BBC Natural History Unit using Epics

[Dave Blackham]

Hi Dave, I'm using big lenses at times, over 500mm... Do you mean vibrations are worse with EPic than with the R1, due to the camera. Or you are speaking in general ??

Hi Denis, Just in general. The higher the resolution now offered by cameras such as Red One and Epic, subjectivly vibration seems more noticable, but the high resolution also offers better possibility to reduce in post. As Christian mentions the new IS lenses look very interesting though I've not used them yet but look forward to seeing them.

 

[Kennan Ward]

Hi Kennan, what shutter speeds have you favor at 4K/120 fps, when using long lenses and moving subjects ?

Denis,

With wildlife I try to match the movement or pan. Lately, I am filming this Bobcat that moves so fast I am at 1200 shutter speed. Generally though, I like to find something in between a still capture and the motion film look. That is the real compromise!

So most of the time I have to decide the priority, still or motion!

Hope this helps!

Kennan & Karen Ward

 

[Lauri Kettunen]

Hi Kennan, what shutter speeds have you favor at 4K/120 fps, when using long lenses and moving subjects ?

In my experience the 180 degree shutter speed rule of thumb is bit questionable in wildlife shooting. Shorter speeds seem to work out better. For, often one needs to pan really fast and the speed of pan is obviously proportional to the lens. In addition, when shooting (big) flying birds the frequency of the wing motion should kind of match with the shutter speed.

 

[Denis Buhot]

Denis,

Lately, I am filming this Bobcat that moves so fast I am at 1200 shutter speed. !

Kennan & Karen Ward

thanks Kennan ! 1200 shutter speed/120 fps, sounds enormous... Suppose you want stills here. I'd expect massive stutter with motion, am I wrong ?

 

[Kennan Ward]

Denis,

I think that "stutter" is real but better sharp (and do a good job in post) then soft and pixelated?? At least for me I have to bring something new to the table for editors, producers and commisioners to get their attention. They want something new. So if I can slow the action in post ...down to single frame sharp and use ramp up and down....well that is new stuff that we could not accomplish before.

Remember looking at a single frame of super 16mm?

The world is our pallet and the more we think outside the "norm" we will be a better communications art form!

To ART!

Kennan Ward

 

[Denis Buhot]

Denis,

I think that "stutter" is real but better sharp (and do a good job in post) then soft and pixelated?? At least for me I have to bring something new to the table for editors, producers and commisioners to get their attention. They want something new. So if I can slow the action in post ...down to single frame sharp and use ramp up and down....well that is new stuff that we could not accomplish before.

Remember looking at a single frame of super 16mm?

The world is our pallet and the more we think outside the "norm" we will be a better communications art form!

To ART!

Kennan Ward

Yes, absolutely right !

 

[Christian Munoz D]

Any word on when the Canon 200-400mm f4 will be released?

The word is March, but personally I think we will be lucky if they release them in April. There are some small issues to fix.

 

[Johnny Friday]

BBC & their new project: AFRICA 3d is being shot with a number of epic 3d rigs....saw an impressive lineup of the rigs just the other day....

 

[Denis Buhot]

thanks for the input, Lauri

thanks for the input, Lauri

In my experience the 180 degree shutter speed rule of thumb is bit questionable in wildlife shooting. Shorter speeds seem to work out better. For, often one needs to pan really fast and the speed of pan is obviously proportional to the lens. In addition, when shooting (big) flying birds the frequency of the wing motion should kind of match with the shutter speed.

just sent you a pm

 

[Joe Pontecorvo]

Does anyone have any reviews / detailed feedback (sample still if possible) on their experience using the HDx35 Optical Adaptor with the Epic they might be willing to share.
I have been shooting a wildlife doc here in Japan (macaques) using my Epic since December using DSLR lenses. I have been getting crisp / sharp images, but frustrated with the limited focal ranges. I have only seen Ables optical adaptor at NAB, but have not had the opportunity to use one.

