Freefly Systems recently launched its latest camera, the Ember S5K, at this year’s NAB confab. The camera is equipped with high frame rates and high-resolution capabilities, making it capable of capturing lightning-fast imaging.
With 2.5K resolution, the Ember S5K can record up to 3563 frames per second with a heavy crop, or 2277 fps uncropped, which is an impressive feat as most cameras tend to sacrifice detail for speed.
Freefly Systems is a renowned company that provides professional handheld gimbals and drone camera platforms. They have been working on creating the “smallest, easiest, and most fun to use high-speed imaging system” to achieve high-resolution imaging with high frame rates.
The Ember S2.5K is a smaller version of the higher-end Ember S5K, which is listed as a “drone camera.” However, the S2.5K weighs less than two pounds and has the same box shape for easy rigging and portability.
The Ember S2.5K is designed for scientific research and capturing product photography that requires high speeds to create a sense of time.
The S5K is more suitable for traditional high-speed filmmaking, which requires even higher resolution.
Image Credit – Freefly Systems
Unlike the larger S5K, the Ember S2.5K has a Canon EF mount, replacing the Sony E Mount found on the S5K. PL and third-party mounting options including Canon RF & FD, Nikon F, Leica M, and LPL are also available.
All mounts provide control for exposure and focus and a larger 2.56TB pSLC SSD hard drive built-in. S5K users can also upgrade to the pSLC SSD and EF mount, but that requires sending the camera into Freefly.
Both the Ember S2.5K and the S5K use 2×2 pixel binning in recording but employ a new Quad Bayer Array for higher frame rates. They both also capture in 10-bit ProRes 422 LT with Rec 709 or HLG color options, and up to 11 stops of dynamic range.
In the future, the Ember series will receive a firmware update that will bring new features, including capturing in Monochrome, rather than color mode.
The camera’s Super 35 image sensor can preserve more detail by avoiding a dramatic loss in resolution above frame rates of 800.
The firmware update will also bring “Amplify,” a post-production method that can enhance certain areas of the image frame to make the camera shot more dynamic.
Freefly is also developing post-stabilization tools that use the movement metadata from the camera to stabilize the footage when the camera is on the move. Users can also set a pre-record function from 1 second to 2 hours and can record multiple clips until the storage space is filled.
Both cameras support connecting to iOS and macOS devices for complete control of image capture and playback, plus the use of an iOS device as an external monitor.
Camera operators can not only check and adjust focus but also set resolution, shutter angle, ISO, white balance, and frame rate. Users can also attach an optional MagSafe mount to keep the iPhone safely attached to the camera.
Pricing and availability
The Freefly Ember S2.5K is available for purchase from the Freefly store at a starting retail price of $24,995. Additional build-out options are also available to cater to the camera operator’s needs.
According to Freefly, the shipping will take place approximately 5-6 weeks after the order is made. On the other hand, the S5K is listed at just under $18,000, but it is currently out of stock.
[source: Freefly]
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