5K Anamorphic 2X Workflow Aspect Ratio Discrepancy & Conversion

[Stephen Arthur]

Hello everyone. I am working on a project shot on EPIC 5K ANA (3296x2700) with 2X Anamorphic lenses.

When I load the footage into Red Cine-X the default framing is Fit Width 2X, which gives me a proper looking image of 3296 x 1350 (2.44:1)

We aim to deliver in 2K, 2048 x 858, but when the image is sized down to 2048 width with the proper aspect ratio we get a height of 838, so there is a 10px matte on the top and bottom of the frame in 2048 x 858.

Can you guys tell me why there is a slight difference and the best route to go in order to avoid problems if this ends up being printed on 35mm?

thanks!

 

[David Ibbitson]

Hi Stephen,

That all looks correct to me. Tested it myself just to verify. Because you are setting an output width of 2048, RCX with Fit Width 2x will de-squeeze the source into 2048 maintaining an aspect ratio of 2.44:1. Which results in an image height of 838. However your output height of 858 is a slightly different aspect ratio, hence the letterboxing. Let me know if this makes sense.

Thanks,
David