Aja has an $8,995 S35 4K camera, the Cion

[Mike Watson]

Originally Posted by Paul Cronin

I think the Cion is a nice camera from what I see, but lets keep to the facts and not add hearsay from the web.

I've held the Cion and the FS7. I think the Cion looks like more of a "big boy camera" and the FS7 looks more like something you'd see on a student film. That's not hearsay from the web, it's my opinion as a guy who is in the market for a camera in this range. I understand that on the inside they both have pros and cons, and that they both create a good looking image, but the fact of the matter is that I am not judged solely on the final product, but also on a layman's impression of the equipment I'm holding.

[Paul Cronin]

My apology Mike,

You are more then entitled to your opinion an have more experience with the two then I do since I have not held the Cion. So mybe I am the one with hearsay. Hope you make the right decision for your work an it works well for you, they are both great options.

[Mike Watson]

Paul,

Wrung my hands for the last few weeks. Couldn't decide WHAT to do. FS7, Cion, Ursa... Needed a tax writeoff before the end of the year. At the end of the day... decided to buy two new computers and upgrade to Creative Cloud for editing, and do nothing for cameras this year.

The one thing you can guarantee about cameras is that whatever I really wanted last year... They'll roll out somethingI want even more next year!

[Paul Cronin]

Mike,

I was in the same position an sold my PMW-300 an went for the FS7 in Dec. Having owned the F55 I am very happy so far with the FS7. Will know for sure in the next two months after a bunch of jobs. I did give the Cion a close look. Be nice to try one.

Early 2014 I went for the new MacPro, Pegasus RAID, with a few new monitors, an switched from FCP7 to PP CC. Took a while to get the computer an PP to work well together but now I am very happy with the change. Hope you find the charge suits you also.

It is silly how often we change cameras.

[Yekta Ağaoğlu]

Hi all,
High frame rate is very important to use advantages of the camera. but CION can only up to 60fps to own internal recorder. my questions:
1-) Is there any plan to produce external AJA 4K RAW recorder up to 120fps?
2-) Is it possible to record HD or 2K 120-240fps with a firmware update of CION?

- I've found Codex Onboard S+ it can record Canon Cinema RAW 4K 120fps, and they have Canon, ARRI, RED and SONY workflows but not AJA RAW?
- Another 4K raw recorder is Convergentdesign it supports Canon, ARRI and Sony also but not AJA.
- Blackmagic can record also RAW on self.
It looks AJA needs an own RAW recorder for CION immediately, right?

[Rakesh Malik]

Originally Posted by Yekta Ağaoğlu

Hi all,

- I've found Codex Onboard S+ it can record Canon Cinema RAW 4K 120fps, and they have Canon, ARRI, RED and SONY workflows but not AJA RAW?
- Another 4K raw recorder is Convergentdesign it supports Canon, ARRI and Sony also but not AJA.
- Blackmagic can record also RAW on self.
It looks AJA needs an own RAW recorder for CION immediately, right?

I figure Aja is probably planning its own recorder that supports raw to go with the Cion, but the Atomos Shogun is in theory also going to be a candidate, though it's uncertain as to when they'll get raw recording implemented and released.

[Yekta Ağaoğlu]

I don't think Shogun can do it in the future, because it has only one SDI input supported 12G-SDI. it is not enough for CION aja-raw 120fps.

[Brian Drysdale]

Here's a FD article on a tour of the Cion Factory and interviews with AJA President Nick Rashby and CION designer Jon Thorn

AJA CION Factory Tour | Film and Digital Times

[Paul Cronin]

The more I read about this camera the more it is of interest. I think I will rent one from Abel once they have it.

[Loch Phillipps]

I too bought the FS7 and very happy with it. I think it has 3 big advantages over the Cion. 1. It's better in low light. 2. It's lighter and has a better form factor for handheld. 3. It does more in the way of slow motion, which is great for me since I do a lot of sports.

That said, I'm very interested in the BlackMagic Ursa mini coming out soon. I like the simplicity of their menus and their look.

All of the above should be caveated by admitting that I'm more of a director, one-man band, than DP for hire.

[Emmanuel Plakiotis]

I think the thread creator should change the title:
Aja has an $4995 s35 4k camera, the Cion. :)

[Peer Landa]

Originally Posted by Emmanuel Plakiotis

I think the thread creator should change the title:
Aja has an $4995 s35 4k camera, the Cion. :)

I agree -- Aja is certainly a cool underdog company that deserves some exposure & success.

-- peer

[Jon Fairhurst]

Having worked at Grass Valley group in the '80s and '90s, I used to work with the founder and many of their engineers. Great group of smart, hard-working people! They deserve our support. :)

[Dylan Couper]

Funny, I was looking at buying a Cion this morning, just because it's so beautiful (to me) and the price is great (at least in US dollars) and found this thread.

But I probably won't... I'll buy another FS7.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

People seem to have largely forgotten the Cion. It is an honest effort. Looks beautiful. For narratives, I am not sure why people don't buy it.