No, this is not the first RED Komodo (“Grossman Gold”), but a new ultra-high-speed camera from Vision Research titled C321 AIR. This camera is capable of shooting 1,500 frames per second at a resolution of Full-HD, and it’s designed for the toughest airborne testing environment.
Phantom Miro C321 AIR
Vision Research has introduced its most rugged ultra-high-speed camera – Phantom Miro C321 AIR. The C321 AIR leverages years of rugged application use in auto crash testing, where every test is critical. It’s designed to withstand harsh environments and repeatedly delivers high-quality images, dedicated to airborne applications. The C321 Air is a compact camera with a Micro-Four-Thirds-sized CMOS sensor that reaches 1,490 FPS at full 1920 x 1080 resolution and higher frame rates at reduced resolutions. While many airborne tests require lower frame rates such as 500fps, higher frame rates give enhanced capability, allowing for more diverse and detailed testing.
Super rugged structure
As explained by Vision Research: “The C321 Air leverages the well-tested and rugged design of the C321 camera used in crash test applications while bringing features specific to manned and unmanned airborne testing needs, focusing especially on environmental, EMI, avionics power requirements as well as ensuring data security. It maintains high image quality and full functionality in temperatures ranging from -55C to +50C, and the boards are conformally coated to protect against humidity. It has the capability for a removable CFast solid-state drive (SSD) that is secured with a double-action latching door. Shots can be downloaded to the flash in-flight, allowing multiple captures from a mission to be saved.
We’re thrilled to introduce the Phantom C321 Air to the airborne testing community. Our customers in Defense and Aerospace need to conduct critical stores separation tests in demanding environments. Vision Research, as the high-speed camera market leader has the reputation, experience and knowledge to provide a differentiated camera that meet the most stringent demands of the airborne environment.
Kevin Gann, Vice President of Research and Development at Vision Research
Made for rigorous airborne testing
The C321 Air will be tested to the following rigorous airborne testing specifications: MIL-STD 810H environmental, MIL-STD 704F avionics power, and MIL-STD 461G EMI. The Phantom C321 Air has already passed one of the most difficult tests, MIL-STD 810H, Method 514.8, Category 12 (Jet), up to 26 Grms. Resolutions and FPS (Frames per second) are 1920 x 1080 at 1,480, 1920 x 800 at 1,990, 1280 x 1024 at 1,560, 1280 x 720 at 2,210, 1280 x 512 at 3,090, 640 x 480 at 3,290, 640 x 128 at 11,765, and 640 x 8 at 94,510.
Looks like the first Komodo
A bit off-topic, but you must admit that the Phantom Miro C321 AIR reminds us of the first version of RED Komodo (“Grossman Gold”), as stated back then by RED CEO, Jarred Land: “So Here is this week’s custom Komodo color… I’m calling it ‘Grossman Gold’ after the not-so-safety orange deals with during his ongoing filmmaking in Chornobyl. It is a little less nuclear than fluorescent orange… which seems perfectly fitting”.
Indeed, the Miro C321 is the ultra-high-speed camera you would like when shooting in the most rigorous and harsh environment available on set. Although it has been made for industrial applications, creative filmmakers can do some amazing stuff with it.
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