Epic Q&A

[Isaac Babcock]

Start up time & sleep mode

Start up time & sleep mode

What is the current start up time with the epic, from pushing the power button to record?

Also, is there a "sleep" function in the current build? If so, how does one use it, and how quickly does the camera "wake up" to record?

Thanks for all the info, (and the normal apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and I missed it)...

 

[G Lap]

what happens to all the epic`s from the big budget films when the shooting is finished?

Just a guess, they probably go back to the rental company. Most likely Panavision (RED's biggest customer?) for major studio productions.

 

[Steve Gibby]

What is the current start up time with the epic, from pushing the power button to record?

Also, is there a "sleep" function in the current build? If so, how does one use it, and how quickly does the camera "wake up" to record?

Thanks for all the info, (and the normal apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and I missed it)...

It takes about 9 seconds to boot up

Never tested Epic for a "sleep" function though - I've been too excited to just keep shooting. I'm sure its probably there though.

 

[Cüneyt Kaya]

Just a guess, they probably go back to the rental company. Most likely Panavision (RED's biggest customer?) for major studio productions.

did they buy 100+ epic M`s?
or will there be battletested Epic M´s?

 

[Steve Gibby]

I do wonder about the weight.

The body is about 5 lbs 6 oz. If the camera is outfitted with the side grip, Red Volt battery, Bomb EVF (or 5" LCD), and a small 35mm still zoom (Canon or Nikon), the overall rig weight will be about 8.5 pounds. In that setup, it will have the form factor of a medium format still camera.

If you're shooting motion footage you'll have easy options of true hand held, shoulder held (Red mount, Mantis, etc.), small fluid head tripod, or a small Cine Saddle. Lots of options...

In its smallest setups this is a hyper-mobile 5k, 4k, or 3k DSMC camera. IMO the biggest challenge with Epic will be for the user's attitude and skill sets to be equal to matching what the camera is capable of.

 

[Jon Nash]

Power cable

Power cable

Im about to buy a RED lemo power link cable for my Steadicam. Its not cheap at $350 so Im keen to know if the power input socket on the epic is the same as the red one? I'm hoping I don't have to get a new epic cable when the time comes?

 

[Isaac Babcock]

Thanks for the answers Steve.

If anyone knows if the sleep function is working - or if it is still in the works for future builds (if Red folks want to chime in) - I'd love to hear.

Very happy about the 9 sec. start-up!

 

[RyanW]

color accuracy between cameras

color accuracy between cameras

Hey Brook thanks for all the info sharing.

Just wondering...do you find the color matching from camera to camera closer on Epic cams?

I have always found that no two RED cameras are close enough to not require some in-cam compensation to get them to a common starting point for onelight on set grading right after offloading.

I'm just finishing an alexa feature I am amazed at how the c_log footage from two cameras was so similar (even in the scopes) that the same look could be used on both cameras for dailies.

I'm hoping this may be the case with the EPICs.
IF not... how do you approach this situation?

Thanks
Ryan

 

[Steven Caesare]

We have ours mounted on the camera 90$ of the time, unless configured on the ET ATOM 3D rig, it will be the most of
the times, I love the Side Handle Grip, and use all functions to navigate the menu as I do on the Redmote and or
on the Touchscreen, love it.

Fills like I am holding a medium format Hasselblad or Mamiya body

Excellent, thanks Ketch.

Any interesting uses of the rocker control yet?

-Steve

 

[Tyler Goeckner-Zoeller]

Im about to buy a RED lemo power link cable for my Steadicam. Its not cheap at $350 so Im keen to know if the power input socket on the epic is the same as the red one? I'm hoping I don't have to get a new epic cable when the time comes?

The epic power input is a different size plug, though they sell pigtail conversion so you don't have to buy a whole new cable.

 

[Christopher Probst]

This is more of a post question, but does anyone know what systems can support coloring a 5K r3d file yet? Any? I'm planning on shooting as much 5K as soon as possible and was curious what others are using on their projects, perhaps Dino can inquire on some of his commercials, since that's where I'll initially be using Epics.

My preference would be to work from the r3ds and not some transcoded down res... but that may not be possible yet?

 

[M Most]

This is more of a post question, but does anyone know what systems can support coloring a 5K r3d file yet? Any? I'm planning on shooting as much 5K as soon as possible and was curious what others are using on their projects, perhaps Dino can inquire on some of his commercials, since that's where I'll initially be using Epics.

