My Filmmaking Setup - Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K (OLPF) with the Fujinon 20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio Lens

It's been a while since I've last posted anything on KZbin, but I hope this video gets across why I think the Blackmagic URSA Mini Pro 12K (OLPF) paired with the Fujinon 20-120mm T3.5 Cabrio Lens is such a great combination for documentary/factual filmmakers. I've used these both across a wide variety of TV shows in a bunch of different conditions and they've both helped up well. Some of the footage used is from the TV show 'Guardians' - filmed in Mozambique where we followed a devoted anti-poaching unit, you can now watch season 1 on EarthX in the USA and the UK.
🎵 Music used in this video from Artlist.
#BlacmagicDesignCameras #URSAMiniPro12K #URSAMini #FujinonLens

[@saptarshic]

I wish camera/lens review videos were all this beautiful. The pacing, the shots, the audio-all so peaceful and gorgeous. Thank you.

[@saptarshic]

I loved the framing and the look of the shot where you are speaking to the camera. Is that also shot on the same camera lens combo?

[@eifionjones8513]

I appreciated the audio too - it’s so nice to have quality, textured actuality audio on the cutaways. Really adds that touch of class compared to most KZbin videos

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

@@saptarshicthank you! Yes it is the 12k and the 20-120

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

@@eifionjones8513audio is a love of mine. I put a lot of effort into audio for every job. My view is that if you hand material off to the next department you need to make there job easier not harder. Putting as much effort into the audio as the image helps not just the audio team but the whole production.

[@eifionjones8513]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin indeed 👍

[@NicolasWaldvogel]

So nice and refreshing seeing your perspective Garth! With so many people in the KZbin space hyping up the newest and fastest thing, you simply create beautiful work and talk about things that matter to us cameramen and women. That's what we all should be focused on.

[@gregk1075]

Couldn’t have said it better

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

I totally agree! Thank you for the support

[@eduardogonzalez4243]

I really enjoyed this. I’ve been filming since 2001. I miss seeing this type of footage and I appreciate your review. So many reviews are curated to gain followers with gear where the person doesn’t actually film in actual jobs or real world scenarios. Thank you for the authenticity and tips.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

I really appreciate your comment. I feel exactly the same way.

[@dathofilms]

I think we can all agree that this guy was born to do filmmaking. And it is inspirational.

[@davidmorefield]

I love it when an operator finds their most efficient method of capturing visuals. Feels extremely smooth on set when you don’t even need to focus on the gear.

[@stuartbecker5094]

I’m honestly surprised that Garth doesn’t have 10x the amount of subscribers. His videos are beautiful, informative, honest and I’m intrigued in the content itself regardless of the cameras/lenses/etc discussed. Keep it up Garth and keep on publishing content!

[@deanbogart9533]

THANK YOU FOR FINALLY GIVING US COVERAGE WITH THIS LENS IVE BEEN DREAMING OF THIS LENS FOR SO LONG

[@DeanHarringtonimages]

I love Fujinon lenses... the best for docu and ENG work!

[@drajjan]

Wow, your work is incredible! Surprised I haven't see anything from you pop up in my feed earlier. Looking forward to seeing more of your work. Easy subscribe!

[@iammattdv]

This is such a refreshing take.. Really enjoyed this watch, some beautiful shots here.

[@kylehaggard7348]

great video!

[@ShutterTwist]

It's rather unusual for me to watch KZbin video 3 times:) This is a fantastic setup. So is your work.

[@samuelguce]

Awesome mate - beautiful shots and loved hearing a bit of your process, cheers

[@bangersallday]

The quality of the footage is really stunning. Your videos are always a treat, thanks for sharing.

[@alexgeifman]

Such a beautiful tribute. I can sense how you resisted to just say that you LOVE this piece of gear.

[@scottflyger432]

Love my XK20-120 paired with my EVA1 for doco work.

[@yesthisisdonut]

it seems this video was rightfully blessed by the algorithm. this is great. the 12k seems like a great bang for the buck

[@arminkorsos]

Incredible video and really appreciate your real world application and stories. Excellent, now I want one!

[@MattFitzgerald]

Love hearing your take on this. I'm curious if I will ever come back around to the zoom life. I feel myself on the same journey as you, with size being part of the equation of Primes.

[@jeffrayshootsyou]

Always end up wanting to go out and shoot immediately after watching one of your videos. Gorgeous and inspiring work as always. Might've sold me on that lens set-up as well as I run n' gun a lot like you. Thanks for all your hard work in making these videos. Beautiful and very informative!

