In the ever-evolving world of cinematography, technological advancements have played a pivotal role in reshaping the way filmmakers bring their visions to life. Among the trailblazers in this field stands Freefly Systems, a company that has carved a niche for itself by pushing the boundaries of what is possible in aerial and handheld cinematography. This blog explores the journey, innovations, and impact of Freefly Systems on the filmmaking industry.
Founding and Vision:
Founded in 2011 by Tabb Firchau and Hugh Bell, Freefly Systems emerged with a clear vision: to create innovative and reliable camera stabilization systems that would empower filmmakers to capture stunning and dynamic shots. The founders, both passionate about aerial cinematography, recognized the need for a robust and versatile stabilization solution in the burgeoning drone market.
The MōVI Revolution:
Freefly’s breakthrough came with the introduction of the MōVI (pronounced “movie”) in 2013, a handheld, gyro-stabilized camera gimbal that revolutionized the way filmmakers could capture smooth and cinematic shots. The MōVI series quickly gained popularity for its lightweight design, ease of use, and ability to stabilize cameras in challenging environments. It allowed filmmakers to achieve shots that were once deemed impossible, opening up new creative possibilities.
Aerial Cinematography Redefined:
As drones gained popularity in filmmaking, Freefly Systems was at the forefront of innovation. The Alta series, Freefly’s line of professional aerial platforms, provided filmmakers with a reliable and adaptable tool for capturing breathtaking aerial shots. These drones combined cutting-edge technology with user-friendly features, making them an essential asset for cinematographers around the world. At the end of 2020 announced their new industrial system the Astro which was their move into a much wider market place with the ability to change payloads quickly and allow other companies to integrate in to the Astro eco system.
Beyond MōVI:
Expanding the Product Line: Freefly Systems continued to diversify its product line to meet the evolving needs of filmmakers. The introduction of the MōVI Pro and MōVI XL further solidified Freefly’s position as a leader in the stabilization technology space. These systems offered enhanced features, increased payload capacities, and improved customization options, catering to a wide range of professional filmmaking applications.
Wave & Ember:
The Future of Freefly Systems: In 2021, Freefly Systems introduced its latest innovation – the Wave camera system. Wave represents a paradigm shift in how high-end cinematic content is captured. With a global shutter sensor, unparalleled image quality, and the ability to shoot at high frame rates, the Wave system sets new standards for slow-motion cinematography.
Community and Collaboration: Freefly Systems actively engages with the filmmaking community, fostering collaboration and feedback. The company’s commitment to continuous improvement and customer satisfaction has led to a strong bond with filmmakers worldwide. Through workshops, online forums, and community events, Freefly ensures that its products meet the diverse needs of filmmakers across different genres. At the start of 2023 the Freefly Ember started shipping, which was a move to the higher end of cinematic slow motion cameras. They designed Ember to be the most efficient high speed camera ever. It’s small, light, and insanely fun to use. Ember is unique in that it can record continuous high speed footage with no ram based clip limit since it records directly to a 4TB internal SSD.
Freefly Systems has undeniably left an indelible mark on the filmmaking industry. From the humble beginnings of the MōVI gimbal to the groundbreaking Wave camera system, Freefly continues to push the boundaries of what is achievable in cinematography. As technology advances and creative possibilities expand, Freefly Systems stands poised to shape the future of filmmaking, empowering storytellers to capture their visions in ways never before imagined.
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Freefly Movi Pro Essentials Bundle + Travel Case (SL4)
This is the most advanced camera movement system ever created. It offers industry leading performance, flexibility, and ease of use. And it’s now shipping with SL4 batteries! Movi Pro is a lightweight, flexible and portable system that allows users to create world class production quality video content quickly and easily.$ 15,258.99View Product
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Freefly Systems WAVE highspeed camera 2TB
Freefly Systems WAVE highspeed camera 2TB ( 950-00105 )We designed Wave to be the most efficient high-speed camera available. It’s small, light, and insanely fast. It has unique capabilities allowing capture opportunities that were never possible before. How fast is it? Maximum FPS varies by resolution, but for typical cinema resolutions:4K (4096×2176) – 422fps2K (2048×1088) – 1,461fpsFor scientific applications, by selecting a smaller frame size, Wave can shoot at up to 9,259fps (2048×128). Users can also dial in exact frame rates or use external triggers to synchronize Wave to a rotating or vibrating subject to act as a visual oscilloscope. Whoa! How many pixels is that?Wave processes up to 3,774,873,600 pixels per second continuously using a lightweight 5:1 compression. It sets a new level of efficient imaging, consuming less than 5nJ/px, or 5mW/(Mpx/s). Frequently Asked Questions Detailed Specs Downloads (Wave Player and Firmware) User Guide 2K vs 4K Capture Exposure Guide Lens Recommendations Does not include lens or other accessories pictured.$ 16,998.99View Product
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Freefly Ember S5K – Ember S5K (Passive Universal Mount, 4TB)
Ember. It’s a cinematic beast in a very small package. With an all new super 35 global shutter sensor with expanded dynamic range, it shoots 4K 800FPS, 5K 600FPS, and a whole bunch of other speeds and frames.Ember can record up to a 46min clip and record time is only limited by the 4TB SSD. The chassis is completely redesigned and features an iOS App based workflow that is simple, fast and efficient. Our mission was to go from capture to share as quickly as possible with the Ember.Ember is a 100mm (4 inch) cube and weighs 820g, optimized for flight. It features a locking E mount and some really nice tablet, monitor, and accessory mounting solutions. It will run for 2+ hours on our SL4 battery and can be powered off just about any battery using our included D tap cable. Freefly designed Ember to be the most efficient high speed camera ever. It’s small, light, and insanely fun to use. Ember is unique in that it can record continuous high speed footage with no ram based clip limit since it records directly to a 4TB internal SSD. Shooting high speed is now just like shooting anything else, push record to start and stop, and Ember captures everything to solid state memory – as simple… as that.The Ember app for iOS means you can go from capture to sharing in seconds. Check out these (untreated) sample clips shot with Ember. We’re reserving the first shipments of Ember for existing Wave customers. So if you already have a Wave, let us know so we can flag your order accordingly!$ 31,100.30View Product
