Tag Archives: aluminum

Chronos Camera m43 Lens Adapter with Speedbooster Support!

The two existing Chronos cameras, the 1.4c 720p at 1502fps & the Chronos 2.1 -HD 1t 1080p 1000fps are identical when seen from the outside but very different inside as they contain different sensor and memory boards. However one constant is that both use the C mount as the default for lens adapters. The camera usually comes with a Canon EF or Nikon F mount adapter depending on the buyer preference which screws on the C mount thread and allows for support of classic lenses from Macro to telephoto. 

One request from the community has been the support for other lens mounts like Micro 4/3ds which lets you adapt a variety of lens mounts and the much coveted speedbooster adapters which allow a 1 f-stop improvement in light gathering for micro 4/3ds systems. Today Krontech, the company behind the Chronos high-speed camera is introducing a passive Micro 4/3rds adapter for both the Chronos 1.4c and 2.1-HD and uses the body screw terminals near the lens thread mount to place a solid connection that allows such lenses. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Slow Motion News August 2019

Slow Motion News

We have a few developments to share in the high speed camera world. Things have been somewhat quiet in the phone front as the high speed component feature was relegated to a footnote in 2019 after a great 2017 and 2018 main spec treatment. We may get much better phone slow motion as memory size and speed increases while maintaining the same price range thanks to the fast pace of electronics development.

Sony just announced their latest RX VII camera which means that an RX10 and maybe a new RX VA version will show up before the year is over.  We were not happy with the feature being stagnant in resolution and speed on the RX series for 3 years in a row now. Sure AF and overall speed have increased when it comes to other parts of the camera but the high frame rates remain frozen in 2016 specs.  In the meantime, we have a few new things to show you.

Slow Motion News August 2019:

iX Cameras releases i-SPEED 5 SERIES of Full HD professional slow motion cameras.

iX cameras has now released the brochure and spec info for a new Full HD camera line composed of the (508, 510 & 513)  that are capable of recording up to 6,382 fps in Full HD and up to 1 million fps on the lowest resolution.

508 Specs:

  • 3,980 fps @ 1920×1080
  • 1,000,000 fps Max Frame Rate
  • 18/36/72/96/144 GB RAM Memory
  • Mono ISO 8,500D (sat) / 68,000D (sat)
  • Color ISO 3,060D (sat) / 24,480D (sat)
  • In the $30k USD Range

510 Specs:

  • 4,980 fps @ 1920×1080
  • 1,000,000 fps Max Frame Rate
  • 18/36/72/96/144 GB RAM Memory
  • Mono ISO 8,500D (sat) / 68,000D (sat)
  • Color ISO 3,060D (sat) / 24,480D (sat)
  • In the $50k USD Range

513 Specs:

  • 6,382 fps @ 1920×1080
  • 1,000,000 fps Max Frame Rate
  • 18/36/72/96/144 GB RAM Memory
  • Mono ISO 8,500D (sat) / 68,000D (sat)
  • Color ISO 3,060D (sat) / 24,480D (sat)
  • In the $100k USD Range

“State-Of-The-Art 1080p HD Sensor
The heart of the i-SPEED 5 Series is a custom 12-bit CMOS light sensitive image sensor capable of recording 3,980 fps at full HD resolution, with a maximum speed of 500,000fps*. With the optional Fast mode shutter option*, the 5-series can achieve 250ns exposure times. Other features include an internal SSD of up to 8TB, an external SSD of up to 2TB, high-speed image download, memory segmentation, and camera control via the unique touch-screen CDUe control device or via the powerful i-SPEED Software Suite 2.0 that controls the i-SPEED 7 cameras.”

More information about these and other iX Cameras at the official company website: https://www.ix-cameras.com/best_value_high-speed_camera_slow_motion.php

Chronos 1.4c Camera Software V0.3.2 Development improves Frame Rates and adds new features:

We installed the Chronos V0.3.2 RC1 Beta software and on initial testing find the software to be mostly stable and the new features make it a better camera all-around.

In our testing, we found that noise and column gain was reduced considerably after a 15min warm-up.  Also, the saving to SDHC cards is faster in RAW mode, we were getting 4.8fps instead of 3.7fps in 0.3.1 this makes a very noticeable difference in saving speed which seemed too restrictive in RAW.

We did encounter some problems when using HDMI external monitors and viewfinders when using the peaking function. These are already being patched for the next release so we recommend you wait for v0.3.2 RC2 if that feature is needed while monitoring.

The camera now has the ability to format and see how much space is left on SD and USB/SATA media which is a very welcome feature set for on the field users. We would love the ability to load saved clips for playback at a later date as software evolves including post save editing and clip erase if possible.

Another welcome feature is now the ability to shoot even faster frame rates for all resolutions. 720p has gained 17 frames from 1502fps to 1519fps which is our main use resolution.  However, the camera is now able to shoot up to 40,420fps at 320*96 pixels which used to be 38,565 fps for a 1,855fps gain with no quality degradation. It is not often that you get free speed in any camera, this time it is lossless and operates just as before.

For more information on the Chronos 1.4 camera visit the Krontech.ca and or info on the patch at the development forum thread here: http://forum.krontech.ca/index.php?topic=488.0

Notable Changes:
– Automatic ADC calibration during black calibration, which should reduce column banding across a wider temperature range.
– Add a storage tab to the util menu to view, eject and format the attached storage devices.
– Speed boost at most resolutions, with a top speed of 1069fps at 1280×1024, and 40420fps at 320×96.
– Configurable automated power-on and off depending on the AC adaptor status.
– Option to disable the ring buffer when in segmented recording mode.

Minutae:
– Factory black calibration is now user accessible from the Factory tab of the util window.
– The software update button has been moved to the storage tab of the util window.
– Shipping mode to disable power-on by battery until an AC adaptor is attached.
– Add a watchdog to reboot the camera in case of a power-on boot failure.
– Display descriptive error strings instead of number on failure.

Fixed Bugs:
– Gated burst record mode may lock up after several trigger edges.
– Gated burst record mode unreliable when trigger debounce is enabled
– Memory leak in the M3 video coprocessors which could lead to a crash after lots of H.264 encoding.
– Ignore video which was recorded during zero-time black calibration (which happens after changing resolution).
– Stuttering issue on the playback window on new production LCD modules.
– Fixed deadlock in camera when restoring user settings from external media.

Fixed since V0.3.2-beta-6:
– Changes to focus aid or exposure aid (zebra stripes) would have no effect until resolution is changed.
– Changes to exposure may be overwritten during black calibration.
– Bad image quality at 336×120 resolution
– Util window, storage tab – bottom of text cut off if device has multiple partitions
– Factory black cal (black cal all resolutions) would get overridden by old user black cal, if a user had done their own black cal, even before.

Known Issues:
– On the save file settings window, the bitrate as listed above the resolution may be lower than the actual bitrate, if Saved File Framerate is lower than 60fps

Updating Your Camera
====================
– Extract the `.zip` file into the root directory of a FAT32 formatted USB drive.
– Turn on your camera and insert the USB drive into the USB/eSATA combo port, not the one labeled ‘OTG’.
– From the main window, tap the `Util` button to open the utility window.
– As a precaution, tap the `Backup Calibration Data` button on the utility window before starting the update.
– When the backup is completed, a pop-up window will be displayed.
– Tap the `Done` button to close the pop-up window.
– From the utility window, tap the `Apply Software Update` button to begin the software update.
– A warning message will be displayed, tap the `Yes` button to confirm and begin the update.
– If a pop-up that says ‘No software update found’ is displayed, even when a USB stick containing the update in the correct location is connected, reboot the camera and try again.
– During the update, the screen will go blank and an `Applying Update` message will be displayed.
– After approximately 60 seconds, the update will be complete and the camera will restart.

Xiaomi Black Shark 2 Pro Phone Announced with 1920fps at 720p!

As we have seen from Chinese phones this year, the 1920fps spec for slow motion at 720p is included in several spec sheets like the Nubia Red Magic 3 but we found out that it is not only a fake spec but the actual video quality is pretty low.  The phone uses a 480fps capture at 720p and then creates interpolation of 4x  which is 480 x 4 =1920fps to create the final video. In some phones, it is just playing back 4x slower but in others there is interpolation. WHatever the came may-be, you are better off by avoiding this feature in your buying decision.  The quality is low and compression high, then the stuttering of faking the 1920fps kicks in and you end up with a subpar experience.

Here is a video sample of what appears to be a real clip from the Blackshark 2 Pro. You can easily notice the interpolation.

Blackshark 2 Pro – 1920 FPS Slow Motion Video by Shail 360:

Now for some fun, The Slow Mo Guys have played with a huge amount of Gallium metal which becomes liquid at under 30 degrees C and looks pretty close to mercury without the toxicity. They do remind us that Gallium corrodes Aluminum on contact as it amalgamates with it, Aluminum which is what most cameras and lens cases are made of are pretty vulnerable,  so if you try this with your slow motion camera, be sure to use a barrier. -HSC

 

Pouring a Liquid Mirror in Slow Motion – 4K by The Slow Mo Guys: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

RED Hydrogen Phone for High Speed?

RED Hydrogen Phone

So we have gotten a lot of speculative emails regarding the RED Hydrogen phone teaser announcement.  There are no real specs listed, only pricing which for Aluminum  $1195 and Titanium $1595 USD is no bargain.  It will be an Android phone with a revolutionary Holographic display capable of doing 2D-3D and holographic multiview which will be a mixture of the two.

The phone will also be a possible monitoring device for RED camera owners which will be able to control the cameras from the device.  If you are a RED owner it makes sense to have this as your phone and we expect most RED camera owners to own the device or pre-order. After all the phone will be the same cost as a breakout module for the RED camera which costs up to 70k ready to shoot in the highest spec configurations.

RED Hydrogen Frame Rates?

While no detailed information is presented we expect the phone to have a really good camera sensor and processing pipeline. What does that mean for slow motion? Well, we expect it will at least match the iPhone 7 and or Google Pixel at 240fps 720p and 120fps 1080p.

Knowing RED however we expect the phone to be able to trounce other phones by possibly recording video in a REDCODE RAW codec that is dumbed down but still plenty useful. After all RED invented the modern compressed RAW video revolution. If the phone is capable of recording in RAW mode even while compressed it will eclipse the output of all other smartphones when it comes to production worthy footage.

The biggest clue comes from this snippet on the press release:

“The HYDROGEN SYSTEM incorporates a new high-speed data bus to enable a comprehensive and ever-expanding modular component system, which will include future attachments for shooting higher quality motion and still images as well as HYDROGEN format holographic images.”

So it will have probably dual cameras to be able to do 3D video separation. The higher data bus which will allow for recording attachments means that the phone will be able to output RAW data for recording media and will be unencumbered by the phone’s limitations. This, of course, will mean a higher cost for your pocket which as RED users know is a common occurrence. Even some RED interface cables cost upwards of $200 USD. See the funny video below of a RED Weapon 8k camera being unboxed by Linus Tech Tips:

This Camera Costs HOW MUCH?! – 8K RED Weapon Unboxing, HOLY $H!T Ep. 17 by Linus Tech Tips:

We also expect higher frame rates to be possible in 4k with the Phone, maybe even 120fps at 4k with possible RAW output to a secondary module. All is up in the air but the modularity promised by the phone could do for phones what the original RED Camera did for professional-quality cinema capture for digital producers.   It pushed an entire industry forward to get us DSLRs, cameras like the Sony F5 and F7 and basically improve the way video is recorded around the globe with aesthetic qualities that up until recently were only in the realm of big TV and Hollywood productions.

So in the end what the RED Hydrogen could do is to push high end smartphone makers to offer increased features, modularity and capture higher quality footage among other things. We are all for RED pushing them forward and make them sweat a little.

RED love it or hate it continues to push the envelope with 8k recording and now a modular smartphone that could one day be your B camera.  What is not to love?

We will follow the Hydrogen information closely to see if slow motion is in the cards for the device slated to ship in January 2018, cross your fingers. -HSC

RED Hydrogen Phone PDF Info:

  • The HYDROGEN ONE is a standalone, full-featured, unlocked multi-band smartphone operating on Android OS that just happens to add a few additional features that shatter the mold of conventional thinking.
  • GLASSES OBSOLETE Wearable displays not spoken here. It is no longer necessary to carry (or charge) another device to enjoy multi-dimen­sional content. Experience “look around depth” in the palm of your hand, no glasses or headsets in sight.

5.7″ PROFESSIONAL HYDROGEN HOLOGRAPHIC DISPLAY

This incredible retina-riveting display advancement features nanotechnology that seamlessly switches traditional 2D content, holographic multi-viev,1 content, 3D content, and interactive games … both landscape and portrait modes sup­ported.

