5K 8:1 or 4K 5:1?

[Stephen Pruitt]

Which of these settings K and REDCode combinations is better for a 23.976 film in a 4K finish? I'll probably be shooting 2:1.

Thanks!

Stephen

 

[Keith Van Orden]

Generally speaking, shooting using more of the sensor at a higher compression, then downscaling will ultimately look better than shooting at a lower compression and cropping in on the sensor.

That said I would shoot some test footage to decide for yourself. If you're shooting something like, say, trees blowing in the wind, the higher compression will look god awful, but if you're shooting a well lit interview, you'll be fine at 8:1. Also the extra pixels give you some additional latitude in post in terms of adjusting the frame and whatnot.

 

[Mike P.]

For me it's 5K 8:1 for sure... Downscale + 4k reframe/stablize + 50% more pixels > 4k 5:1.... I'd argue that even low-light and high-detailed scenes would benefit more from 5k-to-4k downscale than the extra couple ticks of compression ratio. Plus, ~APS-H/5K means shallower DOF for equivalent FOVs at s35/APSC/4k, which means more will be blurred out (which is easier on the compression).

 

[Jacob Ryan]

In not so ideal lighting condition and if you don't need the FOV, go with 5:1. If you have plenty of light, 5K 8:1.