Blackmagic Design has unveiled the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body, a new variant of its flagship URSA Cine 12K LF that delivers the same cutting-edge image quality and performance but comes as a more affordable, body-only package. Priced at $6,995, this release is aimed at experienced cinematographers and rental houses that already have the necessary accessories to build their ideal camera rigs. This move reflects a growing industry shift towards modular cinema cameras, allowing professionals to customize their setups rather than being locked into a manufacturer’s accessory ecosystem. With the URSA Cine 12K LF Body, cinematographers get access to this new Netflix-approved, large-format 12K sensor at a fraction of the cost of competing systems. 

A Streamlined Version of a Groundbreaking Camera

Despite the removal of bundled accessories, the URSA Cine 12K LF Body remains a fully featured cinema camera without any compromises in quality or performance. It continues to feature:

• 36 x 24mm RGBW sensor with a staggering 12,288 x 8,040 resolution.
• 16 stops of dynamic range for superior highlight and shadow detail.
• EF lens mount as standard, with optional lens mounts available separately.
• Updated CFexpress media module supporting high-speed recording.

In place of the 8TB media module that comes with the full package, this body-only version includes dual CFexpress card slots, making it a flexible choice for cinematographers who already rely on CFexpress-based workflows.

Blackmagic Design introduced the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body which is a new version of the Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF camera that has all the quality and features of the URSA Cine 12K but excludes many of the accessories. This body only model is perfect for experienced cinematographers and rental houses who already have the accessories they need to rig their cameras. This also makes it more affordable as the new Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body will retail for US$6,995 excluding local duties and taxes. The camera itself is a fully featured model without any limitations in quality or performance, but it excludes accessories such as shoulder mounts, handles, some lens mounts, battery plates, power supply, lenses and the high capacity 8TB media module. You can purchase these items separately as needed to complete the total camera rig in the exact configuration you prefer. For media, while the 8TB media module is not in this model, there is a new CFexpress media module included that has dual CFexpress card slots. The Blackmagic URSA Cine 12K LF Body model has an EF lens mount installed as standard. Other lens mounts can be purchased independently as required.

Blackmagic Design

Customization and Modular Flexibility

Blackmagic Design has opted for a modular approach with the URSA Cine 12K LF Body, allowing cinematographers to tailor their setups to their specific requirements. The excluded accessories in this version include:

• Shoulder mounts and handles
• Battery plates and power supply
• Additional lens mounts
• 8TB internal media module

This modularity benefits filmmakers who prefer using third-party accessories or already own equipment from previous Blackmagic setups. As reported by YM Cinema, “Blackmagic has published detailed readout speeds of the URSA Cine 12K LF”, providing further insight into its impressive sensor performance.

Real-World Cinematic Applications

Beyond its technical capabilities, the URSA Cine 12K LF has demonstrated exceptional cinematic performance when paired with high-end lenses. Read more on our article demonstrating that The URSA Cine 12K LF paired with Cooke S8/i lenses delivers a stunning level of detail and dynamic range, making it an excellent choice for high-end productions. This showcases how Blackmagic’s sensor technology can fully utilize premium glass, enabling true cinematic storytelling.

A Cost-Effective Alternative to the Full URSA Cine 12K LF

For comparison, the full URSA Cine 12K LF package, priced at $14,995, includes the 8TB media module, additional lens mounts, power options, and other rigging accessories. The new Body-only model provides the same top-tier image quality and cinema-ready performance but at half the price, allowing users to assemble their preferred configurations independently. This pricing strategy makes the URSA Cine 12K LF Body a highly competitive option against other large-format digital cinema cameras, offering cutting-edge technology at a fraction of the cost.

Conclusion: Who Should Consider the URSA Cine 12K LF Body?

The URSA Cine 12K LF Body is an excellent choice for:

• Cinematographers and production houses who already own accessories from previous URSA models.
• Rental houses looking for a high-end, adaptable cinema camera.
• Filmmakers needing large-format 12K capabilities without unnecessary bundled components.

Blackmagic Design continues to push the boundaries of digital cinematography, offering flexible, high-performance solutions tailored for industry professionals. With the URSA Cine 12K LF Body, cinematographers gain access to a powerful, modular cinema camera at a significantly reduced cost, ensuring that premium-quality filmmaking remains within reach.