Raw-file converter, do you really want it?

[Lauri Kettunen]

Last autumn I thought I'll need a raw converter that will convert Red raw-files to some other raw-formats. And some time ago, when there was this incident with this 3rd party piece of software that made it possible to grade or "develop" Red raw files, I didn't understand why Jim and Graeme were so strick on their reactions, and why the PC solution had to be postponed.

But now, after processing on demosaic algorithms, after reading especially the "Panavision-thread" and Graeme's posts there, and after grading Red raw files myself have came to the conclusion, a raw-converter were, in fact, not such a good idea. Or, in other words, I can well understand, if that's how people at Red feel. More precisely, I think I've got the point why the tools to grade Red raw files should come from Red, and I guess that's what the SDK will be all about. So, even if one is able in post to edit raw files, whenever the R3D-files are graded, those grading tools should come from Red.

Why? Well, because there's no canonical algorithm(s) to grade raw files. It's a kind of art of engineering relying on one hand on the knowledge of the hardware, and on the other hand, in experience. The demosaic algorithm is a compromize between various aspects, and those who have designed and developed the hardware are far in the best position to provide the tools although there are other players around who also have experience in grading raw-files.

Of course, if one does not care of (the last bits of) quality, then it's another story. But, thinking of how ambitious is the whole project behind Red One, I'm definitely not going to blame Red, if there will never be a raw converter from R3D to other raw formats, which enabled grading with 3rd party software. So, with the knowledge brought by complete ignorance, I neither would make plans relying on having a raw converter.

Ok, this just my two cents, once understood the coin has two sides. Feel free to fully disagree. There's no right or wrong views here, and eventually Jim will tell us what's the name of the game.

 

[michael zaletel]

One thing I would like to see is a "Save as 4K Adobe-Raw" button in RedAlert next to the DPX and TIF buttons. Sometimes I use single frames from my footage as still photography and would like to be able to use the tools in Lightroom or Aperture to work on those raw images. Would this be possible?

-shooter

 

[Hans von Sonntag]

One doesn't need a RAW-converter. But we all will be happy if third parties can develope their own flavour of demosaic.

I understand that further research resulted in the project "build 16" which seems to need a new approach and hence a major rework. I gladly follow this.

But to have a choice is a vital part of our economical system. RED always embraced this and made it a prominent part of their corporate culture. I'm sure Jim and his band will agree.


Hans

 

[Daniel Browning]

If I recall correctly, there were a few reasons that RED stopped third-party raw development: the time-limited agreements in place with existing partners, the large changes coming in build 16, and the potential for third parties to put out lower image quality.

The first two reasons make sense, but the latter is not a proper justification. People are always going to have plenty of ways to reduce image quality in post, such as such as mastering on proxies or clipping highlights with a bad curve.

I'm hoping for a truly open R3D format that can be read without an SDK, but it's not a deal breaker.

 

[Antoine Baumann]

I totaly aggree with Hans, third party support redcode raw is essential and I will be very happy to see different flavour of demosaic.

ciao,
antoine.