Matching the RED ONE, Scarlet and the SONY F3.

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Vigil_ Ant

New member
Hi all,

As most newbies say, I am new to this forum and so I'm in search of your wise words.

I have a shoot coming up soon, as such I'm still in preproduction. I have three cameras at my disposal - The RED ONE, Scarlet and the SONY F3.

My question is: Will I be able to match the image these cameras in post?

The F3 will be used for reversals while the Scarlet will be used as A and B cameras.

All your input will be much appreciated.

Regards

The Vigil_Ant.
 
Does the RED ONE have the Mysterium-X chip? If so, then matching it with the Scarlet would be easy (same sensor=same dynamic range, resolution and color), providing the lenses match. What lenses will you be using?

The F3 will not be as easy though. It has a larger dynamic range but lower resolution. While you might be able to get the RED to match the S-Log and then use a similar grade in post, the only way would be to test. But have a look at Timur Civan's tests of a RED Scarlet vs F3 (the RED ONE would look essentially identical to the Scarlet) and you can see the differences:
 
Hi there, Gabel.

Thank you so much for your speedy reply, it makes sense that the Scarlet as well as the RED ONE would match more easily.

I think I would need to bother you again in future when I have finally decided on what lenses I'll be using.

Also, I just want to confirm, it is not imppossible to match the F3 and the RED ONE; although the differences would still be clear even if you did.

Much Appreciated.


 
Test, test, and test.

Find the look you want using your main camera settings and match the other cameras by testing and dialing in the other settings. There is no formula to precisely do it blindly. Camera sensors can vary in look, even if the same company or sometimes in the same model series!

Even if your cameras were exactly matched, testing is important if you are using two different sets of lenses or if the cameras are using different types of ND filters.


The answer to 99% of all questions in the cinematography forum is simply 'test, test, test'. It's the best way to learn and it also accounts for all variables, and there are often many.

It is almost always possible to match any high quality camera to another, but you'll have to cater to the needs of the lowest common denominator and doing so requires you to precisely know how the camera varies and how to provide for that discrepancy. It's not as easy as loading a pre-made scene file setting.
 
Vigil_ Ant said:
Hi there, Gabel.

Thank you so much for your speedy reply, it makes sense that the Scarlet as well as the RED ONE would match more easily.

I think I would need to bother you again in future when I have finally decided on what lenses I'll be using.

Also, I just want to confirm, it is not imppossible to match the F3 and the RED ONE; although the differences would still be clear even if you did.

Much Appreciated.


Click to expand...

Glad I could help!

Ryan Patrick O'Hara said it well: Shoot tests and take them into your grading suite.

And for lenses, it's best to match them up as well. Talk to you rental house about testing and that you need a matching set and they should help you.

The F3 shouldn't be impossible, but probably harder to match up. Shoot some tests (make sure they all match lens-wise, to get as much "apples-apples" on each camera) and then take them into your grading suite, possibly finding a LUT for either to match them up and see how you feel.
 
You mentioned the Scarlet as the A and B camera and the F3 as a B and C camera(?). But you didn't mention what the RED One will be used for. Couldn't you just use the RED cameras and forget the F3?

If you don't mind, what kind of show are you working on that requires 3 camera's?
 
Justin Aguirre said:
You mentioned the Scarlet as the A and B camera and the F3 as a B and C camera(?). But you didn't mention what the RED One will be used for. Couldn't you just use the RED cameras and forget the F3?

If you don't mind, what kind of show are you working on that requires 3 camera's?
Click to expand...

Hello there Justin,

A thousand apologies, what I meant was I was planning on using the Scarlet and the RED ONE as A and B.

You have a good point their though, the only reason I was planning on using the F3 is purely because I have access to one and thought it to be a shortcut (ironically).

I think the RED ONE and Scarlet should be more than enough though.

Thank you.
 
Vigil_ Ant said:
Hello there Justin,

A thousand apologies, what I meant was I was planning on using the Scarlet and the RED ONE as A and B.

You have a good point their though, the only reason I was planning on using the F3 is purely because I have access to one and thought it to be a shortcut (ironically).

I think the RED ONE and Scarlet should be more than enough though.

Thank you.
Click to expand...

That does sound smarter. Not only making it easier to match, but also providing a better post-pipeline, with all formats being equal, using the same res and grade. However, testing is still worth doing (I know on Girl With The Dragon Tattoo that even not all their RED cameras matched a 100%, so it's good to try both and see how each delivers).
 
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