Tag Archives: URSA Mini Pro

BEST SLOW MOTION CAMERAS OF 2021!

 

We have passed another year in slow motion land and while camera releases were more plenty than expected considering the chip shortage and teh COVID disruption, it’s time to take a look back through the year’s camera releases, and see which delivered on the price/performance scale when it comes to slow motion frame rates.  Phones are stagnationg while high end cameras are getting more frame rate options in higher resolution. Our Best Slow Motion Cameras Of 2021 have been selected and ordered by recommendation! → Continue Reading Full Post ←

BEST SLOW MOTION CAMERAS OF 2020!

BEST SLOW MOTION CAMERAS OF 2020

As the end of 2020 nears, it’s time to take a look back through the year’s camera releases amid the COVID 19 chaos, and see which delivered on the price/performance bracket with slow motion frame rates as the primary goal.  Phone slow motion took a back seat this year as the interest of the feature in phones was subdued or even eliminated. Our Best Slow Motion Cameras Of 2020 have been selected and ordered by recommendation!

We saw some surprises including a mostly affordable 4k slow motion solution and the adoption of 4k 120fps on many cameras which makes us think 240fps at UHD should be something to think about in the coming years as a regular option once 8k video is commonplace on consumer recording devices and TVs. The increase in resolution should theoretically allow for a lot of 4k frame rates to be offered as 8k delivers 4x the pixel count of 4k for any given frame rate. Keep on reading for our 2020 picks!

BEST SLOW MOTION CAMERAS of 2020:

Without further ado here are what we believe are the best value slow motion cameras in their respective categories for the year 2020:

Best Slow Motion Phone Category:

3rd Place) Sony Xperia 5 II:

The Sony Xperia 5 II is all about capturing the best video possible on a smartphone and in HDR. The kick here is that the phone is capable of 4k 120fps in full HDR which is pretty much class-leading.

The footage below will give you a taste of what the phone can do. In good light, it will let you capture excellent quality 4k 120p footage with the possibility to grade as it records a gradable flat profile.  In low light, it will be a pretty unremarkable image with grain and artifacts as could be expected from the light requirements when shooting at high speed.

Sony Xperia 5 II: 4K 120fps video footage by CNET Highlights:

Sony Xperia 5 II Slow Motion Specs:

  • 120fps 4k
  • 60fps 1080p

This is one of the first phones to offer 120fps in 4k which will probably become a standard spec in 2021 for flagships. However absent is the slow motion at 1080p which considering the 4k oomph, it should have been capable of 480fps at 1080p or similar. It is a shame that the spec was completely avoided considering HDR in 120fps 4k requires 240fps full pixel readout before merging.  In theory, 240fps non-HDR is possible on this phone but not available for unspecified reasons. Phones are becoming more powerful by the day and this is one that has our attention. The just under $1k price tag is not ideal but some of the best phones are going to cost you.

2nd Place) OnePlus 8T:

One Plus continues to offer compelling slow motion features on their phones with 480fps 1080p and up to 480fps at 720p.  It gives you a quad 48MP camera module which is literally insane considering the phone sells for under $750USD and has 120hz refresh rate. Feature-wise it has probably everything under the sun and then some and will not disappoint in the performance realm.

Fireworks in Slow motion – OnePlus 8T 480fps in dark by sternking: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12k Camera Setup 7 new Frame Rates!

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12k Camera Setup 7

Blackmagic Design has released Camera Setup 7.0 which upgrades the URSA Mini Pro 12k camera in several areas including improved frame rates at different resolutions.  At 12k the maximum frame rate has increased to 75fps from 60fps and at 4k we now have up to 240fps in BRAW format from 220fps on a Super 16mm crop of the sensor. We also get 8k at up to 160fps from a maximum before of 110fps which is improved by leveraging the fast pipeline in the camera and delivering usable frame rates with good multiples.

While the camera is not cheap at $9,995, it is certainly a bargain considering the resolution and frame rates you have access to in BRAW RAW-Like format.  It may be essentially the most powerful camera you can buy today for this price range and available with an F, EF, or PL mount the flexibility is there if needed.  Blackmagic Design are also the owners of DaVinci Resolve and usually bundled it with their cameras. It makes for a hard to beat all in one system for shooting, editing, and postproduction. Dig in for more details…

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12k – Full High Speed Frame Rates After Update:

12K 17:9 full sensor up to 60 fps
12K 2.4:1 up to 75 fps
8K DCI full sensor up to 120 fps
4K DCI full sensor up to 120 fps
8K 2.4:1 and 4K 2.4:1 up to 160 fps

6K Super 16 up to 120 fps
4K Super 16 up to 240 fps

Ursa Mini Pro 12K Unboxing & Footage by Epic Light Media: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Slow Motion News May 25th 2019!

