Ursa Cine LF 12K: 95% the image of an Alexa 35 at a Fraction of the Cost”
By Anonymous
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2025-11-27
The URSA Cine LF 12K is hands down the best camera we have used to date. We own an ARRI Mini LF and regularly shoot on the V-Raptor VV X, and the Cine still comes out on top in real world use. The level of detail retention is insane, especially in 12K. Skin, fabric, hair, tiny background elements, it all holds together beautifully even after heavy grading and reframing. What surprised us most is the dynamic range. We expected it to be good, but it consistently gives us roll off and highlight control that feel far more expensive than the price tag suggests.
Right now, the only sensor we have personally seen that clearly beats it is the ALEXA 35, but that lives at a price point that is simply out of reach for most users and many indie productions. The URSA Cine gets you about 95 percent of the way to that look at a fraction of the cost, with internal 12K, great codecs, and a very production friendly body. For us it has become the A camera of choice and the one we are most excited to put in front of a client.
5-star Camera, But Buy the Body a la Carte, Not the Kit.
By New School Photographics
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2025-03-02
There are two separate reviews here: The first is the value proposition of this particular kit with all of the accessories included as listed; the second is for the equipment itself.
I’ve always been obsessed with resolution, to the point where I built my own large format digital camera in 2016 capable of stitching images over 1,500 megapixels. However, this is my first cinema camera and I’ve been using DaVinci åResolve for five years on footage up to 8K raw from other camera systems.
Financial Value of this Specific Kit = 3 stars
I purchased this just-released complete kit with the EVF from B&H in late December. Less than 40 days later, BMD had already given me reason to regret this early purchase. Specifically, BMD has released a body-only version of this kit where all of the individual items combined seem to cost significantly less than what I paid. The difference seems to be about $3,000 in missing value. I wrote to BMD, and they replied to my email, but refused to answer the question of where the missing value went. Why would anyone pay $8,000 extra for the exact same accessories that can be purchased individually for $5,000? Kits are supposed to offer a discount, not vice versa.
Now, the review for the gear itself—its actually 5 stars (with several minor caveats)! BMDs reputation for bleeding edge does not apply to the gear in this case.
Overall, this camera is an amazing accomplishment in a well-assembled kit with only a few minor lapses in attention to detail that BMD can easily fix.
Everything feels solid and professional, from the fit and finish, to the smoothness of the locking EF mount, to the ergonomics. But first the footage, because at the end of the day, all that matters is what's on the screen.
Visually, the sensor and resolution on this camera are astounding. In my short time testing at 12K BRAW files using the BMD codec at 3:1 compression (1.2 GB/s), I found the footage easy to work with on an M4 Max running DaVinci Resolve in a timeline resolution of 6k. Note: when using DaVinci, be sure to use the dongle version or included activation code version—not the app store version—because the app store version always lags behind on updates/features by at least several months!
The 12k resolution on this camera is astounding. When you select lenses of appropriate resolving power, one can effectively perform a substantial digital zoom with stabilization in post production while still yielding a 4k deliverable. This opens up tremendous possibilities for small crews to shoot wide on purpose and recompose in post.
With previous BMD super-35 sensors, the 12k resolution did not live up to its specifications due to the small pixel size and lens limitations. In my experience, very few lenses could resolve that much detail, and especially lenses that worked with the smaller consumer grade mounts for those cameras like micro 4/3.
The PL mount, locking EF, and upcoming active Hasselblad mounts have changed the game by allowing much finer glass to resolve the image. In my estimation, most lenses will not have enough resolving power to utilize full resolution on this camera. However, there are many lenses that can perform at this level, or at least close enough to produce unprecedented results.
Personally, I am using a set of Zeiss Otus lenses with DJIs Focus Pro Lidar kit, which enables the possibility of solo operation, including run-and-gun, using hybrid manual/auto focus. I am eagerly awaiting the Hasselblad active mount, which will allow the use of medium format lenses with incredible resolution and cropping right in the sweet spot of image quality these lenses pose a serious alternative to high-cost fully manual Cine lenses for small independent production companies like mine.
As for the BRAW workflow, including exposure latitude, color grading, etc., this camera seems to live up to its specifications. I hear a lot of talk about the incredible skin tones on Arri cameras, which to me (a licensed engineer) sounds like pseudoscientific gibberish. The dynamic range (total stops of exposure latitude) and ability to discriminate between gradations of color (determined by bit depth) mostly define the capture.The illustrious skin-tones are 100% replicable in post through LUTs and a proper color grading workflow on a camera like this, which has incredible exposure attitude and nuanced color controls in post.
