One-time setup
Blackmagic URSA Cine Immersive
- Codec: 5:1 BRAW.
- Run the Motion Sensor Calibration.
- Keep the ISO at 800. As James from ExplorePOV points out, a lower ISO results in the background being blurry
(even though that’s typically caused by the aperture).
- The default shutter is 270°. In very low light with little motion, drop to 180° or even 90°.
Zoom F6
- Format: Ambisonics “A”, 32-bit float. (32-bit float captures roughly 1528 dB of dynamic range
vs ~144 dB for 24-bit.)
- FPS: 30. If you choose DPF, the clips won’t line up correctly in the timeline.
The night before
- Charge the batteries: camera 28-volt batteries, AA batteries, Tentacle Sync.
- Confirm the media/storage cards are empty. Move footage to the computer or server if needed
— camera, Zoom F6, and the microSD card in the handheld mic if used.
- Format every Blackmagic memory module in-camera. Deleting files isn’t enough.
After months of the camera randomly stopping mid-record (with no overheat),
the fix turned out to be formatting.
- Depending on the event, pack: water, sunscreen, a hat, a large umbrella, a puncture-proof
trash bag in case of extreme rain (to protect the camera).
- Backpack: spare camera batteries, AAs, storage media, the items above.
The morning of
- Sunscreen. Even if it’s overcast and there’s a 0% chance of sun.
Weather is unpredictable. Sunburns are painful. (I wrote this while in misery.)
Transport: car to event
- Backpack: four camera batteries, two spare 8 TB media modules, spare AAs, screwdriver,
bandaids. ~22.5 lbs (10.2 kg).
- Left hand: tripod. ~7 lbs (3 kg).
- Right hand: fully assembled camera with top plate, microphone, field recorder
with batteries, wireless receiver, main camera battery. ~22 lbs (10 kg). Means I just attach to the
tripod, sync the Tentacles from the mobile app, power on the Zoom F6 and camera, and press Record
(Zoom first).
Two 1/4” screws hold the top plate to the camera body, which makes me nervous.
So in transit, a velcro strap wraps around the handle and the underside — if the screws ever fail,
it’s a backup that prevents $35K of gear from hitting the ground.
In the back seat of my car, the camera is surrounded by blankets, a sippy cup, and a coloring book.
Set up the tripod
- Use the bubble. Perfectly level. Re-check every time you physically move the tripod to a new spot.
Set up the spatial mic and field recorder
- Sync timecode via the Tentacle Sync app. Confirm the camera and field recorder both show “EXT”.
- Confirm the Zoom F6’s audio meters show input on every connected mic.
During the shoot
- “Expose to the right” — deliberately overexpose, pushing the histogram as far right as possible
without clipping. Maximizes signal, minimizes noise. Lower exposure in post.
- Check both the left and right lenses for dust spots and uneven flare.
- Keep watching the Zoom F6’s audio meters.
- Re-level the tripod every time you move it.
- Press the HFR button (configured for False Color) to check exposure and color.