[@GarrettWare]

The Hero shot of the men at the beginning gave me chills! Your work is incredible Garth. Love the calm explanation of your setup and process. Very well done my friend. Much love from Tennessee, USA 🙏🏼

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Thank you! It’s one of my favourite shots. It was supposed to be the hero shot for the title sequence but the network ended up wanting the drone shot of the team waking through the bush instead. Still love the shot.

[@erewhon]

Beautiful and informative video. I aspire to have something like an URSA 12K one day. Thank you for this!

[@chriseyrewalker]

Great Video Garth! Your old video about the URSA G2 was what sold me on the system years ago. So, I’m sure this new one will convince and make even more people happy ❤

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Thank you Chris! Glad that G2 video helped. You have an impressive channel and are an incredible cinematographer! Hopefully I can build my channel up to something like yours!

[@FlatlandFilmsLLC]

Stunning visuals, as always. I too shoot with the Ursa 12k OLPF for my larger doc work and it's an amazing camera. Having the flexibility to shoot in 4K, 8K, and 12K full-sensor readout is amazing. That lens looks amazing on the Ursa - I need to look into it as Ive been needing a good all-around lens that will get me away from the Sigma 18-35/24-70 combo. Thanks for another great video, Garth.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Thank you! That was my combo of lenses for quite a while. The bts shot with me changing lenses was that combo. I’ve seen fujinon’s on facebook in the US, Uk and Australia for decent prices. Keep a lookout for a deal.

[@AndrzejWisniewskiPhotography]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin Amazing this lens! What about the older version of Fujinon 20-120 ITV f/1.8? Is it worth a try to adapt to PL or EF mount?

[@storyofgio]

Thank you man for the info! Great work!

[@wearetrackclub]

Love your video style, Garth! Really nice perspectives and amazing shots 👏

[@jacoville]

Stunning

[@abandonshipproductions]

You do some of the best work in the world in my opinion. These shots are absolutely incredible.

[@YuvalAloni]

beautiful footage

[@robintielker9338]

I just love your videos!!! Just pure knowledge

[@bigtproductions6170]

great video can really see the love you have for your gear and your craft! :)

[@sonofthesea]

Beautiful little film and stunning footage - thanks for sharing.

[@Nathan_Horizons_Paris]

Such nice texture and colors man ! Refreshing.

[@STStudios98]

Wow these shots are amazing man this is really inspiring work

[@KAIQUEMENDES1]

this content is amazing! please more.

[@othellobanaci]

Glad to see you back bro!

[@MrDarryl90210]

The images here have more of a cinematic feel to them. I could see this on the big screen. Very well done!

[@bwest6275]

Gorgeous cinematography mate 👍

[@StoryDrivenThomas]

Wow, thank you for sharing your story/perspective. While, I don’t currently shoot on BM or with zooms I can see the pros of both. But even more, your footage was beautiful. I wish you continued success on your film journey.

What a presentation. This is documentary mate, incredible work. Instantly subscribed.

[@geoffrey411]

That Image....Yooooooo 👏👏👏

[@shukra333]

, it's been long time my friend

[@JedCamara]

Great insight thanks! I'll be sticking to my URSA 12K(non OLPF for now) despite all the new cameras coming out! It's such an underrated versatile camera.

[@florianropers]

Really enjoyed your video - I hope to see more of you soon :)

[@cinegrampro]

You made me hate myself for not buying this lens. such a beautiful lens and so underrated. I bought the tokina 25-75 instead. still thinks about this fuji sometimes hahaha

[@kevin-haggerty-khmp]

Amazing work dude. Subbed💪🏼

[@ebenezermarquez2583]

I love this. We are going to buy this camera, and a ton of videos out there seem to justify why they purchased an expensive camera. This video is so genuine, explaining the needs in a camera and why you should by what you need. Great film review. 🙌🏾

[@WesleyClouden]

yes 12.1 18.1 is simple and smart yes a solid combo I hope BMC send you a 12k LF and 17k before the end of May 2024. look amazing on my 86 inch O-led Garth

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Honestly I’m not sure I would be the target market for the new cine camera. I don’t think it would work as well with what I do. That camera looks to be built for film sets. I’m pretty keen to try their new box camera though.

[@WesleyClouden]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin it would be nice to have the 8k mode of the 12k Usra on the new BMC box would be nice , thank you for shearing your BTS / works

[@Riktopf]

Beautiful work Garth, damn I want that lens now haha

[@sripad_sridhar]

Another Wildlife Filmmaker here form India, also a blackmagic camera user, I think the parfocal nature of the lens is just incredible.You have made such good use of it in composing the training montage shots of the guards. Where can i see this film?

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Thank you! At the moment the series “Guardians” is only airing in the UK and the US. Check out the directors channel, his name is Sean Viljoen. You can watch the trailer for the show there.

[@nero1810]

"Once I put that camera on that lense" - nice quote.

[@lightbright8888]

I have the same camera and I plan to keep it a good while….,, I’m just tired of trying to keep up with the latest and greatest.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

100% agree!

[@LarsGottschalk]

I use the 12K. The Camera is an amazing product. Usually i use it for studio work. I own a bunch of others BM Cameras but the 12K is still my favorite. U have to be careful in lower resolutions then 12K because especially in 18:1 there are a lot of Blocky artifacts. So staying on 12K is the better option. I recommend 4 additions to the camera. 1. the SSD module. even tho the connection with USB C is not optimal (i use a third party Flex USBC cable), it is always on with a 4TB NVME SSD as a backup storage on shoot. 2. (and for me the most important) the ENG kit for the URSA broadcast fits perfect on the URSA 12K so u can bring your Viewfinder closer to the front of the Camera. This way the weight distribution is way nicer. 3. The Small RIG Cheese Side plate is kinda must. (with this i can JerryRig a Protection for the USB C Cable) 4. The last on my list is the Easyrig Vario 5 with the Stabil G3. This way i can handle the extra weight of my Core V-mount shark fin to make this camera hotswapable and power it with (up to) 2x 300 Watt V-mount for 8H Continues Run Times.

[@UnOeufff]

Um... who is that absolute beauty @3:53? Jeeeeeezus! She's d r o p d e a d g o r g e o u s !

[@azadalizadeh4517]

Beautiful video. Thanks for sharing your personal honest opinion. I already invested in sony FX6 do you suggest any lens can do same job on fullframe camera?

[@CUTproductionsLtd]

Very impressive Garth; I've admired your work since whenever you started your 'Blackmagic' journey. I've been thinking about going this route on my Ursa Broadcast G2, for sheer picture quality; but it's hard to give up the reach of the old doubling 2/3" B4 lenses; but this is the kind of lens, that would feel right at home, while giving much higher quality in Super35. Industry's been tough here so I'll have to wait quite a while now, but they do come around on eBay - did you get the grip with yours? I've always thought of the 12K as a cine camera but it makes good sense for high end docs too, I can see now; beautiful picture quality. Regards, Steve👍

[@varianography]

Subscribed 10 seconds in; that’s a record on my part

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Love this comment! Thank you for the sub

[@jasonguo9190]

Hi, watching your videos is a treat, you create great work! Just wondering if you can use Fujinon 20-120 to cover the ursa mini pro 12k sensor well? Some say that the image circle of this lens is 31.5mm while others say that it is only 28.5mm, which makes me a little confused.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Everything from this video is shot using UMPro 12K OLPF with the 20-120, quite a few wide shots at 20mm and you can see no bad vignetting. Unfortunately it won’t fit on the new BM 12K cine full frame camera without a PL expander, like the Tokina 1.6x PL-PL expander.

[@tallguytrav]

Well if you ever switch to the new Ursa cine 12k you'll have to get the new full-frame viltrox luna 30-300mm t4. It's only $65k and about 60 lbs lol. Amazing looking stuff as always.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Saw the picture of that beast, massive lens.

[@nicks3011]

Love your work! Quick question, what mic is mounted on your rig shown in this video?

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

That is the Rode NTG3 with the Blackmagic mic mount 👍

[@nicks3011]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin Thank you!

[@douglasfairmeadow]

Garth how do you feel about the new line from NAB? Will you be upgrading. I thinkt he 12k OLPF is what I might be going for, as I have all the accessories for the 4.6k.

[@mcneilbelle]

Awww man BRO AWSOME FOOTAGE 🔥🔥there no way Hollywood Dp’s keep overlooking this camera quick question did you do an black magic to ARRI color space conversation cause this footage looks identical to ARRI what was your process

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Thank you! I shoot with a Lut that I’ve created. It takes a bright image and brings the expose down, which helps eliminate noise. It does however mean that you need a little more light in those low light situations. Ive spent almost a year testing and refining the Lut. I wanted something that worked for me

[@mcneilbelle]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin your year working on this lut paid off cause it looks amazing you should consider selling it anyways I’ll definitely subscribe so I can continue seeing more footage from you who would of thought them putting that OLPF filter on the camera would change it so much !!

[@Ryan-Payne]

I've been looking for a budget cabrio for my fx30, nothing really comes close yet. Atm I'm using the Tamron 17-70 which has a nice mixture of image quality, speed and range but I'd really love some extra reach. The sony 18-105 seems to be too soft and I'm not a fan of electronic zoom.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Check Facebook marketplace, the deals that pop up are amazing.

