Typhon2 Takes Flight at HFS
The six-camera array enables both aerial and ground-based filming where an especially wide field of view is required.
Helicopter Film Services has released the Typhon2 six-camera array, which incorporates Red Helium cameras mounted in a Shotover K1 six-axis stabilized system gimbal. Designed to shoot plates that can be stitched together in postproduction, the Typhon2 enables both aerial and ground-based filming of sequences where a particularly wide field of view — a fully usable 165 degrees — is required.
Aerial cinematographer and HFS CEO Jeremy Braben’s team of engineers has collaborated with Brownian Motion to design the Typhon2 as an alternative to HFS’ original Typhon, which combined six Arri Alexa Mini cameras as a toe-out array. The Typhon2 has a toe-in configuration for reduced parallax. It also uses the Red DSMC2 Helium 8K sensor. Each of its six cameras is fitted with a Zeiss CP3 21mm prime lens with extended data and shading mapping. Alternative lenses are available on request.
Jeff Brown, CEO at Brownian Motion, explains, “The Typhon2 system that we have codeveloped with HFS employs the very latest sensor technology from Red and the latest lens optical and metadata technology from Zeiss recorded direct to the raw camera files. This extended metadata offers a faster, easier workflow for post teams by negating the need for lens-grid calibration.”
“We have already had visual-effects supervisors take advantage of the Typhon2 on some major studio productions,” adds Braben.
A plugin offered by Zeiss for all major post-delivery software will enable use of lens distortion and shading data; this is based on each individual lens having factory calibration recorded to the file on a continuous basis and reflects any iris or focus manipulation. The Helium 8K sensor allows a stitched plate of up to 16K x 8K and offers the latest IPP2 color science from Red.
Complete remote camera control by the operator in the helicopter allows easy in-air changes for high-speed shooting and single-frame trigger for photogrammetry. In-cabin monitoring consists of a six-way split recorded to ProRes files with full BITC overlay.
HFS can also supply experienced crews and data managers.
The Typhon2 allows for the use of the Red Monstro sensor and appropriate lenses if requested.
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