What if my Scarlet Dragon sensor was installed on the new Scarlet-W?

[Javier Badet]

I know I might be expecting too much but you never know...

I just thought on an interesting way to upgrade and don't loose 6K. Since it's all matter of sensor (I guess), I'd be happy to give my Scarlet Dragon sensor and then this to be installed on the new DSMC2 body, in that way I won't loose 6K stills. Wouldn't that be great?

Since new DSMC2 has power but sensor is limited at 5K, it would be amazing that we can keep shooting with our "6K" Scarlet Dragon sensors an get the new power from DSMC2.

Maybe pay 10K for new DSMC2 body with electronics but no sensor. Then send the Scartlet Dragon to Red and install the sensor. Is this possible in terms of compatibility? If so, Red can we have this option?

 

[Les Hillis]

I don't think it would make sense economically for RED to do that. If you factor in all the man-hours and other expenses that would have to go into designing, testing, manufacturing and organizing a Scarlet Dragon to Scarlet-W upgrade, RED would have to charge something closer to a Magnesium Weapon upgrade than what they've been able to charge for the Scarlet-W. It would also have an impact on the implementation of the upgrade programs they're already running, and cause complications and confusion in terms of what their product line is.

So, yes, technically they could do it, but I think it would be a lot more complicated and expensive than it seems when described as simply putting the current sensor in a new camera body.

For what its worth, I personally can understand peoples sense of loss at not being able to shoot at 6K resolution with the new Scarlet-W, but I think you'd have to be really, really committed to shooting at 6K to make its absence the deciding factor on whether you buy a Scarlet-W or not.

 

[Javier Badet]

I see that.. I just thought that would be great to have this option, but I knew that isn't very realistic.

 

[Les Hillis]

No worries Javier, I agree it would have been good to have that sub-24fps 6k option, so no harm asking about it imo.

The Scarlet-W is still an awesome camera though, even without a 6K setting serving as a reminder of how much better the more expensive models are.

Should mention too that with the Scarlet-W being able to record 5K/24fps at 4:1 compression, the image quality difference between that and 6K won't be as significant as it is now between 6K and the 5K/24fps 8:1 compression available on the Scarlet Dragon, especially when down-rezzed.

Here's an example shot with the Scarlet Dragon with the same compression, lens focal length and subject to camera distance -

6K RC4:1


5K RC4:1


6K RC4:1 (cropped to match 5K FOV)


The main difference is the wider field of view 6K allows, which has its pros and cons, and which could arguably be matched at 5K by using a shorter focal length lens.

Anyway, those are just my thoughts. 6K is good if you can get it, but it's not that big of a deal when you can still get 5K and all the other things the Scarlet-W brings.