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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 :)

Red Epic Dragon #5232 "Kozmo" - Los Angeles

Just say hEYE. Kidding kidding.




Doing some extreme macro tests for the next shoot.

Red Epic Dragon 6K FF, Skin Tone - Highlight OLPF
 
Kemalettin Sert said:
which macro lens and lighting?
Click to expand...

This is the Zeiss Compact Zoom 28-80 T2.9, though it doesn't have great close focus, so I'm using an extension tube here. The lighting is some weird thing I put together in a silver tube and an off camera CFL. This won't be the lighting for the shoot, but this is the first time I've seen anybody use a tube with the CZs. They are alarmingly sharp wide open.
 
Nice! I love the CZ 28-80.
 
I'm on location shooting with my Epic Dragon this week, but I would feel bad if I didn't acknowledge this thread's anniversary :)

Happy one year anniversary baby. Keep making pretty images and I won't leave ya!

 
Ultra clean - noise free frame.
Are you using D.E.B. ?
Phil Holland said:
Just say hEYE. Kidding kidding.




Doing some extreme macro tests for the next shoot.

Red Epic Dragon 6K FF, Skin Tone - Highlight OLPF
Click to expand...
 
Luca Orlandi said:
Ultra clean - noise free frame.
Are you using D.E.B. ?
Click to expand...

Likely. This was ISO 500 if I'm not mistaken.

Side note. If I can ever get releases on what I've been shooting this last week......

Just wow. This has been a fun filled Dragon shoot.
 
Question Phil -I want to get the switch blade M -can I setup ramping on tab A and slow motion on tab B for example. When I want to use it just push the button with that setting and shoot? 2nd question- loading my own color profile will allow me to shoot whatever I want using that profile or would I have to re-add the profile if I change settings from 4k to 5K different ISO etc.[h=1][/h]
 
Tony Harris said:
Question Phil -I want to get the switch blade M -can I setup ramping on tab A and slow motion on tab B for example. When I want to use it just push the button with that setting and shoot? 2nd question- loading my own color profile will allow me to shoot whatever I want using that profile or would I have to re-add the profile if I change settings from 4k to 5K different ISO etc.[h=1][/h]
Click to expand...

Don't have the Switchblade yet in my kit, but I spent time around it and looked deeply into it's seductive eyes. I believe it's possible to setup the ramping execution to the shortcut keys on the most recent firmware build.

Your "look" setting remain consistent when switching between resolutions/formats and ISOs, so you're good to go there.
 
Phil, I'm thinking about taking the leap buying the CZ 28-80 over a set of Xenon ff's. I do historical docs, shorts and features. This will be my big lens purchase for the next few years and I was wondering which you thought would hold value the most. I do have other primes cinemod ZF's and nikon. I just wanted to hear someone else's opinion. Thanks!
 
Keith B Plummer said:
Phil, I'm thinking about taking the leap buying the CZ 28-80 over a set of Xenon ff's. I do historical docs, shorts and features. This will be my big lens purchase for the next few years and I was wondering which you thought would hold value the most. I do have other primes cinemod ZF's and nikon. I just wanted to hear someone else's opinion. Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi Keith. Holding value is something I don't concern myself with glass. I use the tools to use the tools I guess. So resale isn't something I really care about, though it's a valid concern for other types of business models. Most of the glass I'm shooting with today is coming with me to the grave, unless it's one of those situations like I had a bit ago where I had suddenly many 90mm primes laying around that is.

In terms of "future proofing" both the Xenon FF-Primes and Zeiss Compact Zooms cover FF35 full frame. So they are ideal for Dragon 6K FF. Interestingly enough the Zeiss CZs are the only "purpose designed" zooms that cover 6K FF and FF35 to date. I'm pretty damn fond of them at this point and they are very nice lenses.

Now the tricky thing. Both the Xenon FF-Primes at T2.1 and the Zeiss Compact Zooms at T2.9 aren't the fastest lenses in the world, meaning they aren't super speeds. Don't know if that's a factor for you.

My personal thought really, as you have several primes already, is maybe aim for the zoom now as it sounds like you have primes covered to an extent.

There's always more and more glass on the way and it's just hard to tell what holds value or not down the line.

For me it's about finding lenses that you enjoy the look of. It's a bonus if they are solid and pleasing to use mechanically on top of that.
 
Thanks, Phil, I too keep glass. I still have my glass from the 80's, lol dating myself. I will keep them until. I was just wondering if the Xenons will even be a consideration when I do fictional features. So far I pick the glass and I know the CZ's at least have name value. Speed is not a problem. I'm looking for something I can bank on for the long hall. It sounds like you believe the Xenons are quality lenses I just haven't heard of them being used on any features yet. I have a lot to think about. Thanks.
 
