Chris Ortenburger, a cinematographer with extensive experience in racing and action sports, recently captured footage of the Rolex 24 at Daytona using Blackmagic Design's Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro and URSA Mini Pro 12K. Known for his work with clients including GT World Challenge America, Fanatec, BMW North America, CrowdStrike Racing, and the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), Ortenburger has been a long-time advocate of Blackmagic Design's products.
Ortenburger's Journey
Starting as a former racer looking for high-quality video to market himself, Ortenburger quickly evolved into a professional cinematographer. His journey began when he realized that professional-looking footage could give him an edge in his career. This led to other drivers seeking his services, and he eventually founded Flying Lap Media.
The Blackmagic Ecosystem
Ortenburger's interest in Blackmagic Design began with the Pocket Cinema Camera 4K, which introduced him to the Blackmagic RAW format. He was impressed by its versatility and affordability, leading him to adopt other products from the company, including DaVinci Resolve Studio for post-production.
Currently, Ortenburger relies on the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro for many of his shoots due to its portability and flexibility. The camera's larger flip-out screen and handheld form factor make it ideal for capturing a variety of content types, including both horizontal and vertical footage. He also appreciates the built-in neutral density filters and native Blackmagic RAW format.
URSA Mini Pro 12K Performance
In addition to the Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro, Ortenburger tested the URSA Mini Pro 12K. He was particularly impressed by its ability to capture full-resolution 12K footage (12,288 x 6,480) at a price point that he finds comparable to lower resolution cameras in the market. The camera's capability to shoot at 240 frames per second is another feature Ortenburger values for slow-motion sequences of high-speed action.
Ortenburger's choice of Blackmagic Design products highlights their role in democratizing professional-grade tools for content creators. The combination of hardware and software from Blackmagic Design enables him to produce high-quality footage efficiently, even when working on the road.