Scarlet-W to Gemini... have you done it?

[Martin Konrad]

I am in the process of trading-in my Scarlet-W for a Gemini
but there are two recent posts about Noise, so I have a few doubts.

My local dealer has a camera ready so I was going for the trade next week.

My Scarlet-W was and is rock-solid. 5k is perfect for me and my clients.

In the 3 years with the Scarlet-W I only had 2 projects where the low-light
was limiting. My main gain would be the fully integrated IPP2 which will
allow me to take color management to the next step.

Plus extra horsepower for lower compression and slow-motion shots.

Of course the extra sensitivity is welcome, if I can shoot in the studio at ISO 800
where I currently use 320 all my lights effectively double in power, thats huge!

But what if I do the trade-in and after a couple of days testing I find jumping noise
or fixed pattern issues in situations where the Scarlet-W was clean?
My old camera would be gone/send off to Red and I have to deal with
post-production workarounds/waiting for a fix/ sending off the camera for testing?

Of course I am aware that people usually only post on forums when there are issues
and not when everything is perfect, so I am hoping for user experiences, good and bad
with the Gemini.
Most important to me are standard mode and well exposed shots, I do
not need this to be a SonyAlpha7s for low light.

 

[Phil Holland]

My personal take on this as I'm rather intimate with Dragon and understand Gemini.

Look hard and close at what the Low Light Mode provides, even in normal shooting conditions. Standard Mode is there if that fits what you need.

If you're shooting at ISO 320, be prepared to have your world changed. The major consideration outside of sensitivity is looking at the concept of where 5K is on both formats, meaning Gemini at 5K is a larger format than Dragon at 5K. Just something to note.

 

[Jørgen Storhaug]

I dont have any experience with Scarlet-W, but i have quite a bit of experience with the Gemini. I find the images to be superclean! To the point of thinking of adding grain to make it look more natural.

In therms of noise, I would not be afraid of more noise than on you Scarlet-W. Blackshade manually and keep an eye out for the temps, as you already do, and happy shooting. I have never had any problems with noise, as long as my exposure is in check.

To me it is an amazing sensor, with incredible dynamic range. I have not used the Low Light much, as it is so sensitive in standard mode too.
Sensor size is also factor, if you for example love the Sigma 18-35, it does not cover 5k on Gemini until 23-24mm.

Good luck with choosing, i reckon you would be happy either way.

 

[Martin Konrad]

thanks for your input, sensor size plays in Geminis favour as I mostly use 28/55/85 Otus and 35/135Milvus
so apart from my Sigma 18-35 I am covered for the larger sensor and a bit wider coverage is welcome

Maybe the new tamron 15-30 could be a wide option.

if with proper blackshading there are no noise issues Gemini is a no-brainer as I shoot a lot of
backlight glas (perfume) and diamonds/watches so the better highlight detail is a big plus

 

[Christopher bell]

My personal take on this as I'm rather intimate with Dragon and understand Gemini.

Look hard and close at what the Low Light Mode provides, even in normal shooting conditions. Standard Mode is there if that fits what you need.

If you're shooting at ISO 320, be prepared to have your world changed. The major consideration outside of sensitivity is looking at the concept of where 5K is on both formats, meaning Gemini at 5K is a larger format than Dragon at 5K. Just something to note.

Can you please go into further detail Phil. I am waiting for my allocation week in June for Dragon-x to gemini upgrade and would like to know more about the Gemini.

Thanks

 

[Michael Wahba]

I did SW ----> Gemini.

I love the image, the in-body IPP2, and of course the low light capability, which has saved me in a few situations where I would otherwise scrap the shot and or setup differently.

Do it.

 

[Nils Ruinet]

I recently switched from Epic-W Helium to DSMC2 Gemini.

In my opinion, Gemini is the best sensor Red has ever done so far (and I've used them all extensively, except Monstro). Much cleaner at 800 ISO Standard mode than Helium, and the LL mode adds many new possibilities. Yes there is some slight noise at 3200 ISO, but hey it's 3200 ISO without noise reduction ! Add some Neat video denoise and you'll feel comfortable using 6400 or more too...
Also, color/texture seems slightly better than Helium.

Really happy with that sensor so far, definitely worth upgrading.

 

[Christopher bell]

I recently switched from Epic-W Helium to DSMC2 Gemini.

In my opinion, Gemini is the best sensor Red has ever done so far (and I've used them all extensively, except Monstro). Much cleaner at 800 ISO Standard mode than Helium, and the LL mode adds many new possibilities. Yes there is some slight noise at 3200 ISO, but hey it's 3200 ISO without noise reduction ! Add some Neat video denoise and you'll feel comfortable using 6400 or more too...
Also, color/texture seems slightly better than Helium.

Really happy with that sensor so far, definitely worth upgrading.

Excellent post!

 

[Martin Konrad]

camera blocked at the local dealer

I have a job on the Alexa Mini next week so I might have Dragon, Alexa Mini and Gemini in my studio within a week.
If I find time I set up a quick test between the 3 sensors.

 

[Andrew Reese]

Please do Martin! I would kill for that comparison

 

[Nicolas Chareyre]

camera blocked at the local dealer

I have a job on the Alexa Mini next week so I might have Dragon, Alexa Mini and Gemini in my studio within a week.
If I find time I set up a quick test between the 3 sensors.

If you need a GEMINI backup I am available and also interested in this test!