Phantom Cameras are cine-style digital video cameras that are capable of ultra slow motion. The Phantom HD Gold by Vision Research can run at 2,213 fps (when the resolution is reduced to 512×512). At 1280×720 resolution, the camera can capture up to 1,576 frames per second. At this rate, one second appears to be over a minute in length when played back, Capturing at these speeds requires very high data throughput, so the camera captures video to RAM which can then be transferred (at slower speeds) to its proprietary storage medium called “Cinemag.” It’s 128GB to 512GB in size. The lens mount is either PL or F, so it takes lenses that cinematographers use on standard 35mm cameras.
Click here to view footage from this camera.
One of the interesting features of this camera is “loop recording.” It can be constantly recording to RAM, overwriting the oldest frames when it fills up. When someone hits the trigger, it will stop recording and hold all the available frames in the RAM buffer. The operator can then set in and out points on the footage and move that over to the Cinemag for permanent storage.
Click here for a demonstration of that feature.
The camera can be rented locally for $1,800/day and costs over $118,000 to purchase.
Applications:
- Artistic slow motion (commercials, films)
- Motion research (biomechanics, physics)
- Industrial (high speed manufacturing control)
- High speed robotics