“The next generation of what film cinema tools will be.” That’s what Cinelux is calling its Sixteen prototype camera, a hybrid Super 16 camera that simultaneously shoots digital video and 16mm film.
The idea is that users can shoot on film while offering the convenience of digital video, allowing immediate access to playback and dailies to directors, producers, and editors.
“This makes the digital monitoring output a tool for shooting film as creatively and as accurately as imaginable. It acts as an insurance for producers, a proxy for editors, and an invaluable tool for all departments on set” says Cinelux.
“Thanks to our colorist partners and cinematographers, we are continually developing a reliable digital feed that replicates the experience of live viewing film as it’s shot. We are working to ultimately have the digital feed react the same way film would. Tricky shadows, clipped highlights, dynamic range, and color react(s) very specifically on film. The digital image processing on the Sixteen will emulate this as best as possible in order to use the image feed as an exposure tool.”
Though it’s still in the prototype stage, Cinelux has made pre-orders available through its website. No pricing information has been released, though estimates have it being in the range of $40,000 to $90,000. The Cinelux Sixteen is slated to launch next year.
