October 30th Announcement Feedback

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Can I put TWO fingers on the focus touch screen
and have the brain calculate the average?

If the auto-focus is contrast based the focus will have to get the two points right and the camera will calculate the average from there.

But man, you're pushing it!
Why would you need such a crazy way to focus?

 

[J Davis]

Two actors talking and moving around. It happens all the time bro.
Focusing on the average of two focal lengths is the next logical step.
Auto DOF manipulation to encompass both points, where the aperture closes (or opens) and ISO adjusts to maintain exposure also follows logically

 

[Steven Caesare]

Beat ya Steven...

Guess I have too much lunch time on my hands today...

Hehe... "Idle hands are the Reduser's workshop".

-sc

 

[Steven Caesare]

I'd imagine so, to make room in the brain for the fixed lens.

More specifially, the fixed-lens version of Scarlett is longer on that axis (by one "rib length) to ccomodate the fixed lens innards up front.

-sc

 

[Jim Retar]

Question....

I have had my eye on the Scarlett s35..... If I were to buy a Red ONE now.... would there be any upgrade path, similar to what you have done with the Epics?

I need to start filming soon and expect delays on the Scarlett will miss my start date.... is it beneficial to buy Red ONE before the nov30th announcement?

Sorry if this has been covered already.

 

[J Davis]

Two actors talking and moving around. It happens all the time bro.
Focusing on the average of two focal lengths is the next logical step.
Auto DOF manipulation to encompass both points, where the aperture closes (or opens) and ISO adjusts to maintain exposure also follows logically

Not for Over-The-Shoulder shots of course. More like MCU with two actors on approx same focal plane.

 

[Notis Benos]

... and my next question would be...
if the brain can focus on the average of the two points, is there an option so that the brain auto adjusts iris and ISO so dof will be adjusted to accommodate
both points? (or is that a little far fetched)

I guess it won't be long before we ask the brain to calculate a script based on the footage, or suggest the right angle to shoot.:lol: No offence here, I also catch myself thinking this way.

And we miss the main problem:

Me - I can't decide how many S2/3" I'll buy - but I know I want quite a few! I reckon it will be "the" camera to carry around with you everwhere like Gibby was mentioning earlier.

Graeme

Seems like we 'll never get a fixed Scarlet in this life, because the line is going to be veeeery long As I remember, current RedOne owners are going to be first on line. I 'm already 43, I hope you guys leave one for me before I get arthritis or rheumatism...

 

[Peter Mosiman]

Seems like we 'll never get a fixed Scarlet in this life, because the line is going to be veeeery long As I remember, current RedOne owners are going to be first on line. I 'm already 43, I hope you guys leave one for me before I get arthritis or rheumatism...

bahaha. No thinking that way! :nono:

 

[Michael Dalton]

As you know, the core of my work is mobile documentaries in multiple genres, including the wildlife genre you work in. Frankly I don't see a field use problem with the features RED has announced for the fixed lens Scarlet - in fact I think we should reserve judgement on how useful the camera is until the specifications are all announced as finalized and we can get the camera into field testing. Then we'll know what the camera really is good at and what its limitations are.

For the type of shooting you described, and keeping in mind I shoot a ton of that same stuff, personally I would set the camera to auto iris, focus via the lens ring, and zoom with the rocker switch on the Side Grip.

Some motion media people sneer at auto-anything, but I've never been that way. I simply setup and use a camera in the most practical way to get the images I'm after. Even when using B4 2/3" camera systems for certain rapid pace genres, I would routinely use auto iris, with of course manual focus and rocker zoom. That's exactly what I'd be using with the fixed lens Scarlet most of the time for quick shooting of fleeting subject matter - auto iris, manual focus, and manual (rocker) zoom.

The X factor is RED's new auto focus system - which none of us but RED Team know much about. If the auto focus system features instantaneous acquisition and tracking of subjects, that could enable a user profile of auto iris, auto focus, and a choice of assigning manual zoom to the handle rocker switch or lens ring.