I am shooting mostly 4K using the following lenses:
Canon 70-200mm f2.8 (1.4x sometimes)
Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3
Tokina 11-16mm f2.8
Tamron 28-75mm (Nikon mount)
(Dying to get my hands on a 200-400 f4)

 

[Joe Pontecorvo]

Additional: I have been shooting a lot of high speed material - something wonderful that I've been missing since I gave up my Super 16mm camera for video.
As a result I have been experimenting a lot with shutter speeds and agree with Kennan on this. But until I get back and examine my material on a larger HD monitors I can't really advise on this matter. But I should have a wide range of experiences to share when I return that I am hoping will be useful.

 

[Alberto Saiz]

I have heard BBC´s producer Chadden Hunter say that they`re going to use the Epic in the next series "Wild Arabia" currently in production, so Im sure we will enjoy amazing footage as usual from the BBC NHU shot on RED...

 

[Mitch Gross]

Four accessory kits just left my desk for them ...

 

[Steve Phillipps]

Steve, we've been using Epics since September in Africa for wildlife - using everything from 500mm Nikon primes down to 10x macro. The camera is great!

Agreed, its a great camera in our business, used it the other week. Still not 100% sure about the 2k for super slow motion - but then its not a Phantom and was never inteded to be.
Great to see you on the forum Mark, Tides of Kira Wira is my fave wildlife film of all time!
Steve

 

[Pawel Achtel]

Im not sure what was said ! However there were some positive points on the convertors and the tests we did but also some negative points mostly about sensor sensor coverage. You also need more than one convertor to meet most needs so its not ideal by any means. As I said it will be interesting to see how it all works out. Our own approach has been selecting the best Leica glass we can find that covers the wide end of things, we also have some beautiful Leica Telephoto lenses. Trouble can be expected over 500mm with vibration and it seems more apparent with the higher resolution. Its finding suitable Zooms for wildlife which is our current quest. Mostly our tests were done at 4k and 3k, though some high speed at 2k.

I agree about Leica. I use Leica Apo Telyt-R converted to PL: 280mm, 400mm and 560mm and Master Primes for wider angles. Heavy and sharp glass. Stunning results. In fact I find the Leicas slightly sharper and more contrasty than the Masters, but much more prone to flare.

Good to hear that BBC has found out about RED. They usually adopt new technology a couple of years after everyone else does.

Do you know how much 3D Natural History they are intending to produce versus 2D?

 

[Johnny Friday]

BBC has been in production a while now with Wild Africa 3d. (i believe that's the working title)....they have a bunch of crews out all over the contient and a few shooting underwater as well.

 

[Dave Blackham]

I agree about Leica. I use Leica Apo Telyt-R converted to PL: 280mm, 400mm and 560mm and Master Primes for wider angles. Heavy and sharp glass. Stunning results. In fact I find the Leicas slightly sharper and more contrasty than the Masters, but much more prone to flare.

Good to hear that BBC has found out about RED. They usually adopt new technology a couple of years after everyone else does.

Do you know how much 3D Natural History they are intending to produce versus 2D?

So far as we know only for commercial productions via BBC Earth for wildlife, the BBC doesn't have a 3D channel of its own so I think only used in Co Prods. I don't think 3D is expected to be a big format for them for them in the short term. There are some sports shows for test I hear in other areas.

 

[Rob Ruffo]

Steve,


This is good news as they have really been Varicam prefered!

Epic, for me gives me the action I could never filmed before! It took four years of Red One to learn the possibilities!

I am using the older Red one EVF for long lens work, but I also like the B-omb and the enlarge feature using the key set.

I prefer the 5K, 96fps or the 4K 120fps, slowed down in post (sharpness in 4K / 5K is best) so that we also have post zoom cut aways and slowed down in post. Editing is now the new art form and most people don't get that!

Tell them, experience still counts for somethings!

Kennan Ward

WOW! Beautiful pics!!!

 

[Mark Andersen]

While I struggle a bit with the Canon wide angle glass, their tele stuff is first rate. It hard to find better telephoto glass than Canon.

 

[Russ Fill]

I have been using the Epic on Survivor for slowmo and the thing I find is not to ask too much from it. 2K works well if your not full 300fps.. if you are around 200..240 your compression ratio is down to 6/to/1 and that helps a lot.. Also if you shoot using 3K you get a lot of the artifacts or noise to disappear. Obviously you give up a few fps but the gain in a cleaner image is well worth it for me.
This post is the reason why I go to REDuser.net a couple of times a week.