Vision Research high-speed camera capable of up to 25,000 fps with CMOS sensor and 72 GB RAM for extreme slow-motion cinematography in feature films.
The CMOS sensor with 12-bit color depth and ISO ranges from 640 to 12,800 operates with a global shutter to avoid rolling shutter artifacts at extreme speeds. The internal RAM of 72 GB allows for continuous recording from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on resolution and frame rate. The camera weighs 7.3 kg and requires an external power supply of 24V DC with up to 150 watts power consumption. Data output is via Gigabit Ethernet or optionally via CineFlash memory cards.
Vision Research introduced the Phantom Flex in 2011 as the successor to the TMX series, specifically developed for professional film productions. In 2013, the improved Phantom Flex4K followed with 4K resolution and increased light sensitivity. The technology is based on military high-speed cameras that Vision Research developed for ballistics and crash testing since the 1990s. In 2018, the series was superseded by the Phantom TMX range, which achieves even higher frame rates.
In "The Avengers" (2012), the Phantom Flex visualized explosion sequences and superhero battles in extreme slow motion. Zack Snyder used it for the characteristic slow-motion sequences in "Man of Steel" (2013) and "Batman v Superman" (2016). The typical workflow requires intensive lighting due to short exposure times – at 25,000 fps, the shutter speed is a maximum of 1/25,000 second. The resulting data volumes of up to 6 GB per second require specialized workflows and massive storage capacities.
In contrast to the Photron NOVA S20, the Phantom Flex achieves higher resolutions at moderate speeds, while the Photron is superior at extreme frame rates. Modern alternatives like the Phantom FLEX4K or Sony FX9 with 120fps cover standard slow-motion effects without requiring the complex logistics of the Phantom Flex. For feature films with occasional high-speed shots, it remains the standard; for scientific applications, specialized systems with even higher frame rates are often preferred today.
Die Phantom Flex verändert meine Lichtführung grundlegend – ich benötige mindestens das Zehnfache der üblichen Lichtmenge und muss konstante Farbtemperatur über die gesamte Beleuchtung sicherstellen. Der Global Shutter eliminiert zwar Rolling-Shutter-Probleme, aber die extrem kurzen Verschlusszeiten erfordern perfekt abgestimmte HMI- oder LED-Arrays ohne Flicker.
Mit der Phantom Flex kann ich Emotionen durch Zeitmanipulation verstärken – ein Wassertropfen wird zum dramatischen Element, ein Faustschlag zur ballett-artigen Choreographie. Ich muss aber bereits im Drehbuch planen, wo diese 2-3 Sekunden Zeitlupe narrativ funktionieren, da jede Aufnahme aufwendig in der Postproduktion wird.
Eine Phantom Flex kostet 170.000 Euro Anschaffung oder 2.500 Euro Tagesmiete plus spezialisierter Operator, dazu kommen erhöhte Stromkosten und Datenhandling mit 10TB pro Drehtag. Die Amortisation funktioniert nur bei gezieltem Einsatz – mehr als 5-6 Setups pro Tag sind unrealistisch, da jede Aufnahme extensive Vorbereitung erfordert.
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