Archive notice: This article was originally published on March 14, 2017. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Integrated ND Filters
The neutral-density filters (ND) built into the URSA Mini Pro allow the amount of light hitting the sensor to be reduced quickly and easily. The filters for 2, 4 and 6 stops also provide additional latitude in very high-contrast conditions; according to the developers, differently combined apertures and shutter angles can be used to achieve a shallower depth of field or specific motion blur under a wide range of lighting conditions.
Sensor
The Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro has a 4.6K sensor that captures up to 4,608 x 2,592 pixels and covers 15 stops. According to Blackmagic, internal active cooling ensures maximum dynamic range and low noise. Anyone who wants to spend a little less money and can make do with less performance can choose the model version with 12 stops.
Lenses & Operation
The URSA Mini Pro is equipped with interchangeable mounts, allowing EF, PL and B4 lenses to be attached. The camera has tactile control buttons for accessing the most important settings – so the camera no longer has to be taken off the shoulder for still images, frame-rate changes or specifying neutral-density filters has to. The LCD screen’s status display is said to remain clearly visible even in the brightest daylight by adapting the contrast to the shooting situation.
Further Features
According to Blackmagic, the camera’s colour gamut captures a larger portion of the visible colour spectrum than Rec.2020, and during shooting, camera operators are said to be able to switch back and forth at lightning speed between standard and high frame rates (up to 60 fps per second at 4.6K resolution). Alongside dual CFast 2.0 recorders, the Mini Pro also has dual SD card recorders on board. Connections include: 12G-SDI Out, HD-SDI Monitoring Out, two LANC sockets, balanced XLR audio with phantom power, as well as a timecode and a reference input.
An overview of all features of the Blackmagic Design URSA Mini Pro is available here.
Price
On its website, Blackmagic gives a recommended price of €6,805 for the version with 15 stops. The interchangeable mounts cost €285 (PL), €459 (B4) and €215 (EF). Prices naturally vary among the respective German resellers. Online resellers such as Teltec, bpm, Magic Multi Media, Toneart and Video Data Handels currently offer the URSA Mini Pro at a net price of €5,714.32 (€6,800 gross) and currently still have an upgrade promotion running in which owners of a URSA camera can order a Mini Pro at a reduced price. In some cases, you receive the camera 40 percent cheaper this way. Here is an overview of where the URSA Mini Pro is available in Germany.
