Blackmagic Design announces URSA Mini 4.6K and Micro Cinema Camera now shipping

Danilo Del Tufo

Danilo Del Tufo

Well-known member
Fremont, California, USA - March 17, 2016 - Blackmagic Design today announced that Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K and the Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera have commenced shipping and that the specifications of the two cameras have been changed. This announcement can also be viewed as a video available at www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/cameraupdate.

Blackmagic Design have also announced the release of a short film that shows off the power of the URSA Mini 4.6K camera as well as a “making of” video that shows how the camera was used on this shoot. This short film is available on the URSA Mini product page at www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/blackmagicursamini.

Full Press Releases: https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/press/release/20160317-01
 
Hmmm.... Maybe I missed it, but did Global Shutter not make it to production??? Perhaps it was giving them too much grief and they ditched it. That would explain the looong delay.
 
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I guess they HAD to release it before NAB 2016...just so they can announce yet another new camera in April ;-)

Great to hear it's finally going to be available.
 
Im not a BMD fan. Never really been into anything they have released....or not released for that matter. I do admit though....the 4.6K is interesting and I plan on looking into it closer.

Its amazing more companies don't have more to offer in this market segment. Its hard to imagine a C100II goes for almost the same price. This is definitely a crazy climate we live in.
 
ReelWorksMedia said:
Im not a BMD fan. Never really been into anything they have released....or not released for that matter. I do admit though....the 4.6K is interesting and I plan on looking into it closer.

Its amazing more companies don't have more to offer in this market segment. Its hard to imagine a C100II goes for almost the same price. This is definitely a crazy climate we live in.
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It makes nice images but IMO will find it hard to compete against the big boys (who will flood the market soon enough).

 
Downloaded the UHD version of their new demo film... It's REALLY nice looking.

Shooting the best IQ on this camera will chew up hard drives, but the IQ is definitely there. I'd say that BMD actually delivered here. I haven't been looking at this camera so the late release doesn't really affect me, but if it's out now and there's no major technical issues, then it's a real contender.
 
Paul F said:
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...kmagicursamini.

I'd buy an Ursa mini just to look as good as the camera operator. I'd never have to work again. (rim shot here).

But seriously, I am not familiar with PL mount. They show a shim set as an accessory for PL mount. why is that necessary?
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Because each pl lens, including some of the older ones, have various thicknesses of their mounts.

The shims allow you to adjust that spacing so that the readout of the feet/meter markings match what the lens is actually focused on.

This is a standard part of the camera setup when you typically rent a camera as well.
 
Paul F said:
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/prod...kmagicursamini.

I'd buy an Ursa mini just to look as good as the camera operator. I'd never have to work again. (rim shot here).

But seriously, I am not familiar with PL mount. They show a shim set as an accessory for PL mount. why is that necessary?
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It's to adjust the flange distance, often referred to as "backfocus." It's a way to ensure that the witness marks on your lens are precisely calibrated. BMD however didn't design a mechanical backfocus control into their camera, unlike most manufacturers, so for backfocus adjustments on the Ursa Mini, you have to use shims.

Oops: should have read the entire thread before replying, apparently. :)
 
AndreeOnline said:
... Shooting the best IQ on this camera will chew up hard drives...
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Especially, if you record on two cards simultaneously!

BTW, the price of the 4.6 Mini has not changed at $5,000 EF/$5,500 PL, even though the global shutter has been eliminated.
 
TFilipiak said:
Hmmm.... Maybe I missed it, but did Global Shutter not make it to production??? Perhaps it was giving them too much grief and they ditched it. That would explain the looong delay.
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Bugger, that's a damn shame. Having the option for both global shutter and high DR was one of the biggest selling points of the camera to my mind.

Post sale servicing and repairs remains my biggest concern with the BM cameras though. Hopefully BM are starting to improve this.
 
Grug said:
Bugger, that's a damn shame. Having the option for both global shutter and high DR was one of the biggest selling points of the camera to my mind.
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I honestly never cared about the global shutter option.

Post sale servicing and repairs remains my biggest concern with the BM cameras though. Hopefully BM are starting to improve this.
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I share that sentiment. Even their vendors have trouble recommending them.
 
DLD said:
It makes nice images but IMO will find it hard to compete against the big boys (who will flood the market soon enough).
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At the same price range with comparable features? If so, I would rather go with Sony or Canon or some company like that instead of Blackmagic.
 
I don't see these so called bigboys offering RAW/Prores, 15 stops dynamic range with the quality of colour science seen from the 4.6k at the price BM offers it anytime soon
 
ade4all said:
I don't see these so called bigboys offering RAW/Prores, 15 stops dynamic range with the quality of colour science seen from the 4.6k at the price BM offers it anytime soon
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The Sony FS5/7 are probably the Mini's closest competition, spec-wise. But they just don't seem to have that "look". Very filmic.

Can't wait to see some reviews on the actual production camera.
 
ade4all said:
I don't see these so called bigboys offering RAW/Prores, 15 stops dynamic range with the quality of colour science seen from the 4.6k at the price BM offers it anytime soon
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TFilipiak said:
The Sony FS5/7 are probably the Mini's closest competition, spec-wise. But they just don't seem to have that "look". Very filmic...
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FS5 should soon (NAB'16) be offering its Raw upgrade. It might not be anything but it might be something. And it's definitely within the same price range.
 
The fs5 colour is pretty weak and video like and limited with 4k and if it's anything like fs7 raw then forget it, it's awful
 
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