V-Raptor Solo Shooter

[Ryan Jones]

We’re about to pull the trigger on a V-Raptor, which will be our first entry to the Red ecosystem. We’ve done a tonne of research on pros and cons and feel like this is the best option and a bit of a step up for our small video/advertising agency.

My question is around usability for some of the scenarios where we just need a workhorse.

Can a solo operator work the camera all day with an RF lens?

Can you shoot simple event coverage on the V-Raptor, with long record times?

My research says the answer to both questions is yes, but our dealer is saying if we don’t have a crew for every shoot it’s the wrong camera for us, and we need to look at an FX9 or C500.

We’re shooting on a Panasonic EVA1 at the moment and it’ll take anything we throw at it. I get the impression a V-Raptor with an RF lens and ND adaptor will be just as flexible but more capable.

thoughts from those using them?

 

[Michael Lindsay]

It pulls a fair bit of power and with 8k footage (or a slack shooting style) it can create a big data footprint on your project... Apart from this it is just a camera like any of the other ones. My only other question would be how much you rely on auto focus.. ?

I tested a FX6 and thought that was a great camera that was really easy to use.... But we didn't buy one as I still feel our Red cameras are worth the effort..


PS We have kitted ours out with some LW Bright tangerine AKS and it feels smaller and easier to use on my own than our other Red camera....

 

[Phil Holland]

Just some hard numbers on the runtime of each system:
- RED V-Raptor 8K VV ~90Wh
- Canon C500MKII ~45Wh
- Sony FX9 ~ 35Wh

All are pretty different cameras top to bottom. Yes you can solo operate a V-Raptor all day, but you'll be using more power. Shark fins or belts would be ideal for many scenarios. Locked off maybe a block battery.

With 4TB RED CFx media you're looking at 8K 17:9 roll times of up to 5:49 minutes in LQ. That's if you are rolling 8K 24fps. You can shoot 5K, 6K, or whatever you desire for the project and get even longer roll times. More than plenty for most concert performances start to finish.

 

[M Harvey]

Michael and Phil bring up great points.

I’d ask these questions:
-setup time: do you typically have plenty of time to build your camera, or do you need to be ready to roll as soon as you jump out of the van? The V-Raptor is more customizable, in some senses, but may require more time to build than the others. Similarly, do you need to switch configurations frequently throughout the day? In a pinch, an FX-9 is comparatively quick to throw on your shoulder and operate.
-audio: related to setup—remember that you’ll need to rig out the camera to record professional audio. Red and others offer XLR units compatible with Raptor—and then you’ll need to rig a microphone.
-different approach to exposure: the way you expose a Red camera may be different to how you’ve done it on the EVA or other cameras—you can’t put a Red camera into “auto-ISO” mode. This of course won’t be news to you if you have experience working with other Red cameras, but I think it’s worth wrapping your head around how this works if you’re newer to the system and making sure it works for what you’re doing.
This also has implications for the use of ND filters, of course.
-media size and transfers: assuming you’re ok with much higher media and data storage costs, is your solo shooter going to be stuck for hours at a location offloading TBs of data?

These are a few things I think about when I decide which camera—a Sony or a Red—goes out on a job.

 

[Drew Baird]

One note for run and gun that may help, is that you can use up to the full sensor in ProRes mode (4K it 2K modes). This is helpful for media usage and quicker turnarounds for some run and gun work. Though I would recommend shooting RAW whenever you’ve got the option. It’s far more flexible in post.

 

[Steve Wall]

I think it all comes down to the type of clients you're shooting for. All the challenges of using Raptor vs C300 / FX cameras etc. can be managed, but at considerable extra cost in both accessories and your workflow. More media, more batteries, more storage, more time in every aspect of the shoot. You can't quickly power cycle the camera, you've gotta leave it running if you need to react quickly to something, so you'll carry another 5kg of batteries compared to a smaller camera.

It's all good, but just be realistic about whether or not the added complications and cost will really give you a return on investment with the type of work you do.. I know i've been stubborn about trying to use these cameras on jobs they weren't necessarily the perfect choice for as the image quality is just too good.