In February 2005 I produced, directed, and shot a mobile, standard definition documentary at the NFL Super Bowl XXXiX in Jacksonville. There were about 3,000 press credentials issued. I had all access. The documentary centered on all the events of the week leading up to the game, tracking celebrities all around, and then in the locker rooms, and on the field right after the game. I had a wide choice of high-end camera systems to use. What did I opt to use? A tricked out VX2100, with a Varizoom Lanc pistol grip, a zoom through wide converter, a small sungun, an L bracket with a short shotgun and a dual wireless receiver. All week long I'd be in big scrums of other camera crews - but I'd consistently get image angles the shoulder camera crews could only dream of. Many times they'd say "I wish I had your camera system today!". That VX2100 was set up how I would setup the fixed lens Scarlet for shooting subject matter like that - auto iris, sometimes auto focus and sometimes manual focus on the lens ring, and manual rocker zoom.

That documentary aired nationally and was well received. People seemed to love they way I got shots and camera angles they didn't see anyone else get. To me that was a simple example of leaving ego aside, picking the right tool for the job, and using it the right way on the job.

If RED produces the 2x extender and wide converter lenses they mentioned early on for the fixed lens Scarlet, that would also give quick ability to have a 16x zoom, or a very wide angle lens. Both of those would come in way handy for a long list of mobile EFP genres - nature, sports, wildlife, docs of various genres, and on and on. They've already confirmed an internal ND filter wheel, which is another key feature for shooting in those genres.

Obviously for other subject matter with the Scarlet where I have more time to get the images, I'll opt to go manual. For higher resolutions and frame rates I'll go to my Epic and probably shoot most functions manually, although I'll explore all features of Epic to maximize them for each shooting occasion.

You're a successful veteran and obviously have a way you like to work. To each their own. This post of mine just describes what my approach to using the fixed lens Scarlet would be in mobile non-hardlined EFP situations. I look forward to the possibilities with the fixed lens Scarlet

Have fun in Africa! I've shot there many times...and love it there.

I certainly agree, and will reserve judgment on all aspect. I'll be to the front of the line as I can get on the fix and the d2/3'. I am really confident that they have though of everything.

I'm glad to hear you describe your shooting methods. I have never shot on auto iris. I found on my HVX would be too dark with auto. With raw files I guess I really don't have to worry about that. I'm certainly open to it, or even shooting auto focus is it works.

I like the story of the NFL doc you shoot. Camera size is only important to those subjects with egos. Set up is key, and in my case light weight, mobil, and tough. I shoot mainly by myself, no sound man, with a rode NTG2 off the top, and a cavision rig. I sometimes spends several days in the jungle without power, and in horribly wet conditions.

ND is great! Is the 2x supposed to be an in camera thing? Would be amazing! No need to lug to 2 cameras on me (which I do if I need to catch wildlife far off quickly, but also cover people) It gets heavy, especially with a tripod, pack (including tent, laptop, and survival gear) Some days we hike 20-40km too.

I would not say veteran, but have been doing it for a number of years with some success. I'm always open to new ways, especially if it simplifies my bush shoots. I have been far removed from the film world, and excited to put more craft into my future work.

I'm looking forward to scarlet (all varieties), and can't wait to see Africa in 3k or 5k. Any limitation I may find, I am sure will be out weighted by all the plus things. variable frame rates etc... Also stoked on the fact it can do stills as well!

 

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Two actors talking and moving around. It happens all the time bro.
Focusing on the average of two focal lengths is the next logical step.
Auto DOF manipulation to encompass both points, where the aperture closes (or opens) and ISO adjusts to maintain exposure also follows logically

If you take measures or have marks on the set it's better to do this by estimation.

Or if the Scarlet 2/3" Fixed has digital marks for focus on screen you just put the focus between the two marks.

 

[J Davis]

If you take measures or have marks on the set it's better to do this by estimation.

Or if the Scarlet 2/3" Fixed has digital marks for focus on screen you just put the focus between the two marks.

Doing it the old fashion way is cool but negates the whole point of touch screen focusing.
If you are going to go the touch screen focus route ... why not go to the next level?
The competition surely will.

 

[J Davis]

I really noticed this when shooting with the 7D.
I'm at f5.6 with a 35/1.4 very conservative f-stop, hoping both actors are tack sharp because its APS-c
size senor and all I have to monitor with is the crappy little LCD ...

... and someone drifts out of focus because of small movements
or they shifted their weight to the other foot.

 

[Michael Dalton]

Very cool...I see tons of practical possibilities with this :thumbsup:

but the fixed lens Scarlet will go everywhere with me. It will be my guerilla, under the radar, run n' gun, and POV camera to get quick 1080p RGB or 3k Redcode Raw images.

