Best Camera Loadout Options for the Blackmagic URSA Mini
With the Blackmagic URSA Mini about to hit the shelves, we thought we’d premiere our camera loadout series with a focus on the new kid on the block.
With July right around the corner and the release of the Blackmagic URSA Mini looming large, we wanted to kick off our new Camera Loadout series by giving you the best loadout options before you make your purchase.
As a filmmaker and director, I never go into a shoot without knowing exactly what tools my crew and I have at our disposal. If there’s something we need and don’t have, then I get with my crew (specifically my cinematographer and camera operator) to get it researched and purchased.
With all of this in mind, we here at PremiumBeat wanted to save our fellow filmmakers from having to scour the earth for the best camera setups. For the first camera loadout, I’ve chosen to go with the Blackmagic URSA Mini. I’m really intrigued by this camera. Of course, the original URSA had issues with fixed pattern noise, but hopefully that’s been addressed.
Other than that, I still use a Blackmagic Cinema Camera as my B camera on set and have been consistently impressed with it, especially when teaming it up with our RED Scarlet.
Monitor Options
Monitoring your footage as you shoot should be a no brainer. Luckily, the URSA Mini, much like its bigger brother, comes complete with a 5 inch HD monitor built into the camera. So the need for a monitor isn’t as grave as it would be for a standard DSLR. However, this setup would have made filming my last film a little difficult, particularly for a few scenes that called for the camera to move through a tight space on a slider. So, let’s go ahead and take a look at a few monitoring options.
Blackmagic URSA Viewfinder
The Blackmagic monitors aren’t the best to use when it’s bright outside, so you may want to invest in a Viewfinder. Granted, using a viewfinder is a bit old school, but some of us just roll like that.
PRICE: $1,495.00
SmallHD AC7 On-Camera Monitor
I’ve been using SmallHD on-camera monitors for years now and have never had any issues with them. The AC7 is a great 7 inch monitor that gives you solid clarity. Plus, its price isn’t going to break your bank.
PRICE: $599.00
Shoulder Rig Options
The Blackmagic URSA Mini weighs considerably less than you might think. It’s just under 2 lbs heavier than the Cinema Camera and over 10 lbs lighter than the URSA. Blackmagic does offer a really sturdy shoulder-mount kit, which is also modestly priced. But if you want something to which you can attach additional accessories, then you should look at the RedRock Micro or Wooden Camera options.
Blackmagic Shoulder Mount Kit
As we said, this shoulder rig is a really great option and one that can get you up and going quickly. While it doesn’t come with a cage, it does come with the ability to add rails in the front.
PRICE: $395.00
Wooden Camera Shoulder Rig
While I have never used one myself, I do have peers that have used the Wooden Camera line of shoulder rigs and rave about them. From what I’ve been told, they are extremely sturdy and feel solid and not flimsy like many of the cheaper rigs you’ll find. Their cage is particularly amazing, or so I’ve heard. Wooden develops custom-built options depending on the camera, so it’s only a matter of time before a rig specific for the URSA Mini is developed. Until then, here is their standard shoulder rig.
PRICE: $1,150.00
RedRock Micro Shoulder Rig
RedRock Micro is one of those tried and true brands. I’ve used shoulder rigs and rail systems from RedRock for a long time. They are sturdy and reliable, or at least the ones I’ve purchased are. Plus the ability to add and customize to this should be a no brainer. I’ve used similar (and cheaper) options, but I’ve always found that they can never hold up long-term like the RedRock Micro can.
PRICE: $1,264.00
Zacuto
Zacuto is another brand that has developed a reputation for developing a series of shoulder rigs that are fully legit. Again, while I haven’t had the opportunity to use this brand, I know plenty of filmmakers who swear by them and who have tried to get me to switch from RedRock Micro.
PRICE: $1,099.00
Stabilizer Options
With the Blackmagic URSA Mini being much lighter than its big brother, the opportunities to place it on stabilization rigs such as a Freefly Movi or a Glidecam rig just became a reality. This was unheard of with the original URSA, but now that the Mini is 5lbs, we can start looking at stabilizing rigs. Let’s check out what’s available.
Freefly Movi M5
The Movi M5 can support up to 5lbs, which is right at the weight of the Blackmagic URSA Mini. Just be aware that if you’re adding any additional accessories to the camera, you’ll need to move up to the M10.
