Raven + Wide Angle glass

[Joe Karably]

One thing I will say about Raven from a con standpoint, and that is a con about my shooting, is that you really have to be on your A game focus wise (not that you ever shouldn't), particularly with wide angle glass. I'm assuming this has to do with the size of the sensor, which is the smallest I've worked with to date, but it would seem that gone are the days of setting my 18mm to infinity and just guestimating my distance while running and gunning, pulling to somewhere in the focal range the closer I get to subject. Soft edges show a lot easier than they did on my Sony's or even the Epic and Dragon I've shot on countless times, even at a narrower DOF. This is with me using critical focus on the 4.7 in monitor.

I've only been shooting with Zeiss, Canon and Rokinon since getting my camera, so I'm really looking forward to getting some Cooke's on it. When on point, the images are absolutely beautiful.

Screen grab from a short doc I began working on last week.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Hmmm... the overall physics of a lens/sensor-size combination don't change, so I am not sure what think you are seeing is actually what you are seeing. Or maybe I am misinterpreting what you are saying. It's worth noting that RED incorporates no internal sharpening of the image and the normal debayering process, along with the strength of the OLPF, will naturally "soften" the image. That doesn't necessarily mean it is out of focus. Assuming the lenses are the same you used on your other cameras - and noting that you say the Raven is the smallest sensor you have worked with - there is no reason your focus should not be the same (or even easier due to the smaller sensor). Try adding some sharpening in post and see if you don't end up where you want to be.

EDIT: Just saw this is my 6500th post. Cool.

 

[Joe Karably]

Appreciate the information, and no you didn't misinterpret. I have added sharpening in post, and it does help. This is just the first time I've noticed, mostly at sub 24mm that if I'm even a hair off, it's noticeable edge wise, making any kind of post punch in pretty undesirable. Then again, I'm a bit of a perfectionist and will self-criticize to no end.

 

[Josiah Duncan]

Like Terry said, try adding sharpening in post if you don't like how soft the raw image is. Physically a smaller sensor should be easier to keep in focus, you just have reduced sharpness from shooting just 4k instead of 6k. Since no internal sharpening is applied to R3D (and because of the OLPF), the pixels at 100% do look softer than you would expect from, say, an FS7. As long as it was in focus to begin with, you'll find that you should be able to make the image plenty sharp through some slight sharpening in post. Don't forget, a more contrasty image is also associated with sharpness!

 

[Brody_B]

I've only been using a dragon loaner till I get my weapon, but the focus assist on it is not nearly as "obvious" as was the focus peaking on my little a7sii. I do hope there is an update that emphasizes the peaking in future updates. I mean on the Sony you just couldn't miss it was soo damn obvious, even on a 2" screen, where focus was.

 

[Joe Karably]

I've only been using a dragon loaner till I get my weapon, but the focus assist on it is not nearly as "obvious" as was the focus peaking on my little a7sii. I do hope there is an update that emphasizes the peaking in future updates. I mean on the Sony you just couldn't miss it was soo damn obvious, even on a 2" screen, where focus was.

This. Definitely something I didn't include in my original post as a potential factor. As awesome as the critical focus is on the Red monitors, I feel it is way more precise on my AC7.

 

[jordan levy]

funny i actually feel the exact opposite way on all points made. having a slightly smaller sensor then the dragon i feel like ive gained depth of field and its way easier to keep in focus and the focus assist on the 4.7 monitor is the best ive ever used, but i was never an AC in the digital age, so i had no monitors, so im only comparing to having tv logics and my old 5d.

 

[Joe Karably]

That is weird, but I get it now in terms of the sensor. Don't get me wrong, it isn't like every shot of mine is insanely soft, there have just been a few that I could have sworn I was on point looking at the 4.7 and then it turns out to not be the case once I get it into RCX. Could just be a combo of the monitor size, the lens I'm using, etc...The frame above is proof positive that there's nothing wrong with the camera, just wanted to get a feel for whether anyone else had similar experiences.

 

[Marcus Friedlander]

Are you using the focus peaking mode or edge focus?

 

[Kabilen Mullaithilaga]

Are you using the focus peaking mode or edge focus?

+1
There is another useful tool, I don't know what its called, it sharpens the image but only for you to see it on the RED touch monitor (so you know what you can get when you sharpen it in post).