Scarlet Dragon Slow Motion Test - Knife

[Akin A]

Video #3 added 12/24/14:
http://youtu.be/OKq_ALDPxQQ

Video #2 added 12/17/14:
http://youtu.be/sjQ59eWpsZY

Video #1 added 12/9/14:
http://youtu.be/NQ9Cw_FA67Q

This is a quick, slow motion test, using high frame rate recording on the RED Scarlet Dragon.

OLPF: Low Light Optimized
Lens: Sigma Art 18-35mm F/1.8
Color Space: DRAGONcolor
Gamma Curve: REDgamma4
ISO: 800

All clips were downscaled to a fit a 1080p timeline in Davinci Resolve for comparison.
The test is not scientific. I used different focal lengths on the 18-35mm lens and moved different distances to keep similar framing, within my small studio. I also used slightly different apertures and different lighting intensities to compensate for the increasing shutter speed at higher frame rates. Ignore any visible shifts in lighting.

 

[Jens Rosengren]

Fun test! It's nice to see the Scarlet getting some nice high frame rates at acceptable dimensions!

Made me consider if we might actually just go Scarlet Dragon instead of Epic Dragon!

 

[Akin A]

I'm happy with Scarlet Dragon, but if I could afford an Epic Dragon, I wouldn't hesitate. I hope RED eventually offers an upgrade option.
After doing this test, I would love to have Epic Dragon's 6K/100 FPS and 5K/120 FPS... not because I need it, but because it's cool :001_smile:
lol, But more importantly, I do a lot of low budget/no crew, stuff on a static tripod and it would be great to shoot 6K/24, reframe at 5K for added motion, and downscale that to 4K for better looking 4K (theoretically)... vs shooting 5K, and reframing at 4K without downscaling.

I'm not sure if I will be shooting anything serious at less than 4K nowadays, but I can live with the 4K/76 FPS. As long as you Epic Dragon guys don't keep tempting me with that 4K/150 FPS.

 

[Akin A]

I added a new test video to the original post. I stayed more consistent with lighting this time, by using the False Color: Video mode. Such a great tool, especially without having a light meter.

Video #2 added 12/17/14:
http://youtu.be/sjQ59eWpsZY

 

[Akin A]

Here's a final test video:
http://youtu.be/OKq_ALDPxQQ

My conclusion is that I would only use 2K if I absolutely needed 150 fps AND the shots were very quick, so that I could sneak them in for a couple seconds, without people having time to notice the downgrade in detail. I kept hoping that I just missed focus and it wasn't actually that soft, but yes, it's soft, even with good focus. Still cool to have the option if necessary. All of the other resolutions tested have acceptable quality (at least for downscaling to 1080p; I haven't tried on a 4K monitor), especially 5K and 4K. 3K is ok.

And the False Color: Video mode is extremely helpful for matching the lighting after changing the shutter speed. I tried to get the key side of my face to be pink and the fill side to be green for each shot in videos 2 and 3, as best as I could.

 

[francisco santos]

I'm happy with Scarlet Dragon, but if I could afford an Epic Dragon, I wouldn't hesitate. I hope RED eventually offers an upgrade option.
After doing this test, I would love to have Epic Dragon's 6K/100 FPS and 5K/120 FPS... not because I need it, but because it's cool :001_smile:
lol, But more importantly, I do a lot of low budget/no crew, stuff on a static tripod and it would be great to shoot 6K/24, reframe at 5K for added motion, and downscale that to 4K for better looking 4K (theoretically)... vs shooting 5K, and reframing at 4K without downscaling.

I'm not sure if I will be shooting anything serious at less than 4K nowadays, but I can live with the 4K/76 FPS. As long as you Epic Dragon guys don't keep tempting me with that 4K/150 FPS.

Thats exactly why I went with the epic mx ill upgrade to a epic dragon later. colors look great

 

[Christopher-lee dos Santo]

Nice tests Akin. I just finished a little video last week at a BMW track day. Snuck some 2k 150fps shots into the edit. Honestly, it's hard to tell the difference sometimes.

 

[Benjamin Cabral]

Scarlet Dragon also have a sensor crop when you shoot at 2k?

 

[Akin A]

Nice tests Akin. I just finished a little video last week at a BMW track day. Snuck some 2k 150fps shots into the edit. Honestly, it's hard to tell the difference sometimes.

Thanks, yeah, I think as long as you sneak it in, you can get away with it, as you did.. but if the whole project was shot 2K 150 fps, it would be kinda yuck compared to 5K.

Scarlet Dragon also have a sensor crop when you shoot at 2k?

Yes, very: http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?92999-Red-Dragon-Info-and-Data-Sheets

 

[Vladimir Druts]

Good to see some Scarlet Dragon footage finally, been on the fens about that or upgrading to Epic MX.