Less common actions like formatting memory cards and setting the resolution and quality options do require opening the door, but once the camera is set and ready for production, there’s no need to open the monitor door until it’s time to switch memory cards. The camera’s external controls provide access to the settings that matter shot to shot. Though the camera also has audio level controls on the tough screen, the knobs are easier to use with precision. On the outside of the monitor door is a status monitor and several additional physical controls, including knobs for setting the audio levels. Ensconced behind the monitor are the two CFast2 slots and the SD card slot along with a suite of physical controls for operating the camera and switches for mic input settings. The screen is very good, and did the job even outdoors on a sunny Vancouver beach. While having the controls on the operator side reflects the owner/operator audience the camera is optimized for, there are plenty of mountain points and SDI ports for connecting a field monitor for an AC. The operator side is covered with physical controls, even on the outside of the monitor, making the most common operations available quickly even with the display closed, great for those who prefer to use BMD’s excellent viewfinder.Ĭontrols are well placed. The chassis is made from BMD’s reinforced polycarbonate, so it’s lighter than one would expect given its size, but it still feels solid and ridge in use.

Feature Highlightsīlackmagic Design hasn’t changed the industrial design of the camera significantly. Now that the SDK is ready for prime time and the supply issues are resolved, it’s time to try this camera out in production.

While the camera has remained in short supply, BMD has been working to perfect the color science and decoding performance of the camera while also working to overcome the supply chain disruptions that have plagued the globe lately. 12K cameras in the wild have been quite rare, so information and reviews of the cameras have been sparse.

Thanks to the recent price drop, the UMP 12K has again generated quite a bit of buzz. We asked Rakesh Malik to take another look at the camera after experiencing the device during production use. However it has been updated since then, machines like the M1 Macs are here, and the price has been reduced. We reviewed the URSA Mini Pro 12K when it first arrived.

Ursa 12k