Blackmagic Design announced its flagship URSA Cine 12K LF camera at NAB in 2024. The camera has impressive specifications but carries a correspondingly lofty price tag. To make the camera more accessible, Blackmagic Design has now launched a body-only model at a huge cost saving.
URSA Cine 12K LF
The Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF comes fully kitted for filmmaking at the mighty price of $16,495. However, the package includes a base plate with an integrated shoulder mount as well as a top handle and rod mounts. You also get an 8 TB Media Module for recording. This costs over $1,800 on its own.
Now, Blackmagic Design has recognized that many cinematographers and rental houses already have their own accessories to rig out the camera. As a result, the company has released the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body. This model drops all the accessories and comes in at $7,695, less than half the price of the full kit.
What do you get?
As the name suggests, with the URSA Cine 12K LF Body, you just get the camera body itself. It comes with a locking EF lens mount, which you can swap for optional PL and LPL alternatives. You also get the Media Module CF rather than the 8TB Media Module. This allows you to use your own CFexpress B memory cards to record your video. In addition, you get an activation key for the full version of DaVinci Resolve Studio. Finally, you get the Wi-Fi antennas and a body cap for the lens mount. Note that you don’t even get a power adaptor with the body-only model, so you will need to add an adaptor or a battery plate before you can use the camera.
Headline features
Apart from the missing accessories, the URSA Cine 12K LF Body has the same specifications as the full kit. You can record in 12K at up to 80 fps, 8K at up to 144 fps and 4K at up to 240 fps for super slow motion. Even better, all of these resolutions can be recorded with the full sensor. The bespoke sensor also delivers up to 16 stops of dynamic range. Video files are recorded in Blackmagic’s BRAW format with the latest Generation 5 Color Science with a new film curve.
The URSA Cine 12K LF Body features built-in ND filters, an OLPF and RTMP and SRT livestreaming.
What we think
It’s understandable that Blackmagic Design first launched the URSA Cine 12K LF as a full package, including the 8TB Memory Module. However, that did put the camera out of the budget of some potential users. Now, with the launch of the body-only option, the camera is sure to generate a lot more orders. You can use your existing monitor, EVF and low-cost CFexpress cards, and save more than half the original cost. Also, you can always add the accessories or Memory Module going forward if you need them.
Although 12K may be overkill for many users, you can shoot full frame at 8K and 4K to take advantage of the camera’s fabulous sensor. The URSA Cine 12K LF Body is going to be a very popular camera in the indie film world.
Pricing and availability
The Blackmagic Design URSA Cine 12K LF Body camera is available now and retails at $7,695.
