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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 :)

NAB 2014 - DRAGON EPIC-M MONOCHROME

If ADD applies to frames which haven't had the bayer pattern applied, wouldn't it make more sense for it to be stand for Advanced Dragon Decode (or something like that)?
 
I'll post a Dragon vs. Dragon Monochrome spectral response image monday. Its a great visual example of why the Monochrome is special with regard to tonal reproduction.

Below is the Mysterium X equivalent. - This is NOT Dragon... that image coming shortly :)

xvmonospectrum_s.jpg


I'm working up my notes on Dragon Monochrome right now, so bear with me everyone. Anecdotally for now: I feel that Dragon is actually a bigger onward step from MX in Mono configuration. Workable ISO range is giant, sensor sharpness is better than 2/3rds of the glass on my shelves... Dynamic range is going to be VERY interesting to quantify - right now on an 8 bit laptop display I can't easily make a single image that easily represents everything in the raw.

Will have it on a real DSC chart soon.
 
That's freaking cool John. What I dig in this graphic is that it shows how much the blue filter over the array eats light and it appears obviously the IR cut has been a bit more "unleashed".

If my math is correct that pretty much makes Dragon Monochrome 2X more light sensitive than "Chroma Dragon". Though it looks like the highlights have a bit more in there too, which is to be expected in terms of the color science mapping.
 
John Marchant said:
I'll post a Dragon vs. Dragon Monochrome spectral response image monday. Its a great visual example of why the Monochrome is special with regard to tonal reproduction.

Below is the Mysterium X equivalent. - This is NOT Dragon... that image coming shortly :)

xvmonospectrum_s.jpg


I'm working up my notes on Dragon Monochrome right now, so bear with me everyone. Anecdotally for now: I feel that Dragon is actually a bigger onward step from MX in Mono configuration. Workable ISO range is giant, sensor sharpness is better than 2/3rds of the glass on my shelves... Dynamic range is going to be VERY interesting to quantify - right now on an 8 bit laptop display I can't easily make a single image that easily represents everything in the raw.

Will have it on a real DSC chart soon.
Click to expand...

Holy Ansel Adams Zone System Batman!! Looks at those GRAYTONES!!!!
 
Jarred Land said:
Base Dragon pixel is the same , and as some mentioned the rgb filters are removed which lets a ton more light in. We also developed an entirely seperate olpf to go with the monochrome sensor to make sure the pixel pitch and optical properties were at its best. Some " other " monochrome cameras skipped that part but it makes a huge difference... Specially in terms of resolution and sharpness. The monochrome is incredibly sharp..much sharper than the normal 6k Dragon which is huge for the stills guys.

Graeme also generated a new color science for it ( as odd as that may sound ) and now he is working on porting over ADD to the monochrome which takes things to a whole other level.

The tonal range of the monochrome is something you can never match by just desaturating or using some black and white filters over a rgb image... John Marchant can talk about that...
Click to expand...

I know when we shot with the Epic MX Monochrome on our Leica-R glass and some RGB filters I think we all were picking dirt out of our teeth for a week our jaws were scraping the floor. Excited beyond belief for the Dragon Monochrome.
 
Here's a still frame from something I shot recently on Dragon Monochrome. Motion piece next week.

Click the pic for a full res jpg.

 
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I am just about to pull the trigger on a Dragon, but in my heart of hearts, this is what I have wanted every since I saw, as a teenager, the first film that struck me as truly a work of art- Black Orpheus. I have dreamed in monochrome ever since and have recently been shooting a lot of monochrome stills with the Sigma dp2 Merrill which has amazing resolution. Dragon Monochrome- Dream Machine?
 
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Various power windows help... this image isn't as dramatically wide in range as some, but it was shot ISO2000 (default) and is lovely from a noise/texture perspective.

I would say however that Dragon Monochrome is a very different beast, and more easily tamed than the MX Monochrome. MX tends towards a very flat image, doesn't respond well to very low ISO, and generally I hit it with a big curve to bring out the image... Dragon Mono is much more correct right out of the box, and its not just about having RG4 in camera.
 
John Marchant stunning image.. well done.
 
Heh cheers man :) Crossing my fingers for the piece its from, I did specifically shoot for motion and stills. Getting that pretty figured out now ;) - I'll get enough of a gap in 'other' work to finish it beginning of next week.
 
John, that IS a great image! I would love to get my hands on the Dragon Monochrome. It might be my next camera.
 
John Marchant said:
Heh cheers man :) Crossing my fingers for the piece its from, I did specifically shoot for motion and stills. Getting that pretty figured out now ;) - I'll get enough of a gap in 'other' work to finish it beginning of next week.
Click to expand...

John, the Image is stunning! So lovely!

Maybe you can share a bit how you shot it? Your approach to motion and stills for this piece and also what lenses you were using?
 
John Marchant said:
Various power windows help... this image isn't as dramatically wide in range as some, but it was shot ISO2000 (default) and is lovely from a noise/texture perspective.

I would say however that Dragon Monochrome is a very different beast, and more easily tamed than the MX Monochrome. MX tends towards a very flat image, doesn't respond well to very low ISO, and generally I hit it with a big curve to bring out the image... Dragon Mono is much more correct right out of the box, and its not just about having RG4 in camera.
Click to expand...




John Marchant said:
Heh cheers man :) Crossing my fingers for the piece its from, I did specifically shoot for motion and stills. Getting that pretty figured out now ;) - I'll get enough of a gap in 'other' work to finish it beginning of next week.
Click to expand...

:-))
 
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