I second this, my scarlet will become part of me. I'm giddy at the idea of 3k from such a small camera.


Someone mentioned a long line to wait in for scarlet, the mere fact that they have shown what looks to be a production version of the lens, means there is some place probably churning them out as we speak, and that they will be most numerous camera outputted. I just hope they have not under estimated the demand. I am sure every redone, epic, and detachable scarlet owner will also pick one up at that cost. I suspect 20,000 early orders!

I spent 30k on 2 hvx200 packages a few years ago (4x16gb p2, century optic 2x, cavision rig, 8 batteries, two chargers etc...) I can easily see spending a lot on red camera, but getting way more!

 

[Grant_Wood]

Niceness. Thanks.

Then my previous guestimate stands.. No hard stops.

I agree. Hard stops, while very useful, would prohibit some of the features that have been discussed around having the electronic ring. I anticipate using the electronic lens and side grip in a configuration that lets me keep my left hand on the ring at all times, while using buttons to change its "mode".

so, like holding the "control" button while hitting "x" to cut on a computer, you'd have a configuration like this:
ring alone = focus
Grip button 1 + ring = zoom
Grip button 2 + ring = iris

Hard stops when switching back and forth between these Modes would cause problems, while not having them adds to flexibility at the cost of operating in a new way. Hard stops could always be added with a follow focus, which I think also supports this argument.

One other configuration that would be interesting:
Grip button 3 + ring = framerate adjust (with iris ).

Combined with a light rig, I can see using this in tight action spots to let the camera get in close and play with time in new ways. Of course, you could do this with any lens and map framerate (or ramps) to any of the buttons or wheels on the grips. i.e. push button once for 100fps and again to go back to 24 with ramping up and down.

 

[Steve Gibby]

Is the 2x supposed to be an in camera thing? Would be amazing!

No, I'm guessing it wouldn't be a doubler with a switch like we're used to on B4 EFP/ENG zooms. I would guess the 2x and zoom through wide converter (maybe a .7x) would be bayonet or screw-on converter lenses that would quickly attach to the front of the 8x fixed lens - similar to what Century has made for many years now. I would expect the RED converter lenses to be perfectly matched optically with the 8x, and free from artifacts and weirdness. In the field you could attach and detach them quickly as needed.

A full year ago, here on RED User, RED mentioned their intention to make the 2x and wide converter for the fixed lens Scarlet. All things are subject to change, but IMO I couldn't imagine RED not following through an making these super-useful converters. IMO almost everyone who buys a fixed lens Scarlet would also buy those converters to exponentially expand the already broad utility of the camera.

Fun times ahead ... :thumbsup:

 

[Jon Howe]

yes



yes.. and there are a few other features for racking etc. that should make you guys pretty happy.


yes



probably a blend

From all of us who shoot sports. We deeply thank you.

 

[Justin O'Neill]

OMG! Avesome. If that were the case I would love it.. However I stronly doubt that's how it's gonna work. And I base that on the way they announced it... if the ring wound be so seamlessly intermodulated between zoom focus and iris, Jim would definitely have said: THE RING IS EVERYTHING! or: ONE RING TO RULE THEM ALL! or... hm wait....

So most likelly the switch between zoom, iris and focus will be not as smooth, but through a maze of menus. Proove me wrong.. please

RED has said they are still withholding some details because competitors are watching. I doubt the switch will be buried in the menus. That is just not how RED operates.

 

[Notis Benos]

Just one photo of the fixed lens and everybody is talking about Scarlet. Reduser looks more like Scarletuser already. I wonder what happens on Nov 30th. This baby is HOT.:drool5:

 

[Jason Wingrove]

Tthe ring on the lens is electronic. Which means you can program it to control focus. or iris. or zoom. Some people might want to touch focus or auto focus and use that ring for zoom control. Some might not. The choice is yours.

Millions of voices cried out in terror.. and were suddenly smiling

great job, and its also a very mechanical looking ring with a place for focus OR zoom marks.. bloody geniuses i tell ya

jas

 

[David Rasberry]

Just one photo of the fixed lens and everybody is talking about Scarlet. Reduser looks more like Scarletuser already. I wonder what happens on Nov 30th. This baby is HOT.:drool5:

Granty (ProductBe) made an appropriate jest last winter about including Jannardvision on Scarlets. A feature that adds extra suspense to thrillers.
:001_cool: