The RED debate rages on
By S Simmons. Filed in Blogs and links, from the net, Internet resources, RED |
Indie4K has posted an article that is a response to a very detailed paper written by Rian Johnson titled Red Facts: straight talk on the technical realities of the Red camera. It’s a 23 page monster that goes into way more technical detail than many may want to know. It baits in the reader with this headline:
There is a lot of hype right now about Red camera outperforming high-end HD cameras and even 35mm film cameras. We’re going to tell you why we think it’s just that — hype.
I say baits because with a headline like that he is just inviting controversy. But bait might be too strong of a word as he has put an awful lot of time and energy in writing such a detailed document. I’m certainly not smart enough to know if all of his technical details are correct. His paper has ignited somewhat of a firestorm over at Reduser and his analysis is disected and debated (somewhat one-sided of course since it is the Reduser forums) by a lot of RED camera owners and RED users. As you read over Rian’s paper and the subsequent posts about it there is a lot of technical talk about resolution, perceptual sharpness, the origins of DPX files and photosites per pixel. It’s very tech heavy and not for the faint of tech heart. It’s funny to me that this debate even rages but not at all surprising. People often stand by their technological choice to the very end and defend it like they were defending their family honor. We see just as heated debates about one of my favorite debate topics, Avid vs. Final Cut Pro. I’ve read a lot of the pros and cons of the RED camera and talked to a number of people with varying opinions. While RED has created a great device they probably have over-hyped it as well. After all, it’s just a camera. The RED camera vs. all other cameras is really just like the Avid vs. Final Cut Pro debate … neither is really better than the other. It all depends on what you get out of it. If one particular camera or piece of edit software can perform up to your exacting standards, produce stunning images and cut them together with an elegance and ease then that is the best piece of gear, hands down.
Who is Rian Johnson? He’s the director of 2005′s Brick (which I looooove, though many hate) and the upcoming The Brothers Bloom. I just hope Rian continues to make unique and entertaining movies, either on RED, film or whatever format he chooses.
Thursday, September 25th 2008 at 10:29 pm
While we’re about to jump on the RED bandwagon, I have to keep reminding my staff (and myself!) that the RED is just a tool. If you have a skilled user who knows how to use that tool, you can make great works of art. Even our HVX200s (which have been workhorses for us for the last 3 years or so) have the ability to make stunning images in the right hands. Debates like the ones you mention in this post can be a lot of fun, and interesting (as far as they go), but as you say, if the tool works for you, that’s the one you should use.
Unless the tool is a Windows computer. Then you’re an idiot.
Friday, September 26th 2008 at 7:45 am
I heartily agree, wether you’re talking about a car or a camera, it’s not the technology it’s the person wielding it. I also loooooved Brick!
Friday, September 26th 2008 at 4:07 pm
I didn’t make the ‘Brick’ connection — thanks.
Wednesday, October 1st 2008 at 10:10 pm
I have to roll my eyes when people say “it’s just a tool”, like that evens everything out. In fact, there are technological breakthroughs that really do create a paradigm shift, and allow people to do important, impactful things they were never able to do before. Was the invention of the airplane “just another transportation tool?” What about the Model T, was that just another car? How about the Lisa/Mac graphical user interface revolution in 1983/84, were those models just another set of computers? Was the iPod just another music player–ie, different but no better or worse than a radio or tape? And I suppose the invention of the crossbow was just another bow-and-arrow.
Please.
The Red camera is not just another camera, guys. Maybe, being largely video editors, you don’t have the requisite knowledge to recognize a major change in the camera world when you see it, but that doesn’t change the fact that the Red camera really is a big leap. What’s so special? In one model, we have:
* Film-like resolution (at least, in the rough ballpark–how many $50K or even $100K cameras from Panasonic, Sony or JVC can do that?)
* 35mm shallow depth of field (ditto)
* Variable frame rates up to 120 fps (ditto)
* Raw 4:4:4 codec for unlimited color correction (ditto)
* Camera body for $17.5K (ditto)
The Red One introduced many many important firsts in a camera that almost every professional could afford to own. It really is a leap. Please give credit where it’s due….