that if you had any doubts about the new camera, these clips may very well change your mind. Well it has been a major recurring theme that beta testers will release new footage what seems like almost every week now, the questions begs – when will the camera finally start shipping? It is a question that I asked numerous times to a few different reps at the Holdan stand at BVE 2016 in London last week (Holdan are the official Blackmagic Design distributors for the UK) and I was given some rather vague answers ranging from – shipping “imminently” to shipping at the end of March, to even shipping after NAB?
At this stage I don’t really thing that even Blackmagic Design know what the status of the URSA Mini 4.6K and the Micro Cinema camera are, but one thing is for sure – the footage looks stunning! A few new clips from beta testers have appeared online. See for yourself below.
“First Seven Days” Ursa Mini 4.6k in 4K from Note Suwanchote on Vimeo.
Variety of different “styles” (aka grades).
All raw in 4.6K in a mix of 4:1 and 3:1. Rendered out in 2160p.
Mainly 24fps except towards the end where it’s 60fps.Lenses used:
Sigma 18-35mm Art 1.8 Canon 100mm 2.8 Macro (old, non usm).
Should rig or Letus Gimbal (no tripod).Almost all the shots are basically just test shots.
95% all natural light.Music:
Experience by Ludovico Einaud
Forest – Ursa Mini 4.6k from Mark Wyatt on Vimeo.
Blackmagic Ursa Mini 4.6k test footage. UHD ProRes HQ. Shot at Cathedral Grove Provincial Park, Vancouver Island, Canada.
The URSA Mini 4.6K really shines in both examples above and shows a very impressive dynamic range and organic feel. Of course operator talent, grading etc., do play a big part of why things look the way they do, but the camera in my opinion nonetheless will make a significant impact on the indie scene and next year we’ll probably see quite a few indie shorts and features shot on the URSA Mini 4.6K.
I also certainly hope that the colour science has been finalised and the camera ships soon. It is about time. For those unfamiliar with what you would need to make the URSA Mini run, I’ve put together a rough basic kit with pricing below.
Basic Kit – with accessories to get the camera running and production ready.
- URSA Mini 4.6K EF Camera Body – $4,995
- BMD Shoulder-mount Kit & Top Handle – $395
- Transcend CFast 2.0 128GB Cards – $299.95
- Lexar Professional CFast 2.0 USB 3.0 Reader – $19.99
- IDX V-mount Plate – $185
- Switronix XP-L90S V-Mount 98Wh 14.8 Battery – $248
- Switronix PB70C PowerBase Charger – $44.95
- BMD URSA Viewfinder – $1,495
- Sigma 18-35mm f1.8 Art Lens Canon EF – $799
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The footage may be stunning… but the BMD’s connection with its users is not.
Or at least it seems so, when you look at what they are writing at the official BMD forum. Lots of customers demanding answers, wanting to know when the Ursa Mini 4.6K will ship – or at least get something from BMD.
But there is always silence. Then another fantastic clip is released and people are even more excited, but the release date is constantly moving forward. And more silence from BMD.
I really would like to have this camera. But I really also don’t like the attitude from its creators.
I normally defend Blackmagic because what they’ve done for the filmmaking community as a whole is so important it’s hard to even put into words. But with this camera, they really should have come out with a monthly or bi-monthy statement– even if it was just a guess– or even if it just narrowed the window down to 6 months. That would have been better than not commenting at all.
It’s too bad to watch them bring this kind of heat upon themselves. I have a feeling the Ursa Mini 4.6K will be an amazing camera, so it’s a shame they’re handling their PR like this.
The “Basic Kit” is way too overpriced to get the camera running and production ready.
It doesn’t need the Ursa Viewfinder and the Shoulder-mount Kit & Top Handle. Even the V-mount Plate costs double the price than the original V-Mount Plate from Blackmagic.
So you can get the camera running and production ready and save 1,980 $ by not buying accessories that aren’t neccessary 😉
The basic kit is an incredible value by any standard. You need to look into what it costs to get a RED camera (the Ursa Mini 4.6K’s closest competitor) up and running. You’ll be bleeding from your eyes when you’re done speccing any RED model out. Every additional item you can order for this camera is a great value– and that is not the standard for anyone, Sony, Canon, Panasonic, Arri, you name it.
I know 😉
What I meant is that you don’t need the EVF and Shoulder Mount Kit to have an production ready Ursa Mini 4.6k 😉
Yep, I agree with that. But the value of Blackmagic’s accessories is incredible. The $1,500 EVF is better than the $5,000 EVF that comes with the F55/65. I think it’s better than anything at its price or higher, personally.
And the shoulder kit is $600 I think? Sony charges $1,000 and it offers far less. Same with RED and Zacuto, etc.
I just think BMC deserve a little credit for not trying to gouge their customers like every other major player in the pro video market, that’s all. Whether you need their accessories or not is another matter.
You are absolutely right! But in return you get support from Sony and they will deliver their cameras as expected and not more than 8 months later.
Good points by everyone. I just cant understand why they don’t comment. Most people prefer communication even if it isn’t what they want to hear but no communication is a really big turn off.
Buzz came around this week on Instagram from “lucky” fellas who actually managed to lay hands on the BMD UM and keep saying “it feels great and shoots straight”. Real huge hype. Standing a step behind and watching what happens next as I consider any choice between “it” as in a $ 6,990 start pack and some KINEMINI, AJA CION and ARRI ALEXA SXT. Tough turf. Whatever. The LLC will take care of the cost assessment anyway.