In an interview held by Forbes India, IMAX CEO – Richard Gelfond elaborated on the company’s new and forthcoming technologies, including the anticipated new cameras. According to Gelfond, the new cameras will help to capture images better and will be easier to use.

New IMAX cameras

The new and anticipated fleet of IMAX cameras will help to facilitate the complexity of shooting with IMAX film cameras. As stated by IMAX: “We are developing and deploying at least four new, state-of-the-art film cameras over the next two years — growing the existing fleet of film cameras by 50% — with the first new camera being put into use by late 2023”. For those who are wondering, those are film cameras and not digital cameras. The idea is to make those cumbersome machines more user-friendly, by implying interface, film-loading procedure, and reducing noise. Furthermore, the IMAX’s existing fleet of cameras and lenses is also undergoing major upgrades as part of the program.

Capture images better

It seems that this project is shrouded in secrecy, nevertheless, we know that those IMAX film cameras are being tested while we speak. Anyway, in an interview with Forbes India, IMAX CEO –  Richard Gelfond mentioned a bit of detail by stating: “Recently, we have been exploring a new generation of cameras that could help capture images better and are easier for filmmakers to use. Sound is also essential to the IMAX experience, and innovation is also happening in that space”. If so, the new IMAX film cameras will be able to shoot higher-quality of imagery, which is pretty exciting news.

Recently, we have been exploring a new generation of cameras that could help capture images better and are easier for filmmakers to use.

IMAX CEO – Richard Gelfond to Forbes India

“After I was flying first class, I don’t want to go back to economy”

“We have many more inquiries for new projects than we have a capacity for,” said Gelfond, justifying the reason for the new fleet. Also, he stated: “Some filmmakers want to use IMAX cameras, whereas some don’t. Dune is a great example. The filmmakers had a great experience, and so we are now doing Dune 2 using IMAX cameras as well. More and more filmmakers prefer shooting with our cameras. Cary Fukunaga, the director of No Time to Die, filmed it with IMAX cameras. He said, ‘After I was flying first class, I don’t want to go back to economy’”. To mention that DUNE was not shot with IMAX film cameras, but with IMAX-certified cameras (ARRI ALEXA LF and Mini). However, No Time to Die used film cameras as the primary weapon of choice, and the mighty MSM 9802 was among them.

There’s nothing like a 15/70

As IMAX keeps certifying more high-end digital cameras (not officially announced yet, but the RED Raptor VV and XL have joined the list as the Raptor was utilized to shoot Creed III which is “The first sports movie to be shot on IMAX cameras” – according to IMAX), there’s nothing like the good old 15/70, and IMAX knows that. On a personal note, the next generation of IMAX film cameras will be a momentous piece of news in the cinematography world, which targets the big screen. Curious to know and watch the next films shot with them.