Slow Motion News May 25th 2019

This year there have been a few surprises that got our attention in the high frame rate market. Some are firmware related, some are entirely new cameras and others are simply rumors that have yet to appear. We found a few things on the web that may shed some light on these happenings. But First…

Note Advisory: It is kind of disheartening that many Youtube channels are posting fake slow motion videos from cameras & Phones that they have no access to in order to receive clicks and advertising. We encourage you to report these videos on the Youtube interface as inaccurate or misleading. That way we may get less garbage and more real samples in the future. Thank you!

Slow Motion News May 25th 2019:

  1. The Chronos 2.1 -HD camera is about to sell out of their Early Bird lot of 50 cameras with only 3 remaining (LINK HERE). The buyers of these cameras will receive the first batch when it launches later this year.  If you are interested you can get a 1000fps 1080p RAW camera with a 4/3″ sensor for a starting price of $5000USD which is the first reaching that low price bracket that we know of.   You can find more information about this camera and their other products here: https://www.krontech.ca/

We also asked David Kronstein the mind behind Krontech a few questions submitted by our readers about the new camera:
1) Since the Prototype 2.1-HD is running on the 4k Luxima sensor, is it possible to order a camera based on it? We assume pricing for bulk order and Gpps might be limiting factors, but it certainly is an interesting idea for also the intermediate resolutions like 2.5k and 3k frame rates.
D.K.:The limiting factor right now is the CPU’s video system, which doesn’t support resolutions over 1920×1080. We’re not sure if this limit can be overcome right now. 4k is something we’ll look into after the 2.1-HD is launched and stable.

2) If a m4/3 mount is planned as an accessory, does the reduced lens flange distance cause a problem for m4/3 lenses?
An adapter is in the works, this will maintain the proper flange focal distance so MFT lenses or other lenses with an MFT adapter will focus properly.

3) Since the Chronos 2.1 shares a board, is there a possibility of an upgrade path on the same 1.4 platform? The LCD at least was hinted in the krontech forum as a possibility.
LCD upgrades are definitely possible, but converting an old Chronos 1.4 to a Chronos 2.1-HD would require replacement of the case, sensor board and mainboard, there’s not much left of the original camera, so this is not cost effective. 

4) Is power consumption increased in the new 2.1 compared to the 1.4?  I.e. battery life.
Power consumption is increased, the battery life goes from about 1.5 hours on the 1.4 to about 1 hour on the 2.1

5) Is black the only case color available or silver is still around? 
Just black, unless there is a significant demand for silver. When we had silver offered last, so few people bought it that it wasn’t economically justifiable to keep the silver model as it doubled the number of SKUs we have to build and stock.

Meet Chronos 2.1-HD, the Low-Cost High-Speed 1,000fps Camera at NAB by No Film School:

Chronos 2.1-HD Demo Reel #1 by Chronos Cameras: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Has 300fps in RAW!

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2

Blackmagic Design has been working behind the scenes to deliver yet one more professional camera solution that at $5,995 for up to 300fps in RAW recording at 1080p and 2k in windowed mode; makes it possible to have flawless image quality without breaking the bank.  New Super 35mm sensor with 15 stops dynamic range with the ability to shoot at 120fps 4.6k full sensor RAW and 150fps at 4k UHD and DCI 4k makes it possible to really deliver on the slow motion promise for quality projects.

If you need more the 300fps 1080p and or 2k recording in the cropped windowed sensor should help you get that extra edge. It also records in Blackmagic RAW and delivers flawless looking 1:1 pixel footage with no aliasing or moire due to throwing away information. This camera has the capacity to really up your video game with these frame rate options.

Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 Camera Features:

Effective Sensor Size

25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super35)

Lens Mount

EF mount included. Interchangeable with optional PL, B4 and F lens mounts.

