Blackmagic URSA
Contents
Health and Safety Checklist
Bags - All bags and cases must be stored in a safe location away from any thoroughfares.
Tripod - The LIBEC tripod must be set up correctly on even ground, ensuring the spreader is locked, the legs are raised evenly and do not slip under pressure.
Mounting the Camera - Make sure that the camera is mounted on the tripod correctly ensuring the plate is fastened securely to both the camera and the tripod. The base plate should always remain attached to the camera
Stability - Ensure that if the camera is front or back heavy there is a supporting leg taking that weight.
Induction Checklist
Battery - Show how to attach the V-lock battery into the back of the camera.
Lens and Sensor - Explain the importance of sheltering the sensor from prolonged exposure to light and dust, how it should never be touched or attempt to clean it (if it needs cleaning, bring it back in store and the camera will get sent off where a clean can be performed by trained staff). The EF mount lenses attach by aligning the red dot on the lens with the one on the camera, inserting the lens and sliding it until the click that suggests it is securely attached can be heard.
Open the main screen, located on the left handside
CFast Card - Identify CFast card slots and explain the correct way of inserting them. Encourage the use of only one CFast card at a time (due to previous card errors).
Power Switch - Highlight location of the power switch, push down for a couple of seconds and release so that the camera switches on
3 LCD screens - Bring the students’ attention to the location of the 3 screens and make them aware that each screen can be customised separately to show the settings that the person and the team using it (eg. director/cinematographer/sound team/continuity logger) benefit most from seeing
Format card – explain how to format the card and what choice to make between Ex-Fat and NTFS
Looking to the left of the main screen:
Record button, playback, increase/decrease aperture, zoom=focus assist, display button, PGM (not applicable unless in a studio environment where multiple cameras are connected)
Looking underneath the inside screen:
Iris – automatic iris control (not recommended. Won’t work on Samyang lenses)
Focus – auto-focus (not recommended)
Peak – choose peaking as a means to check the focus
Display – choose between a screen that displays recording information, one that can be used as a 2nd monitor, or to enter the submenu which enables you to format cards, switch zebra on (SDI guides not applicable unless in a studio setup where multiple cameras are connected)
MENU
Camera - choose between 200/400/800 ISO, select the apropriate Kelvin colour temperature, and the correct shutter angle (172.8 or 180)
Audio – if you connect a microphone, make sure the audio input is switched to “input”, if recording scratch audio make sure you leave it on “camera”
Recording
- Codec: recommended- ProRes 422 (other options include RAW – discuss the difference)
- Resolution: recommended – 1920x1080 (other options include 4k – discuss the difference)
- Sensor area: should be left on full unless shooting higher than 80fps (discuss)
- Dynamic range: should be left on “film” to ensure the best dynamic range (discuss)
- Project frame rate: should be left on 25
- Sensor frame rate: should be left on 25 or “match”, unless shooting slow motion (discuss)
- Dual card mode: off
- Time lapse interval: explain
Display
- Dynamic range: explain the benefits of both
- Zebra settings
- SDI mode – NA
- Frame guide/guide opacity: a helpful way of judging the correct framing if planning to deliver in a different aspect ratio (the footage still gets recorded in 16:9)
Slate - helps you keep a log of the footage. However, this is only useful if the editing software can read the metadata (Premiere can’t)
Looking underneath the outside screen:
The same settings can be found and altered, however some settings such as “peak” will only affect that specific screen. There is also a jack input for headphones (needs an adapter)
On the same side of the camera, to the front, there are a mains input and 2 XLR inputs (underneath the "Audio in" silicone cover).
Be aware that when hiring equipment, you are fully responsible for that equipment, take note when unpacking so that when packing away the equipment is stored in the same way. All equipment is packed in a specific way to avoid damage and wearing to the equipment. If it isn’t stored correctly you are liable for a fine.