At this point, I think most can agree that DaVinci Resolve handles color workflows at a top-tier level, and this cameras integration of BRAW files to the DR workflow is superb. To make matters even more clear, using the URSA Cine 12k to shot BRAW and editing/grading in DR produces a capture-to-deliverable ecosystem with the tightest possible integration.
Now, the accessories and rigging:
First, the 8TB memory module is a must if you are shooting gBRAW at 12K.The CFAST 2.0 module probably cant handle the required data bandwidth. To offload your files from this 8TB module, you will need 10G ethernet or a BMD media dock that can handle three of these modules. When offloading from this camera, the 10G ethernet connection clocks out at 1.17 GB/s, as expected on my Thunderbolt 3 RAID array (which can handle over 2GB/s). Strangely, the USB-C port on the Ursa Cine 12k LF is restricted to legacy USB speeds, clocking out at a disappointing 36MB/s for file transfers. If you are planning to use the USB-C port as a backup for offloading files, then you are mistaken or have too much time on your hands; it is not a viable backup, and I am mystified that an engineer would install a USB-C port with such dismal speeds. When I asked, BMD tech support explained to me that the USB-C port is mostly intended for firmware updates. Consequently, I default to using a portable Sabrent 10G/Thunderbolt adapter that I bought from B&H. BMD should consider marking the USB-C ports as “firmware only” or “accessory power only” to prevent confusion and manage expectations.
The locking shoulder plate with 19mm rods is solid piece of gear with excellent functionality. Most importantly, the locking mechanism seems safe and easy to operate.
I don’t understand why manufacturers are not allowing simultaneous recording of audio from built-in mics and aux inputs like XLR jacks. We should be able to record the stereo built-in mic as well as both XLR inputs, but multi-track audio never seems to get the attention it deserves. This camera is limited to 2 channels, which I happily use for a shotgun mic mounted on the handle and a mono mix of the built-in stereo mic. Its nice to have that mono-mix capability for backup sync and recording operator commentary.
There is an app for controlling this camera, but it's iPad only. I asked BMD to implement their control app on smart phones, since every member of my crew will have a phone in his/her pocket all the time and nobody likes buying/carrying extra gear. Also, BMD has not yet implemented control compatibility with DJIs Focus Pro, though they kindly passed along my requests to their development team.
On one occasion the camera stayed on after I moved the power switch to off. I had to disconnect the power to turn it off, and no operations were affected. It seems like the switch is not an actual power switch, but something that controls an automated shutdown relay sequence that was disrupted somehow.
The microphone XLR inputs have a single dust cover that flips up, but I usually only want one open. The cover could be split to protect the second jack while only using the other.
The dust covers for the power, sync, and DSI are not connected and too easy to lose. I had to put velcro on them to keep them nearby.
The camera vents are vertically oriented, which makes me worry about dust and even the slightest amount of rain going directly into the body. I wonder if a louver/shield would be helpful without compromising heat dissipation.
I looked for a while, but could not find screen protectors that fit this camera. I’d like to get some soon, since the screens are really nice touch displays, and I’d like to preserve them.
Some of my lenses are EF versions with electronic aperture control. Although this is not optimal for typical cine applications with multi-person crews, I wanted the ability to simplify the process for solo operations, including occasional run-and-gun shots. The problem with this approach is that the cameras auto Iris button and iris adjustment wheel are hard to access when the left-side screen is open, making it hard to adjust iris when I’m holding the camera in front of me for run-and-gun. I’m exploring using a custom programmable button elsewhere to make this easier, but Im not that advanced yet with my custom setup. Still, the fact that it is even possible to mount a lidar and use hybrid manual/autofocus on this 20 lb fully-rigged camera is something worth mention.
The camera consumes about 90 watts when recording 12k raw with both side monitors on. Turing off the right side monitor reduces consumption by about 5 watts, and the camera consumes a bit over 70 watts at idle. You can do your own math on how long your batteries will last. I use a 20-lb Anker LiFePo battery with an AC inverter to give me enough plug-in power for 10 hours of operation.
One of the kit's EVF cables (courteously provided in 3 varying lengths) was defective right out of the box. Customer support sent me a replacement in a week.
My kits power supply was missing the 3-prong power cable right out of the box. In other words, it was not “ready to shoot right out of the box” for this very silly reason.
Overall, it's a groundbreaking camera and a major technical accomplishment that seems to live up to its massive specifications, but the kit is brought down a bit by a few minor oversights. For small production companies, this camera is a game-changer. I strongly recommend purchasing the body-only version until BMD sorts out a better value proposition for buyers of the full kit.