Tag Archives: ShapeWLB

BlackMagic Design URSA Mini 4K RAW Video Camera • 20 Comments

Emm • November 16, 2015

What a surprise! While this camera is pretty tough to find right now, DVEStore.com was kind enough to lend me one of their BlackMagic Design URSA Mini Cameras. I really did enjoy the quality coming from the big URSA, but it was a beast of a camera to manage out in the field. It required a heavy duty tripod and couldn't be shouldered for very long without fatigue. The URSA MINI is less than 1/3rd the weight at just 5lbs (camera body) with a more compact form factor, so very easy to move around and travel with.

The most stand out feature over the BlackMagic Production 4K camera, is that the URSA MINI offers 4K RAW up to 60fps (yes 4K/60fps!) and for just $2995 (here). That's cheaper than a Sony A7RII. There's additional modes for 1080 up to 120fps if you need faster. If you want even better quality, the URSA Mini 4.6K sensor will offer 4K RAW up to 80fps.

The basic package for the new URSA Mini doesn't come with the top handle, shoulder pad, extension handle, battery plate, or URSA EVF which is all options you can purchase to make a full shoulder rig camera. For now, I've had to improvise by assembling my favorite rig parts together (as seen below).

blackmagic design mini ursa 4k 4.6K cheesycam rig evf shoulder pad battery plate vmount top handle

I would say the 'core' of the rig you see above is the SHAPE C100/C300 Rig setup with the Paparazzi Top Handle + SHAPE Pro Dual Follow Focus. The long 15mm Rails are lightweight Carbon Fiber from PVGear.com. The CAME-TV Shoulder Pad is placed directly under the camera, so it's very well balanced. But when the camera sits this far back, you'll need an EVF upfront. I'm using my Cineroid Retina EVF + Loupe.

I'm using CAME-TV 15mm Handles with Rosette joints. The BlackMagic URSA Mini Remote Handle just happens to be the exact same so I was able to replace one handle with the URSA Mini Remote. Now that I have most of this put together it's time to take it out this week for some test footage. If you guys have any questions about this camera, I have one here in my hands and i'll try to answer some. Otherwise you can get more information by contacting or visiting DVEStore.com

BlackMagic Design URSA Mini 4K or 4.6K Cameras

SHAPE Cage Bundle for Atomos Shogun 4K Recorder Monitor • 4 Comments

Emm • August 19, 2015

Earlier this year at the NAB 2015 show in Las Vegas, SHAPE showed off a new cage system designed for the Atomos Shogun 4K Recorder / Monitor. The main cage offers several threaded mounts and important HDMI locks, and can be expanded with additional accessories such as Shape's patented Quick Adjustment Push Button Handles, Unique Monitor Mount, 15mm Offset, and Sunhood. Here's a little overview video I put together about some of these features.

If you're planning to use your Atomos Shogun to it's full potential, and want to expand outside of a basic cage, then SHAPE's clever additions will be helpful to that workflow. You can find more information about the SHAPE Cage and expansion accessories for the Atomos Shogun over at SHAPEWLB.com (click here).

SHAPE CAGE & Accessories for ATOMOS SHOGUN

NAB 2015- SHAPE iSEE Single Handle Gimbal Stabilizer for GoPro and DSLR • 3 Comments

Emm • May 14, 2015

NAB 2015, SHAPE gives us an overview of two single handed pistol-grip style Gimbal stabilizers. The iSEE (for GoPro) and a larger iSEE+ designed for small DSLR or mirrorless Cameras. Each gimbal operates on two inexpensive and common Canon LP-E6 batteries, so you don't need to sit around and recharge.

So while most GoPro gimbals don't allow you to use the GoPro in it's waterproof housing, the iSEE is designed for this. Other systems will probably not recommend using gimbals under wet conditions, but SHAPE doesn't seem to have any issues getting their iSEE gimbal wet as seen in the video below.

So if you're looking for a gimbal for any type of water or snowboarding activities, the iSEE may be a good choice. The decision for sticking to a 2-Axis system over a 3-Axis may be for the immediate responsiveness allowing for fast tracking and panning specifically needed in sports. For more information about SHAPE and the iSEE & iSEE+ Gimbal stabilizers, check out their website https://SHAPEWLB.com

isee gimbal shape shape isee plus gimbal stabilizer
SHAPE iSEE / iSEE+ Gimbal Stabilizers

NAB 2015 Platinum Sponsors

NAB 2014: Shape Kirk Neff 2.0 DSLR Video Shoulder Rig Bundle • 5 Comments

Emm • April 22, 2014

SHAPE KIRKNEFF PRODUCT PICTURE 640x480-v1
Over at NAB 2014 I stopped at the SHAPE booth to talk with Kirk Neff. I admit there's a bit of brown nosing on my end, but if you ever get the chance to chat with Kirk, it's inspiring to hear about the equipment (or lack of) he chooses to work with. He's a down-to-earth shooter not obsessed with RAW video or 4K cameras. No need for external HDMI ProRes recorders or 'Cine Style' lenses. His workflow is about being fast and functional with minimal gear.

I've got a lot of respect for this guy, as he's out there traveling the world, shooting long content news / documentary pieces for broadcast television and winning awards that are shot entirely from Nikon D800 DSLR cameras with Nikon auto focus lenses. So it's interesting to see the bundle that he decided to put together with SHAPE, and the pieces he personally feels are important for getting the job done.

Sold as a complete bundle so you don't need to fiddle, the Kirk Neff 2.0 Rig comes with an oversized DSLR Video Cage 2.0 with Quick release base, adjustable SHAPE shoulder rig, mini composite Shoulder Pad, Rear back pad, 'Swing Away' Matte Box with (2) 4x4 rotating filter trays, Telescopic push-button Adjustable Handles (Arri rossette), Follow Focus with both friction wheel and Gear, and on the website it also shows the expensive Cineroid EVF4RVW with Retina Display as part of this bundle. I'm sure i'm missing a few items, but you can find out more about this entire Kirk Neff 2.0 Shoulder Rig Kit over at the SHAPEWLB.com website (click here).

SHAPE DSLRKNOS20 PRODUCT PICTURE 640X480-v1_180x101 SHAPE HAND12SH PRODUCT PICTURE 640X480-v1_180x101 SHPAD3-640X480-v1_180x101 SHAPE NEW MB4X4KIT-640x480-v1_180x101 Cineroid-EVF-4rvw 640x480-v1_180x101 FFCLIC-Aluminum gear-v1_180x101 100729-001-v1_180x101 SHAPE KIRKNEFF PRODUCT PICTURE 640x480-v1_285x160
SHAPE Kirk Neff 2.0 DSLR Video Shoulder Rig Bundle

NAB 2014 Coverage Sponsors

NAB 2014: Shape iSEE II DSLR Gimbal Shoulder Mount • 3 Comments

Emm • April 16, 2014

As companies introduce new products during the NAB Show, you can pick up a sense of coming trends. Active stabilized gimbals were very prominent at the 2014 NAB show, and Shape has introduced a few gimbal stabilized products. One handheld stabilizer is dedicated for GoPro Hero, iPhone, or small cameras, and another iSEE II product is combining this technology with a Shoulder Rig Stabilizer.