Christopher Probst
Well-known member
I'd like to take a moment to speak about my impressions on the Dragon and Red in general. Some of you may recall my rather rocky introduction to this forum after I wrote a rather critical analysis of my working methodologies with the Red One for American Cinematographer magazine, pre Mysterium-X chip. I was in NO WAY a popular character among you here. If you doubt that, there were TWO separate threads flambéing me on here, calling me a hack, or just an idiot. Look them up, highly entertaining.
However, I felt I had thoroughly researched my issues and I stood by my accessment of the camera at that time. I STILL stand behind that article's stance for the camera as it existed at that time. In fact, the techniques I learned that enabled me to control the Red One's imagery still influences ALL of my exposure methodology for ALL of my digital photography.
It goes without saying that I demand the best from my cameras, but in turn I likewise feel it is my responsibility to really LEARN a camera inside and out. Otherwise, I really don't know WHAT the fuck I'm talking about at all, do I? Even within my hard look at the Red One, I freely admitted that I had produced some of my favorite imagery I have ever created with it. But then, first with the MX upgrade and then with the release of the Epic, Red took quantum leaps forward as a manufacturer and an innovator of ditigal motion picture imaging. And there was a step-function change in my mindset with Red cameras.
To say that I fell immediately in love with the Epic is an understatement. Which brings me to my point. I've been fortunate to spend some time with the Dragon sensor and I can enthusiastically say that Red has just advanced another order of magnitude yet again with this technology.
I have been equally fortunate that several of my top directors that I work with also happen to be huge advocates for Red cameras. So I get to shoot my Epic on almost every project with them. But even the highest level directors get pressured from agencies, clients, studios, whatever to shoot with the Alexa or whatever camera they feel is better suited than an Epic. We have had to go to battle many times trying to extoll the virtues of the Epic camera, only to get thrown, "Well we like the highlights on the Alexa better..." or "POST is requesting Alexa..." Really? What post person in their right mind would lobby for less resolution?
Today, ALL of those arguments end. The images I have tested, analyzed and will continue to rabidly shoot on the Dragon trump ANY camera on the market. Dynamic range, tonal reproduction, resolution, frame rates, form factor, weight, modularity... There is nothing that can touch this camera in ANY of those categories.
So you're bitching about Red taking their time to deliver what should be considered IMPOSSIBLE? Relax and give them the faith and respect that they very much rightly deserve... Go and try and gripe to the President of Sony... Let me know when that happens.
I have proven in public record that I don't blow smoke up someone's ass... In fact, I kinda put my neck on the chopping block calling Red out in the printed pages of one of the most esteemed journals of cinematography and could have earned their eternal mistrust for those actions. Instead, Red has shown great character in accepting me into their community knowing full well I could turn and bite that hand at any time.
My point: The Dragon is THE game changer... Stand back, be patient and take a deep breath because things are about to get real intense and you won't come up for air for probably a few years. This is clearly a case of be careful of what you wish for... You just might get it...
Mark my words.
However, I felt I had thoroughly researched my issues and I stood by my accessment of the camera at that time. I STILL stand behind that article's stance for the camera as it existed at that time. In fact, the techniques I learned that enabled me to control the Red One's imagery still influences ALL of my exposure methodology for ALL of my digital photography.
It goes without saying that I demand the best from my cameras, but in turn I likewise feel it is my responsibility to really LEARN a camera inside and out. Otherwise, I really don't know WHAT the fuck I'm talking about at all, do I? Even within my hard look at the Red One, I freely admitted that I had produced some of my favorite imagery I have ever created with it. But then, first with the MX upgrade and then with the release of the Epic, Red took quantum leaps forward as a manufacturer and an innovator of ditigal motion picture imaging. And there was a step-function change in my mindset with Red cameras.
To say that I fell immediately in love with the Epic is an understatement. Which brings me to my point. I've been fortunate to spend some time with the Dragon sensor and I can enthusiastically say that Red has just advanced another order of magnitude yet again with this technology.
I have been equally fortunate that several of my top directors that I work with also happen to be huge advocates for Red cameras. So I get to shoot my Epic on almost every project with them. But even the highest level directors get pressured from agencies, clients, studios, whatever to shoot with the Alexa or whatever camera they feel is better suited than an Epic. We have had to go to battle many times trying to extoll the virtues of the Epic camera, only to get thrown, "Well we like the highlights on the Alexa better..." or "POST is requesting Alexa..." Really? What post person in their right mind would lobby for less resolution?
Today, ALL of those arguments end. The images I have tested, analyzed and will continue to rabidly shoot on the Dragon trump ANY camera on the market. Dynamic range, tonal reproduction, resolution, frame rates, form factor, weight, modularity... There is nothing that can touch this camera in ANY of those categories.
So you're bitching about Red taking their time to deliver what should be considered IMPOSSIBLE? Relax and give them the faith and respect that they very much rightly deserve... Go and try and gripe to the President of Sony... Let me know when that happens.
I have proven in public record that I don't blow smoke up someone's ass... In fact, I kinda put my neck on the chopping block calling Red out in the printed pages of one of the most esteemed journals of cinematography and could have earned their eternal mistrust for those actions. Instead, Red has shown great character in accepting me into their community knowing full well I could turn and bite that hand at any time.
My point: The Dragon is THE game changer... Stand back, be patient and take a deep breath because things are about to get real intense and you won't come up for air for probably a few years. This is clearly a case of be careful of what you wish for... You just might get it...
Mark my words.
