IMAX has revealed more fascinating details on the upcoming 2nd generation of its new fleet of 65mm film cameras. The new cameras will be made from the same materials that belong to Formula One and fighter jets. That means, alloys of carbon fiber and Titanium, honeycomb sandwich panels,  wireless connectivity, new optics, a five-inch full-color display, and more. The goal is to make those beasts more user-friendly.

2nd generation of IMAX film cameras

For some time, IMAX has been working to update its fleet of 65mm film cameras. A session titled The tech behind IMAX (discussion of “What Makes IMAX So Expensive?”) held by The Wall Street Journal, reveals more ultra fascinating stuff regarding the new cameras. In fact, it’s not just an upgrade, as IMAX only has 9 film cameras, which are all decades old. IMAX has been building that 2nd generation from scratch. Those will be completely new 65mm machines, that excel in almost every aspect.

I know it does sound a little strange out there to modernize a film camera in this day and age, but we wanted to bring large format film cameras to a position where you can actually compete with the new modern digital cameras. It’s made out of mostly composite materials, carbon fiber, honeycomb sandwich panels, the same stuff that your Formula One is made out of. And titanium, the same stuff that jet fighters are actually made out of. And besides the body is getting new optics, a five-inch full-color display for user interaction, wireless connectivity, all the while the camera’ actually taking 15 perf IMAX analog film in 18K, that’s super exciting.

Milos Popvic – Principal Engineer at IMAX

Made like Formula One

As IMAX CEO Richard Gelfond said before: “The 2nd generation of IMAX film cameras are being designed to capture images better and will be easier to use”. Those cameras are supposed to facilitate IMAX filmmaking, making it less cumbersome and more user-friendly. And here’s what Milos Popvic, which is a Principal Engineer at IMAX has to say about those new 65mm beasts “I know it does sound a little strange out there to modernize a film camera in this day and age, but we wanted to bring large format film camera to a position where you can actually compete with the new modern digital cameras. It’s made out of mostly composite materials, carbon fiber, honeycomb sandwich panels, the same stuff that your Formula One is made out of. And titanium, the same stuff that jet fighters are actually made out of. And besides the body is getting new optics, a five-inch full-color display for user interaction, wireless connectivity, all the while the camera’ actually taking 15 perf IMAX analog film in 18K, that’s super exciting”. The prototyped models are presented in this article. This is the first time, IMAX has presented a prototype of the new cameras.

See it at NAB

According to NAB Amplify: “IMAX to debut a groundbreaking 15-perf/65mm film camera at the 2024 NAB Show, marking a significant innovation in large-format cinematography. The new camera stands out even as digital cinematography dominates the industry conversation”. Hence, there’s a probability you might see those 65mm machines at the upcoming NAB. Furthermore, Bruce Markoe, who is the SVP and head of IMAX post & image capture adds: “We’re planning to have a camera there, and we’re getting very close to having the prototype out in the hands of DPs very shortly. So we thought it was a good opportunity to give a little more info about what the new cameras are going to be”. Exciting!