RED Scarlet details announced

[Kaido]

Quick Overview:

http://red.cachefly.net/N30/Nov30th.jpg

RED Scarlet vs. Nikon D3: (size comparison pic)

http://red.cachefly.net/N30/8D3.jpg

Full thread:

http://reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38274

The Scoop:

Two Scarlet 2/3 models announced: (May or June 2010)

1. Scarlet 8x Fixed: $4750, comes with:

* Brain/Lens
* Side CF Module
* REDmote
* 2.8" Touchscreen LCD
* REDVOLT battery
* Travel charger

2. Scarlet Interchangable: $2750, body only

The Scarlet S35 was also announced for $7,000; further details to come. Ship date is summer 2010 on that one. There are also some special Mini Primes for the 2/3 Scarlet:

* 6mm T-1.5 ($950)
* 8mm T-1.5 ($950)
* 16mm T-1.5 ($950)
* 25mm T-1.5 ($950)
* 50mm T-2.9 ($950)

Or roll your own:

Electronic RED mount ($500)
Electronic Nikon mount ($500)
Electronic Canon mount ($500)

Lots of other little goodies in there. Honestly, this is everything I dreamed of & more...insanely affordable, utterly expandable. It's like a Lego Ultra-HD camcorder! Ergonomics look terrible, but then again, who is going to be doing handheld with a 3K camera, lol - you'll most likely have a shoulder mount or steadicam or tripod or something.

 

[mmntech]

I just want to know where you're going to get the UHD display for this thing Kaido.

It isn't vary ergonomically but neither is any camera in that category. Probably lighter than those damn XDCAMs though.

 

[Kaido]

I just want to know where you're going to get the UHD display for this thing Kaido.

It isn't vary ergonomically but neither is any camera in that category. Probably lighter than those XDCAMs though.

I think their LCD monitors (both touchscreen & not) are 720p, but don't quote me on that. I'm also trying to figure out exactly how a 2.8" touchscreen LCD would work, I think that's about half the size of my finger I'm extremely interested in the Mini Primes, even though they're not electronically controlled. I'm curious if the touchscreens would be useful at all for the non-electronic lenses, too. Otherwise, SmallHD has a real nice 9" 720p kit for $989 shipped, complete with battery/hood/case:

http://www.smallhd.com/

The reason I mentioned ergonomics is that they're touting it as a Stills camera as well, and I just don't see that thing not living on a tripod for stills because of the weird shape. Yeah it's like 1/3 the size of a D3, but the D3 has a grip that you can actually hold for hours and hours. So I hope they get the ergonomic issues worked out!

 

[Kaido]

Some additional notes:

* You can use the onboard Ethernet jack to copy recorded files directly from the camera to your computer

* The touchscreen focus has 2 features for locking focus: 1, face tracking, and 2, traditional focus points (holy crap!!)

* The 8x lens info is saved in the R3D metadata (once an SDK is release, it's MAYA TIME BABY!! WHOOHOO!)

* PL mount is standard on S35 SCARLET, whereas Mini-PL is standard on 2/3 Removable

I'm torn on which model to get. I'll definitely be picking up a 2/3 camera, as the S35 is overkill for my needs/budget/lens requirements. The 8X Fixed looks awfuuuuuuuly nice, but so does the interchangable, especially with the electronic mounts. The Mini Primes also look amazing (T-1.5 for $950?! Unbelievable!! Granted you have to take the 2/3" factor into account, but still...), but they are fully manual, so you don't get electronic focus or any of that touchscreen goodness. Seems like having an 8X for everyday use and an interchangable for projects would be the way to go

 

[Kaido]

My wishlist so far:

* 2/3" Scarlet
* 1.8" SSD
* REDmote Pro (for the Follow Focus)
* 2.8" touchscreen & 9" touchscreen
* Not sure on the lenses: 8X fixed, Mini Primes, or a Nikon Electronic Mount

I'm also extremely curious about the weight: my Blackbird Steadicam can handle up to 8 pounds. The 2/3" Scarlet is 1/3 the size of a D3, which weighs 2.7 pounds bare. So I'm wondering if I can skate in at under 8 pounds with a storage device, battery, and 2.8" touchscreen and lens. The 8X would probably be killer for Steadicam shots with facial tracking, haha, assuming it makes the weight grade for my existing hardware!

