It's interesting to me how these articles get so little attention on this site, but are among the most important. I'm not saying there's tons of breakthrough info in this article, but these discussions are the ones that separate sustainable filmmaking from unsustainable. What this lack of community participation on this kind of article tells me is that the common current assumption that 'everyone is making films these days' is incorrect. Even though technology has made it easier, it is still extremely hard to do, and nearly just as difficult to distribute. Were more people actually making films as opposed to buying camera gear, I think we'd see more interaction here.

My comment is meant as an 'Aha!' for someone on the fence about truly producing a film, and a challenge for the rest of us to get out there and do it.

I created nearly the exact same thing a couple summers ago using a heavy duty lazy susan bearing, plywood, and pipe. Mine could hold a tripod and camera, and yes it could support a person on the platform. It was not motorized, but it could still easily do 360's, but I never really envisioned it for that. I thought it would be great for 180's around a singer in a music video, or even some very easy to set up moves around an actor in a narrative. I think there's is kind of a one trick pony. Mine was not.

Manfrotto 509HD.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/760085-REG/Manfrotto_509HD_545BK_5...

From Alexa's website "ALEXA body with SxS Module, electronic viewfinder and handle: 7.7 Kg/16.9 lbs." This is the lightest Alexa I believe, with a comparable URSA configuration. So.... the Alexa's heavier.

I for one actually really like the URSA. I have not had a chance to use it myself, but I got to see it at NAB last year and even though the big screen still makes me laugh, it's really awesome. All those screens can be set to show a bunch of different things and the big LED's are super cool. My only problem is the sensor. I for one wish this had the original BMCC sensor in it with an m4/3 mount. That extra stop of DR and what seems to be better low light are more important to me than 4k. I'm hoping that this year at NAB they announce a new sensor for this camera.

To my knowledge, the Alexa and URSA weigh the same. And no, I spent $1500 on a tripod and head that will handle the URSA with ease, even with a lens and follow focus.