Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K

Now that people are receiving the new URSA Cine 12K, I thought it might be worthwhile to have a topic dedicated to this camera. Currently we already have a few posts started in other threads that refer to the Cine 12K and other cameras, but going forward, perhaps we could post relevant materials that are focused on the Cine 12K in its own topic.

To begin this discussion, I’d like to comment on the cost of the camera beginning at just under $15,000 USD. At first glance this cost seems high when it’s compared to the URSA Mini 12K camera. As I learn more about the Cine 12K camera, it does seem to be a new beginning for BMD to attract higher-end productions with several enhanced features. And the cost seems very reasonable.

Although BMD hasn’t explicitly commented on the future of the URSA Mini 12K, the Cine 12K looks like it will be a real contender for productions that would otherwise only consider cameras that require an investment up to 10x this price. Let’s say its competitors are several times the cost rather than 10x the cost. That price difference may mean greater penetration growing the market that’s below the top tier (where camera costs are almost irrelevant it seems). Both the rental market and the owner market may appreciate cost savings using the Cine 12K given its features.

As for the factor that has impeded the adoption of BMD cameras in more productions, I haven’t seen any comment about reliability and direct BMD support to productions. The one year warranty may cause adoption to be sluggish, but we all know if that’s a serious concern for a production, they could simply rent two cameras and still save significant money. Still I suspect a three year warranty would have a larger appeal to anyone hesitant due to the perceived risks. Over time, the camera may prove to have much better reliability and this issue will go away, but that’s not true today.

Overall I think the Cine 12K deserves to put BMD on the map and is a terrific achievement.

Also consider that the Cine 12K comes with top handle, top rod mount, 19mm Baseplate, extra lens mount (locking EF), 8TB media module, battery plate (B-mount) and a Pelican case... which the original 12K did not... and... and was not the original price of the original 12K around $10,000. Makes the price even closer than one might think (gives one a lot of additions like the WiFi and two 5" monitor and plus for a very small relative price increase)

You’re right, Jeffrey. They could have offered a stripped down camera with all the items you mentioned being separately available accessories. When you strip out all the included items, the price of the bare camera might have been about $10K like the launch price of the URSA Mini Pro 12K!

With the price about $15K, the Cine EVF might be the biggest additional expense for those who need that accessory. Not having to buy 8K media but including it with the camera media module is significant. If people prefer dual CFexpress, that will be another optional accessory cost around the end of this year. But for some people, just transferring from the 8K media module by plugging the camera into the computer via Ethernet 10G may suffice.

Orignal 12K was $10K. But add Battery Plate, Shoulder Mount Kit, Side Handle, URSA EVF, 4 1TB CFast 2.0 Cards (saying $799/Card), Pelican Case, RAWLite OLPF... and you end up around $16,045.

Thus the URSA Cine is a very attractive deal pricing wise considering what comes with it. And, the built in 8TB Media Module is more space than 4TB that I'm saying for the CFast Cards back in 2020. Thus if you did do 8 1TB Cards you'd easily spend more than the UCine12K+EVF Kit. So you are getting more in the package. What Blackmagic gives you pretty much equals what you had to spend on top for the UMP12K in 2020.

Thanks for confirming that suspicion regarding the value for the money. I can’t aspire to the entry price of the Cine 17K and the cost of new lenses, but the Cine 12K does look more attainable next year and my current SLR Magic primes will work until I could consider the Arles as a significant upgrade.

The Pyxis or Pyxis Pro sensor image processing enhancements recently mentioned would also factor into that decision.