High-speed IMAX? Checked! The Kairos 360 and Kronos 720 which their design is based on the Photo-Sonics 70mm cameras, can shoot up to 720 FPS utilizing 65mm film stock. Does it sound too good to be true? It might. Details are below.
High-speed IMAX film cameras
Although those cameras have nothing to do with the IMAX brand, they are made for the greatest format of all, which is the mighty 65mm celluloid. We are stating here the press release ‘as is’ sent to us by cinematographer Max Losito and camera and optics technician Luca Bonicalza, presenting their new high-speed 65mm film cameras which were developed for shooting slow motion with 65mm film.
65mm format now has slo-mo cameras
“For those who shoot on large format motion picture film, director-cinematographer Max Losito and camera and optics technician Luca Bonicalza have combined their expertise to develop two new 65mm high-speed cameras. The Kairos 360 and Kronos 720 are based on the Photo-Sonics 70mm cameras, the models used in the sixties for atomic tests in the South Pacific. The original cameras underwent a year-long conversion process to adapt them to 65mm. They are now tested and operational, with further improvements and optimizations planned in the coming months. Both cameras feature special formats: Kairos has a frame size of 52 x 58.5 mm and three camera speeds: 90, 180, and 360 fps. Kronos has a frame size of 52 x 28.5 mm with speeds of 180, 360, and 720 fps. “Working with Luca on this project is very stimulating,” says Max Losito. With his experience and vision, he brings innovative ideas and extensive knowledge in the design of camera parts and optics. In his lab, Officina Cinematografica Goodsock Vision, we have access to precise tools and instruments that are vital for this project”. “Without Max’s experience with high-speed cameras and his deep knowledge of Photo-Sonics cameras, this conversion would never have been possible,” says Luca Bonicalza. “He is definitely the Photo-Sonics guru. Moreover, his facilities have been fundamental in running the cameras and shooting all the tests”. The cameras are currently available to Directors, DPs, and production companies interested in testing them at Losito International Films studio, which is fully equipped for high-speed and motion control shooting. Multiple cameras are available for rent for high-speed and special effects productions worldwide, with facilities in both America and Europe. Designed to excel where high quality and slow motion are required, these cameras will be perfect companions for IMAX, 5-perf 65mm, and 35mm VistaVision, as well as any digital large-format camera. Stay tuned!
The Kairos 360 and Kronos 720 are based on the Photo-Sonics 70mm cameras, the models used in the sixties for atomic tests in the South Pacific. The original cameras underwent a year-long conversion process to adapt them to 65mm. They are now tested and operational, with further improvements and optimizations planned in the coming months. Kairos has a frame size of 52 x 58.5 mm and three camera speeds: 90, 180, and 360 fps. Kronos has a frame size of 52 x 28.5 mm with speeds of 180, 360, and 720 fps.
Director and cinematographer Max Losito
Initial thoughts
We reached out to Losito for more details and sample footage. He said that new info plus footage will be revealed soon. For now, what we have is one picture so with all that excitement, we must take this with a grain of salt, till we see the Kairos and Kronos in the field (please, we do not want another Fran…). Anyway, you have to remember that run times for 65mm 15-perforations (15/70) are much shorter. At 24 fps 1000 feet of film will run through the camera in three minutes (~$1,500). Thus, shooting 15/70 with a speed of 720 FPS will eat this precious 15/70 magazine in a couple of seconds. However, it’s worth it.
