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

Looks pretty cool, and for $8,995.

CION - Products - AJA Video Systems

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

It looks great, 1/2 the weight of the Ursa and a bit of a classic design.
Hope they are not too late to the party to compete...

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

If nothing else, just the fact it does multiple flavors of ProRes & not ProRes HQ only makes me interested.

One of my biggest complaints with BMD cameras & recorders is that they only do ProRes HQ. I've done a lot of quality work with XDCam EX, which means that ProRes, or hell even ProRes LT is plenty enough codec for a lot of jobs.

This camera looks really interesting, I feel like Aja took a lot more time talking with actual, in the field, camera guys than Blackmagic did. (Things like how all the cable ports on the BMDCC are on the left side, the side where your face is if you put the camera on a shoulder rig.)

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

I gather, when fitted with a battery on the back, it does balance pretty well for shoulder holding.

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

An interview at their stand giving a lot of info:

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

I gather there's still a bit of work to be done on the Cion, but it looks like a camera of interest to people who can't stretch to an Arri Amira.

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

Pre-order today!

https://www.omegabroadcast.com/produ...on-90-4795.htm

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

Interview that gives some background to the camera:

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

I was definitely impressed with the form factor, but there looked to be some FPN going on in one of the display models, and it was currently rated at 200 ISO, which needs to be improved.

The biggest issue I can see with it is PL mount only. That would be quite an expense for me to get ready to just use the thing.

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

I like the specs of this camera a lot. Form factor/size/encoding!

I wonder why 120fps or similar is not supported at 1080/2k internally or even externally for that matter?

I'd love to see some type of sensor cropping feature on this, it would really cover all the bases for me then.

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

Due out this summer, I was told that AJA has been developing the CION for four years now.
I love all the AJA gear we have purchased thus far. It has all been rock solid and never let me down.
I expect the CION to be another professional example of AJA's work,
and one which will get even better with time.
For me, I would rather spend a bit more and get a product that is solid and comes with great support as opposed to the drama that comes with less expensive alternatives.

That said, I still like RED's Dragon images best.

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

Here's a PVC interview about the Cion workflow.

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

The PL lens mount on the AJA CION is in fact removable and was designed with shorter focal flange distances in mind. As part of our effort to provide open connectivity throughout the entire product design, we are inviting third-parties to create adapters for lenses and lens mount systems that cover the APS-C sized sensor. This will mean that a variety of offerings with a variety of capabilities - as well as a variety of price points - should come to market answering the acknowledged need for flexibility among different users. AJA simply chose the PL lens mount as a starting point because it is an open and accepted professional standard and an array of high quality lenses are available worldwide in PL mount.

Also worth noting, the CIONs at NAB were still to be considered pre-release versions; some image fine-tuning is still being performed prior to the product release. Having said this, we allowed NAB attendees to operate the cameras at the booth with relatively minimal AJA supervision. We even provided a lit set: 1940s film noir replete with actors in costume. Because we allowed attendees to largely "do as they pleased" with these CIONs, this meant that sometimes the images displayed on our 50" Ultra HD displays connected to the cameras might not have been producing optimal image quality. We felt it was more important for people to try the new product with their own hands to formulate an opinion. Further to this point, you cannot determine much about a product's ergonomics simply looking at it in a display case so we even supplied an area where you could handhold a CION. Universally, the response to the design, with respect to handheld operation, was extraordinarily positive. The unit really is balanced and feels familiar, like a Super 16mm film camera form factor, when resting on the shoulder.

I hope this information is helpful and I hope many of you were able to attend NAB and see the product first hand.

Sincerely,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems

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

Hi Jon
Thanks for your post.

Any chance of getting explaining why the camera can't run 120fps in 2k or indeed in a compressed format? This would be exceptionally useful for my work. (Wildlife tv)

Also any plans on featuring some sort of sensor cropping for 2k/HD ? The implementation of this as well as the high framerates in the F5 is pulling me towards it but I'd love to go with your camera this summer.

Many thanks
Mat

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

Hi Mat,
While many feature requests are under evaluation and we are actively monitoring requests like the ones you have made here, we will only pursue an effort to implement additional features beyond what has already been specified after we have made a sufficient technical review and determined feasibility.

Currently, CION's maximum on-board recording frame rate is 60 fps. 120 fps raw data may be output via 4x 3G-SDI connections. Currently, CION does not offer cropping of the image, but instead, high-quality scaling so that your lens focal length is consistent no matter what raster size you elect to use.

I understand the use cases for your requests and I appreciate your interest in CION.

I hope my explanation is helpful and thank you again for your requests; we will take them under consideration,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

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

The issue is that most everyone in the market I am in has EF lenses. With a PL mount being the ultimate in dumb mounts, there will not be any direct way to control aperture from the camera body, and as for external aperture control, m4/3 users can attest how well third parties have adapted EF lenses to their bodies.

That's fine, but I would say that those with the PL lens sets aren't exactly the market for this camera, as they have other, more established options that they can afford. Just my gut reaction, so subject to new info.

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

Hi Gary,
While AJA doesn't offer an EF mount, third parties are indeed making plans to support this on CION. These lens adapters could even be powered by the 2-pin power output at the front of CION to provide for sleek cable management. On a somewhat related note, I have personally powered a Fujinon Cabrio zoom using the 2-pin power output and an adapter cable and this type of configuration typically requires even more power than a lens mount with a powered aperture control system.

The fact that the lens mount is removable, power is available at the front of the camera for aperture controls and servos and AJA will be offering specifications for the lens mount to interested parties opens CION to a wide variety of lens mount options. We did not neglect the lens mount when designing the product; alternate lens options simply won't be provided by AJA directly.

I hope this information is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

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

Is there a case where a sensor-crop approach is an advantage over a full image target image scaled?

It seems to me that using the full sensor would be preferable in any scenario I can come up with...easier to calculate lenses...more light...etc.

Maybe there's something I'm missing?

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

Hi Tim,
As a general rule, maintaining the focal length of a lens via high-quality scaling no matter what raster size you wish to shoot at is typically preferred.

The major benefit of offering a windowing or cropping of a sensor is that by only using a portion of the sensor area you effectively lower the image diagonal or image circle that is necessary to cover with the lens. For example, you might take a near Super 35mm frame size and via windowing/cropping obtain a smaller frame size, such as Super 16mm, so that lenses that would not normally cover the full sensor area may now be used.

Having said this, there can be disadvantages to employing this type of windowing/cropping; typically the issue is that OLPFs used to eliminate unwanted moire and aliasing are designed for a specific raster size. Note that Sony, for example, offers a unique OLPF for use with their Sony PMW-F5 and PMW-F55 when windowing/cropping to 2K.

I hope this explanation is helpful,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

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

It gives you a flexible shooting solution. With the work that I do having that flexibility is just very important. You can use the benefits of a large sensor when you want too or use lenses such as the Canon HJ18 to get ultra long reach. It is the same with frame rates although its far more useful to have things built in when working in the field. In fact I think wildlife/documentary has the biggest demands when it comes to flexibility in a camera.

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

Lot of good things in this camera. However, I am surprised that this model doesn't come with EF mount. Even Amira has EF option. Leaving third parties to develop adapters is not a very reassuring option. EF mount has become well established and given the type of shooting this camera is supposed to cater to, leaving out EF appears to be a major blunder.

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

I have already heard about a couple of people who are working on an EF mount.

So, I wouldn't worry - yet - the camera is not due for a couple of months.

Here is one of those who is working on this

Optitron | CineTechnica

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

Cion Reboot. Let's talk about it again...

1. Looks like there is a base plate. Does it come with it?
2. Is the base plate ARRI standard? - Important for ARRI standard matte boxes
3. High current (HC) batteries only?

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

Deposit: $500.00
Manufacturer: AJA
Availability: Pre-Order

AJA CION (Pre-Order)

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

To demonstrate our progress with CION, we have created a short video showcasing some of the abilities of the camera: pleasing skin tone rendition alongside rich, vibrant colors, amazing levels of picture detail from the high resolution sensor, a lack of “black sun” artifacts and in-camera slow-motion.

