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View Full Version : RED question to Jim: digital zoom



acrochordon
07-11-2006, 07:14 PM
Ok. I probably will only be able to afford one or two non-zoom lenses. (Single focal length lenses are better quality any ways.) So my question is, will RED have the option of a digital zoom for 1080p? I don't need it to actually zoom while filmimg, just have different focal lengths. I don't want a reduction in image quality when digitally zooming.

I think I would buy a 50mm MF macro lens (35mm format) due to price.

What focal length would that convert to (in 35mm terms)? If RED could digital zoom without loss of quality, what would a 50mm be able to digitaly zoom too. How about other lenses, and what they could digitaly zoom too.

Maybe I should also get a 28mm and a 100mm (in 35mm format). I could afford that.

If RED used almost all the CMOS (some if lost due to 35mm format) to capture at 1080p, how wide would a 50mm lens be? If RED windowed the CMOS all the way to capture 1080p, how much of a telephoto would that make a 50mm lens into? (Please answer in 35mm equivalent terms.)

I am not interested in 100x digital zoom or anythin crazy like that. Something like a 3x or 4x would be nice. But if I had one lens and could digitally get a few different focal lengths out of it, that would be great. I don't like changing lenses much due to dust and humidity, the time it takes to change lenses, and the extra weight and cost. So there are lots of reasons I would want only one lens.

I can afford a RED ONE no problem, but the added cost of expensive lenses, and inconvenience of manual focus and manual aperture might scare me away. I might wait for Panasonic to come up with something that can autofocus and has a non-removable lens that can do 1080p. That might take a few years, especially for P2 cards to drop in price. I am interested in RED, but RED might not be for me.

Thanks.

Jannard
07-11-2006, 10:01 PM
25mm photographic is about 18mm (S35mm cine)
50mm photographic is about 37mm (S35mm cine)
100mm is about 73mm (S35 cine)
200mm is about 147mm (S35 cine)

an 18-100mm S35 cine zoom is the equivelent to about a 25-135mm photographic zoom.

hope that helps.

Jim

Policar
07-11-2006, 11:25 PM
18-100mm (plus "200mm" at 120fps through crop mode) are the only real focal lengths you need. If the semi-announced zoom lens is moderately fast (f2.8) and cheap (around 10 grand) it's going to shake things up about as much as the camera body itself.

Honestly, you can get by with two or three lenses if you have to, though. People are used to framing with a zoom, which is really not good practice at all, since the focal length can say a tremendous amount independent of the framing of the subject. With just a wide angle, normal, and medium telephoto lens, you can do a lot.

Greg Lowry
07-11-2006, 11:35 PM
18-100mm (plus "200mm" at 120fps through crop mode) are the only real focal lengths you need. If the semi-announced zoom lens is moderately fast (f2.8) and cheap (around 10 grand) it's going to shake things up about as much as the camera body itself.

Honestly, you can get by with two or three lenses if you have to, though. People are used to framing with a zoom, which is really not good practice at all, since the focal length can say a tremendous amount independent of the framing of the subject. With just a wide angle, normal, and medium telephoto lens, you can do a lot.
At this point in time to speculate that an 18-100 T2.8 lens (or similar) for $10K is in the works is a big leap. That would be 1/5th the cost of the nearest comparable zoom. Maybe RED can do it, but I'll believe it (and probably buy it) when I see it. In any event it's on the somewhat distant horizon right now.

The problem with having an S35 zoom lens as one's only lens is that it will really restrict the style of shooting. I agree that you don't need a zoom. I would recommend a set of primes instead. Or even remounted still camera lenses including a remounted short zoom.

Jannard
07-11-2006, 11:48 PM
Primes are better. Our zoom will be great quality (for a zoom) and priced right. The only downside is release date. I'd expect sometime mid-2007.

CVB
07-12-2006, 12:27 AM
Well, if Jim's isn't ready until Mid-2007 you guys can buy mine right now... I'm accepting preorders starting tomorrow. It comes with a complimentary roll of duct tape and toilet paper tube.

imgentertainment@mac
07-12-2006, 02:01 AM
You didn'y put up the paypal email

CVB
07-12-2006, 02:05 AM
You didn'y put up the paypal email

lol.. yeah, I'll put that up right away :)

acrochordon
07-12-2006, 09:59 PM
Thanks Jim.

I guess once I get the money, I would get a 18-100mm zoom and a 300mm.

Will RED ever make a 2x extender?

acrochordon
07-12-2006, 10:19 PM
I like to speculate, so here goes nothing.

16mm $1500
32mm $1500
85mm $1500
135mm $1500
300mm $4,750 confirmed
18-100mm $9000

pinhole $1

Am I warm or cold?

Proteus
07-13-2006, 09:14 AM
25mm photographic is about 18mm (S35mm cine)
50mm photographic is about 37mm (S35mm cine)
100mm is about 73mm (S35 cine)
200mm is about 147mm (S35 cine)

an 18-100mm S35 cine zoom is the equivelent to about a 25-135mm photographic zoom.

hope that helps.

Jim
Or, to understand how the focal distance of an SLR (photographic) lens is going to be affected when mounted on RED:

Resulted focal distance on RED (in terms of 35mm phot.) = SLR focal dist. x 1.475 (36 / 24.4)

So to refer to Jim's list we'll have:

25mm photographic -> 37mm
50mm photographic -> 74mm
100mm -> 147mm
200mm-> 295mm

an 25-135mm photographic zoom will be 37-199mm on RED

Is it correct Jim?