PRICE: $3,995.00
DJI Ronin-M
I have been impressed with the DJI Ronin-M. For the longest time, Freefly was in a class all by itself, but DJI has stepped up its game and developed a great 3-axis gimbal solution. The great thing about the Ronin is its weight support, as the smaller model supports up to 8lbs.
PRICE: $1,399.00
Steadicam Rig
Steadicam rigs can be extremely handy, especially if you’re like me and you love using movement in your shots. I’ve always loved the way Stanley Kubrick made use of the Steadicam. He gave us such iconic images with that rig, through his one-point perspective technique. This rig will help you get that with the URSA Mini.
Glidecam HD4000
PRICE: $569.00
Steadicam Merlin Vest
PRICE: $799.99
Power Options
Power is the most important aspect of a production, but it’s often one of the last things we look into. The Blackmagic URSA Mini has no internal power source like the Cinema Camera line, but comes out of the box with mounting options on the backside of the camera where you can add a v-mount battery setup. With that said, you can purchase the Blackmagic Design V-Lock battery plate or look at solutions from Switronix and IDX.
URSA V-Lock Battery Plate
The Blackmagic Design V-Lock Battery Plate was designed for the original URSA, but works perfectly with the Blackmagic URSA Mini. To be honest, this is going to be, not only the cheapest, but best v-mount plate option for you. Blackmagic has designed these plates to fit perfectly with their products.
PRICE: $95.00
Switronix V-Mount Setup
If you would rather go a particular battery brand for the plate and the battery then you could go with Switronix. While I’ve never used Switronix before, I’ve heard good things about their batteries. Regardless of whether you purchase this plate, you should take the time to look at the battery and the charger solutions.
Switronix V-Mount Plate
PRICE: $175.00
Switronix XP-L90S Battery
PRICE: $248.00
Switronix GP-2LSJ Charger
PRICE: $375.00
IDX V-Mount Setup
Now, IDX is something I can speak to. I’ve been using IDX for longer than I can remember. I’ve never been disappointed with their batteries or charger systems. Again, if you purchase the Blackmagic V-Lock, then go ahead and research the IDX E-7S battery and VL-2 charger. They are slightly more expensive than the Switronix, but I’ve personally used these batteries and have had nothing but good experiences with them.
IDX V-Mount Plate
PRICE: $185.00
IDX E-7S Battery
PRICE: $256.00
IDX VL-2 Charger
PRICE: $425.00
Storage Options
One of the last things we filmmakers tend to think about (though, like power, it should be one of the first things on our minds) is storage. And here (and lenses) is where you’re going to spend a bulk of your money. The Blackmagic URSA Mini uses CFast 2.0 cards, and, let’s be honest here, Blackmagic hasn’t picked the cheapest solution when it comes to storage. Nor have they picked a storage solution that gives filmmakers a wide range of options. But the CFast 2.0 cards are optimal solutions for 4K and Full HD recording.
Atomos 128gb
Let’s start with our cheapest option. And, as they say, cheaper isn’t always better… You will suffer much slower transfer speeds, as the Atomos only produces a read speed of 200 MB/s and a write speed of 80 MB/s.
PRICE: $239.00
Lexar Pro 128GB 3400x
The Lexar is probably where you’ll want to go. It offers great speed with a price that isn’t going to kill your bank account. The Lexar has a read speed of 510 MB/s and a write speed of 450 MB/s.
Read Speed: 510 MB/s
Write Speed: 450 MB/s
PRICE: $369.99
SanDisk 128GB
Ol’ reliable Sandisk makes a CFast 2.0 solution and, while it’s a little over a $100 more than the Lexar, it has a read speed of 515 MB/s and a write speed of 440 MB/s.
PRICE: $499.95
Transcend 128GB CFX650
Now we’re starting to get into RED Mag territory. But the real question is: Are they $200 better than the SanDisk 128GB? Well, the Transcend has a read speed of 510 MB/s and a write speed of 370 MB/s. And while it does have some additional features that the SanDisk does not, those additional features aren’t enough for me to pay this price when the SanDisk (and even the Lexar) gives me better transfer speeds.
PRICE: $699.99
Interested in more camera content? Check out these articles from right here on PremiumBeat:
- The Super16 RAW Blackmagic Micro Cinema Camera is Here!
- 3 Reasons Why the Sony a7S Isn’t the Perfect Camera for Filmmakers
- Dream Camera Loadouts: RED Digital Cinema
What do you think about the Blackmagic URSA Mini? Is this a camera you’re interested in? What are your thoughts on the accessory loadout? Sound off in the comments below!
