which setup? help needed

[martin best]

Still photographer looking to do some HD, need help in choosing a system, can anyone assist?
Wildlife in Kenya/Botswana is the target and would like to use Nikon 200/2 and 300 &400 f/2.8s, plus if possible 14-24 and 24-70 f/2.8
any assistance in how these will perform appreciated
cheers
martin

 

[Ed Watkins]

Hi,
I'm not sure what you mean by "choosing a system"? Do you mean choosing what camera system to use i.e Sony, Panasonic, Red to use with your Nikons?

At the moment there is only one setup that easily accepts nikons, the RED ONE, the Scarlet and Epic systems have not yet been released.

You can use the RED nikon mount to mount any of your AF-S nikon lenses to a RED. If you want to use DX lenses too, then Doug Underhaul makes a DX modification to the mount to control the iris.

As for the lenses I know from personal experience that the 17-35, 80-200, 200, 400 lenses all perform fantastically with the RED. I've also had good results with macro lenses, bellows setups and doublers.

Hope that was some help?...

 

[martin best]

Thank Ed!
yes very helpful, good to know i can use my Nikon glass, what do these give re focal lengths? are they equivalent to using 35mm? re system, am looking at the Red One, just not that easy to determine whats required exactly to build a working model. Obviously I need the camera, and monitor. storage and powersupplies etc anything else?
cheers
martin

 

[James Press]

Focal factor of 1.6x (see FAQs on red.com)

 

[Ed Watkins]

My RED rig is setup with nikons for wildlife, I'd recommend a basic kit something similar to this:

RED body, CF card port, RED nikon mount (DX modified by Long Valley Equipment)
2 x RED drives
4 x 8GB CF
Element technica drive isolation mounts (or Long Valley Equipment's isolation mount system)
2 battery chargers, 4 batteries
Action products dual battery swap plate
RED battery plate, belt clip and long cable
View Factor start/stop button.
Red shoulder mount, dovetail, handle bridge and handles (or Element Technica's Mantis system which I think is superior)
light weight 19mm/15mm rods (or Long Valley ultra light weight 15mm rod system)
Top mounts and handles
RED LCD
RED EVF
RED cheesplate

Light weight tripod (Miller Arrow 55 is what I use)
Screw in filters for lenses (hot mirror, ND's, grads)



Some bogen micro clamps (for LCD/shotgun mike).

 

[ericyoung]

...Light weight tripod (Miller Arrow 55 is what I use)
Screw in filters for lenses (hot mirror, ND's, grads)

Some bogen micro clamps (for LCD/shotgun mike).

Hi Ed

Good post! A few questions!

Are you using the same legs as Gibby with the Arrow 55?

Can you tell me the hot mirror screw in filter you are using?

Bogen micro clamps - are they the same as the Nano clamps?

Thanks
Eric

 

[Ed Watkins]

Hi Ed

Good post! A few questions!

Are you using the same legs as Gibby with the Arrow 55?

Can you tell me the hot mirror screw in filter you are using?

Bogen micro clamps - are they the same as the Nano clamps?

Thanks
Eric

I use the carbon fiber legs for the 55, not sure if they are the same as Gibby's. They are pretty sturdy, and can take a seven-jib loaded with my RED and 80lbs counter weight.

I use the Tiffen's 77mm Hot Mirror Screw Filter, for the 80-200, and 17-35mm nikons, and add step down rings for my smaller lenses. (about $100 from B&H)

Yeah, sorry I meant the Nano clamps, they are good for light weight stuff, the 5.6 LCD is about the limit I reckon.

 

[martin best]

All of you, thanks so much for the advice, have been in touch with Red and just about to take the plunge.
Last questions (maybe not
Whilst accepting the RED records larger image size, using Nikon Glass am i going to see as good or better results than say a EX-3 equipped with some high end glass which I could afford as a result of the difference in costs. As a still photographer its always been glass that has the priority over bodies when it came to budget.

and if DVD is your intended format, would you plumb for the Red over say an EX-3. Im used to the Raw workflow and understand it a lot better than I do general video. Its purely a cost issue and the fact that I will probably rarely be able to show the results from the Red at their best?
thanks again
martin

 

[Ed Watkins]

Having used the RED I wouldn't go back to any other format.
The codec is simply the most versatile out there.

The RED is not the best tools for wildlife, but I think the image is superior to the EX-3.
If you can wait, I'd hold out for the Scarlet. The reason I chose a RED over an EX is the range of lenses you can use on it in the field. Your nikon glass will look as good as it does on your DSLR.

 

[PatC]

ED the red is a big price bracket difference from the ex3(obvi you know this), I think they are different cameras for different people and jobs. I run an ex3 with the letus adapter and get some great images. Granted not as good as red, but still a viable option if you dont have the money for an R1. I think one nice thing about going RED is not dealing with the crappy ergo of the EX3/ADAPTER/Nikon, 4k, Raw. Bad thing. Price.