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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

It's all over.... :) Viper/Scarlet >

Kalani Prince

Kalani Prince

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Just finished watching "The curious case of Benjamin Button" and all I can say is WOW !, I had seen it before but hadn't watched it from a technical point of view.. Still had a hard time as it was such a great film.. My thoughts throughout were...

If SCARLET Fixed or NON produces an image like this.. it's all over.. the imagery was gorgeous from start to finish in all sorts of lighting situations and I had to keep reminding myself this was a digital acquisition. I mean the lighting department did a ridiculously wonderful job but even in the candle lit or dimly lit scenes I was blown away at just how great this image looked..

Exciting to be living during these times.. Thank you Jim for being.

Kalani-
 
I think he means that it was shot on a 2/3" digital camera.

I think a lot of people get hung up on the fact that 2/3" sensors don't have as shallow DOF as s35 of ff35 sensors. This is the normal reaction once they get a heads up of some of the cinematography thats been on these sensors
 
You also need to keep in mind parts of BB were shot on 35mm film.
 
Another thing to remember is that the viper footage was shot through Digi-primes. The only near comparable non-prism series lenses on the market today are Arri's Ultra16s. Very few sold and no zooms. There is definitely more to BB's look than a 2/3 inch sensor.

regards

Michael L
 
The Viper has 27,600,000 pixels to work from, thats rather more than another "4K" camera.
 
Stephen Williams said:
The Viper has 27,600,000 pixels to work from, thats rather more than another "4K" camera.
Click to expand...

Puh...leeez...

First of all it's a 2/3" 3xCCD design or 3X 4320x1920. That's 24,883,200. It has an effective optical resolution of 4320x1920 and most charts measure out a bit shy of that. People can talk bad about Bayer pattern sensors and praise 3xCCD designs all they want and hype the numbers by multiplying the sensor counts by 3 (sometimes more by other obscure math). But that is not how a CCD prism system works. That math is as flawed as display manufacturers multiplying LCD display resolutions by 3 to correspond to each RGB component layer. And yes, some display makers are still doing this. Gotta love seeing those "3.1 megapixel" 1366x768 LCD panels.

I wouldn't get hung up on those numbers. I've shot with the Viper, almost bought one before I got my hands on the RED One. In terms of resolution, I'd compare it with a RED One any day. RED One 4.5K 2:1 is 4480x1920 and holds around 82% in nominal resolution. RED wins hands down these days in terms of color reproduction and workflow and is continuously improving. The Viper is still the same camera it was 4 years ago. I hear they have mostly eliminated the terrible green hue by default from FilmStream footage, but I haven't worked with it lately to know.
 
Jeff Kilgroe said:
I hear they have mostly eliminated the terrible green hue by default from FilmStream footage, but I haven't worked with it lately to know.
Click to expand...

I suspect someone put a LUT on the monitor or a magenta filter in front of the camera. The downside of a magenta filter is a loss of DR, it's green for a reason.
 
J. Brennan said:
You also need to keep in mind parts of BB were shot on 35mm film.
Click to expand...

I think the only stuff that was shot on film was the war footage in the beginning when they are doing the funkdified flash backs.. I could be wrong..

I guess what impressed me most was the non-use of extremely shallow DOF.. I wonder how many Scarlet enthusiasts are also "bokeh" junkies..

Sure, the film looked great with all the other departments hard at work but was also very minimal in scenes.. I'm not trying to start a Viper vs Scarlet debate.. just saying that if Scarlet 2/3'rds can look as good as Benjamin Button.. it's all over

I will be one happy camper...
 
35mm (Arri 435) for any use of higher frame speed (war scenes included), Brad Pitt younger character's worldwide journey if memory serves accurately, besides another boat sequence where Fincher didn't feel so comfortable with the digital's electronic apparatus not as simple as he could shot in film.

And Sony F23 in order to avoid the Viper's noisy fan -- old woman's hospital scenes (female lead character nowadays, later aged).
 
J. Brennan said:
You also need to keep in mind parts of BB were shot on 35mm film.
Click to expand...

Only the parts when brad pitt was traveling around the world... the story within a story bit...

and thats only because david fincher got one of his mates in india to direct that
 
Daniel Porto said:
Only the parts when brad pitt was traveling around the world... the story within a story bit...
Click to expand...
Also the scenes that took place in the hospital.

Daniel Porto said:
and thats only because david fincher got one of his mates in india to direct that
Click to expand...
haha what are you talking about? I think you are confusing Benjamin Button for Slumdog Millionaire where Loveleen Tandan co-directed the India scenes.

As far as I know, David Fincher did not let "one of his mates" direct some of his movie. And even if he did, it wouldn't be the motivation to use a different camera system.
 
J. Brennan said:
Also the scenes that took place in the hospital.


haha what are you talking about? I think you are confusing Benjamin Button for Slumdog Millionaire where Loveleen Tandan co-directed the India scenes.

As far as I know, David Fincher did not let "one of his mates" direct some of his movie. And even if he did, it wouldn't be the motivation to use a different camera system.
Click to expand...
J. Brennan, the hospital shots (old Daisy) were shot with a Sony F23. And yes, Daniel is right about the India shots. As well, concerning the participation of Fincher. Take a glance on my post above-posted. You don't need to scroll up more than 3 posts ;-)
 
To be honest I thought the film stuck out like a sore thumb, the images from the Viper were incredible.
 
Emanuel A. said:
J. Brennan, the hospital shots (old Daisy) were shot with a Sony F23. And yes, Daniel is right about the India shots. As well, concerning the participation of Fincher. Take a glance on my post above-posted. You don't need to scroll up more than 3 posts ;-)
Click to expand...
Well, it's all irrelevant really. My only point was that part of the film was shot on film, which it was. That is all.
 
Mathieu Ghekiere said:
Don't forget that that 'look' also had something to do with:
- professional set designers
Click to expand...

YES! And wardrobe! And motion capture, and CGI, and make-up, etc...

Kalani Prince said:
just saying that if Scarlet 2/3'rds can look as good as Benjamin Button.. it's all over

I will be one happy camper...
Click to expand...

Crazy isn't it! :smash:

Point well taken. And on regards to bokeh junkies if that is the main reason for your excitement: Mini Primes are T1.5 which means the f-stop might be (an insignificant?) bit bigger than DigiPrime f/stops... if you are really counting. Don't forget the price, and the weight, and size, which could all big pluses for the RMPs. Though DigiPrimes might be easier to focus since the throw is longer... right? Also their 70mm is faster than RMP's 50mm. Add a nice FF to your RMPs and the most likely very generous focus throw will be more than manageable, (on a 2/3" sensor!).

In the end it is a very clear point to consider, that we can purchase such a capable tool fur such a price. It doesn't take a DP to confidently say M-X 2/3" will please the living daylights outta you, and thousands more.

Maybe the photosites will be a tad smaller, but that wouldn't be that big of a deal other than for sensitivity. Could it increase something like photon shot noise? By a noticeable amount?

You'll at least get a pristine ISO 500, and likely be able to push it to around ISO 1600 with noise reduction for more than acceptable 1080p...
Give or take a bit, WHO CARES!?! You are way up there, and with T1.5, on a manageable 2/3" DoF!!! : )

So indie-friendly! I mean [expletives]!
 
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