Blackmagic adds URSA Viewfinder to its growing range

One for the lefties? The new URSA viewfinder

We’re still working our way through the blizzard of Blackmagic NAB announcements. If you are considering purchasing an URSA camera, you will now have another reason to do so with the announcement of the new URSA Viewfinder.

The new viewfinder will be an extremely welcome addition to the Blackmagic Design product lineup, and further cements the company as being able to offer a full camera system while minimising reliance on third party add-ons.

It will work with both the original URSA and the new URSA Mini, and from first impressions it seems that Blackmagic hasn’t held back on the specification. With its use of an SDI connection this may well make it an alternative option to the likes of Zacuto for some.

Utilising a 1920x1080 OLED display the new viewfinder should theoretically offer the ability to view the image without being able to distinguish individual pixels. Unlike third party models the Blackmagic option is powered by the camera itself. This, along with its design, makes it more of an integrated solution as opposed to needing to add extra rods and rigging, which would be required with other third party options.

Other useful features are the ability to adjust it for left or right eye viewing. This is something that might seem a small thing, but for many camera operators who are left handed or left eyed this news will allow them to breathe a sigh of relief as a camera manufacturer finally brings them into consideration!

To conserve power and screen life there is even a sensor that switches the display off when you aren’t viewing it.