Slowmotion guru, Max Losito, has modified the ActionMaster high-speed film camera (500 frames per second) to shoot a 2.39:1 native aspect ratio on 16 mm. The image is magnificent. Check it out.

ActionMaster high fps film camera

The 16mm-1PDL ActionMaster-500 camera documentary camera (500 pictures per second) was designed by a company called Photo-Sonics, in 1970. The ActionMaster-500 is a high-speed film camera that is capable of shooting between 24-500 frames per second. The ActionMaster 500 is an extremely reliable and rugged camera, that has been the high-speed choice of sports and wildlife cinematographers for over 25 years. The camera features a high/low-speed switch and is compatible with Unilux strobe lighting. Furthermore, the ActionMaster-500 is defined as a pin-registered high-speed camera that is used for filming slow-motion sequences involving liquid pours, splashing liquids, cereal pours, large explosion effects, car stunts, sports or any type of effect that may require optical or matte work. The faster rotary prism cameras are used to shoot such slow-motion scenes as the deployment of vehicle airbags, cereal falling through the frame, small-scale explosion effects, the classic water droplet and crown effect, a close-up of a golf ball being hit by a golf club, and bullets exiting the barrel of a gun.

Tech specs of the ActionMaster 500 are: 

• Standard 16MM
• Speed: 24-500 fps
• Mount: ARRI Steel-Bayonette (with restrictions)
• Movement: Intermittent, 2 pulldown arms, 2 registration pins
• Shutter: 160 – 7.5 degrees (markings at 144, 120, 90, 60, 45, 22.5, 7.5 degrees)
• Film Spec: 16mm double perforations (2R)
• Power: 28VDC (AC power supply available)
• Weight: 20 lbs with 400-foot magazine, hand-held mode (not including lens)

UltraMax 2.39:1

Slowmotion guru and cinematographer, Max Losito, from Losito International Films, has modified and improved the ActionMaster to be able to shoot a 2.39:1 – native aspect ratio on 16 mm. As explained by Losito: “This year in conjunction with the 100 years anniversary of the invention of the 16 mm I realized a new format modifying a special high speed Photo-Sonics camera. UltraMax has a 2.39:1 native aspect ratio of 16 mm. It takes almost the whole width of the 16 mm (14 mm) and 6,15 mm of height (between the perforations). The camera I have modified to shoot this format is a Photo-Sonics ActionMaster that can run from 24 fps to 500 fps (two claws and two registered pins). It uses regular double perforated (2R) 16 mm film. The advantages of the format/camera are enhanced resolution (for the bigger exposed area), wide native 2.39:1 format, slow motion till 500 fps, film steadiness, and lightweight camera that can be used on cranes, Bolt, hand-held, steady-cam. The test footage looks awesome! Unfortunately, we couldn’t embed it on our website. The only option to view it is on Losito’s page here.

Initial thoughts

With the rising popularity of high-fps cinematography, derived from the acclaimed Phantom cameras (especially the Flex 4K), and offering of more affordable and consumer options like WAVE and Ember, it’s always super cool to reveal an innovation in the field of high fps film cameras. Hence we’d like to thank Max Losito for showing us the improved ActionMaster – the Photo-Sonics Ultramax which is capable of shooting gorgeous high-speed celluloid imagery.