Comments on: The RED debate rages on

By: Rian vs Red at FreshDV

Rian vs Red at FreshDV — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:06:09 +0000

[...] Simmons recently noted some criticism of the Red camera (well, a manifesto really) by director Rian Johnson. Rian [...]

By: Ellis

Ellis — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 05:10:28 +0000

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….

By: rich

rich — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:07:03 +0000

I didn’t make the ‘Brick’ connection — thanks.

By: Andrea D'Elena

Andrea D'Elena — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 14:45:24 +0000

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!

By: GroovyBrent

GroovyBrent — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:29:17 +0000

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.