FS7: Blackmagic's New URSA Mini - Will We See a New Sony Soon?

My FS7 is nearly at retirement age - it will be 5 in October and has a lot of miles on the clock. I would love to see an FS8. I don't think they need to re-invent the wheel, a solid upgrade feature-wise in a smaller form factor would tick the box. But, for my money, Sony will replace F55/5 next, maybe with just one model this time.
 
I would love to see a slightly smaller body (though I do appreciate the form factor on the shoulder and don't want to lose that), Sony's new advanced autofocus, a touchscreen that has good resolution (the current screen isn't very good), the ability to shoot Slog2 with S-Gamut3.Cine in Cine EI mode, custom WB settings and selectable ISOs in Cine EI mode, the newer XAVC Class480 codec, the ability to monitor all four channels of audio at the bottom of the screen rather than with the Status screen, the new VENICE color and raw out without the need for the extension unit. Those upgrades are all I want. Higher frame rates in 4K when shooting raw, like 120p 4K continuous, would be nice as well, but not necessary. Everything else is already very good.

Some of the things I mentioned above could feasibility be added to the FS7 via firmware, but I doubt that will ever happen. So to me, an improved model would contain those characteristics without losing anything we already have. That's what I'm hoping we get.
 
To me the main fail.. is the lenght of the EVF lead.

Yes 4in of wire kill the camera!

With a heavier lens one cannot balance the camera on the shoulder with the stock EVF - one cannot - it is the simple physics of the see-saw!

Now with that short wire one needs a seperate monitor or evf, one needs to power that , one needs to cable it.. and the camera becomes a mess

So the upgrade Id like is an extra 4in of wire!
 
cyvideo said:
It's gone whatever it was. "This video has been removed by the user."
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I saw it, and it was some nasty stuff with super crushed blacks. It looked like it could have been any camera the way it was graded. No detail whatsoever below mid-gray.
He probably removed it because it had a popular song (can't remember what it was) that there was no way he had the rights to. Hopefully he's being sued already.
 
Doug Jensen said:
I saw it, and it was some nasty stuff with super crushed blacks. It looked like it could have been any camera the way it was graded. No detail whatsoever below mid-gray.
He probably removed it because it had a popular song (can't remember what it was) that there was no way he had the rights to. Hopefully he's being sued already.
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the song was "California dreaming" by The Mamas&Papas and I obviously was not the only one who wondered how he managed to get it through YT.
The blacks where crashed but it looked good though. Lots of against the light scenes without the typical URSA FPN. Nice skin tones also.
 
Definitely looked good...and it was a slightly remixed version (I believe) to avoid the algorithms. Maybe not though, IDK.

Filmed in NYC.
 
I respect both of your opinions, but I just want to make it clear that I'm not just taking pot shots. In my opinion, it most definitely did not look good and would not get a pass on any of the shows I've worked for. Nothing in the shadows. Nothing. I wish it was still online so I could be more specific.
 
Liam Hall said:
But, for my money, Sony will replace F55/5 next, maybe with just one model this time.
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I'm hoping for a S35mm-sensored Venice. Give it a mid-range price point. Venice's lovely colour science (and NDs, and boot-up time). But limit it to 4k S35mm (with the option to buy the full-frame sensor block if you want to upgrade).

They would get the cost benefits of economies of scale. And save themselves a bunch of effort/cost in developing a new sensor/camera body.

It'd have the added benefit of putting far more Venice bodies out into the world, and making the camera more of a production standard.
 
Grug said:
I'm hoping for a S35mm-sensored Venice. Give it a mid-range price point. Venice's lovely colour science (and NDs, and boot-up time). But limit it to 4k S35mm (with the option to buy the full-frame sensor block if you want to upgrade).

They would get the cost benefits of economies of scale. And save themselves a bunch of effort/cost in developing a new sensor/camera body.

It'd have the added benefit of putting far more Venice bodies out into the world, and making the camera more of a production standard.
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I was just talking about this the other day. A “cheaper” Venice to entice all of the 5/55 owner operators to upgrade. The ND’s and color science are great features, and honestly while FF is becoming the new fad, S35 will always have its place for broadcast work where FF can be more of a hindrance anyway.
 
AS above.. absolutely the way to go.. which is exactly why Sony won't do it.. the suits in the land of the endless meeting will never get it.. its like how long it took them to get from the f3 to the f5/55.. while the C300 cleaned up..and f65 to Venice while Arri cleaned up.. they always get there in the end .. fs7/Venice .. but it takes an age of not losing face ,getting consensus . and "we have never done it like that before "..
 
Better HFR is my most desided item. Waterfalls in HQ 4K... Yes plz.

Also RED style HDR for sunsets would be nice. Better DR.

I dont have lighting in nature photography.

AF is a good third. I hate that FS7 and A7s has so bad AF.
 
morgan_moore said:
To me the main fail.. is the lenght of the EVF lead.

Yes 4in of wire kill the camera!

With a heavier lens one cannot balance the camera on the shoulder with the stock EVF - one cannot - it is the simple physics of the see-saw!

Now with that short wire one needs a seperate monitor or evf, one needs to power that , one needs to cable it.. and the camera becomes a mess

So the upgrade Id like is an extra 4in of wire!
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Can you buy an extension cable for the stock EVF?
 
FS7 LCD IMG_0009.jpg

Am referring to this connection, am thinking a short (male/female) extension cable would be handy to have?
 
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Speaking of the fs7 EVF -- does anyone know which screwdriver to use to loosen the rod holder on the unit? I would like to replace my rod with a longer one to bring the center of balance further back...
 
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