[From Phys.org, where the story includes more images and a 2:32 minute IMAX video; these and more information are also available from IMAX]
[Image: Director/Executive Producer Michael Bay (far right) on the China set of Transformers: Age of Extinction, from Paramount Pictures. Photo credit: Andrew Cooper]
Filmmakers to get thrill-ride scenes with IMAX 3D digital camera
Jun 16, 2014 by Nancy Owano
IMAX has developed a 65mm 4K digital large-format IMAX 3D digital camera. Filmmakers will in turn have access to a “true” 4K stereo camera, meaning, said IMAX, that both the left eye and right eye images are captured at full 4K resolution. The edge in this development is that filmmakers may be quite attracted to a camera that is smaller, lighter and easier to use than some other 3D digital camera systems. IMAX said the fruits of the IMAX 3D digital camera will be seen in “Transformers: Age of Extinction.” The film, said IMAX, is the first feature film to use this new camera technology. The production team on the film captured action sequences of the film in high-resolution 3D in a way that was now possible because of the more compact size of the cameras.
As TechRadar noted, “A director using this camera will be able to shoot complex action scenes in 3D and for IMAX without the restrictions that came with older, bulkier and noisier IMAX cameras.”
IMAX released a promotional video which said, “The IMAX camera is all about getting you into the movie.” The goal of the digital camera was to build something that was smaller, more compact, lightweight, and easy to use on location.
Action scenes which could not have been done with larger cameras were possible with the new digital camera, an advantage, said the video, in places where things are moving quite quickly. “The production team on Transformers: Age of Extinction was able to capture major action sequences of the film – including chase scenes and helicopter shots – in high-resolution 3D in a way that was previously impossible thanks to the compact size of the new cameras,” said the company site.
For the viewer, the technical advantages of the new camera will be easily seen in the quality of images. Exclusively in IMAX theatres, said the website, sequences captured with this camera will expand to fill more of the IMAX screen with crispness, clarity, color and 3D. The technical term for the proportional relationship between an image’s width and its height is called aspect ratio. In IMAX theatres, sequences filmed with the 3D digital cameras will be presented in a 1.9:1 aspect ratio. This offers moviegoers 26% more of the image than standard cinemas for an immersive IMAX 3D experience.
As the /Film blog commented, “It’s less than half the size of all other digital 3D cameras currently available to filmmakers, yet still captures images at a resolution and scope IMAX is known for. It sounds pretty impressive.”
MAX is a company specializing in immersive motion picture technologies. As of the end of last year, there were 837 IMAX theatres (701 commercial multiplexes, 19 commercial destinations and 117 institutions) in 57 countries.