Archive notice: This article was originally published on April 23, 2014. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
The announced high-end digital film camera URSA features a fold-out 10-inch monitor, a convertible Super 35 4K image sensor with global shutter and an internal dual recorder for RAW and ProRes. Because the sensor and lens mount are a single assembly, it is interchangeable and allows users to use either an EF or PL lens mount or a broadcast video sensor with B4 lens mount.
The Blackmagic URSA model is expected to be available from specialist retailers from June/July for US$5,995.
The features in detail:
Equipment
According to Blackmagic, the camera can be fitted with cinema lenses, rails, follow-focus systems, matte boxes and the like. Equipping the camera with scopes for exposure, focusing and audio levels, a dual recorder and the 10-inch fold-out monitor makes it possible to reduce the equipment required on set. Due to its size, the manufacturer also promises effective cooling, which in turn enables higher frame rates.
Work Areas
The camera is divided into separate work areas for the DOP, camera assistants and sound engineer. The DOP station has a large 10-inch on-set fold-out monitor and a separate 5-inch display for settings, camera status and scopes.
The camera assistant station has a separate display for camera settings, status and scopes, and the audio station is equipped with audio level meters, controls and audio connections.
The camera features a 4K sensor, global shutter and a dynamic range of twelve stops. The Super 35 sensor also makes it possible to film with shallow depth of field and in high resolution in Ultra HD 12-bit losslessly compressed Cinema DNG RAW and Apple ProRes.
The Blackmagic URSA is equipped with a camera module (“turret”) consisting of the sensor, lens mount and lens control connections, which the user can remove by taking out four screws. In the course of future developments, this camera module is intended to be upgradeable with new sensor types.
Four models are currently available: the URSA PL with support for PL-mount lenses, and the URSA EF with support for EF-mount lenses from Canon, Zeiss and other manufacturers. Both models feature a large Super 35 digital film sensor with global shutter.
Outlook
The URSA Broadcast B4 model, due to be released at the end of 2014, is expected to feature an Ultra HD sensor for broadcast video and a B4 lens mount used in broadcasting. Instead of a sensor, the URSA HDMI model features a mounting plate with threaded mounting holes and an HDMI input.
Here is another short video from FilmLive about the new Blackmagic URSA:
