#nabshow2015

MPLG NAB 2015 Photo Album:

(more images coming soon!)

MICRO CINEMA CAMERA

The BlackMagic Micro Cinema Camera is a nifty looking small camera designed for use as an action cam or for use on drones. The camera can transmit video to be monitored wirelessly. It can also be controlled wirelessly - focus, iris and zoom. (Blackmagicdesign.com, 2015)

The camera has a Super 16mm sensor that records RAW and ProRes, with 13 stops dynamic range and global shutter (up to 30FPS).   It records to SD card and is HD, not 4K.  Because of the global shutter, vibrations and movement get less ‘wobbly’ than with a DSLR with rolling shutter for example.  The camera’s ISO goes up to 1600 and has an MFT lens mount.

This camera looks interesting and potentially useful but as it isn’t 4K and a lot of other competing drone-going cameras out can record 4K.  It will be interesting to see how this camera gets on, on the market and whether it is strong enough and durable enough to be used as an action camera.

See the latest arrivals on camera, mics, drones and much more from NAB Show 2015.

 So, BlackMagic Design have hit NAB 2015 hard with a huge array of new products and product updates.  I will start with what I believe to be the most profound of these new releases.  The URSA Mini.  The URSA mini is a light shoulder-able version of the original URSA which was for most people, too much. The new URSA Mini is lighter and more modular, with optional (but essential) viewfinders, handle grips, V-Lok battery mounting plate, and shoulder pad.  As nice as it looks with all its magnesium body, it does just look painfully like a massive MiniDV handy cam.

Now for what’s inside.  The camera has a Super 35mm Sensor with global shutter (up to 30FPS then rolling SHTR), with either a 4 or a 4.6K sensor.  The 4K version will have 12 stops of dynamic range and the 4.6K version will have 15 stops.  The camera will be able to shoot up to 60FPS at 4/4.6K and up to 160 FPS at 1080 HD. A nice thing about the URSA Mini is that you can choose to shoot with its full dynamic range or with a regular video dynamic range if there isn’t much time to play with colours in post production.(Blackmagicdesign.com, 2015)

An exciting point – the Mini records to two CFast cards, with these you can alternate cards so you can film non-stop.  This is a nice tough, however one of the BMD representatives at NAB claimed that they are creating a system whereby if you shoot at 60FPS, you can choose to record each frame on a different card so that the recording alternates between cards. This way if you loose or break a card, you still have a 30FPS version, with audio.  To me, this is an exciting idea which could prove very useful as it creates an immediate backup.   

Here is the interview where this concept is mentioned:

One last positive point Is the price.  Once again BMD are crushing out other manufacturers with a very attractive price - $2995 (4K version).

DOWNSIDES:

-       Modular, still not really usable out of the box. And, once you’ve got all the extra bits you’ve almost spent Sony FS7 money!

-       You don’t get the upgraded 4.6K sensor as standard, that’s extra.

-       No built in ND filters. – This is a real shame as other cameras in the versatile camera market all have in-build switchable ND filters. Not something BMD could be bothered to design into the camera.

(No Film School, 2015)

Blackmagicdesign.com,. 'Blackmagic Design: Blackmagic URSA Mini'. N.p., 2015. Web. 1 April 2015.