• View all traditional 2D content normally at full-screen resolution• View all traditional 2D content normally at

• View all traditional 2D content normally at full-screen resolution• View holographic RED Hydrogen 4-View content (H4V)• View stereo 3D content• View 2D/3D VR, AR and MR

• View holographic RED Hydrogen 4-View content (H4V)• View stereo 3D content• View 2D/3D VR, AR and MR

• View stereo 3D content• View 2D/3D VR, AR and MR

-ASSAULT YOUR SENSES
Embedded in the OS is a proprietary H30 algorithm that converts stereo sound into expansive multi-dimensional audio. Think 5.1 on your headphones. The perfect match for holographic H4V or just listening to your favorite tunes. The differ­
ence this makes would be enough to justify the entire system.
-MODULARITY
HYDROGEN ONE is the foundation of a future multi-dimensional media system. The HYDROGEN SYSTEM incorporates a new high-speed data bus to enable a comprehensive and ever-expanding modular component system, which will include future attachments for shooting higher quality motion and still images as well as HYDROGEN format holographic images.
-COMMAND CENTRAL
The HYDROGEN ONE will not only be the control center for the HYDROGEN system, it will also integrate into the profes­sional RED camera program, working together with Scarlet, EPIC and Weapon as a user interface and monitor.
-RED CHANNEL
One channel to find all 4-View holographic content. Create .h4v (or convert 3D to .h4v) content and upload. Download or stream to view. Movies, documentaries, games, shopping and other apps all found with one click.
PRICE. $1195 Aluminum. $1595 Titanium.
Orders placed today will ship from my own personal first production batch. I can also assure you that after this initial release we will NOT be able to fill all orders on time due to display production limitations. We will NOT guarantee these prices at the time of release. Taxes and shipping not included in the price.
WHAT DO YOU GET?
The HYDROGEN ONE Media Machine with a USB-C cable and charger, an expandable Micro SD card slot plus a “special small token” for ordering early. All other accessories available at launch will be available at an additional price. Additional modules will NOT be immediately available at the time of this first production launch.
WHEN DO YOU GET IT?
The HYDROGEN ONE is targeted to ship 01 2018.

ZTE Axon 7 Phone Joins the 240fps club!

ZTEAxon7

The Chinese Smartphone Maker ZTE has released the Axon 7 handset with some impressive camera features like a newly released 20MP Samsung ISOCELL sensor,  F1.8 lens aperture, sapphire glass lens front element for scratch-proof and flare resistance, optical image stabilization in the lens elements and dual pixel on-sensor phase detection auto-focus; not to mention a handy dual LED Flash.

Other phone specs compete well with other more well known brand flagship devices like the Galaxy S7. such as a 5.5-inch AMOLED panel  2560 x 1440 Quad-HD resolution with 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass 4 and a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset.

Two models will be released 4GB RAM and 64GB storage or a 6GB RAM plus 128GB storage in the high end range.  microSD card slot is also included; 3140 mAh battery with  Quick-charge 3.0 standard, fingerprint reader and a USB Type-C connector. Android 6 Marshmallow will be the OS included with some modifications.

Slow motion spec?

There is no doubt that this phone is a top contender for features ounce by ounce. The only real caveat we have is that the slow motion mode while great at 240fps 720p HD; tops out at 1080p 30fps “Yes not even 60fps” which is the same in 4k at 30p.

CAMERA Specs Sensor + Features 20 MP, f/1.8, phase detection autofocus, OIS, dual-LED (dual tone) flash
Other Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, panorama, HDR
Video 2160p@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 720p@240fps
Secondary 8 MP Front Selfie Camera

ZTE Axon 7 Slowmotion Camera Test 240fps 720p by Mobilegeeks.de:

The video above being one of the few available at this time shows ok resolution with a bit of aliasing as it’s common at these fast frame rates on either Samsung or Apple smartphones. There still seems to be line skipping to some degree but a clear preference for aliasing instead of color moire.   The ZTE Axon 7 joins a small club of phones that do 240fps but is not at the high end here for ignoring higher resolutions like 1080p 120fps.

It is still good news to see more manufacturers pushing fast frame rates.

Launch is expected to be in China first during the month of July and other parts of the world by August.

MSRP: Axon 7 will be $449 USD  and or €409 Euros in Europe,Fully Unlocked!

ZTE Axon 7 Hands On by SRS Exclusives: → Continue Reading Full Post ←