Up close and personal, without being up close and personal. That might not mean much to you until you’re assigned to film hungry polar bears for National Geographic.
This is where General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies comes in with its Cineflex line of high-performance gyro-stabilized camera systems. These camera systems are compact, lightweight and can easily mount to helicopters in 45 minutes or less — allowing you to zoom in on your subjects to capture every detail in high or ultra-high definition.
And now, they’re offering the same exceptional range performance and unmatched clarity — in extremely low light environments. This way you can catch a pack of lions as the sun is setting in the African sky.
“Cinematography is an art, and this is the ultimate aerial paintbrush,” said Barret Bachert, senior program manager at General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies. He noted the V14-HS will be the first in the company’s line of aerial cameras using the new smart payload technology.
“In today’s imaging environment, every filmmaker, and every documentary maker prefers their own cameras. On top of that, technology is constantly changing — every few months there’s a new camera on the market. Today’s cameras are like the flavor of the day.”
Because of this, the company built its gyro-stabilized systems around the concept of interchangeability and adaptability.
“In the old days of making these camera systems, you would pick the camera system and then you would build a gimbal around that,” said Bachert, who noted these cameras were meant to last for five to seven years in the past.
What Cineflex has done with its V14 line is reverse the way it has been building its cameras up until now.
“I want you to think of it as iOS software — but for gimbals,” said Bachert.
The V14 cameras include adaptable features and software that allow you to put the latest sensors into the camera, run the latest apps, and choose whatever combination of camera tools work best with your application.
This has moved the Cineflex V14 from soon-to-be-outdated hardware, to a dynamic piece of technology.
The first release of the V14 line was the reveal of the V14-HS at Heli-Expo back in March. The V14-HS is a high-sensitivity camera that shows off what the line is capable of.
Its high sensitivity means it can be used in low-light environments, making it ideally suited for broadcast filming as well as airborne law enforcement.
“The camera offers such incredible resolution that airborne law enforcement will be able to identify perpetrators based on the images gathered from kilometers away,” said Judy Kasa, senior advanced specialist.
The V14-HS high-sensitivity camera will also function well in dark and foggy situations.
“Our claim to fame is the highest line-of-sight stability on the market,” said Bachert.
The Cineflex line of products has a lengthy roster of documentaries attributed to its technologies. These include: Planet Earth, Frozen Planet, The Hunt, Everest, Human, and Beyond Beauty: Taiwan from Above. “Cineflex is the name in aerial filming,” said Bachert. “Anytime anyone has a shoot, whether it’s a commercial or high profile sporting event — it’s likely Cineflex.”
General Dynamics purchased Cineflex in 2009 because it saw how high-definition aerial cameras could be applied in more than just the film industry. So far, its product line is unlike any other in the industry.
The camera’s software can also be easily updated to include augmented reality overlays — which provides real-time feedback for the operator to ensure they capture the perfect shot.
“This bridges the gap between live video and augmented reality that you might see in modern sports coverage,” said Bachert. Imagine knowing exactly where the camera is looking in real time in relation to the race course. It adds a new level of excitement to the event.
“Our systems are everywhere serving the diverse needs of cinematographers, broadcasters and law enforcement,” said Bachert. “Cineflex delivers the quality viewers demand and the clarity filmmakers expect when capturing the perfect shot.”
General Dynamics Global Imaging Technologies is a business unit of General Dynamics Mission Systems. It designs and manufactures a full portfolio of high-performance gyro-stabilized camera systems that provide customers the clarity, accuracy and reliability to successfully complete their mission.
530-271-2500
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