C100: Ursa mini vs. C100

Michael Thames

Michael Thames

Carbonite Member
Going to get a new camera soon, was going to get a new C100 to match with my current C100. But, just started looking into the URSA Mini same price as the C100 mkI. I'm concerned with how well these two cameras match up. If you were me which would you buy?
 
If you want easy color matching between the two, stick with the Canon. But the Ursa shoots both raw and a much higher quality Prores video codec. You can certainly match the two but it would take some work, mostly with the Ursa. It has a lot more grading flexibility than the Canon.
 
In terms of matching Im with Razz 100%. The URSA is a very cinematic camera for controlled shooting. The C100 especially the C100MKII is such a good event camera. ND's being part of it. Data rate is way lower so if your thinking about the URSA be sure your post program is ready for very high data rates. If it is and if your shooting narrative or controlled Docs the URSA is great. Dont forget you get some bad ass software with the URSA. Convienience in set up and post is not part of it however.
 
Neither. I would wait for NAB and until then rent a 2nd camera. Then see what might be announced at NAB. By then, maybe the Ursa M4.6 will be more available and you could consider that camera over the Ursa Mini 4K. I guess the question is, how often do you find yourself needing a two camera set up? If not often, rent.
 
Since filmmaking is not your main job, I am not sure you would be ready to devote that much time and resources to massage the Ursa files. Also as the previous posters have pointed out first quarter of the year is always a waiting game to assess the camera landscape and make the purchasing decision accordingly. Every camera has got its positives and negatives.
 
OK..... I'm getting it, I guess the 4K files are much larger than the lets say GH4, 4K files. Just read all then4K stuff and feel like I might be missing out on the trends considering the C100 and the URSA are the same price. I do everything on my MacBook Pro quad core with 16 gigs of ram and a SSD 750 HD....... so I guess these raw files would tax my computer too much? Other than that, I do need at least 3 cameras for what I do. Presently have a c100 and a 5D3, and need to add one more. Mostly indoor low light settings.
 
Have you tried the URSA in real life ? It's a pain in the ass. Just changing the iris on the fly is difficult. As always blackmagic has nice specs with unbeatable price, put the product is not useable in real life.
 
indiawilds said:
Since filmmaking is not your main job, I am not sure you would be ready to devote that much time and resources to massage the Ursa files. Also as the previous posters have pointed out first quarter of the year is always a waiting game to assess the camera landscape and make the purchasing decision accordingly. Every camera has got its positives and negatives.
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From what I've seen the files from the Ursa 4.6k don't need very much massaging.
 
indiawilds said:
Since filmmaking is not your main job, I am not sure you would be ready to devote that much time and resources to massage the Ursa files. Also as the previous posters have pointed out first quarter of the year is always a waiting game to assess the camera landscape and make the purchasing decision accordingly. Every camera has got its positives and negatives.
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By "massaging" you mean post editing? Not dealing with file size and computer speed? I thought I would be getting a C100 by now but looks like I'll have to wait anyway for a month or two.
 
coutard said:
Have you tried the URSA in real life ? It's a pain in the ass. Just changing the iris on the fly is difficult. As always blackmagic has nice specs with unbeatable price, put the product is not useable in real life.
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No I haven't tried one, I've have watched a couple videos on it and yes, it seems the main complaint is having to menu dive. This however may not be an issue for me because I set everything up in a controlled indoor lighting environment and not so much run and gun stuff. I'm used to menu diving with the 5D3 and yea, it's a pain in the ass. That's why I love the C100 so easy!

I guess my main concern is........ does the 4K , raw options out weigh the C100 MKI at this point in time. Am I missing the boat if I get another C100? In 2 or 3 years will I regret not going for the 4K option, not to mention 12 stop of DR. Again for me ergonomics are not a big concern since I use a tripod slider (Kessler second shooter) for almost everything I do, and other cameras on tripods.
 
C100 all the way. You are already dealing with 2 cameras (C100 and 5D), don't buy a another camera that you'll have to spend time matching it in post. Think about how much bigger your files will be...and without major advantages.
 
I think that if you're only delivering to the web or 1080p than its really hard to fine a better camera than the C100(II). I love the quality I get from mine.
 
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