URSA Mini 4K Practical Review + Footage & Tips

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Published 2016-03-28

A practical (and comprehensive) review of the Blackmagic URSA Mini 4K with sample footage and tips. You may notice this video’s long as hell. I’ve included chapters and timecodes throughout the video if you want to skip around. Topics include: Image Quality (Global Shutter, Moire, Skin Tones, IR Pollution), Form Factor, Functionality (Frame Rates, ND, Menus, Glitches), Light Sensitivity (ISO400 vs ISO800), Power, EVFs, Workflow, and Audio. I discuss my experience in real world situations, outline differences from the 4.6K camera, and compare it to competitors like Canon’s C100 and 5Dmkiii, Sony’s FS5 and a7sII, and my last camera, Blackmagic’s Production Camera 4K.

Also, I’m not a DP by trade, so my testing and analysis may be flawed - feel free to drop knowledge in the comments. Hopefully this is helpful if you’re considering buying the URSA Mini, or if you’ve already bought it and just want some advice. There are lots of other reviews and footage online, so I encourage you to do more research.

Btw, I have no relationships with any companies mentioned in this review, I’m not getting paid for it, and I haven’t received any gear. I bought this camera for freelance work and this review is purely for fun and the learning experience. | Subscribe for more reviews and short films: bit.ly/sub2framefury

Here are some products and resources I mention in my review:
URSA Mini 4K Camera (EF): amzn.to/1qoschR
URSA Mini Shoulder Kit: amzn.to/1Waa7QB
URSA Viewfinder: amzn.to/1ozkMGR
Captain Hook’s LUTs: captainhook.co.nz/blackmagic-cinema-camera-lut/
Article about IR Pollution: bit.ly/hurlbutvisuals-ir-pollution
Variable ND Filters: bhpho.to/25rJMBp
UV/IR-Cut Filters: bhpho.to/1RJaDVu
Sony VCT-14 Quick Release Baseplate: amzn.to/1qospl8
Leitax R to EF Lens Adapters: leitax.com/Leica-lens-for-Canon-cameras.html
Anton Bauer Gold Mount Battery Kit: amzn.to/1PS60B8
Missing Power Cable: amzn.to/1MburPk
Lexar 3400x 256GB CFast 2.0 Card: amzn.to/1SNJXA2
Sennheiser MKE600 Shotgun Mic: amzn.to/1ozl00w
Sennheiser G3 Lav Mic: amzn.to/1SNJM7W

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ABOUT FRAMEFURY
I enjoy nerding out on digital cinema cameras and lenses. This channel is a creative outlet for some of my reviews and short films.

All Comments (21)

@renifp 7 years ago

19:00 tomando un mate! best review I've seen all over Youtube, ever. So complete and well organized. Greetings from Argentina!
@tenchimod 8 years ago

Fantastic review, with a wealth of information and competent explanations. It's great to see a balanced, objective review that goes into the pros and cons of the camera and its features.
@EricksonFilmsYT 7 years ago

A truly amazing review, you were very confident, and gave an incredibly detailed review. I truly hope your channel grows more, and thank you for providing so much valuable info!
@Sufficient_Reason 7 years ago

Fantastic review. Thank you for speaking clearly, efficiently, and thoroughly without being obnoxious or condescending. You covered all the points I wanted to know about.
@JepMaster8 7 years ago

You've earned this sub. Excellent review. I've gotten more confidence about my future buying decision concerning this camera than I did with more established channels. Excellent work.
@Kaiyes_ 6 years ago

Probably the most thorough ursa mini review I have seen so far. Man ! You sure you ain't a pro ? Wish you did a BMPC vs URSA mini 4k since you owned both of them !
@Stanislawluberda 8 years ago

Solid, most comprehensive thing I've seen on the Ursa Mini. I was really hoping the would have addressed the light sensitivity. I was really excited for this camera but with the delays I jumped on the a7s + assassin bandwagon. But I agree- when the job calls for it- the Ursa has been a great camera and it looks like the Ursa mini is a great compliment to the line. Loved the breakdown of time stamps too. Legit video. Thanks for your hard work!
@MichaelRoninTV 8 years ago

Excellent review, very thorough! You said at the start "Don't expect a detailed analysis" haha - It was pretty damn good man!
@talespinner4863 8 years ago

Dude - that's simply stunning! Great review, so much detail and so many clear words. Well done, thank you very much!! Appreciate!
@GeekProductionsNT 5 years ago

best man I have ever seen until now talking about this camera, bravo
@flowersonair 6 years ago

I have a doubt..how can i convert the 4k maximum quality DNG file? when import the CinemaDNG files to davinci Resolve it imort as separate stills... How can i import it as a video?!! pls help...
@Framefury 8 years ago

Note to viewers: i've gotten some feedback that my sound mix sucked (music too loud), and i agree. so i've updated the Vimeo version with a better audio mix: vimeo.com/160519759
@ALTMED 7 years ago

I didn't know it has all these problem. Thank you for all the effort you put in this review. Mush appreciated.
@randomgeocacher 8 years ago

Very sober and helpful review. Top notch delivery of the good and the bad. Thanks!
@Ssjutsu 8 years ago

Great work! Awesome review.
@ocubex 7 years ago

Great review, thanks for taking the time to make and share this. I'm thinking of both the 4K and 46K for a feature this year but my budget is leaning more towards the 4K.
@kineticsl 6 years ago

This is the review that all other reviews aspire to be... well done, sir.
@ShaneHarderPhoto 7 years ago

Seriously you're way better than a lot of guys I know who make their living shooting video.
@bauerfilms4832 7 years ago

Killer review man, earned my sub
@hightowerjared 7 years ago

dude.. incredible video!