Last week, a heavy package hit our Berlin studio: the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive – 8K per eye, dual sensors, and open cooling vents, built for controlled studio sets and professional crews. As a one-man team, we were shocked: naked, it weighs 5,4 kg, not the 3,96 kg the German datasheet promised. Can a cinema camera like this survive XploreVR’s outdoor VR180 travel adventures?
Back in our early twenties, we dreamed of creating art and films that inspire. Starting with film photography for a local magazine, we later became among Berlin’s first to embrace digital wedding photography, earning international awards. That journey leads us now to VR180 with XploreVR – and the URSA Cine Immersive, our most expensive camera to date, is the next big leap.
We haven’t tested it in the field yet – we’ll dive into real-world testing in the coming weeks, while finishing our app that will soon be available on the Apple App Store.
Why the Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive Stands Out
The URSA Cine Immersive is the first-ever camera to shoot natively in 16K resolution. Previous VR cameras forced creators to work around resolution limits, stitch multiple files, and navigate complex, slow, and crippling workflows. This camera changes everything.
- 8K per eye, 90 fps: Ultra-detailed stereoscopic 3D for VR180 experiences.
- 16 stops of dynamic range: Captures subtle light variations, even in challenging conditions.
- Apple Vision Pro optimized: Native AIVU format support, custom lens system, no stitching artifacts.
- Streamlined workflow: Shoot, edit, and deliver – no third-party stitching software needed.
This is high-fidelity 3D, where your brain stops noticing the headset. The world just feels real.
By the way: I’m also shooting with a DIY stereo rig using two synced Z-Cam E2 cinema cameras. It captures true stereoscopic 3D video—the real deal, not a gimmick. While it’s not VR180, so viewers aren’t fully immersed, it’s still a mind-blowing tool for immersive video, offering features like hyperstereo.
Our Previous Camera: Canon R5C Limitations
Before the URSA, we used the Canon R5C with the Dual Fisheye 3D VR Lens, an incredible setup. But it has limitations:
- Single 8K sensor split between two lenses → lower effective resolution per eye.
- Requires stitching software like Canon VR Utility or Mistika VR → time-consuming workflow.
- Up-scaling and manual calibration needed → extra steps before delivering immersive content.
The URSA solves all of these: double resolution per eye, lens calibration baked into the manufacturing, and end-to-end workflow (DaVinci Resolve Studio) optimized for immersive VR180 storytelling.
Why We Trust URSA Cine for XploreVR on Apple Vision Pro
We’re bringing the URSA into XploreVR’s outdoor VR180 adventures. Yes, it’s a beast: heavy, big fans, open cooling vents that need protection, and a short battery life if not managed carefully. But the benefits outweigh the challenges:
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- Resolution and immersion: Every ripple, sunbeam, and grain of sand captured in ultra-detail.
- Presence and engagement: Users feel fully transported – the ultimate VR180 experience.
- Future-proof content: High-quality capture ensures longevity as playback tech improves.
Even in Berlin, with water reflections and detailed urban landscapes, the camera will demonstrate its power. Our app users will experience places in unprecedented realism, building empathy, understanding, and connection.
Thank You to Our Early Xplorers!
The journey is just beginning – this is our first blog, and we’re thrilled to share the ride with you. Your curiosity, feedback, and support inspire us to push the boundaries of immersive storytelling.
Stay tuned as we test the URSA Cine Immersive in the field and release XploreVR in the Apple App Store – your adventure into next-level VR180 is about to begin!
