AXIOM Beta - open source cinema camera on Indiegogo

[ghostpatch]

Thats probably something ED would love, since he's into that stuff. I took the 350€ option ; )

It hurts quite a bit, but at the same time I feel pleasure from beeing able to point my middlefinger at those big shot proprietary companys  : p

check it out! Just don't complain about the price and how you want the whole thing for 99$

Link: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/axiom-beta-the-first-open-digital-cinema-camera

 

[Granitehead]

I would like something for lower budgets too, though. I understand a high end camera is expensive, but I don't need high end, I just need something which can take pictures and videos.

But their design looks pretty modular, probably later on you could also stick cheaper sensors and stuff in, that would be neat. I would be interested in something like this.

 

[ghostpatch]

^ well there are some low end open source camera modules for the Raspberry Pi and such. Another option is the Elphel scientific camera starting at 880$ http://www3.elphel.com/price_list

I'm sure we'll see more and more open source projects. Open Hardware is still at the beginning, but it gains momentum, the projects are getting more and more professional and complex.. ; )

 

[WizardStan]

Serious question: what really defines a "cinema" camera vs a 1080p handy cam for $200?

This one has a 4K sensor, but it's got to be more than just that, right?

 

[Granitehead]

Serious question: what really defines a "cinema" camera vs a 1080p handy cam for $200?

This one has a 4K sensor, but it's got to be more than just that, right?

From the looks of it, for one, it is compatible with all sorts of professional objectives, I guess that's something. The $200 ones usually aren't.Then I guess the built-in FPGA can do much better post-processing than a cheap cam.

Those cheap ones certainly can't handle 1080p@60fps raw video (i.e. like raw pictures, but for video). At least as I understood it, that's something it can do.

I assume there is no proper definition for cinema camera, other than something like "a camera used for professional film making". So probably it's a smooth transition from high end normal camera to low end cinema camera, just the better it is the rather you would call it like that.

But I'm just guessing around. I'm already thinking about whether I should really post something as baseless as this, but then again, whatever, I've written it now.

@ghostpatch: Sure, camera modules, like those in smart phones, only not quite as good. If it's not better than the camera in my smart phone I don't need it, do I? Maybe I didn't phrase my post precise enough.

Those Elphel ones are already pretty expensive again and they aren't really portable it seems, or at least not primarily made to be used like that.

I was talking about a camera like a normal consumer camera for say $400, just with open source hardware and software so you can build it yourself (from some basic parts like optics, image capturing chip, milled/printed case, etc), program it and capture raw images and stuff like that.

Sorry about that constant editing /edit

 

[cuetzpalin]

Serious question: what really defines a "cinema" camera vs a 1080p handy cam for $200?


This one has a 4K sensor, but it's got to be more than just that, right?

Yes, optics is usually another very important factor, and I guess also good storage and handling of RAW files is a must.


As in DSLRs, real manual control of iris, sensitivity and shutterspeed is also a very important part of the game.