Lens Control

Electronic control via EF mount pins or 12pin broadcast connector for compatible lenses

Dynamic Range

15 Stops.

Shooting Resolutions

4608 x 2592, 4608 x 1920 (4.6K 2.40:1),4096 x 2304 (4K 16:9),
4096 x 2160 (4K DCI),
3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD),
3072 x 2560 (3K Anamorphic),
2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9),
2048 x 1080 (2K DCI),
1920 x 1080

Frame Rates

Maximum sensor frame rate dependent on resolution and codec selected. Project frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 fps supported.

High Speed Frame Rates

Blackmagic RAW 8:1

4.6K Full – Up to 120 fps
UHD Windowed – Up to 150 fps
HD Windowed – Up to 300 fps

ProRes 422 HQ

4.6K Full – Up to 80 fps
UHD Windowed – Up to 120 fps
HD Windowed – Up to 240 fps

Built in ND Filters

Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop ND filters.

Focus

Focus button turns on peaking, auto focus available using compatible lenses.

Iris Control

Iris wheel and touchscreen slider for manual iris adjustment on electronically controllable lenses, iris button for instant auto iris settings on compatible lenses so no pixel is clipped in film mode. Scene average auto exposure in video mode.

Screen Dimensions

4 inch

Screen Type

LCD capacitive touchscreen.

Metadata Support

Automatically populated lens data from electronic EF, B4 and i/Technology compatible PL lenses. Automatic recording of camera settings and slate data such as project, scene number, take and special notes.

Controls

Touchscreen menus on 4 inch screen. Push buttons for other controls. 2 assignable shortcut keys.

Timecode Clock

Highly accurate timecode clock. Less than 1 frame drift every 8 hours.

“URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is a more powerful second generation camera with entirely new electronics and a new high performance image sensor that lets you shoot crystal clear slow motion footage. You can record full sensor 4.6K images up to 120 frames per second, windowed DCI 4K at up to 150 frames per second, and regular windowed 1080 HD at an amazing 300 frames per second. A dedicated off-speed button on the camera’s body lets you quickly switch between your preset high frame rate and regular frame rate shooting! When it comes to high frame rate shooting, URSA Mini Pro 4.6K G2 is ideal for fast action sports, high speed nature photography and more!” Blackmagic Design

HSC: As you can see from the video sample above, expect to have incredibly good dynamic range, noise control and color accuracy in the high frame rate modes. As we have seen in previous Blackmagic cameras, there is a tendency to allow frame rates only when quality is not thrown by the wayside. Expect your images to look as good as possible when shooting HFR with no added artifacts because the camera will not throw away lines in the image to achieve these frame rates.

Blackmagic Update March 5th, 2019: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

URSA Mini Pro Offers Pro Features and 120fps!

URSA Mini Pro

Blackmagic Design has announced a new camera today.  The URSA Mini Pro is a marriage of their higher end URSA camera with the still in the product line URSA Mini.  It offers built in ND Filters, 15 stops of dynamic range “which is huge for filmmakers”, tons of ports, in body buttons and controls and easy interchangeable lens mounts.

For our slow motion fans there is not a whole lot offered by the camera but there are some built in features.  60fps in 4k DCI and also at 4.6k full sensor resolution is very useful and keeps the trend with the 4k over-crank frame rates debuted in 2016 on several cameras. The other is 120fps at 2k windowed resolution which is passable but not ideal. However the slow motion on these cameras is high quality and seldom does it have artifacts.

Camera Features

Effective Sensor Size

25.34mm x 14.25mm (Super35) – “Not micro 4/3 as rumored”

Lens Mount

EF Mount (Interchangable with PL and B4 mount)

Lens Control

Electronic control via EF mount pins or 12-pin broadcast connector for compatible lenses

Dynamic Range: 15 Stops.

Shooting Resolutions

4608 x 2592, 4608 x 1920 (4.6K 2.40:1), 4096 x 2304 (4K 16:9), 4096 x 2160 (4K DCI), 3840 x 2160 (Ultra HD), 3072 x 2560 (3K Anamorphic), 2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9), 2048×1080 (2K DCI), 1920 x 1080

Frame Rates

Maximum sensor frame rate dependent on resolution and codec selected. Project frame rates of 23.98, 24, 25, 29.97, 30, 50, 59.94 and 60 fps supported.

Off-speed frame rates up to 60p in 4.6K, 120p in 2K windowed.

