Filmmaking / Directing : REVIEW: Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K by Richard "RB" Botto

I think it has some great pro's and negatives. It's priced aggressively to match some mirrorless camera's, so that's great and it has better ergonomics to be put on ''sticks'' and switch to a 'run and gun'' shoulder set up. No global shutter can produce some challenges for quick rapid action scenes, so I'd probably utilise it in smaller dialogue heavy productions. Overall, it looks decent. :) I've yet to use it physically, so I'd really like to battle test it in the field on an actual short film with a crew & DOP before I make a full conclusion. I like that Blackmagic have entered the field with physical products, hopefully this camera won't have the niggles the BMCC had like dropping frames, dead pixels and other build issues. I'd appreciate more thoughts and input from DOP's and fellow filmmakers that have tried this Camera and Blackmagic camera's in general. All the best from the R.E.P Knights!

I was on set for two Union feature film shoots the past year. The Union camera guys 'look down" at BM cameras. They are all about Arri Alexa. The rental camera businesses survive on high-end expensive cameras. BM is a great camera to give your project the "look" of a real movie. Still need an experienced Cinematographer who knows how to light and a post-production Colorist to clean up images. I don't think you really save $$$$ with cheaper equipment. The article doesn't talk about lenses. Camera lens is a big factor.

The Alexa's have such a crisp image, class leading. RED is brill too! I used the RED EPIC with the Dragon set up on my latest project, It's great. These higher end camera's are highly recommended by me, if you can shoot with them go for it! But, they are very cost prohibitive for indie level and people starting out. If you can't line up the budget and data work flow to shoot RAW, then I recommend that people concentrate on telling the story effectively with the tools they have. I started out with nothing but a crappy mobile phone and then a budget hand-held Sony dvcam. Don't worry about the tool so much. Tell the story right, make it the best you can with what you have and then use the 'big guns' with the right set up when you can afford too. Dan hit it right on the nail, get a great DOP, some great, fast crisp glass and some solid coloring in post and work hard to make it a stellar piece. Push yourself and you will achieve greatness. All the best from the R.E.P Knights!

Personally, I'd would pay more salary for an experienced Cameraman with 'pro-consumer" gear than a beginner Cameraman with expensive gear. Good Luck, RB. Are you planning to buy a camera?

The color space of the Black Magics are wonderful, but I've always heard they need much more light than the Canon C-series cameras. Also, they're infamous for their breakage and malfunctions. Still, seriously considering renting one for a project.

Dan - I'm planning on shooting something this year, should all come together, and am definitely doing my homework.

Let me know what you decide, Sam. Love to hear about your experience.

The Ursa Mini is an interesting camera at the price point. Consider the $1500 viewfinder as an absolute necessity. BlackMagic has a reputation for great innovation and awful fabrication. The reason many of us don’t use their products is because they used to break, the mini HDMI out plug on the Pocket Cinema Camera that is mounted on the board and not the chassis is a perfect example. Cheaper to replace the camera than repair it. Don’t know if the 4.6 Mini is any different or not. Proven workhorse cameras from Arri and Sony are dead reliable with only rare problems. With the daily cost of shooting. cameras that don’t fail is a major consideration. The images I’ve seen have been ok. Nothing special. but ok. The lack of an OLPF (Optical Low Pass Filter) on a camera with a sensor pixel count that is different than the delivery standards is potentially problematic. The anti-aliasing qualities of OLPFs is one of many reasons to have them. With 4.6K pixels across, the resize to delivery specifications could be another aliasing source. The lack of an OLPF also hugely increases the likelihood of moire issues in the image. The camera lacks internal ND filters so it might need IRND or Hot Mirror filters to deal with infrared saturation. The camera does not have a global shutter, and the rolling shutter would also increase the aliasing. This is seemingly a B or C level camera. If it fills the needs of a given production better than any of the other choices out there then it is certainly at an attractive price. Choosing it would depend upon test results and I have not yet had a production that I thought would benefit from it so have not tested it. Other than price there is nothing about this camera that stands out as better than other cameras. Cameras should be chosen for many reasons, price is only one of them and most certainly not the most important.

@Andrew - Your response embodies everything I love about this community. You gave me (and others, I would think) much to consider. If this is a "B or C" camera, what would you consider A in this price range either to purchase or rent?

Sorry, confusing terminology on my part. Shouldn’t write these notes during a conference call :-) I meant a B or C level camera, not a B or C camera on a given production. We all have our own ranking systems, for me the top or A level go to cameras are the Alexa, Sony F55, Sony F65, and the Panasonic V35. Spectacular images from very rugged stable cameras. In the $5000 price range there are no A level cameras. Lower pricing means you give up things.