The following link allows you to view our latest CION video:
https://www.aja.com/cion-videos

Please be aware that this footage has not been color corrected or graded in any way.* It has only been edited.* We felt you would want to see exactly what the camera is capable of delivering “straight out of the box” without any additional post-production modifications.

The AJA CION will not be shipping immediately, but it will be shipping soon.* We are working hard to deliver the best product we possibly can.

Thank you for your interest in the AJA CION.* We look forward to delivering the camera to you as soon as possible.

Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems, Inc.

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

Hi Jon,

The footage looks nice. For our needs here at the U of Michigan,
and even though we have a pretty extensive lighting kit,
the ability to shoot *clean* footage in 4-12 foot candles is going to be a big factor when we upgrade to 4K (or above). The reason being that we shoot a lot of performances with projected back grounds. Even a 6500 lumen projector is dim when the image is 32'Wx20'H. To make those backgrounds pop, we need the right camera.

I have to say that footage taken outdoors doesn't mean much to _me personally_,
because almost all modern sensors seems to produce outstanding images in sunlight.
I did notice - and it again means little - that the black hair didn't have much shadow detail and I am hoping that the CION doesn't crush the blacks like the 5DMKII. (I do get this is ungraded, but one never knows how elastic the images are until you get them in the box).

At what ISO do you rate the CION?

Thanks!

Jacques

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

MTF Lens Adaptor for the CION: Canon EF, EF with aperture control, B4, and Nikon G mounts.

https://www.lensadaptor.com/mtf-effe...aja-cion-mount

https://www.lensadaptor.com/canon-ef-aja-cion

https://www.lensadaptor.com/b4-aja-cion-package

https://www.lensadaptor.com/nikon-g-aja-cion

Wooden Camera has Canon EF, EF with aperture control, and Nikon G mounts:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/omegab...t/15030706490/

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

6500 lumens is an incredibly small output for that much surface area. Wide angle lens? Front or rear projected?

I would imagine dynamic range would be more important as I couldn't imagine how dimly lit your stage would need to be in order to keep the performance lighting from overcoming the projected background.

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

Let's not veer away from the topic of this thread the CION - no disrespect intended.

I spoke with a local AJA rep a couple of days ago and he said that he hopes to bring a working CION to our studio for some testing. If and when that happens, we will test the CION under tungsten (that's what we have) and try it out with our dim projection backgrounds - (that's what we have ;-( )

We will compare the CION to our Sony EX3s and see what's what and I will report back my *impressions*.

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

Based on comments by some well known DPs about their video, skin tones would be worth checking, together with clipping and producing rather contrasty looking ungraded images.

It's reflected in this DVinfo article: http://www.dvinfo.net/article/acquis...demo-reel.html

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

Looks like they made a mistake in the description -- certainly that footage doesn't look like ungraded.

-- peer

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

I gather the camera applied a picture profile to them, but they are ungraded.

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

Not the best picture but the camera landed at WFX Dallas two days ago. October 1.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/omegab...t/15399063676/

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

AJA Announces CION Support From Top Camera Accessory Manufacturers:

Alphatron, MTF, Wooden Camera, Vocas and Zacuto to Support CION Camera

Game on. Who is going to make the CION to EF adapter that has aperture open and close built into the adapter like Optitek did for the F55 to EF?

People don't want a cable and power module hanging off the camera...

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

Hopefully they will have a camera to put them on some time in the next 12 months! When is this thing ever going to ship?
Steve

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

Sorry to say, but I call it's all vaporware.

-- peer

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

We plan to ship CION shortly. We are making some final improvements before we ship the camera.

Thanks,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems

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

Good to hear from you Jon, and you've always been a good contact on here, much appreciated. BUT - "shortly" was the word used at IBC wasn't it? It's not just shipping date either, there's just been a massive lack of info and footage.
Steve

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

I sincerely appreciate your feedback. I will share it with others at AJA.

Thanks,
Jon Thorn
Senior Product Manager
AJA Video Systems

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

Came across this clip which I'd not seen before Anyone know of any others?
Steve