The EPIC is awesome but...

[Daniel Porto]

One of the main problems I have with digital cameras is with ramping. Yes you are able to ramp on the RED One but there hasn't been a digital camera that offers ramping with the simplicity and control of an RCU and 435. The F35 was a step closer however you are only able to ramp between two different speeds and set the time to get to these different speeds, and not twist the dial as you wish with a 435 and RCU. As far as I am aware the ALEXA doesn't offer ramping at all.

So my question is this... is there chance of a wireless ramping module being released for the EPIC with a functionality similar to the RCU for the 435?

 

[paulherrin]

probably. good idea. probably not a module but a firmware/software update. could be via redmote or iphone/ipad...

is there a problem doing your ramp in post, if necessary? just curious.

 

[jimhare]

I'm sure there is by using the REDmote, but since you have to time performances perfectly and potentially do an iris pull to counter the change in light, isn't it better in this day and age to do all ramping in post?

Is there still a benefit in doing it in-camera?

 

[Cüneyt Kaya]

shoot 5k 100 fps and do it in post, much more control imho.

 

[Shane Betts]

Just... From a post guy... A request... Please don't shoot it at 24fps and then expect a ramp in post.

You'd be surprised :furious3:

 

[Daniel Porto]

Is it simple to do in post? Is there a program that automatically deletes frames so you can set the start and end point of a ramp?

DANIEL

 

[jimhare]

Don't they all? After Effects would certainly give you as much control as you need. FCP would do a pretty good job right in the edit.

Just shoot the whole thing at the framerate you would ramp to. 100FPS, 300FPS etc.

Is it simple to do in post? Is there a program that automatically deletes frames so you can set the start and end point of a ramp?

DANIEL

 

[michael zaletel]

Here is an excellent example of ramping on the EPIC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHg5SJYRHA0

-michael zaletel

 

[Patrick OMara]

Is it simple to do in post? Is there a program that automatically deletes frames so you can set the start and end point of a ramp?

DANIEL

It's really easy and accurate. In After Effects just use the timewarp effect. You can set your keys and even add some nice bezier curves.

 

[Johnny Friday]

Here's a feature REQUEST --- PLEASE delete Ramping function in menu on RED ONE....why would i EVER use it....i'm sure someone can enlighten me, but as has been stated previously.....why not shoot at your ramped speed and slow down where you want normal speed....it is a shutter issue? Just seems o much more practical to do in post at full ramped speed.
...so, i'd be happy to get rid of ramping -- one less item in the menu.

 

[paulherrin]

you can do ramping in most editing/finishing type application very easily and effectively. as everyone else mentioned. shoot at your desired highest speed. then you'll have a lot of control over the timing of the ramp in post.



*also note, there are some softwares and plugins that can 'inbetween' those frames and make it slower, somewhat well. don't ever count on that though without serious testing. different shooting scenarios can make or break those calculations. the best tip for things like that is to shoot a high shutter speed (and framerate), like you are shooting for pulling sharp stills. you don't want to shoot it so fast that things like water droplets have no continuity between frames though. likewise there are ways to add motion blur to your images, but those methods are not foolproof either. talk to a DI artist or a colorist or someone in visual effects about those things. that could add some extra ramping capability once you have a super slo-mo shot. just something to be aware of as a possibility (with testing).

 

[Eric Ulbrich]

Sorry guys I have to disagree here. Although I do agree you have more control in post to do it, I have never liked the look of how motion blur changes when done digitally in post.

I have been playing with the new build on our M which now allows you to fully designate not only the fast user key buttons on the side handle but the toggle wheel as well as the directional buttons inside of the wheel. So what if you could designate a speed ramp to the rotating wheel and just spin your framerates up and down. Naturally you would need to select the compression ratio for your fastest speed so there would have to be some gate on it. Just an interesting thought...

Remember, some of us still like to do things "In Camera"
+1 for in camera ramping

 

[Patrick OMara]

In post you have the option to go whole frame, frame mix/blend, or calculated pixel motion(or advanced calculated lke twixtor). If you were to go whole frame, there'd be no added changes in your frames or odd looking motion artifacts from the calculated frames. If you were running at 300 FPS the entire time, you can ensure consistant (lack of) motion blur and work from a cleaner image.

I suppose it's just preference, but you do have lots of options in post these days.

 

[Nick Gardner]

Well if you shoot the whole scene at 120 fps, then the motion blur looks all fucked up up to the point where you ramp speed. The shot of the two people walking down the hall needs to match the rest of the scene shot with 1/48th shutter speed up to the point where it ramps. That's why.

Nick

 

[Eric Ulbrich]

Well if you shoot the whole scene at 120 fps, then the motion blur looks all fucked up up to the point where you ramp speed. The shot of the two people walking down the hall needs to match the rest of the scene shot with 1/48th shutter speed up to the point where it ramps. That's why.

Nick

Exactly...

 

[Patrick OMara]

What do you mean by "motion blur looks all f'd up?"



edit: I am guessing it's the lack of motion blur you don't like. Gotcha. I am sure it could be added in post, but yeah then it's the debate of natural and simulated etc... to each their own.

 

[Jason Beckwith]

+1 for in camera ramping.

I like the variable shutter look with the speed ramp.

I don't need to dial it in real time, but I would like a ramp in/ramp out function.

(although if the dial on the redmote or handle is enabled for this, I'd use it!)

 

[Daniel Porto]

So what if you could designate a speed ramp to the rotating wheel and just spin your framerates up and down.

Sounds like a good idea to me... Also as already mentioned it seems to me the REDMOTE PRO could possibly perform the same functions as what the RCU would!

I totally agree about the motion blur when shooting at a higher frame rate and then "just slowing it down in post"

 

[jimhare]

Well if you shoot the whole scene at 120 fps, then the motion blur looks all fucked up up to the point where you ramp speed. The shot of the two people walking down the hall needs to match the rest of the scene shot with 1/48th shutter speed up to the point where it ramps. That's why.

Nick

Makes perfect sense, but don't you get a luminance shift as it ramps through shutter speeds? How do you compensate for that?

 

[Christian Munoz D]

So what if you could designate a speed ramp to the rotating wheel and just spin your framerates up and down. Naturally you would need to select the compression ratio for your fastest speed so there would have to be some gate on it. Just an interesting thought...

Excelent idea for wildlife or docs where you do not have any idea when you may need to ramp frames or imposible to shoot for hour at higher frame rates (i.e. fights, race car crashes, animals hunting, etc)