Is there a benefit shooting 8K Weapon for TVC's?

[Michael Tiemann]

That makes sense and sounds good. So in trying to understand, are you saying that the 8K sensor cropped to 6K is going to utilize the same physical size area as the 6K S35 dragon sensor?

Yes, because the DRAGON sensor (at any size) has 0.5 micron pixel pitch. So, 4096 pixels will be 20.48mm across. 6144 pixels (6K FF) will be 30.72mm across. 8192 pixels will be 40.96mm across.

And with that, will get a 1/2 stop better along with better compression?

So says RED. Nobody here knows, or can say, until they actually have one in hand. I have one on order and look forward to publishing my findings, but I don't expect the CF Weapon until Aug (I ordered the last day) and I don't expect the 8K sensor until the end of the year at the earliest.

So I'm assuming if that's correct, I can still use a 25mm master prime and have it hit the full area of the sensor cropped at 6K?

You've said two things that do not agree with one another: the 6K FF sensor is 30.72mm across (as stated above). The S35 format is 24.9mm across. When DRAGON is cropped to 5K (5120 x 2700 pixels, 25.60mm x 13.5mm) it is very close to the dimensions of S35 (24.9mm x 13.9mm). A 25mm Master Prime will obviously have the same sized image circle on a 6K DRAGON sensor as it will on a 6K crop of an 8K DRAGON sensor. What it actually covers, with what quality, at what focal length and aperture, is beyond the formal spec of the lens. If you are happy with the results of that lens on your 6K DRAGON, you will get identical lens coverage both for your 6K WEAPON and your 8K WEAPON cropped to 6K.

 

[Lakis Amarantithis]

"That increase of resolution gives a lot more room for stabilizing, re-framing, VFX, VR, noise-reduction and so on. It might even be a great starting point for single-camera 3D@4k."

I think that can be done if someone makes a system like Cyclopital3D that you put it in front of the lens and attach 2 lenses. But it'll be too limiting 3D because the IA will be fixed.

Anyway, for 3D 8k is much better. More room to correct and FF is a win win. I only wish I could get more money for the Dragon trade.

 

[Joe Kyle]

The bigger sensor is about the look and resolution. It depends on the images you want to shoot...

It's like going from APS-C to FF, but this time it's wider than FF. We all have seen MF-photography too...

I love the APSC-FF-MF analogy. To me there is a palpable difference in the overall aesthetic of the images capable of being produced by each sensor size. Of course, my experience is that most people outside of the craft won't really be able to really articulate the difference...they just know that something is different. If you have unusually sophisticated and picky clients, then that's obviously something to consider.

For me, the biggest selling point of the Weapon is the body - both size and weight. At less than 3.5lbs...it would seriously help every aspect of production. Rigs get smaller, lighter. Less counterbalance on shoulder mounts, jibs, etc. Using smaller and lighter stablizers like the Ronin M. The list goes on. Being able to do more with less is definitely smart business.

8K is obviously amazing and ridiculous, and there's no question the overall look of the image will be different, as Maik pointed out. With that said, the Epic Dragon is already an incredible camera that will devour pretty much anything you throw at it. Since I can't imagine that you feel handicapped by its abilities, my guess is that it's probably not worthwhile to abandon it yet.