RexOr

Not yet unfortunately, but access shouldn't be a major problem when the camera is ready for more thorough tests. Where Arri make it work hardest is the colour science (a formidable accomplishment), which with AXIOM is handled by Magic Lantern. So the emphasis at the moment is on the development of a new file format to help research along - MLV. As is often the case, it's too complex to estimate on delivery at this point, but work has progressed significantly on MLV in recent weeks. Image is promising with this particular sensor too. And bringing more economical and open solutions to users was what initially motivated the project definitely. It can be done. Cost-wise things have been thinned as much as possible, for the time-being, with the sensor constituting a large proportion of build-cost (IRO 2000 RP). I'll make a note to contact you directly when we do benchmark against Arri, though.

Anyone aware of an IMX294CJK equivelent (specifically in terms of low-light performance)? Or have you any favorite sensors in general?

I'm sorry to hear that. Each respective member of the community is doing their best. Anything which you think can be done better please let me know and I'll see if it's possible (and I'm sure it is) to make the project more useful for you. Alternatively you'd be very welcome to contribute in some way. Specs could be found linked-to from the URL in the OP. Sample files can be found here. Actual performance bench-mark tests against other cameras and across all technical parameters hasn't begun yet but will be archived on the project's wiki in due course. Not sure what you mean by 'access'. Lead-time for cameras is approximately a month currently. We provide a service where we make contact with Developer Kit owners (if they've opted-in), on behalf of members of the community, and ask them if they'd be willing to either loan someone their camera or meet with them so that that person can get hands-on experience, which has been done a couple of times. There are regional user-groups around the world where interested people can see the camera in use or get involved with the projects that are using it, etc. If you'd like me to locate the nearest camera to you and make contact with its owner feel free to email and I'll see if anything can be done. Are you implying that we hide things from people? Not exactly. It's as open as possible, and more open than anything else you could wish to find. But given that anyone is free to purchase the camera (or build their own as all BOMs and schematics have been made publicly available - which, resources permitting, we'll help someone to do) and incorporate it into their own commercial product, it's therefore up to the customer if and when details of what they're working on is released into the public domain. Many high-end vision imaging research projects operate in competition with other companies or institutions and prefer not to disclose the nature of their business to them, naturally. It wouldn't be a very nice thing for us to do if we were to disregard this fact and tweet about what everyone was doing with the camera.... which is technically none of our business. "It's as open as possible" - Even down to the data. We employ something we call RealRAW, as opposed to the synthetic raw that's billed by other camera manufacturers as being actual raw (which isn't). "Criticised" - Of course. The camera was around a year late. Richer features and stretch goals, however, which are what many users require, have taken a lot of R&D. So here I'm referring specifically to things like WiFi control, an additional device called AXIOM Remote (which is pretty far on now), a USB3 Plugin Module incorporating an FTDI FT601 IC (which acts as a multi channel 32-bit FIFO interface and constitutes the ground-work for general I/O and UVC playback), 6/12G SDI connectivity, a CSO module for things like global positioning or pressure/temperature sensing, a recording device hosting an INTEL NUC equivalent and SSD/Raid solution called AXIOM Recorder, an extended shoulder-mounted enclosure with improved cooling facilities called ABEX, a complete firmware rewrite, making arrangements to scale-up production from hand-assembly of individual cameras to mass production runs of hundreds, ensuring that a cooperation exists to make it possible for members of the community to steer development and prevent individuals from limiting user control, and a few other things. For the reader, and in the interests of full disclosure, the project was kick-started and raised IRO 200,000EUR - this was used for some basic equipment and the publication/certification of the camera as a FOSS/OH product. To show gratitude to contributors for their getting the ball rolling, those people were given the opportunity to purchase the camera at build cost at any point during its development. I think the current sensor installed on AXIOM Micro costs around 30 bucks iirc. Both cameras are being designed so that it's possible to use pretty much any sensor, of course (AXIOM Micro to a lesser extent and of a different class, build cost of V1 is around 100 bucks after all). However, for an AXIOM Beta with an 8K sensor installed I suspect the third party MicroZed solution, that's currently being used, would need to be swapped for a more expensive alternative... which, again, provisions have been made for. But limitations and requirements are unclear at this stage. Thanks for reading.

... ah yes. On that note, we'd be keen listeners regarding any feedback any of you might have in relation to what would make the camera more suited to practical, astro applications. Anything can be swapped out and the intention is to archive a number of lens mount alternatives for instance.

Greetings all. Just wanted to make you aware of our open source, open hardware Linux driven camera, as it has been adopted by a number astronomy projects at this point… most of which we’re not allowed to talk about unfortunately. But there are several case studies that we can talk about detailed here - https://wiki.apertus.org/index.php/AXIOM_Beta/Case_Studies Specifically with reference to astronomy projects that we can talk about the camera is presently being used in conjunction with ISS research and development, it was used for the R&D of Curve One (listed on the above Case Studies page) which is important as their sensor will have a huge impact on astronomical imaging moving forward, we have attached it to a 156mm/2940mm double refractor, but we've yet to see it incorporated into an amateur set-up. Everything you could possibly need can be found here - https://wiki.apertus.org/index.php/AXIOM_Beta We recently showcased the first iteration of a smaller, more affordable camera (budget sensor) called AXIOM Micro and a V2 will be shown at this year’s CCC. Any questions please do send us an email or reply directly to this thread. All the best, Rex.