[@raredreamfootage]

Have you considered the Nikon Z8 or Z9? I feel the smaller, more fully featured mirrorless bodies with internal 8K 60fps NRAW outweighs the benefits of the bigger, cumbersome body of the 12K body and resolution. Nikon also has a control handgrip which can control the entire camera as if you were holding the body directly.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Intersting thought. I haven’t, mostly because of my personal preference of camera and setup. I will always take a larger heavier camera over a small compact camera. I have the camera on my shoulder 90% of the time and by the time I’ve rigged out a compact body to be able to work as a shoulder mounted camera you end up with the same weight as a larger camera. This is all just my personal preference

[@TheFedericogalli]

I loved my Ursa G2 until it worked, I barely used it cause of Covid and not able to travel to the US from Italy.. after 2 years I finally start shooting with it, and I would say 10 shooting after it won’t turn on anymore… contact the support and they estimate 2000$ to fix it… and it’s there sitting waiting for me to decide what I should do… love blackmagic but I was very not lucky on my biggest investment with them (along side with 2 other 6k pocket pro one had to repair as well)

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Gees that’s rough. Luckily I haven’t had any major issues with any of Blackmagic camera for the last 10 years. I don’t think I can give any advice that’s going to help the situation. Sorry that you got burned with the camera. Hope they sort it out first you

[@TheFedericogalli]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin it’s funny that somehow was your fault lol I was watching your videos from 4 or 5 years ago and convinced me that was the perfect camera even tho was some year old… At the end I’m strongly convinced that cameras are only tool and is more important how we use them… I’m very happy with the result I was able to achieve with the 6k pro, for commercial, wedding, music video and so on… combine with Davinci, we are just lucky to live in a very advance technology era… I’m currently using the C70 (autofocus and lens compatibility was big deal) Thank for sharing all your knowledge love your works 🙏

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Man that really is terrible! Haha I Still stand by the G2, I’ve put that thing through hell and it’s still going strong. Hopefully the C70 is treating you well.

[@keshhh]

Are you using the davinci gyro stabe?

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Some times, only one of the shots was stabilised. All the rock steady shots are on a large tripod

[@AndrzejWisniewskiPhotography]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustinany handheld shots in there or mostly shoulder? Stability of these shots is unreal…! 👏👏👏

[@scottmcv994]

What's the native ISO on the camera? Thanks!

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

It’s ISO 800

[@Jaxplode]

do you post stabilize a lot or does the lens have IS?

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Only occasionally. When I want a rock steady shot I’ve got the camera on a tripod. I use an old large miller head and legs from 2003 and when I’m hand held the weight of the camera and having it on my shoulder removes micro vibrations so no need for post stabilising

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Also, the lens is completely manual, de clicked aperture and no IS

[@Jaxplode]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin so you are really good in handheld work. you film a lot in offspeed framerate?

[@johnnyweissmuller5838]

Forget the lens, how do you capture such crisp audio?

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

Great question, for the piece to camera I used a sennheiser MKE2 lapel recorder through a tenticle track e with the sync in camera. I use some nifty software to remove the reverb from the room. For the location audio I always have my NTG 3 shotgun mic attached to the camera.

[@johnnyweissmuller5838]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin thanks! 🙏

[@johnnyweissmuller5838]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin Could you share hhe audio software? Is it izotope?

[@chrisw443]

You know what TV camera ops have for years. You buy two zoom lenses and your done. How much that thing weigh? You should make sure you have some support so you dont end up hurting yourself in the long run.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

It’s interesting, the only time I’ve had back problems was when I held the camera out in front. 95% of the time I have the camera on my shoulder and all my back problems have gone away.

[@chrisw443]

Look into a steadygum if you get any issues. Help ya on those longer days.

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

F 3.5 ? Glad it's working for you.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

In F it’s about 3.2. These lenses and other cinema glass are marked using a T stop which is slightly different

[@gregoryrogalsky6937]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin I am still using my Nikkor 28 1.4 Af-D Aspherical , Canon 50 f0.95 and my Nikkor 200 2.0 IF-ED AI-s . Can't image using slow glass. But your getting some nice footage.

[@dimaphotographer90]

Leave those animals alone…Man, people suck! 😢

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

They moved those elephants to a new protected area. That particular heard was destroying the crops of the local villages so instead of culling them a team of specialised vets, rangers and translocation experts were brought in to move the elephants to a much larger and more protected area.

[@GarthDeBrunoAustin]

The Cheetah was being treated for a broken foot and the Rhinos are in a large protected sanctuary for orphans from the Kruger National Park.

[@dimaphotographer90]

@@GarthDeBrunoAustin Well, in that case I take it back, I just feel sorry for animals being treated badly. :)