RED's 'big change' announcement is actually kind of big (updated)
By Thomas Ricker 
posted December 3rd 2008 6:41AM
posted December 3rd 2008 6:41AM
Update: After reviewing the 1 million configs, we did find something noteworthy: the previously TBD price of the 2/3-inch 8x fixed zoom 3K Scarlet is now priced at $3,750 when it ships as a "complete kit" with brain and lens sometime in the Fall of 2009. It looks like it should also be compatible with lenses from Canon and Nikon via an optional interchangeable lens mount. As previously announced, the "brain" alone costs $2,500. That officially puts RED within fighting distance of the 1080p-capable Canon EOS 5D Mark II for the prosumer's dollar. Relevant components pictured after the break.
[Thanks, Ben]
That thing looks comfortable to hold for hours.
Oh wait, no it doesn't.
It seems to me that RED products are aimed at film-makers and the Canon EOS 5D MkII is aimed at photojournalists.
These are related but different enough that both products can co-exist.
Actually... the Canon EOS 1d mark III is aimed at the majority of photojournalists...
The 5d is not as well made to hold up to the harsh conditions of shooting in pouring rain, on boats, on beaches, in swamps, or a variety of other situations where the pro series is more likely to survive.
The 5d might be geared toward photojournalists at weekly newspapers or small dailies who need something that does stills and video for the web -- but they DON'T have any use for 1080p video. DVD rez (720X480p) would be more than sufficient for the web.
Saying the 5d is geared toward photojournalists is like saying the Nikon D90 is geared toward photojrounalists. That's the purpose of the D3.
The 5d is not a pro camera -- it's an advanced amateur camera. Canon makes 2 pro cameras -- the 1d and the 1ds. Canon makes 2 advanced amateur cameras -- the 40d/50d and the 5d. Rebels are the amateur line.
Thomas you are wrong. Jannard stated this back in August, stating that monstro will go into another camera AIMED SQUARELY AT THE DSLR MARKET.
Well guess what happened?
Scarlet AND Epic ARE the DSMC. What happened to that specific camera?
Sorry, you're not convincing me. Nor are the pricetags. See if you can find a DSLR that shoots 1-100 FPS of 5K raw data while taking stills of 20-50 MP (i'm talking about epic). See if you can find that for less than 28 grand! There is no comparison! Epic and Scarlet DSMCs are Motion picture cinema cameras that have the ability to SHOOT stills. It's primary weapon is not to become a contender, but give film-makers an plus option as well.
I'd rather have a 5D2. It'll likely be better developed, since Canon has been around longer. Better yet, it's already shipped, a friend already has one. RED is just blowing smoke right now (as they often do).
In the end, I'm not going to spend a lot on a motion camera that has rolling shutter artifacts (like RED or 5D2), the 5D2 is primarily a still camera, which is makes sense, since that what it's great at.
Winter 09 (est) before Scarlett FF35 is available - appears to be closest thing to a 35mm full frame sensor and for the bargain price of $9750 for just the brain. My money's on RED missing that date too.
I just dont see how this announcement is remotely relevant to the Canon 5D II.
Yeah, but it's only a 4.9 megapixel still!!!
4.9 megapixel isn't bad for a video camera that also takes stills.
Now if it was a still camera that took video, it wouldn't be so hot.
Though, a lot of photojournalists are still using the old 2.7 megapixel Nikon d1 or the 4 megapixel Nikon d2h... and these folks are still winning national-level competitions. It's pretty amazing really.
If you know how to shoot it, 4 megapixels is actually quite a bit.
Hell, I remember shooting with the 1.3 megapixel Kodak/Nikon NC2000e from AP -- that sucker could still make a good 8x10 print at 200dpi with a little help from Photoshop. I've had images I shot on that hang in art galleries and win national photo awards.
Megapixels is just an excuse people use for their inability to use their legs to walk and crop at the camera.
Quite $$$hitty for a 4.9MP sensor if you ask me...
Who took that photo? I can't see it!
From all I've read, RED ONE users tend to be pretty happy filmmakers. The Scarlett tends to be geared towards filmmakers. As much as they claim it's a DSMC, I doubt it'll have much impact on photographers. Their marketting materials don't mention a lot of things that matter to photographers, the biggest one I can think of being fast autofocus, size/weight, weather sealing, compatibility with silly things like strobes etc.
You're right. I just noticed that the Mysterium-X sensor isn't full frame. In fact, the sensor is smaller than the Four-Thirds sensor (and people complain how that one's small). Granted, prolly not as big an issue with the film folk, but photographers (even at the high prosumer level) will balk if it's a small sensor. Nothing's changed on the photography front.
Now, if, say, RED actually put up some effort and released some full-frame AND MF sensors like they've mentioned in short time, then they present a challenge. Nikon's balking on MX, and Canon hasn't even mentioned a possible MF system. Of course, even with that, I'd still balk at it's shape and portability. (Kinda hoping Nikon's MX camera will at least be usable on a more actiony basis).
The only thing Mysterium about this slab of faux mil-spec fantasy ware sent back to us from some miserable dystopian future, is the mysterious lack of ergonomics?
Looks like they have some competition in the "real" camera department.
http://www.bluedigitalcinema.com