2/3" fixed lens Scarlet as stills camera

[Tim Young]

After watching a few films shot on 2/3" and 16mm, I've convinced myself that I'll be happy with the DOF. A few that I can think of are the station agent, half nelson, and the motorcycle diaries. One of my favorite films, paper moon, has a huge DOF through almost the entire film. But that's film and not still photography. We'll see. For myself, though, I think I'll be very happy. I was more concerned with enlargements of stills. Andy brings up a good point about programs that interpolate (if that's the right word) pixels. That might be a good option. I've done that before. It makes sense that starting with very good pixels might make that a reasonable option. I don't know much about bokeh, but I've mostly used 35mm adapters on SD and HD cams, so I'm sure Scarlet will have much better bokeh that those setups. Looking forward to it.

 

[Andy Roberts]

Trying to "calculate" the dof and fov values is silly, no number is going to give you a good idea on what a picture from a camera is going to look like.

In the absence of owning a 2/3 sensor camera, calculating is the only way I know how to at least see what is technically possible. Your photo below from your website is a great shot. And if I were to use a 2/3 scarlet for STILLS and video, I'm just trying to make sure I could capture artistic images like yours. David's cat photo is also helpful knowing that is from a 2/3 sensor. So what was the focal length for that image David?

BTW, here is a link to a site I did find that does DOF calculations.

 

[jjneff]

This is really important to me as I am in the market for a new stills camera to replace my Olympus E1. I was tempted to order a 7D but want to see how the pictures are out of the Scarlet Fixed. I am currently shooting on a HMC 150 which is a great video camera but no option for stills, I actually need a camera to do both for the work I do. Low light will be important for me as well.

 

[Tim H.]

The last two Halloween movies by Rob Zombie were 16mm, looked pretty good to me.

 

[Jason Madeja]

The DOF difference is about 2,5 stops. So, at fixed scarlet's full open T2.4 (assumed), you should get roughly similar DOF as an APS-C or S35 cameras have at f5.6. Maybe a little shallower, as T2.4 lens might actually be something closer to f2 or f2.2 than f2.4.

Where does the cameras ISO come into play with a DOF calculation? I'm reading posts about the new Reds shooting at an ISO of 800 with little to no noise which would help a lot at low light if the lens is a 2.8. But how does that affect DOF?

 

[Felix K.]

Where does the cameras ISO come into play with a DOF calculation? I'm reading posts about the new Reds shooting at an ISO of 800 with little to no noise which would help a lot at low light if the lens is a 2.8. But how does that affect DOF?

Not at all if you already are at 2.8. The fixed scarlet lens can't open further than 2.8. No matter how you change its ISO setting.
At low light situations you can shoot at high ISO which means you can open up as much as possible resulting in a shallower DoF.

 

[Andy Roberts]

The fixed scarlet lens can't open further than 2.8.

Felix, I haven't been able to find even the predicted lens specs. Where did you find this info? Thanks.

 

[Eki Halkka]

Felix, I haven't been able to find even the predicted lens specs. Where did you find this info? Thanks.

I've heard T2.4 (which should be something like f2-f2.2 as T-numbers take into account the actual light loss caused by the glass) mentioned in a few places, i.e. here in the scarlet FAQ:

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=22619

...though things are subject to change, of course.

 

[Justin O'Neill]

Keep in mind that the RED One at 2k is close to a 2/3" sensor. I have been using the 2k mode to test a 16mm Angenieux 17.5-70mm F2.2. I also have an f0.7 wide angle adapter for it that I am testing. Should be a fairly affordable match for the interchangeable Scarlet.

If there is a specific setting anyone would like to see let me know.

 

[Tim Young]

Justin, if you can go ahead and send one of those awesome pictures of your daughter to mpix and get it blown up to 24x36, then mounted at reprint mint on the original beveled-edge mount. Put it up on your wall and tell me what you think. Just kidding. Is that not what you meant?