EPIC and Alexa...

[Jannard]

Well... given the post about DR by monitor path, I guess it is time to post our tests. We shot the Alexa and EPIC Tattoo prototype "Presto" a couple of days ago. Here are our results. We acknowledge that everyone has their favorite way of testing... ours uses the DSC charts. We also acknowledge that we have EPICs and no one else does. Oh, well...

1st, Dynamic Range. Congratulations to Arri on a job well done with Alexa. It now looks like there are two cameras that make great film alternative options.

Here is the Dynamic Range test we did using the DSC chart. I'd give a slight advantage to the Alexa which was designed with a larger pixel than Epic.



Now resolution. This shouldn't come as a surprise.



And the resolution charts...





We believe that everyone should do their own testing. One thing to remember is that RED believes that resolution matters.

Jim

[Peter Majtan]

Now that's what I am talking about...

Peter

PS: Jim - is that banding artifact on the third group from the top because of black-shading (or the lack thereof)?

[Jannard]

BTW... the circles are 2K and the graphs are 4K..

Jim

[Jannard]

Now that's what I am talking about...

Peter

PS: Jim - is that banding artifact on the third group from the top because of black-shading (or the lack thereof)?

You are actually seeing the streaks on the chart. That is what resolutions is all about.

Jim

[Conrad Hunziker]

What lenses were used on the cameras?

[Jarred Land]

What lenses were used on the cameras?

85mm RPP prime on both cameras.

[Mike Gross]

Wow, that's a huge difference in resolution!

I can control my scene contrast and a small difference isn't a big deal for me.
But I can't add resolution to a camera if it's not there to begin with.

[Liana]

The difference between the resolutions is staggering. Epic, even. Given that with EPIC we have the freedom of RAW, and both cameras have decent dynamic range to begin with, you certainly chose the right balance in going for resolution rather than highest possible DR. In real world, no one will notice the Alexa's slightly better theoretical DR, but everyone will notice the difference in resolution.

Congratulations to everyone at Red, this is a great achievement.

[Jannard]

Additional note... 5K (5120x2560) is approximately 6.5 time the resolution of 1080P. If you take measured resolution of 4K vs. 1.65K, it is approximately 5.5 times the resolution.

Jim

[Peter Majtan]

You are actually seeing the streaks on the chart. That is what resolutions is all about.

Jim

Normally I see this on a underexposed RED ONE (non-MX) without black-shading. I just thought You are still ironing out the firmware. Reading Your response makes me that much more relaxed...