RED + HD ENG lens question

T

tonacidigital

Well-known member
Hi all

Gibby stated "the key features needed on RED to justify the use of an HD ENG lens would be a multi-pin power bus and/or an RS232 connector to enable use of the zoom servos. Many of the HD ENG lenses are RS232 enabled, thus if RED has an RS232 bus, it’s feasible that could be a way of controlling lenses."

Can anyone at IBC or from the RED team comment on the possibility of RED having an RS232 bus?
 
2/3 " HD lens

2/3 " HD lens

Well the other way to approach this problem is an interchangable lens mount that could accomodate P/L (standard) or an (optional) alternative lens mount interface such as 2/3" B4 - as used by 2/3" HD lenses.
 
Having the optional 2/3" HD lens mount is definitely cool. Cine-style 2/3" HD lenses are fully manual, but ENG-style 2/3" HD zoom lenses need power to use the servo on the handgrip. If RED had a multi-pin power bus on the front or side of the camera body, then power from the camera battery could be used to enable use of the HD ENG zoom functions. The newer versions of 2/3" HD ENG zoom lenses also have RS232 control of the lens from the camera body. These features would enable true run 'n gun ENG-style use for sports, reality, events, news, etc., with RED in an ENG-style accessory/lens setup...obviously a big potential market for RED. Entities that shoot ENG-style almost always shoot cine-style also when projects require it, so changing to that mode would be a simple re-setup of accessories and lens. Since versatility is one of the key concepts of RED One, 1080i and 720p are included in the image formats, and a B4 2/3" optional mount is planned, it would make great sense to complete that field production workflow by enabling power and control to 2/3" HD ENG zoom lenses.

Gibby
RED #8
www.cut4.tv
www.4umat.com
 
Last edited:
In an ideal world, RED would have a couple of generic power taps, a couple of RS232 ports, and maybe a USB port or two, and there would be a software developer's kit that allowed third-parties to write software that ran on the camera.

This would not only make it trivial for third-parties to support pretty much anything RED didn't support, but would allow for entirely new classes of accessories we probably can't even guess at.

Plus, people could write custom camera software. Maybe a specialized type of focus assist works better in certain situations? Implement it yourself, download it to the the camera, and use it. And post it on the web so others can use it.

It's clear RED has some fairly serious processing power on board, so the possibilities for camera-based software are probably considerable.
 
In an ideal world, RED would have a couple of generic power taps, a couple of RS232 ports, and maybe a USB port or two, and there would be a software developer's kit that allowed third-parties to write software that ran on the camera.

This would not only make it trivial for third-parties to support pretty much anything RED didn't support, but would allow for entirely new classes of accessories we probably can't even guess at.

Plus, people could write custom camera software. Maybe a specialized type of focus assist works better in certain situations? Implement it yourself, download it to the the camera, and use it. And post it on the web so others can use it.

It's clear RED has some fairly serious processing power on board, so the possibilities for camera-based software are probably considerable
Click to expand...

Chris 100% with you on that.:thumbsup:

Red is marketing the camera for ENG use, as well as cine use. Red's new web site states "shoot lightweight ENG style" etc. Since red have indicated that they will make nikkon & canon mounts first and B4 mounts later that leaves s16mm lenses which are generally quite heavy. No weight has been given yet for teh new zoom mentioned and it will not likely to be ready when the camera ships.Does red expect those type of users (the ENG, run & gun type) to do what the cine guys may do and use the much lighter and cheaper still 35mm zooms with modifications to them etc, but use the windowed modes to allow for easier focusing? Maybe someone from red could explain?

Steve (Gibby) has asked about the rs 232 connection for use with 2/3rds lenses but red have not indicated if they would consider this as an option.

Others have already voiced doubts about the use of red for ENG type use. Particularly the shoulder mount and the actual rounded part that fits over your shoulder. How are you expected to quickly take it off the shoulder and mount it on a tripod?

The whole red team know by now that the vast majority of us support you 100% all the way. But others are now coming away with statements that say "red know what they are doing they will get it right"

Red do know what they are doing BUT they do not know if what they are doing will work for sure. Thats why we have modifcations to the body, the red gun (no mention now) and the new red shoulder (red rails). Thats why they are on here and asking you guys for input. Work in progress expect change!. We need MORE critics and negative aspects mentioned if they are deemed to be justified and constructive. We need less people (me included) jumping out as if to defend red from attack. If everyone is civilised and polite and gets their negative aspects accross so much the better. What we dont want is red to finally ship the camera and those that have stayed silent suddenly appear out of the woodwork and start saying we told you so.


This is going to be one hell of a brilliant camera, lets help to make it that way by speaking out about the negatives. In any case i dont see why you cine guys should get this camera all to yourself:grin:

Michael
 
Last edited:
I totally agree. I hope RED will show the camera in all of its various configurations, fully accessorised. I'd like to see the camera without the cage, mounted on a tripod, with lense, mattbox, opened LCD, battery, mic, hard drive, etc. I'd also like to see how fast it can just be pulled from a camera bag, slid onto a tripod, open the viewer, throw on the mattbox, and shoot. Run and Gun. The cage looks a bit big for a normal backpack style camera bag.
 
I agree it is essential for Red to have the electronic connection for ENG lenses if they are calling it a camera for ENG work as well as cine-style.
 
Chris Kenny said:
Plus, people could write custom camera software.
Click to expand...

Chris, that's an absolutely brilliant idea. I'd love to see a way to have custom software run on the RED. Takes expanding the camera to its natural max. I would really really love to see this! :grin: :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top