 

[Kaido]

UI posted:

http://www.redgrabs.com/up/1259705913.jpg

 

[alfa147x]

UI posted:

http://www.redgrabs.com/up/1259705913.jpg

 

[ElFenix]

2/3" sensor isn't going to be very good in low light. that's a ~4 stop disadvantage to a 35 mm sensor. 5D likely destroys it in terms of IQ in available light, though the red undoubtedly has a better control set for video.

 

[Kaido]

btw that tab on the left opens up a menu for even more geeky goodness :awe:

 

[Kaido]

2/3" sensor isn't going to be very good in low light. that's a ~4 stop disadvantage to a 35 mm sensor. 5D likely destroys it in terms of IQ in available light, though the red undoubtedly has a better control set for video.

Covered!

http://reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=517684&postcount=482

What I'm curious about is the ISO. The EPIC-X has 8,000 ISO, which is better even than the new Mark IV's 6400 Video ISO :awe:

 

[Kaido]

Woot! Standard PL mount will be available for the Scarlet 2/3 so you can shoot with 35mm & 16mm glass!

http://reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=517999&postcount=632

 

[ElFenix]

Covered!

http://reduser.net/forum/showpost.php?p=517684&postcount=482

What I'm curious about is the ISO. The EPIC-X has 8,000 ISO, which is better even than the new Mark IV's 6400 Video ISO :awe:

that looks to be referring to jello verticals more than sheer IQ.

 

[Koing]

2/3" sensor isn't going to be very good in low light. that's a ~4 stop disadvantage to a 35 mm sensor. 5D likely destroys it in terms of IQ in available light, though the red undoubtedly has a better control set for video.

You can't compare compressed video with 'line skipping' to relatively raw and full sensor recording.

The 5D will likely smash it in low light due to the bigger sensor but how will it hold up in resolution and actual use? It's a great camera for sure though!

It'll be interesting to see how the 2/3" scarlet be used as a still camera...probably not as intuitive as the 5D!

Koing

 

[Kaido]

You can't compare compressed video with 'line skipping' to relatively raw and full sensor recording.

The 5D will likely smash it in low light due to the bigger sensor but how will it hold up in resolution and actual use? It's a great camera for sure though!

It'll be interesting to see how the 2/3" scarlet be used as a still camera...probably not as intuitive as the 5D!

Koing

One of the RED guys posted that the brain is just the brain; they'll be offering plenty of grips and handles and whatever you want to configure it however you want. I let out a big sigh of relief when I read that; the reason I'm a Nikon fanboy is like 99.999% because of their ergonomics.

 

[Koing]

Yeah they'll definitely release a bottom and a side grip but as to what they'll include with the 8x fixed seems to be seen...

It'll be fun to see these in the hands of people to shoot!

Koing

 

[Koing]

Yeah they'll definitely release a bottom and a side grip but as to what they'll include with the 8x fixed seems to be seen...

It'll be fun to see these in the hands of people to shoot!

Koing

 

[Kaido]

Yeah they'll definitely release a bottom and a side grip but as to what they'll include with the 8x fixed seems to be seen...

It'll be fun to see these in the hands of people to shoot!

Koing

I think the 8x fixed zoom will be about 6-60mm, so with the 2/3 it should be about 20-167mm or something (based on various bits of info scattered around the forum & RED Centre). The 8x lens is T2.4-2.6, which is amazing for being an onboard lens!

I'm leaning pretty strongly towards the 8X Fixed kit for my first Scarlet. This will be KILLER for Steadicam, thanks to the autofocus zoom lens & facial tracking system. Current plan is for the 8X kit with the REDmote upgrade (for follow-focus) & 128GB SSD module, plus a larger touchscreen LCD in addition to the include 2.8" model (probably the 9"). Eventually I'll pick up an interchangable brain (and probably some of those killer Mini Primes), but to start out with, the 8X just looks too good to pass up. Can't wait to see some footage from it!

