Scarlet 2/3 Fixed Lens - Does the sensor move?

[Dave Gish]

I notice that the Scarlet 2/3" with Fixed 8x RED Lens has a deeper brain/body. Does the sensor move on this one? I've heard that moving the sensor allows more accurate zoom optics with less glass. Is this true?

 

[chuck colburn]

I notice that the Scarlet 2/3" with Fixed 8x RED Lens has a deeper brain/body. Does the sensor move on this one? I've heard that moving the sensor allows more accurate zoom optics with less glass. Is this true?

No that is not true. All moving the film plane does is allow adjusting the flange focale depth of the camera, it has nothing to do with the optical quality of a given lens.

 

[Brook Willard]

Chuck, some prosumer cameras move their sensor block with focus or zoom changes. It enables cheaper optics and mechanics with less breathing.

Knowing RED, I doubt they'd do this.

 

[Milan Nikolic]

If I remember well this type of Scarlet should take in two CF cards.
That is the reason for its longer body?

 

[Dave Gish]

... some prosumer cameras move their sensor block with focus or zoom changes. It enables cheaper optics and mechanics with less breathing.

Knowing RED, I doubt they'd do this.

I would think the cost of a lens mount would be minimal in the scheme of things, so I'm trying to figure out what's different about the Scarlet fixed lens package. I'm wondering if they are doing something different in there that can't be done with a standard lens mount and film lenses.

Brook,
Does moving the sensor as you describe allow a zoom lens design with fewer glass parts?

With a lens that's made for film, moving the imager plane as you zoom or focus is not an option. I'm trying to figure out if eliminating this design restriction has any inherent advantages that might apply to a fixed lens, or if it's just a cost saving thing.

 

[chuck colburn]

Chuck, some prosumer cameras move their sensor block with focus or zoom changes. It enables cheaper optics and mechanics with less breathing.

Knowing RED, I doubt they'd do this.

Hi Brook,

Didn't know that. Clever but terrifying. lol Focus shift compesation by flange depth modification makes me nervous. Might be ok for a fixed lens home camcorder as you say. Of course this means that the camera has "autofocus" which makes me even MORE nervous. LOL

 

[Brook Willard]

Brook,
Does moving the sensor as you describe allow a zoom lens design with fewer glass parts?

Probably, I don't know much about it. I just know that the HVX has a moving sensor block.

Any video guys around with experience and understanding on this issue?

 

[Dave Gish]

... Focus shift compesation by flange depth modification makes me nervous. Might be ok for a fixed lens home camcorder as you say.

From what I've heard, it's not so much a flange focal distance modification but rather a whole different type of lens design. I beleive the sensor actually moves like a lens element. If this type of lens design requires fewer glass elements, it might have better light, less distortion, and better bokeh than similarly priced film zooms.

As for your point on autofocus, yes, the thought of autofocus makes me feel like I have a stomach virus. LOL.

 

[Charles Angus]

Probably, I don't know much about it. I just know that the HVX has a moving sensor block.

Any video guys around with experience and understanding on this issue?

Where could I find more information about this, specifically as pertaining to the HVX?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Petr Dvorak]

Why is body longer? Read this:

Sorry guys, but physics is conspiring to foul your plans, not RED. You'll notice in the renders that Fixed Lens Scarlet's body is significantly deeper than Interchangeable Lens Scarlet. There is a reason for that. The 8X lens and 2/3" sensor package runs the entire depth of its body. You are only seeing the front half of the lens protruding out the front of the body. This lens is covering a 2/3" sensor, remember. It's big! So, we also make a body only .... for primes, for 35mm still, for whatever you want. The mini-RED primes are going to be awesome, affordable and compact. FEAR NOT. IT"S ALL GOOD!

so 1/2 of lens is out and 1/2 is in body

 

[Dave Gish]

Common experience with prosumer type cameras suggests that what you see protruding from Scarlet is the whole lens. But, we're not covering a 1/3" sensor like our competition, so what you are seeing is only a small percentage of the lens/sensor package.

I might be reading too much into this, but "lens/sensor package" could mean that the sensor moves like a lens element...