Keith B Plummer said:
Thanks, Phil, I too keep glass. I still have my glass from the 80's, lol dating myself. I will keep them until. I was just wondering if the Xenons will even be a consideration when I do fictional features. So far I pick the glass and I know the CZ's at least have name value. Speed is not a problem. I'm looking for something I can bank on for the long hall. It sounds like you believe the Xenons are quality lenses I just haven't heard of them being used on any features yet. I have a lot to think about. Thanks.
Click to expand...

I recently had a conversation about these lenses in the NYC market. People like the Xenons, but they are generally not the first choice of glass if you are going to be shooting low budget indie films, which is the level of glass the Xenons occupy. If budgets are higher, people will rent the more expensive glass like UPs, Cookes, etc. One of my colleagues works in the post world in NYC and has contact with various production companies. He noticed that Xenons don't get rented that often for the type of projects he works on (indie films, docs, commercials). Usually at that price point, people who are not well versed in lenses stick with the CP2s or Canons for the name. If your goal is to also rent your gear out as separate items, check your local market to see if Xenons are even considered. From what I've seen, the image looks great. If you sell yourself and your camera as a complete package, it might work, vs renting everything separately. For small budget stuff that's how I get to use my Contax Zeiss stills glass.
 
Thanks Arthur, I won't rent out the glass it stays with me. I guess I'm looking to provide the best pkg for all things. I know the CZ'z will still work on 500k budgets and above but could I get the Xenons in a feature with that budget? Oh and of course I can buy the line of Xenons for the one CZ.
 
Keith B Plummer said:
Thanks Arthur, I won't rent out the glass it stays with me. I guess I'm looking to provide the best pkg for all things. I know the CZ'z will still work on 500k budgets and above but could I get the Xenons in a feature with that budget? Oh and of course I can buy the line of Xenons for the one CZ.
Click to expand...

Yup, that is the question you'd have to find out in your market or within your client base. As I mentioned before, people who don't know much about lenses may have not used or even heard of the Xenons. If you're a good salesman you might be able to persuade them. Otherwise when people who aren't on the camera team hear 'Zeiss' they'll already know the name.
 
I'm on location shooting something really interesting and tricky with my Epic Dragon and more Epic Dragons.

It's been a long day. Nearly 18 hours. However, at this moment I feel it's necessary to say thank you to Red. You have been and continue to be everything I've been looking for. I can honestly say this particular opportunity, which is producing some of my best Dragon footage to date, is due to your hard work and effort in advancing what we consider as a "digital cinema camera".

Late night delirious love, but thank you. Thank you for everything.
 
Woosh. It's been a while.

I've been booked for a few months straight and much of what I've been working on won't be seen for some time, but I do have some fun camera behind the scenes stills which I miss posting!

The last 1/2 a year has been wild. I've shot with a whole bunch of Dragons on a "a few" gigs, been able to use nearly every cinema lens you could imagine, and even had the chance to DP the largest budget commercial project I've ever been on top of (which was a tremendous experience).

Dragon has been producing some banging images. And I do mean absolutely stunning hold-onto-your-mouth-jaw-dropping images. Some great crews and great shooting opportunities allowing me to wear the several hats I usually like to wear when it comes to production. All focused on creating the highest quality 4K image possible. Heck, I even had to test cameras out for a client in there just to "show them". Which was fun, because I already did that some time ago and sort of knew the answer :)

Easily some of the best work I've ever been involved in bringing to life. Happy it's all been shot on Dragon. Especially the aerials.

I've got some time between here and NAB. I'd love too share a few fun shots with y'all if you don't mind.


4K Broadcast Module in action on a fun gig. Shot everything at 6K HD for a UHD 4K stream which also went to several HDMI 2.0 screens. Tested out gear for a week straight to make this one happen.






Fun time installing the 4K Broadcast Module. Took about a minute. You can tell how much I've been using my Sidewinder Tool because the text is nearly rubbed off :)







This shoot I'm proud of. You'll be able to see this later this year. If you can imagine it, we did it on this gig. Loved it.




And a light a bit of Red Carpet flare for my Red Epic Dragon. Thanks go to my AC for braving the lights for a few moments to hold my cam.




Keeping busy, working hard, trying to build, mulling over getting an equipment van, and shoot compelling and lovely footage along the way.

Hell of a lot of fun.
 
Great looking work, Phil. Those are some badass bts shots!!
 
One more. Because one more.

Red Carbon Dragon + Leica Summilux-C 25mm T1.4

 
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