Frustration sending BMD Ursa Mini Pro G2 in for repair (or replacement) for 3rd time.

[Dean Butler]

It can't hurt to post in BM's own forum.

https://forum.blackmagicdesign.com/.

The BM cams I have had a look at inside are not modular. There are no subassemblies you can swap out. Even the sockets for inputs and outputs are on permanent ribbon cables spliced into the single main PCB. So if something goes "vvtt" and the camera lays down, an entire main board including all the cables and sockets hanging off it or entire sensor assembly has to be replaced. You have to be very,very careful with those ribbon cables. Tear one and the game is over. Monitor/touch controller screens, the sensor assembly and media docks seem to be the only pieces which detach from the main PCB with strip connectors.

Hey Robert, when I try to post there it says I'm not allowed to post URL's. Not sure if you need to make a certain amount of posts before being able to do that there.

[Dean Butler]

Hey Dean, I remember that older "leaving Red" video.
Anyhow, here's a copy paste of my YouTube reply ( I think they call this cross-posting ;P):

Since you feel so tied to the Blackmagic post-production pipeline I'd say hold on to the G2, get yourself an A7SIII and wait for the G2 successor. The A7SIII is not too expensive, will pack small and it'll always come out handy to have such a tiny full featured camera on you, even after the "G3" comes out.
I'd also experiment with seeing how the Sony A7SIII in PRORES RAW works for you and matches with the G2. The 12 Bit Log RAW of the Sony should have noticeably improved DR data information than its in-built 4-2-2 codecs (and maybe be better than the Pocket 6K DR too? No one has done extensive testing of this alas). Really hoping the URSA Mini G3 will have an RF mount!!

Thanks Ignacy, I reckon I'll look to hire an A7siii sometime soon.

[Dean Butler]

Personally I appreciate the perspective on both videos.

Thanks mate.

[Dean Butler]

Heres my perspective... I've had no issues with my URSA G2 after quite a lot of use (touch wood..)

Blackmagic has got some issues with quality (ive had previous URSA with a faulty screen, but sorted with warranty). but they are so cheap that you can own a second body if you want backup. I like that BM are trying there best to offer pretty good cameras at a reasonable price. In my earlier days as a photographer - stills cameras (especially medium format) broke down all the time, so you had to have two cameras with you all the time.

FYI, my MacBook Pro 15 " has had three replacement keyboards (that includes the top plates with battery), a new screen and a logic board and the USB-c all within the 3 year warranty.... but ill still buy the 16inch next.

Paul

I hear you. I think I'd rather pay more for a camera that is more reliable. For the remote corporate doco work I do lugging two bigger cameras everywhere is a pain. I do always have 1 or 2 smaller camera bodies with me just in case - not ususally on the same level though. (6k and Fuji xt3)
You're right, thing do break. Even great gear needs servicing. I've just NEVER had this level/frequency of shit going wrong with a camera.

[Dean Butler]

Dean, I was just observing that the complaints would be better aimed at BlackMagic. I perceive that the RED users are less sympathetic to troubles users are having with other brands. Good luck on resolution (as trouble in any form is un-fun).

Totally understand Mark! For some reason I can't post a URL on the BMD forum... Assuming I haven't posted there enough for the privilege or something.

[Dean Butler]

[QUOTE=Carlos Garcia-Diaz;1914670]

Blackmagic has got some issues with quality.... [/QUOTE

They do, and when people point this out, they usually get attacked by their users. Sounds familiar, doesn't it.

It's what's kept me from buying their cameras, even though I've come close, I always come back to this. Reliability is also part of every professional camera's spec sheet (even if it cannot be quantified or listed on a spec sheet). Sony/Canon/Panasonic have better reputations. Just my opinion.

When it comes to reliability my experience with Sony, Red and Canon... (heck even JVC back in the day) has been faultless. That said our BMPCC 6k has had zero dramas.

[Robert Hart]

Dean Butler. I think there was a short period before full privelidges were allowed. That said, there is a process for embedding URLs a bit like you use here on reduser which a geriatric like me found a bit confusing to start off.

[Mark A. Jaeger]

Dean,

Reliability is a serious issue for me. I can't tolerate traveling 1000 miles to my target venues only to find a issue that would prevent correct function.

At the last NAB I asked a bunch of BlackMagic users about the reliability of Ursa as I was considering it as it is much less expensive than the Red-Arri-Venice class of cameras. What I heard was that there were more issues with BlackMagic and that some users had been left "cold" with issues that could not be repaired. Was this true? I don't know but I took it as an indicator that I should go another direction. I eventually chose RED and I have been happy with almost everything. The "almost everything" relates to the trouble I have had and still have with use of Nikon glass. I am getting around it with purchase of PL glass but this is big $$$. My bottom line is the RED has been almost trouble free and that's what I wanted. Again, good luck on resolving your BM issues.