With the announcement of a new streamlined version of the Blackmagic URSA 12K LF camera for less than half the price of the kit version, Blackmagic Design has once again proven itself to be a company in touch with its customers' needs.
It took me a while to get familiar with Blackmagic Design products. My career predated the company's existence, and, by the time they grew in prominence, I was already more familiar with other brands. The first time I really looked into them was actually after, in response to an article I'd written on another cinema camera, a user here on Fstoppers asked me in the comment section why I hadn't opted for a Blackmagic Design camera instead.
My first real interaction with the company came when I was looking for a better way to color grade my video footage. Working with Adobe Premiere at the time, I was finding the process possible, but not optimal. With Blackmagic Design's DaVinci Resolve being free and having heard great things, I thought I'd give it a try. I think it took all of about an hour for me to see the light. DaVinci Resolve, even the free version, was by far the best tool around for grading my footage. It transformed my workflow, and I never looked back.
Years later, I use the paid version of DaVinci Resolve Studio for the entirety of my post-production workflow, including editing, grading, effects, and sound. Even though the free version will get you about all the absolutely necessary tools for a basic edit, I purchased the full DaVinci Resolve Studio license almost immediately. For a one-time investment of $295, I've enjoyed generations of upgrades to the program at no additional cost. Unlike other platforms that force you into a monthly subscription, you only pay once for your DaVinci Resolve Studio license. If you do the math, it means that to stay with other programs, you are basically being forced to spend the same amount you pay for a DaVinci Resolve Studio license once a year, every year, regardless of whether you need the upgrades or not. With DaVinci Resolve Studio, you pay once then move on with your life. There's just no way to deny that it's a better value for the money for, in my opinion, a better product.
My enjoyment of DaVinci Resolve Studio opened me up to exploring their line of cameras. The first I tried out was the original URSA 12K offering. Since then, I’ve tried a handful of cameras up and down their product line, including a recent award-winning project I shot while trying out the hyperportable Blackmagic Design Cinema Camera 6K full frame.
I'm not going to get into a brand superiority debate here or make any wild claims about Blackmagic Design's cameras being superior to industry leaders. What is undeniable, however, is that you get a heck of a lot of camera for the money. Every Blackmagic Design camera I've tested so far has provided excellent image quality right out of the box. 12K or 6K, it made little difference. Both gave me exactly the feel I was looking for from the image coming off the sensor. That's an entirely subjective thing, by the way. But, unlike a lot of products I imagine are superior based on specs and reputation, the Blackmagic Design cameras proved it to me in hands-on practice. There was just something special about the image itself. And, as a result, they won me over.
Now, before you imagine me to just be a Blackmagic Design fanboy with a closet full of Pocket cameras, I should admit that I don't currently own any Blackmagic cameras. As you can gather from my description above, this isn't due to lack of interest. Rather, my interest in the brand just so happens to have coincided with my own personal commitment to spending less money on camera gear. So, I haven't bought any cameras in recent years, opting instead for a rental model. But, if I were to invest, the Blackmagic Design camera line would be a clear consideration.
This especially extends to the Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K LF. The headline feature is the 12K sensor, and that, no doubt, opens up a great deal of options for product shots or heavy special effects work. You aren't likely to shoot many regular narrative scenes or doc work with 12K just to finish on a 4K or 2K timeline. But the camera allows you to shoot at lower resolutions as well, with the 12K option there when you need it. It's better to have the choice than not have the choice.
The real headline spec for me is the 16 stops of dynamic range. I'm not one of those guys with lab coats who can tell you to mathematical precision how accurate that number is. But, in my past experience, Blackmagic Design tends to be on the more accurate side when quoting the dynamic range of their cameras compared to some competitors. So, I have faith that the 16 stops number is at least in the ballpark. And, even in the ballpark, that's pretty darn good.
Because the full kit costs $14,995 ($16,495 with the EVF kit), unlike the $2,595 Cinema Camera 6K, the full 12K LF package definitely requires a deeper dive into the value proposition. We’ve already mentioned the 12K and dynamic range. Next most notable feature on the list is the built in 8TB media module. This was cause of some discussion upon the camera's launch. Essentially, instead of using CFexpress cards, the camera comes with all the storage you will likely need in the form of an 8 TB SSD Drive built specifically for this camera. The upside of this setup being that you no longer have to do the math in your head to ensure that your chosen media will be able to handle the full range of functionality the camera can provide. Also, I like the idea of having 8 TB on board at all times and never really needing to change cards on the majority of my shoot days.
Of course, that also comes with some drawbacks. For one, the media is proprietary. So that limits your purchasing options. Also, there is a separate $1,995 media dock required if you want to offload that 8 TB drive to your computer the traditional way. However, it should be pointed out that you can also offload over ethernet without needing to purchase the media dock. Still, it's a consideration.
The camera can desqueeze anamorphic, shoot open gate, has built in variable NDs, WiFi and SRT live streaming, three interchangeable lens mounts and a V-mount plate to power the camera all day long. The kit also includes a top handle, shoulder mount, and supports the URSA Cine EVF ($1,695 separately or part of a larger kit). The camera offers a wide variety of framerate options as well, making it well suited for a number of scenarios. You can shoot 100 fps in 12K 17:9 or 120 fps in 12K 2.4:1 widescreen. In 8K, you can shoot 144 fps at 8,192 x 5,360 or 180 fps at 8,192 x 3,408, and even capture 8K 2.4:1 widescreen at 224 fps.
Compared to other Blackmagic Design offerings, this camera certainly isn’t cheap. But, comparing its specs to the competition, once again, the company is providing a great deal of value for a (relatively speaking) low amount of money.
Then, Blackmagic Design took it a step further by announcing that they will soon offer a scaled down body-only option for less than half the price!
For only $6,995, you get those 16 stops of dynamic range, the 12K, and the fast frame rate options of the full kit. What you don't get are the accessories. Instead of coming with three interchangeable mounts (EF, LPL, PL), the stripped-down version only comes with the locking EF mount. As someone who owns a number of EF cinema lenses and PL to EF adapters, this works just fine for me. The camera comes without the top handle or shoulder mount. Depending on your shooting style and existing accessory kit, this may or may not be a big deal for you. Most notably, the body-only option is going to come with a dual CFexpress media module instead of the 8 TB SSD module of the full kit. This may actually be preferable to some users. However, what I'm not 100% sure about yet is whether or not there would be some limitations with regards to shooting speeds when using CFexpress versus the built-in 8 TB drives. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to do a hands-on deep dive review of the camera soon and can return with the full details.
Now, depending on your situation, it may still make more sense to opt for the full kit than go for the slimmed-down version. It's not, as I've seen reported, a price drop on the kit. Rather, you are giving up part of the kit with the assumption that you will solve those needs another way. And, based on what I know so far, those needs don't seem insurmountable. But, if I was starting fresh and didn't already have a closet full of accessories like top handles and shoulder mounts, it might actually make more financial sense to invest in the entire kit for a more turnkey solution.
What's best for you will be dependent on your particular situation. But what is clear, once again, is that Blackmagic Design seems committed to listening to filmmakers and offering them products in a value-driven form that is obtainable to their core customer base. To be sure, this does not invalidate certain advantages held by other brands. But the clear advantage of the Blackmagic Design systems is that it is nearly impossible to beat the value proposition. For independent filmmakers looking to pinch every penny, value for your money matters. And, from that perspective, Blackmagic Design hits the nail right on the head.
P.S. - They also include a free copy of DaVinci Resolve Studio with every camera purchase. So, even more bang for your buck.
