Blackmagic Ursa Mini 4.6K Tips
[vimeo 159514110 w=500 h=281]
Write up:
(UPDATE! Downloadable 4.6K Prores files & Luts added at the bottom of the page)
So the 4.6k Ursa Mini from Blackmagic Design is now Officially shipping...
But there is some changes, no Global Shutter or GPS!
The rolling shutter in the camera isn't bad, so not much need to worry. Its probably about the same as the RED EPIC. If it was as bad as the rolling shutter in the Sony A7SII, then I can understand people's frustration haha
So both versions of the Ursa Mini are now shipping, which one do you get...4K or 4.6k.
Having used the Big Ursa, 4K Ursa Mini and now the 4.6K. In my opinion the 4.6K is the best one. The dynamic range is a BIG step up from the 4k model and the lowlight is much much better.
One thing to note with the 4.6k, if you plan on shooting Prores, your wont actually get recording at 4.6k, only option is UHD 3840X2160 Prores or 1080.
4.6k is only available in RAW, allowing real 4.6k 4608x2592 or 4096x2160 and 2K 2048x1080
Since its now officially released and not running in beta mode...we can finally share what the new bmdfilm looks like from the camera, here are some frames I shot.
bmdfilm
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The last 4 grabs are from a film I wrote, shot, edited and did sound for ( i don't recommend doing all that yourself, haha) as I basically wanted to test the camera by jumping straight in. The audio for the piece was recorded straight into the cameras xlr inputs.
watch it below:
https://vimeo.com/151363154
When the new 4.6k sensor update for the big Ursa becomes available...then that camera will be slightly better with slow-motion...but I really don't miss the size and weight of the Big Ursa haha
So speaking of slow-motion, both ursa mini's shoot 2K windowed crop 120fps and 1080p windowed crop 120fps. I decided to try and push that slow-motion and upscale it to UHD, just to see how it copes with UHD 24fps and 60fps. It actually holds up well....I don't always recommend upscaling footage but it can be done if needed.
see below:
https://vimeo.com/154728940
Dynamic Range, is there really 15 stops? Haven't scientifically tested but so far so good:
https://vimeo.com/153769066
Is the lowlight better...YES! 800 is very very clean and 1600 is usable too
I haven't experienced any fixed pattern noise yet
Here is a test done with just a candle:
https://vimeo.com/153833286
Exposing for the camera I've found it to be little different, you can easily expose to the right and still recover highlights. But I've found when exposing evenly, my colors look more natural looking. Each person likes to shoot differently but below is where I like to nail exposure with the 4.6k sensor.
Just under the histogram is the battery indicators, I like to make sure my highlights don't go past the 2nd battery bar. Since shooting this way, I find my grades and colors come out great each time.
https://vimeo.com/156167609
Filters I like to use are the Tiffen Var-Nd and Firecrest Formatt-Hitech
When using the tiffen, I don't like to shoot any faster then f2.2, wide open I find there is a color shift and vignetting. This is when I prefer using the Formatt-Hitech, see results below:
Sigma 18-35mm at 1.8 with Tiffen Vari-ND
Sigma 18-35mm at 1.8 with Formatt Hitech
Sigma 18-35mm at 1.8 with Tiffen Vari-ND
Sigma 18-35mm at 1.8 with Formatt Hitech
Accessories ...as I mentioned in my 4K review. I'm not a fan of using the shoulder rig/evf top handle set up. It's too time consuming to set up when you want to use it without the handle or pack the camera away to move from location to location.
Here is how I like to set up the camera:
I use the Smallrig Safety rail 46mm, mount that to the camera:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00N1TN5EU?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
Then I slide the handle on the rail:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00OGWIAH8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00
Then using the smaller bolt thats comes with the BMD shoulder kit (not sure why this doesn't ship with the evf) I use this bolt to connect the evf
This allows my set up to be small and quick. I can now attach and detach the handle and evf fast with no tools needed.
I also like to use the IDX DUO 150 Batteries, 2 of these batteries last me all day
https://vimeo.com/166646872
Hope people find this helpful, drop any questions below!
People that finally have the camera, grading from the new BMDFILM can be tricky, so I created some LUTS below:
LUT Link - https://sellfy.com/p/u3IJ/
Available for:
Adobe Premiere CC
FCPX
Davinci Resolve
Payable by, Credit Card or Paypal
BASE2 LUT
Film III LUT
FADE LUT
Warm Base LUT
Cool Base LUT
Plus many more....
4.6k Luts: https://sellfy.com/p/u3IJ/
(a list of some recording formats & frame rates, not all formats but the main ones)
Prores Recording info:
Prores 444 - UHD 3840x2160
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 15min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 29min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 14min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 28min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 40fps max full sensor or windowed = 8min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 40fps max full sensor or windowed = 17min
Prores 422 - UHD 3840x2160
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 30min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 1hr 4min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 29min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 1hr 2min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps max full sensor or windowed = 12min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps max full sensor or windowed = 26min
Prores 444 - UHD 1920x1080 windowed/crop
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 80fps max = 16min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 80fps max = 35min
Prores 422 - UHD 1920x1080 windowed/crop
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 120fps max = 24min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 120fps max = 52min
RAW Recording info:
RAW 4608x2592
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 7min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 14min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 6min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 14min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps = 3min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps = 6min
RAW 3:1 4608x2592
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 12min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 26min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 12min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 25min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps max = 5min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps max = 11min
RAW 4:1 4608x2592
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 15min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 24fps = 32min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 15min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 25fps = 31min
Sandisk 120GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps max = 6min
Lexar 256GB Cfast 2.0 : 60fps max = 13min