My preference would be to work from the r3ds and not some transcoded down res... but that may not be possible yet?

The vast majority of Epic projects are currently being finished via a transcode based post path. There are some beta versions of some higher end systems that are already supporting it (we're using one on the only television pilot, to my knowledge, that is shooting with Epics, and we're likely to finish it on that system as well), but things like HDRx are only supported in Red's own tools, so they would require a transcode step. I would add that the people at Red have been very supportive in terms of getting early builds of the SDK to our particular grading system vendor to allow this to happen, and the vendor has been great about getting builds done with it to allow us to pull this off.

 

[Christopher Probst]

Thanks Mike,

The projects I anticipate using Epics for in the immediate future are mostly colored on a Baselight, I'll have to inquire where they are in supporting native 5K r3d files. Otherwise, it looks like 2K DPX for the time being?

 

[BigLu]

Various systems are working on this, how ever at this time the 2K DPX workflow is common and used with most grading applications.
Tighter budgets Pro Res 4x4 transcoded with a 1light.

NAB will be the announcements of 5K R3D capabilities.

 

[Dan Kanes]

Would someone want to go:

5K R3D->RC2/Redlogfilm DPX sequence? using RedcineX?

 

[Brook Willard]

my apologies if the following has already been answered, and please include a link if that's the case..but i was wondering what would be the essential acessories to get with the basic Epic camera body with my initial order?. I will be retiring our 5D Redrockmicro rig when we eventually get our Epic so we may be able to use their mattebox i am hoping.

Generally speaking you'd need the body ["brain"], side SSD module, lens mount and a source of power. Its requirements are very similar to the R1.

As for usability accessories, that's up to you. I'll be posting some pictures of a few pieces we're using on Spider-Man when appropriate.

Like 99% of RedUsers, I have no access to an Epic, but I do wonder about the weight.

The Epic will feel heavy to DSLR users, no doubt about that. Those used to medium format cameras will feel more comfortable.

With the body, side handle, monitor, cable and battery... you're looking at a cool 6-7 pounds [without lens].

what happens to all the epic`s from the big budget films when the shooting is finished?

Just a guess, they probably go back to the rental company. Most likely Panavision (RED's biggest customer?) for major studio productions.

did they buy 100+ epic M`s?
or will there be battletested Epic M´s?

I'll leave this one alone, but it's probably safest not to make any assumptions. Before you know it everybody will be saying that PV has hundreds of Epics.

What is the current start up time with the epic, from pushing the power button to record?

Also, is there a "sleep" function in the current build? If so, how does one use it, and how quickly does the camera "wake up" to record?

Thanks for all the info, (and the normal apologies if this has been covered elsewhere and I missed it)...

As Gibby said, about 9 seconds.

There is no sleep function in the current build.

Im about to buy a RED lemo power link cable for my Steadicam. Its not cheap at $350 so Im keen to know if the power input socket on the epic is the same as the red one? I'm hoping I don't have to get a new epic cable when the time comes?

The LEMO is different [smaller]. You can use RED's adapter cable or just have an Epic-specific cable built once the LEMOs and wiring diagrams start to surface.

Hey Brook thanks for all the info sharing.

Just wondering...do you find the color matching from camera to camera closer on Epic cams?

Considering the early beta nature of the cameras, I'll pass on this one for now. Don't take that as a bad thing, just that we're talking about a moving target.

Would someone want to go:

5K R3D->RC2/Redlogfilm DPX sequence? using RedcineX?

If that's what your workflow needed, that's a perfectly valid way to go about it.

 

[M Most]

Thanks Mike,

The projects I anticipate using Epics for in the immediate future are mostly colored on a Baselight, I'll have to inquire where they are in supporting native 5K r3d files. Otherwise, it looks like 2K DPX for the time being?

Our grading system is Baselight. :thumbup1:

 

[Christopher Probst]

Good to know Mike!

I'll have to see if where a spot colors they can get the beta version to color the 5K r3ds....

 

[Jannard]

Hat's off to Brook... very nice of him to share his time and knowledge. I don't think anyone has seen more time on an EPIC and in the most rigorous of use.

Jim

 

[Christian Edwards]

sticky candidate