Oliver Daniel

I've ordered 2 of these after having a brief play in Jessops, UK. They are coming from DigitalRev so we'll be 100% sure of the 5 min conspiracy. Going to film a lot of the lower end music videos with these.

I don't think price is an issue for what you get with the URSA Mini. Some people are complaining about the price and forget that you get a 4.6k sensor, high frame rates, 15 stops DR, internal raw, ProRes codecs, strong ergonomic body, large 1080p screen, 1080p OLED viewfinder and other things. (all above and beyond in features to other systems in this price range). Then consider the Mini doesn't use proprietary media and accessories. Invest into RED or the F55 and you are stuck with the £££$$$€€€€ spent on those items, like REDMags and SxS cards. That's a worthy benefit too. Also consider the full version of Resolve 12 you get for free, which does have some significant benefits over the free downloaded version. Blackmagic have nothing on the history and reliability of Canon, Sony, Panasonic. But to achieve what they have done in just 3 years is fantastic for this industry.

Quite a lot of negativity about Blackmagic here, and maybe rightly so. They do deserve credit though for being so aggressive. In terms of considering the extra bits... I have V-Locks, a lot of media storage, vari-ND's. Cfast2... bit annoying, but all cinema cameras have very expensive media. Low light.... I light everything. Lupolux, Dedolight's, Kino Flo's, Scorpions, reflectors, polyboard... always got it covered. I built up my video business on a Canon 60d and two crappy EF lenses, so I'm quite proud to have the ability to go for these options today.

I always enjoy a review with a sense of humour. You do have to respect Canon for actually making products that always work. That's why they are slow. They are not a joke like some people make out. (although it is a joke you don't get basic video features like peaking on a 1DC. That's just a very silly joke indeed!)

I expect it will be absolutely awful.

Yep, I did. I'm obviously going to become a cinematic genius - with no hair, severe anxiety disorders and terrible eye bags.

I've spoke with the local rental houses and none of them are buying the URSA Mini. Their reply: "We find that people buy Blackmagic instead of rent." So this is a major obstacle for people like me who like to try first. I've gone with the gut feeling this time, looking forward to the ride!

I try every camera before I buy and throw it straight into the thick of it. Away from all the usual (mostly boring) tests, this is the best test you can do! But i broke my rules for the first time and pre-ordered the camera (all bells and whistles) along with the BM Micro Camera and the Video Assist. Why? Because I love the Blackmagic image (Cinema Camera) but never bought it because of the terrible ergonomics and lack of HFR. I like the FS7 but I absolutely can't stand the sloppy menu system and the lack of monitoring a LUT over Slog S+Q compositions. A bit of info on announcements... I've spoken to a bunch of retailers in the UK about the Blackmagic products, including the new URSA Mini. They said they will only know the release date 48 hours before they actually get stock. Some said they think it's a marketing thing (can't get my head round that). They said the Video Assist will likely be the latest, with earliest release date expected 30/09/2015...but don't be surprised if it comes at Christmas. They have no idea regarding the other products. So I guess I've joined the waiting army.....

Never base your opinion of a camera on the skills of another

I'm 90% sure this is a mistake in their literature. Need to get to 99% though.

I think I need to find out for sure first! Don't want the bollock ache. Do you have any other reasons to believe this? (besides the website information, which could be a mistake).

I'm ordering 2 tomorrow to cover the lower end of my music video enquires (and as a general shot grabber), probably from Digitalrev.

I honestly think this is a goof by Sony. I couldn't think of any reason why this would be reduced - the GH4, NX1, A7RII and all the others 4k internals certainly aren't.

There is definitely a difference between 8 bit and 10 bit. It just depends how well the camera utilises the feature with all that tech inbetween...(and other boring obvious statements). No need to get angry about it though. Why be emotional about bit rates? What a boring thing to be emotional about. The world is out there, somewhere, isn't it?

With mirrorless the most popular in Asia, why would they cripple it? Any reason at all? I think it's a f-up! But worth knowing for sure.

That sucks! Is this 5 minute recording limit on the RX10II really a thing?

DigitalRev are selling it for £899 in the UK

My camera is still my buddy for a few years. I think those who constantly replace/buy a new camera every 2 months dont really improve much in their filmmaking.

Agree. The URSA Mini should be compared to the FS7, C300 Mk II and RED Scarlet Dragon, if anything.

I was thinking about this for a bit, and it really depends what you do. Under the shell, the URSA Mini would be a superior camera for more serious applications. The early footage looks very promising.

Use your procrastination time to download FCPX and be done with the old pensioner FCP7. It will turn you into a corporate video genius...guaranteed!

What are your (very) early impressions? (of the URSA Mini that is). And so this doesn't steer off topic, are you getting an A7R II?

This is one of the main reasons I'm steering towards a camera I haven't used before (URSA Mini 4.6k) instead of the FS7 for ownership. I like what I've shot with the FS7, but the menu system is absolutely terrible. I get a lump in my brain every time I need to change some settings. I'm not going to splash on the A7RII. Happy shooting to all of you who do

How's it going using the camera handheld? I'd say 80% of my shots are handheld. I'm used to using some kind of shoulder support, but I'm hoping I can get away with something much less.

There's always a next model. I would predict there will be an article by Andrew in 6 months time saying "my A7RII is now toast for video", while Samsung also complicate matters with a low-light competitor to the A7SII. Canon get the same old treatment with the new 5D Mk IV. Then Panasonic bring out a GH5. Then... it goes on...and on... p.s the A7SII should come with 1080p 120fps to appeal over the other models.