Camera: BlackMagic Design Ursa Mini 4.6K
Shoulder Rig: https://Came-TV.com
ViewFinder: Ursa ViewFinder
Tag Archives: ursa mini
Cheaper Storage – Atoch CFast to SSD Solid State Drive Adapter for URSA or Ursa Mini
One of the drawbacks of shooting with the BlackMagic Design URSA, URSA Mini 4K/4.6K cameras are the requirement to use CFast cards as recording media. I guess you can use an external 4K recorder, but that's not going to allow you to record Full RAW. Even cheap 256GB CFast cards capable of handling the URSA will run about $600 dollars/each (seen here).
In the video below, i'm showing you the Atoch C2S Adapter that allows you to record to SSD Drives instead of expensive CFast cards. With this setup, you'll still be able to record in any format the URSA offers, including full uncompressed 4K RAW at 60p.
Yes I know, it's an additional accessory you need to mount to your camera, but can literally save you thousands of dollars in storage costs. It may not be a full replacement for every situation, but when you're just working handheld or on sticks, it's the most inexpensive way to capture high quality footage from the data hungry BlackMagic Design URSA Cameras.
If you're the type to shoot mainly in low quality ProRes, lower framerates, or just 1080 then almost any SSD drive will work. But in order to capture the highest quality from the URSA 4K RAW 60fps, then you'll want to choose a decent SSD Drive. Recommended is the Sandisk Extreme Pro drives or the Samsung Pro SSD drives.
With about 960GB of storage (2 480GB SSD Drives), you're looking at around 2.5 Hours of 4K ProRes HQ at 24p. Every so often I may switch to 4K 60p, or 1080 120fps, but I seem to have enough footage for a decent project. The quality coming off the " target="_blank">BlackMagic Design URSA Mini 4.6K is so nice, I don't even mind shooting in ProRes LT if I need more than 2.5 hours. But even if I had to buy more storage, i'm literally saving thousands of dollars using the Atoch C2S Adapter and recording to SSD over CFast.
Atoch C2S - Cfast to SSD Drive Adapter Ursa / Ursa Mini Cameras
BlackMagic Design URSA Mini 4K RAW Video Camera
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).
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