My first big project should be around Fall 2010 (or late summer), so I'm really looking forward to getting one in next summer, nailing down the workflow, and just having a lot of fun :awe:

 

[Kaido]

According to Wikipedia, the 2/3 sensor has a crop factor of 3.93:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sensor_sizes#Table_of_sensor_sizes

Someone on RED did some rough calculations for the Mini Primes:

6mm T1.5 = 24mm FOV (35mm) equivalent
8mm T1.5 = 32mm FOV (35mm) equivalent
16mm T1.5 = 64mm FOV (35mm) equivalent
25mm T1.5 = 100mm FOV (35mm) equivalent
50mm T2.9 = 200mm FOV (35mm) equivalent

The 6mm & 8mm lenses don't look quite so scary now I believe RED said there are some more Mini Primes coming, and also that they'll be sold as a set for a bundle price. Woot!

 

[Kaido]

There's a good up-to-date summary here:

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=38432

Basically, there are 2 camera models for the 2nd generation of RED cameras:

1. Scarlet (more "prosumer")
2. EPIC (more "professional")

The Scarlet has 3 models (2/3, S35, and FF35), while the EPIC has 4 models (S35, FF35, 645, and 617). Here are the details:

Scarlet:

1. Scarlet 2/3 (3K, 120FPS, 150FPS Burst) * 8X fixed lens option, or interchangable option
2. Scarlet S35 (5K, 30FPS, 72FPS Burst)
3. Scarlet FF35 (6K, 30FPS, 72FPS Burst)

EPIC:

1. EPIC S35 (5K, 100FPS, max 250FPS @ 2K)
2. EPIC FF35 (6K, 100FPS, max 350FPS @ 2K)
3. EPIC 645 (9K - Medium Format, 50FPS, max 350FPS @ 2K)
4. EPIC 617 (28K - equivalent to the Linhof Technorama camera, with a data rate @ 500 MB/s; 30FPS, max 250FPS @ 2K)

That's a pretty amazing lineup! My plan is, in order:

1. Scarlet 2/3 8X fixed (this includes a full kit) w/ SSD & REDmote Pro (for follow focus)
2. Scarlet 2/3 Interchangable (probably with the Mini Primes)
3. EPIC S35 with Zeiss DigiPrimes & DigiZooms (hey, I can dream can't I?? )

I've decided to go with the 8X Fixed to start out with (summer 2010), because:

1. You get a killer package deal on it ($4750 for everything but a CF card)
2. The lens is great (nice zoom, fast glass) and plays nice with the AF system
3. I can upgrade to the REDmote Pro, which acts as a Follow Focus system (wirelessly too!)
4. I can upgrade to the SSD (or two), so I don't have a ton of small CF cards, plus 128GB = lots of capacity

From there, I'll snag an interchangable brain (since I can re-use the accessories) and gradually build up accessories to use it as a B-cam or for stuff like interviews that require 2 cameras. First upgrade will probably be the Mini Primes, plus a Nikon electronic mount since I already have a bunch of Nikon glass. Eventually I'd like to go with an EPIC S35 (350FPS whee!) and some Zeiss glass (because I :heart; Zeiss) as the main cam, along with a RedRocket card for decoding. And then a Ferrari. And a Lambo while I'm at it

Overall, pretty dang awesome! I'm super impressed with how low RED was able to get the Scarlet out for. It's something you can literally afford in 6-months working part-time for 4 hours a day at a minimum-wage job, if you're really serious about getting one and lack funds (cough, cough), and then go shoot high-quality footage on. Woot!

 

[Kaido]

R1-M-X 4.5k ISO 800: (you need the ProRes codec to play)

http://red.cachefly.net/snappy.mov

Haaaaaaawt...forget the Scarlet, I need an EPIC

 

[foghorn67]

I really wish, I had a ton of money for this.
Other then that, I hope we see a ton of great films from film students/projects, and established productions.

 

[Kaido]

I really wish, I had a ton of money for this.
Other then that, I hope we see a ton of great films from film students/projects, and established productions.

I think that's the thing...it's 1/2 the price of a modern HD "prosumer" camera. And for $5k you can get a ready-to-shoot kit, just add CF cards. Pretty stellar. And I'm guessing for the size, you can use run-of-the-mill stabilization stuff. I'm hoping the 8x fixed rig will be less than 8 pounds so I can fly it on my steadicam :awe:

 

[Kaido]

Oh man, Engadget got to check out the Scarlet with a Mini Prime at CES!

http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/09/red-scarlet-and-bomb-evf-surprise-hands-on/