Built in ND Filters: Four position ND filter wheel with clear, 2-stop, 4-stop and 6-stop ND filters.
FocusFocus: button turns on peaking, auto focus available using compatible lenses.

Iris Control

Iris wheel and touchscreen slider for manual iris adjustment on electronically controllable lenses, iris button for instant auto iris settings on compatible lenses so no pixel is clipped in film mode. Scene average auto exposure in video mode.

Screen Dimensions  – 4″

Screen Type :  LCD capacitive touchscreen.

Metadata Support

Automatically populated lens data from electronic EF, B4 and i/Technology compatible PL lenses. Automatic recording of camera settings and slate data such as project, scene number, take and special notes.

Camera and DaVinci Resolve Press Conference by Blackmagic Design –Skip to Minute 42 for the URSA Mini Pro:

Controls

Touchscreen menus on 4” screen. Push buttons for other controls. 2 assignable shortcut keys.

Timecode Clock

Highly accurate timecode clock. Less than 1 frame drift every 19 hours.

Recording Formats

Lossless CinemaDNG RAW, RAW 3:1 and RAW 4:1 with film dynamic range at 4608 x 2592, 4608 x 1920, 4096 x 2304, 4096 x 2160, 3072 x 2560, 2048 x 1152, 2048 x 1080 and 1920 x 1080. Apple ProRes 4608 x 2592, 4608 x 1920, 4096 x 2304, 4096 x 2160, 3072 x 2560, 2048 x 1152, 2048 x 1080 and 1920 x 1080 with either film or video dynamic range.

Storage Type: 2 x CFast 2.0 + 2 x SD UHS-II cards

Pricing and Availability: $5,995.00 and it is available now For Pre Order at Adorama!

A New URSA Mini!

The press conference above does a pretty good run through of what the camera is capable of but doesn’t go deep into the frame rates. In past cameras the URSA has delivered excellent slow motion quality up to 150fps and we expect the 120fps 2k – 2048 x 1152 (2K 16:9) mode which will be windowed in the Super 35mm sensor should give a heavy crop but it should retail pixel and line quality without sacrificing detail or incorporating artifacts.

Other cameras show these artifacts when doing higher frame rates. The Panasonic GH5 for example has near excellent 60fps 1080p slow motion but it has 150fps and 180fps 1080p frame rates that decrease detail severely while adding aliasing to the shot.  You get 720p resolution in the end with some line skipping which can cause shimmering and can ruin shots.

The URSA Mini Pro is not a camera geared for the slow motion crowd. It is a camera that offers 15 stops of dynamic range with no compromise RAW DNG recording and completely targeted to the mid range film maker crowd.  The kind of image quality you get from these cameras rivals the ARRI Alexa and RED Dragon cameras and that is why it is so important.  You get digital film quality for $5,995 USD body only.  Other rivals start in the mid range five figures which puts these options out of the majority of mid-range and small video producers and filmmakers.

You get a highly capable production A camera with large batteries, uncompromising quality and SSD storage options if you do not like SD or CFast cards of which it has 2 ports for each format; 4 in total. You get 60fps up to 4.6k in RAW and 120fps in 2k resolution by windowing the center of the sensor. It is adequate for many productions but we cannot recommend it as a slow motion tool when there are some real options out there for much less money.

You could get a Sony FS7 for 8k , Sony FS5 for $5.9k or FS700 with lens for $4.6k which offer pretty good production quality footage on a capable body. Or go for an edgertronic SC1 700fps for $5.5k You will not get RAW quality without an external recorder on the Sonys or the 15 stops of dynamic range offered by the URSA Mini Pro but you get better slow motion features.

Final Word: If you need a 15 stop RAW camera for film making and 60fps 4.6k and 120fps 2k is your bread and butter you really cannot go wrong with an URSA Mini Pro camera, it is an excellent production all in one camera package with the added benefit of offering DaVinci Resolve included. If you need higher frame rates there are many more options out there in several price ranges including the surprisingly good Sony RX100 V which offers 4 seconds at 1080p 240fps among other high speed frame rates for $999.   See our HSC Camera Guide or the best slow motion cameras of 2016 for more info!

The URSA Mini slow motion example below from the non pro camera should give you a good indication of the slow motion quality the URSA Mini Pro can deliver:

Blackmagic URSA Mini 4.6K – Slow Motion Test by Adam Roberts: