HD For Indies

I somehow came across a link to info on the Phantom high speed cameras that I saw back at NAB 2006:

Abel Cine Tech - Phantom High Speed Digital Cameras

Abel Cine is now renting these cameras out.

Some highlights:

Phantom HD:
-1920x1080 images
-up to 1000 fps at that size
-at true 2K (2048x1556), can do 700 fps

Phantom65:
-4096x2440 up to 120 fps
-imaging area equivalent to 65mm film (wow)

I wanted some more info, so I had an email exchange with Mitch Gross of Able Cine Techwho answered some questions for me:

Q: ...so are they done yet, out, available?

A: The "First-gen" cameras are done, which have been selling and renting because demand is so high. These were really Beta units, but when clients line up with cash, whaddya gonna do? The "production models" will debut at NAB. Lovely machines.

Q: What rental rates?

A: Currently available from Abel Cine Tech. And up on our website soon if not already. The Phantom HD comes in 35mm PL mount with 16G of internal RAM, a color viewfinder, a laptop engineering computer (the camera controller, for the moment), a pair of 24v block batteries, and a sliding baseplate. All for only $2,000/day. The Phantom 65 is the same but offers a Mamiya large format lens mount (and soon Super-PL) and is $2750/day.

We also require a skilled engineer who has trained on the Phantom camera systems to run the unit. There are a few out there, and we offer training courses. If the client wishes to hire one of our engineers the charge is $750/10hr. day, New york or LA local.

Q: What lens mounts?

A: Phantom HD is PL, Phantom 65 is currently Mamiya large format and soon Super-PL. That's for rentals. If you wish to buy a camera then you can certainly get a special order mount.

Q: Sample frames available somewhere?

A: Soon on our website. Come visit our NAB booth and create your own!

Q: Anything else?

A: Just wait to you see the quality of the images. Really stunning, cinematic stuff. The images from the Phantom 65 are breathtaking.

And read into our info about the upcoming Flashmags. How does 75 minutes of 2Kx2K recording ONBOARD with no moving parts in about the size of a VHS tape? 20 minutes on the Phantom 65. That's going to turn the industry on it's head.

Oh yeah, and the camera is just as impressive at 24p as it is at 1000.


Thanks Mitch!

So that boils down to about $2750/10 hour day for camera & tech, NOT including lenses for the HD model that can shoot up to 1000 fps at 1080p, or $3500/day for a 4K camera (up to 120fps) with tech.

If you need high speed shots, and want to be able to check it right there on set to see if you got it, this looks like a promising option to consider, just fly it in the day/s you need. There are a couple of other high speed cameras out there, but AFAIK Phantom is taking a leading position in terms of frame size, bit depth, and frame rate (if you know better/otherwise, please let me know and I'll amend).

I saw some sample footage at NAB, and there ain't nothin' like true ultra high speed.

-mike

Labels: cameras, high end, original