Tag Archives: laboratory

Oppo Find X3 Pro brings microscopy to phones!

Oppo Find X3 Pro

There is always an outlier when it comes to phone innovation and we have to give it to Oppo in 2021 as it seems to have created a phone that really delivers features that seemed impossible just months ago.  The Oppo Find X3 Pro can deliver the usual 4k 30p and 60p video and up to 720p 480fps slow motion along with the common standard of 240p at 1080p.  Where the phone jumps ahead of the pack is the inclusion of a real microscopy camera module that has a ring light to boot.

The Microscope camera can deliver a mind-altering 60x microscopy range magnification that looks so good that you might think it was taken with a professional clinical microscope.   It will not be enough to show blood cells that usually require over 100x to be appreciated but it delivers detail on small insects, fibers, textures, and electronics that previously required a complicated camera setup attached to a multi-lens instrument. → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Phantom TMX 7510 does 76000 fps in HD!

Phantom TMX 7510

The scientists at Vision Research are at it again at their favorite pastime of hyper slow motion gear creation.  The new TMX 7510 Phantom camera is the fastest ever in their arsenal with a mind-bending spec of 75 Gigapixels throughput which is capable of delivering 76,000fps  1 Megapixel resolution or slightly higher than HD at 1280 x 800px.

The camera features the first BSI or Back-side illuminated sensor ever used in a Phantom camera. This allows for much better low-light performance which is crucial for slow motion applications.  The camera tops out at a ridiculous 1.75 million fps frame rate at 1280 x 32px in standard width mode or 640 x 64px in Binned mode.  One second recorded at that speed creates a file that plays back for 972min or just over 16hrs in a 30fps timeline.  Yikes! → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Casio Slow Motion Pioneer Kills Consumer Camera Line!

Casio Slow Motion

 

It seems that the cellphone has once again taken no prisoners when it comes to the portable consumer camera. Casio which was probably the most influential affordable high-speed camera developer 10 year ago with the EX-F1 has now decided to retrench and effectively end their portable consumer camera development due to mounting losses with no clear path to profitability for the division.

The Japanese hi-tech company generated a loss of 500 million Yen (or $4.6 million U$) in the 2017 fiscal year for the division. They will effectively pull out of the market to stop the bleeding.  It is quite sad to see a company that created the EX-F1 and the excellent EX-FH20 eliminate their entire consumer camera division. Could things have been different and could they have avoided the phone camera erosion that has obliterated the sales of most manufacturers? Our only thought would be that they did not innovate fast enough to remain competitive for the consumer to be a real alternative.

Could this have been prevented?

Casio was on a roll in 2008-2010 with the introduction of their new high-speed camera line which was first to record 1080p 60fps and up to 1200fps at reduced resolutions with the EX-F1. It was for a while the only game in town when it came to a truly affordable slow-motion solution for the common videographer.

Casio Exilim EX-F1 High-Speed Camera Review by Biz of Tech:

There were a lot of constraints when it came to real resolution and artifacts but these cameras were a milestone of miniaturized technology and what could come after if they had continued development.

But Casio seems to have lost its way after that initial big push. Many fans of the camera line expected more resolution to supplement the frame rates and maybe make a jump to HD 720p at 480fps which would have cemented the camera line as a true performance speed demon.

High-Speed Video Tests (Casio Exilim Pro EX-F1) by EpicPyrotechnics: → Continue Reading Full Post ←

Chronos Kickstarter Camera One Year Later!

Chronos Kickstarter Camera

David Kronstein has published a walkthrough video of the Krontech warehouse, assembly installations, and offices located near Vancouver Canada, in what could be described as a rapid expansion of a startup that just a year ago was just coalescing.  With now 337 Chronos 1.4c cameras shipped to Kickstarter backers and also direct purchase buyers; this is a significant number of units for any high-speed camera and we can probably expect that number to increase!

David also goes shares his thanks to the people who helped make the camera project possible and where the company can grow from here. We expect great things from Krontech not that they have shown the ability to mass produce gear that works and as it continues to improve with software releases. We are excited about their future and congratulate them on their success thus far.

Chronos Kickstarter update – One year later Video:

We are eager to see what David and his team of software engineer coders and electrical engineers can cook up now that their first project is maturing.  We would love to see a 1080p camera with a larger sensor and possibly a 4k capable high-speed unit with windowing in the 1080p and 720p modes.  All of this with the touchscreen ability of the Chronos 1.4c which makes it a breeze to run and gun with the camera.

Chronos Kickstarter Camera announces- Open Source Code on Chronos 1.4c:

“At long last, the Chronos Camera application source is now available at the following git repository:

: chronos-cam-app

Currently, we only support Ubuntu 16.04 LTS as a build environment. 17.04 is known to NOT work due to different compiler versions included. You’re welcome to try other environments, please let us know what works and what doesn’t.

Follow the instructions in the repository readme to set up your build environment.

We suggest not doing any significant changes or customization right now. We are in the process of breaking out the low-level camera control into a daemon controlled over D-Bus. This will allow the cam app to talk to the camera seamlessly, whether local or operating remotely over a network connection. Ideally, the exact same application will be able to be compiled to run on the camera or on a PC.

Once you have the application compiling, you can connect to your camera over SSH. Plug the mini-USB port into your computer, and it will enumerate as a USB to Ethernet bridge (serial numbers 00050 and above, earlier cameras need an update, this should be available in the next day or two). You can then log into the camera using root/<no password>

I’m sure there will be many questions, please let us know any problems so we can provide better build instructions.

David”

It is encouraging to see that the source code for the Chronos 1.4c is already up, ready to be explored and played with by enthusiasts.  We expect many new features and improvements added by the community over time with the possibility as well of improved UI and automation.  The Chronos 1.4c code is still maturing with it still in the testing phase to support the majority of the ports on the camera side. The LAN support is taking longer than expected because it requires a host interface to be supported with it as well for it to be useful for the common user.

Releasing the code is a big first step and we can’t wait to see what talented coders are able to do with it.

We are also working on an initial look at the Chronos 1.4c which will have answers to several questions we have been asked. We will look into the quality and shooting experience as well as the continued feature evolution. We received a new camera last week that will allow us to review it without setbacks which caused a delay with an early unit we received. -HSC

For more information about the Chronos 1.4c camera and ordering information please visit:  http://www.krontech.ca –

“Please mention HSC if ordering a camera from any manufacturer, helps us measure the reach of our blog”.

Chronos 1.4 Software Update 0.2

Chronos 1.4 Software

The Chronos 1.4 Camera is getting its first firmware update from 0.1 to 0.2 to add a few feature, correct a few bugs and some interface changes.  The update is recommended for all owners and it is very easy to install. Be sure to have a FAT32 formatted USB stick in order to perform the update as it needs the root directory for file discovery.

We applied the update on our camera and were pleasantly surprised that the actual software update did not need the camera to be turned off after. It seems that the Chronos team is making updates on the internal SD memory and not on a firmware chip which also means you cannot brick the camera by updating. Very cool feature!

Chronos 1.4  0.2 Software update post:

By Krontech.ca:

Here’s the first software update!

Available here: http://forum.krontech.ca/index.php?topic=38.msg257

Not a huge amount in this one, basically a few features requested by a few scientific users, and a bunch of low-hanging fruit . More major updates will probably have to wait until after the backlog of Kickstarter rewards and store preorders have shipped since it’s so busy leading up to production. Once we hire a software engineer, updates will be much more frequent and significant.

Features added and bugs fixed:

  • Added Triggered Exposure and Shutter Gating modes
  • Fixed bug where video can be saved to the mount point if no storage device is present
  • Fixed minimum exposure time (now 1uS instead of an impossible 10ns)
  • Added “About” tab to Util window, showing software version, serial number, and camera info
  • Added missing backer Jared Reabow in backers list
  • Added support for LUX1310 image sensor silicon revision 2
  • Fixed incorrect bitrate computation in save settings window
  • Disabled H264 profile and level controls (certain lower levels caused encoder to crash)
  • Fixed incorrect shutter slider and exposure text after changing resolution
  • Fixed incorrect updating of ROI indicator in Record Settings
  • Fixed allowable range of window offset to proper multiples (16, 2). Record settings would not be applied if offset was set other than proper multiple
  • Moved close button on keyboard to bottom right
  • Changed arrows on keyboard from text eg. “Up” to unicode arrow characters

Known bugs in added features:

  • Horizontal line issue is present in Triggered Exposure and Shutter Gating modes, to be fixed

Chronos 1.4 Update Procedure:

-Unzip the Zip file into the root directory of a FAT32 formatted USB stick-Unzip the Zip file into the root directory of

-Unzip the Zip file into the root directory of a FAT32 formatted USB stick This should result in a camUpdate folder in the root directory of the stick

-Boot up the camera and insert the USB stick-Backup your calibration data. Tap “Backup calibration data” and wait for this to complete (about 5 seconds). The cal data is now backed up on the USB drive as cal_[serial number].tar

-To install the update, tap Apply Software Update

-A message box should pop up indicating the software update was found. Tap Yes to install the update.

-The screen will go blank for a few seconds, then the updated application will start.

-Done! No need to restart the camera.

What if something goes wrong?
Don’t worry, it’s impossible to brick the camera. If the update fails for some reason and the camera won’t boot, you can reflash the OS SD card yourself to recover the camera. If you need the image file to do this, let us know. It’s just like flashing the OS card for a Raspberry Pi. You will need to restore the backed up calibration data after reflashing the card. If you don’t have a backup, we have a copy of the original factory cal, available on request.

Next updates in the pipeline:

  • Proper trigger delay setting (Timeline/slider, pretrigger percentage, and setting by time rather than frames)
  • Remembering settings across reboots
  • Indication of dropped frames on save
  • Proper boot splash screen

HSC’s Take- So there you have it, updates will probably be more fluid once the software engineer is dedicated to improving the camera. The painless update process is also welcome and the separation from a firmware chip makes it easier to try new things without bricking the camera. A re-flash of the internal memory card is all that is needed if you run into trouble by reverting to stock software.  The software will probably be very different in a few months with all sorts of bells and whistles. We are excited for the future of the Chronos 1.4 and other cameras that may come down the pipeline from krontech.ca.

We took the camera out for a quick test with firmware 0.2 and found it to be stable and with no issues. We like the new improvements and really are eager to see what the camera will become with improvements. The software is a work in progress and will become much more powerful as a scientific and all around shooter as it matures.

We took the camera out for a quick test with firmware 0.2 and found it to be stable and with no issues. We like the new improvements and really are eager to see what the camera will become with improvements. The software is a work in progress and will become much more powerful as a scientific and all around shooter as it matures.

Our quick unprocessed footage below from Firmware 0.2:

Chronos 1.4 – Butterflies & Moths Test Software 0.2:

For more information about the Chronos 1.4 Camera and how to order one visit the official website at: http://www.krontech.ca/

 

Chronos 1.4 Mods Make Improvements!

Chronos 1.4 Mods

We would like to share a few modifications users of the Chronos 1.4 have made to the camera in the few short weeks they have had to put it through its paces.  In our case, we got the Pro AM 5″ Sunshade for LCD screens and had great success curing what could have been a big nuisance for the camera.  In bright daylight, the Chronos screen completely washes out like most phones out there and makes it impossible to judge focus, controls and reviewing clips.

There are also case mods and more strap accessories that have made the camera better.   While the software is still in the early stages, the camera is fully functional and has been able to deliver outstanding image quality.  There are a few image artifacts that firmware will address in the future, that are pushing back our full review of the camera. For those that have been asking, rest assured we are on it!

Chronos 1.4 Mods Rundown:

We found the  ProAm USA 5″ LCD Video Monitor Hood / Sunshade at the Amazon.com website for $17.99 including free shipping. It was a crap shoot as we would not know if it would fit the Chronos 1.4 and make it usable at the same time.  To our surprise, it was near perfect in the way it was able to fit the screen and avoid the jog wheel on the right side.  It is also extremely easy to take on and off. Furthermore, the lower flap is completely removable which allows you to use the camera’s touch screen with your hand and not collide with a barrier. We chose to not install the lower flap and it has functioned perfectly.

The included velcro strip tape is slim enough to be installed on the sides of the camera without having to cut the excess. We decided to give it a bit of room aside from the display in order to easily operate the controls. You may try different placement and see what works for you.

The shade visor makes a real difference in usability with perfect coverage in very bright sunlight.  Notice the right Jog wheel is still left with usable space and since the screen is detachable indoor use remains unaffected with movement freedom.

Make your own case for the Chronos 1.4:

Chronos owner Anton4Video has gone ahead and made a camera case custom set of foam inserts to accommodate the Chronos, Power supply, and 3 batteries.  The case he used is the – Pelican iM Storm 2100 $97.10 at Amazon, – which is both sturdy and very secure with dual side lock ports if needed. It also has the pressure equalization valve to adjust when being transported on airplanes.  He used custom foam inserts made by hand which we also found gave it a very nice touch.

Chronos 1.4 hard case V1.0 by anton4video:

 We added a couple of videos below so you can learn how to draw and cut custom foam shapes for cases.  Stay safe, some of this methods can cause injury. Always use protective gear like gloves and protective eye-wear.

How to Cut Clean Details in Foam by Punished Props:

Pelican Case Foam Cutting – WAY TOO MUCH FUN! by TiborasaurusRex:

Another Camera Neck Strap for the Chronos:

We talked about straps on a previous post here with our own solution but another Chronos user Gyppor has also been creative.

Mounting a neck strap to a Chronos 1.4 camera by Gyppor:

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 More Chronos 1.4 Video Samples:

What good is a camera if it is not able to show what it can do? Well we have gathered some recent Chronos 1.4 clips for your enjoyment as a bonus below.  Remember to support the people that created these videos and accessories by subscribing to their channels.

Satisfying Crazy Firecracker Explosions Chronos 1.4C Ultra Slowmotion! by SLOWMOTION EXPERIMENT:

Drilling aluminium in slow motion ( Chronos 1.4 ) by Gyppor:

Air cannon vs. Tennis racket by Antti Hara:

Super Slow Motion Waterballoon Assault | Chronos 1.4 by Paul Bryan TV:

Pounding rusty nails in SUPER slow motion (Chronos 1.4 – 13k-38k fps) by Gyppor:

For more information about the Chronos 1.4 Camera and ordering info go to the official website: http://www.krontech.ca/