Vision Research has just launched a new Phantom T4040 high-speed camera in its T-Series product family. This ultra-high-speed camera produces the highest combination of resolution and speed possible (9,350 fps at a resolution of 2560 x 1664). The Phantom T4040 incorporates a custom BSI 4.2 Mpx sensor with high frame rates of 39.8Gpx/second. This sensor technology allows shooting in low-light environments. Highlights are below.

Phantom T4040 –  The speeding bullet test

We first wrote about the new camera when covering the handgun test made by Vision Research. To make the story short, the camera was utilized to film a speeding bullet (speed ~ 350 meters per second), and for that, the Phantom T4040 was set to capture moving images at 20,000 FPS (frames per second) in order to get a clear shot of the bullet.  The Handgun Ballistic study was captured with a monochrome model of T4040. Watch the study below:

Highest combination of resolution and speed

Vision Research states that the Phantom T4040 owns the highest combination of resolution and speed. Moreover, according to Vision Research, this ultra-high-speed camera can capture 4Mpx resolution images at speeds not previously possible. The proprietary sensor with Back Side Illuminated (BSI) architecture (super 35 – 23.7 x 15.4 mm of sensor size) ensures 40Gpx/s data throughput is sustained and a max frame rate of 440,000 fps. The best resolutions are 2560 x 1664 at 9100 fps, 20 μs exposure, and 2560 x 736 at 20,000 fps, 2 μs exposure. Indeed, filming at more than 9,000 fps within a high resection of 2.5K is pretty impressive. Here are the key specifications below:

• 9,350 fps at 2560 x 1664.
• 2X2 binned mode for higher vertical resolution at frame rates above 372,00.
• 250ns minimum exposure times with FAST option.
• 10Gb Ethernet, CineMag 5, and multi-cine to achieve direct recording and decrease downtime between tests.

EDR (Extreme Dynamic Range)

As Vision Research explains, the T4040 includes EDR (Extreme Dynamic Range), providing mitigation for bright flashes by dynamically adjusting exposure in saturated areas of the image. It also includes on-camera controls, video outputs, and CineMag capability, which are necessary for remote, standalone operation.

Improved workflow

Vision Research adds that the Phantom T4040 offers a fast and flexible workflow as follows:

1. 10Gb Ethernet provides 7X faster data download directly from the camera’s RAM buffer, up to 256 GB.
2. Multi-Cine partitions the RAM and eliminates downtime between shots for multiple short events
3. Direct record to a Phantom CineMagTM for long-duration recording with up to 1.3 Gpx/s image throughput
4. On-camera controls, SDI/HDMI video out, and CineMag, up to 8TB, enable a secure and efficient untethered workflow
   

Frame rates chart

Here’s the Phantom T4040 Maximum Frame Rate – FPS; (128GB Record Time – Sec) chat below: (Vision Research states that: “The Table provides examples of common resolutions and frame rates. Additional resolutions are available, reducing horizontal resolution increases record time. The record times shown are for 128GB RAM at the frame rate shown. Duration will be 1⁄2 for 64GB and double for 256GB RAM”). As can be explored from the table, the maximum FPS is 440,000 fps, but in low resolution. Nevertheless, the camera is capable of an ultra-high speed of 13,500 fps at 2K resolution, which is pretty impressive.

Price and availability

The camera is available via Vision Research’s dealers. There’s no info about the price, however, expect it to cost more than $80,000 for the body itself. Anyway, this camera is for certain missions, mainly scientific applications, but it also can be beautifully and smartly applied for cinematic productions as well.

Post Game Questions

1. Do you see yourself filming with the Phantom T4040 in your next cinematic project?
2. How can a company like Vision Research release so many cameras in such short intervals?
3. Do you think Freefly wants to compete with Vision Research in the future (for reference – see the Ember ultra-high-speed camera)?

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