Back in September, engineer David Kronstein unveiled his low-budget high-speed camera, Chronos 1.4, which boasted features like 1050fps at 1280x1024, touchscreen display, and most importantly, a $2750 price tag.
At the time, the production-ready prototype wasn't fully completed, the software was still in development, and the hardware was in the prototype phase, but now Chronos 1.4 is fully operational and ready to go on Kickstarter, having already raised $250,000 from its $48,000 goal.
In addition to the price, Chronos 1.4 has some impressive features. It can shoot at up to 21,649fps, though it does so in a non standard resolution, 640x96, which will be more useful to scientists than filmmakers. The more cinematography friendly resolution of 640x480 shoots up to 4,436, which is still mighty impressive. Conveniently, it can also record audio, and it's small and compact, so you can take it anywhere. Its touchscreen has an intuitive interface with a jogwheel that allows you to control playback more accurately at 24 frames per turn or 960 when clicked in for fast seeking. You don't need a PC to use this camera, either, so really it's like having a true high-speed camera in your pocket.
You can check out a full list of specs here, but here are the some notable features:
Technical specs
- 1280x1024 1057fps CMOS image sensor with 1.4Gpx/s throughout
- Higher frame rates at lower resolution
- Sensor dimensions 8.45 x 6.76mm, 6.6um pixel pitch
- Global shutter - no “jello” effect during high-motion scenes
- Electronic shutter from 1/fps down to 2us (1/500,000 s)
- CS and C mount lens support
- Focus peaking (focus assist) and zebra exposure indicator
- ISO 320-5120 (Color), 740-11840 (Monochrome) sensitivity
- 5" 800x480 touchscreen (multitouch, capacitive)
- Machined aluminum case
- Record time 4s (8GB) or 8s (16GB)
- Continuous operation on AC adapter (17-22V 40W)
- 1.75h runtime on user-replaceable EN-EL4a battery
- Gigabit ethernet remote control and video download*
- Audio IO and internal microphone*
- HDMI video output*
- Two channel 1Msa/s waveform capture*
- Storage: SD card, two USB host ports (flash drives/hard drives), eSATA 3G
- Trigger: TTL, switch closure, image change*, sound*, accelerometer*
- Low-noise variable-speed fan - camera can run indefinitely without overheating
Here are a couple of demos that show you what Chronos 1.4 can do:
Chronos 1.4 has two models to choose from, a 8GB body ($2750) and a 16GB body ($3000). (32GB could possibly come in the future.)
To learn more, head on over to the Chronos Kickstarter campaign.
Source: Kickstarter
