Ursa 12k Resolution Comparisons and Other Questions

Hi BM Fam,

Looking at using our BM Ursa 12k for filming an independent TV Pilot. Any feedback from more experienced Ursa 12k users on the questions below would be appreciated:

Tried filming in 12k, 8k and 4k - all look fantastic. Given the logistics of memory space and that final deliverables will be in 4k, is there that much of a benefit in filming in either 12k or 8k and then down sampling? Frankly, I am really impressed with the 4k image. Thoughts?

Is it my imagination, or does 4k filming on the Ursa 12k take more storage space than filming 4k on the trusty BM Pocket 4k? I usually settle on constant quality Q.5 on both cameras. If the Ursa 12k does take more space filming at 4k, out of curiosity - why would this be the case?

Is it my imagination, or do batteries last longer on the Ursa 12k when filming at lower resolutions?

Anyone have any suggestions on the best place to get the most "bang for your buck" when it comes to v mount batteries? I have got a couple of cheap Neewer V mounts, and they appear to be working great. Any other manufacturer(s) out there worth exploring?

As always, your thoughts are invaluable.

Kind Regards,
Lee

Here's my sense of things after using a 12k OLPF for a bit and from my reading and talking others here going into it. My previous blackmagic experience is the Ursa mini pro G1 and G2.

For shooting resolution: I always shoot 12k if I can and only drop down to 8k if I'm shooting for someone who is very sensitive to storage constraints where they want me to deliver it to them in 1080 anyway, or if I'm shooting HFR. For me it's not about the extra resolution but about having the least noise, artifacts, whatever and best color and so on, and I do a lot of my shooting on Q5 in 12k and find it to be quite good. The data rates aren't really that bad on those higher compressions. With the way the sensor uses fewer pixels I think you're going to get more noise/less dynamic range in 4k cause you're using a selection of teeny tiny 12k pitch pixels to do it. I've though the 8k still looks quite good, but I think if you really want to be shooting at 4k you'd be better off with a G2 perhaps.

For cheap batteries, I've really liked the CameTV Mini 99C. Before that I had all IDX but they were starting to lose capacity and I found these to work pretty well.