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Excalibur: a 360 camera rig for Sony A7S and other full frame cameras

Excalibur is a 360 camera rig for four Sony A7S cameras with full frame sensors for exceptional high image quality.
A camera’s image quality, whether for photo or video, depends in large part on the sensor.  In general, all other factors being equal, larger sensors have a higher quality compared to a smaller sensor simply because a larger sensor is able to collect more light, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio.

Most 360 cameras use small sensors partly because of cost, but also because larger sensors require larger lenses.  As a result the sensors in 360 cameras are usually 1/2.3 inch or smaller.  Because of this they have limited bit depth, dynamic range, and low light performance.

Bonsai, a 360 video technology company, has created a 360 camera rig called Excalibur that utilizes four full frame mirrorless or DSLR cameras, such as the Sony A7S paired with Rokinon 8mm circular fisheye lenses.  By using cameras with full frame sensors, the rig is able to capture very high quality 360 video, with up to 6k resolution.

Here are the key specifications:
Excalibur Specs:
* High-strength 6061-T6 Aluminum, heat treated
* 360 Live Streaming Video Compatible
* Estimated battery life time: 1h 20mins of continuous shooting on internal battery
* Insane low-light abilities with ISO up to 409,600
* Controllable settings – camera operator can manually set white balance, exposure, and shutter speed
* Compatible with professional grade video equipment
* Supports numerous DSLR lenses

Video Specs:
* DSLR quality image
* 12 stops of dynamic range
* Output size at 6k (8mm lens)
* Internal: 4:2:0 8-bit 100 Mbit XAVC H264
* External: 4:2:2 8-bit Prores |External Recorder
* Cinematic color grading can be done with the footage

Here is a sample video from Excalibur:

The Excalibur rig includes a remote control to trigger all four camera at once.  Bonsai also has a custom software called Arborist to automatically sort all the video files into scenes for stitching.  Starting in April, they will have a single battery that can charge all four cameras at once.  However, please note that the rig package does not include stitching software.  The video can be stitched with Autopano Video or other third-party software.

The full package, which will include the rig, four 8mm Rokinon lenses (custom shaved for maximum POV), Arborist file sorter software, and remote control will cost $3,199. In April, this package will be expanded to include a battery. With cameras included, the package will cost $15,099. The entire system can be rented from $725 (if you own the lenses and rig) to $1,500 per week (this is the cost to rent the entire package).  Rentals will begin in mid-March.  Here is Bonsai’s official website.  You can also check their YouTube channel here.

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Mic Ty

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  • We have a similar custom A7s II rig. The problem is with this solution, that the lenses and sensors are very far from each other, so the parallex effect is very high. :/ You need to direct the scenes and the actors to avoid the stiching lines.

  • I see! Thank you very much Pasztor. I've inquired with Bonsai to determine what is the minimum distance to avoid parallax and am still waiting for their response.

    Best regards,
    Mic

  • 4x sony a7s is about $6000-8000 plus $3200 for the rig or $15000 for the rig with 4 cameras. Why would anyone spend so much($9200-$15000) unless it is for 360 video in low light conditions.

    BTW, “Insane low-light abilities with ISO up to 409,600” is Sony A7s specs, not the rig itself.

    I have had Sony a7s since its release. A lot of these cameras have been bought for video astronomy. I have bought it to get away from astrophotography as it is very time consuming. With video astronomy you will get quite good results from this camera in live view.

    • Wow i didn’t know the a7s could actually do video astronomy…! :O I wonder if anyone has tried that with an a7s 360 rig…