In a Year Without Cameras, Blackmagic Refines the Capabilities and Usability of Its Existing Product Line

For the first time in recent memory, Blackmagic Design didn't launch any new cameras at NAB this year, opting instead to bring a couple of new accessories that extend the capabilities of the existing line.

The Blackmagic Ursa Studio Viewfinder is a seven-inch viewfinder designed to remake the Ursa Mini as a studio camera. Blackmagic stressed the presence of physical knobs and customizable function buttons for that tactile sensation that's so important to shooters looking to make adjustments quickly. Camera setting information is sent to the viewfinder via SDI for display purposes, and the viewfinder includes an assortment of selectable frame guides, an RGB tally light that lights red for on-air and orange for iso recording.

It works in tandem with Blackmagic's Camera Update 3.2, which enables a slew of studio-friendly features, including talkback, tally, and camera and lens control via Blackmagic's ATEM switchers.The viewfinder is scheduled to ship in the third quarter for $1,795.

And Blackmagic Video Assist is now available in a 4K version for $895 that's a good match for the company's Micro Studio Camera 4K as well as any camera that outputs 4K over SDI or HDMI.