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Millisecond © 2022
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The Millisecond Service is designed for capturing ultra-slow-motion footage for visual effects. This system can record at speeds ranging from 120 to 12,000 frames per second, in increments of 12 fps. It enables the slowing down of action by up to 500 times, achieving unprecedented slow-motion effects. Compared to traditional high-speed cameras, this system offers greater ease of use, superior image sharpness, the ability to use timed flash instead of continuous lighting, and does not waste film.
Unlike conventional cameras that move film from a supply reel to a take-up reel, this camera features a continuous 90-inch film loop that spins inside the camera body, allowing for film transport speeds exceeding 500 miles per hour. This camera does not use prisms; instead, it employs a rotating mirror to relay the image to the film plane, which reduces unwanted refraction and ensures better image alignment, resulting in sharper images.
This camera does not utilize a traditional magazine. Instead, it uses a film loader to transfer a 90-inch strip of film from a roll into a light-tight cassette. This cassette is then used to load the film into the camera and retrieve it post-exposure. This method allows for approximately 50 takes from a 400-foot roll, compared to just one or two takes from a 1000-foot roll with other high-speed cameras.
The camera supports Nikon, Arri PL, and Panavision PV mounts. It can accommodate any lens compatible with these mounts. For Arri and Panavision mounts, the matte box rod mounts are positioned in the standard location.
Yes, the camera includes a C-mount port for video tap and comes with a standard color video camera providing 30fps output. You can monitor the image through the video tap for setup and composition, and during shooting, the image can also be transmitted through a 10% pellicle mirror. This mirror can be removed if you prefer to maximize light exposure to the film.
Exposure settings are managed similarly to other cinema cameras. The minimum aperture is f/2.8, with a one-stop loss through the optical system, making the minimum T-number t/4. The maximum shutter angle is 80º, adjustable down to 10º, with image quality being sharper at angles below 60º.
Yes, outdoor shooting is possible, but it requires significant lighting. High-speed shots typically need more light than what sunlight provides, especially as exposure times are very short. Additional lighting or pushing the film stock might be necessary. High-speed shooting can also lead to partial exposure of frames due to the shutter's open and close times.
While digital tools can create various effects, replicating dynamic or chaotic events like gunshot smoke accurately on a computer can be time-consuming and expensive. The Millisecond camera captures real-time events, providing a level of impact and realism that's challenging to achieve digitally. Although digital post-production is useful for enhancing and combining footage, it cannot fully replace the authenticity of a direct film record.
The camera does not restrict film type, shot composition, or subject matter. However, it does have some constraints, such as a maximum of 120 frames (five seconds of footage) due to the continuous film loop. Rack focusing or panning during a shot is impractical because of the camera's rapid shot duration and massive flywheel effect.
The camera emits a timing pulse when the film head aligns with the optics, triggering the shot for precise subjects like pyrotechnics or continuous phenomena like water streams. For events with unpredictable timing, such as falling objects or bullets, the camera starts automatically, though the exact starting point of the film loop may vary, leading to occasional splits in the footage. Multiple takes may be necessary to capture a consistent sequence.