F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED at DVinfo.net

Kalunga Lima · July 30th, 2011, 03:30 AM

Hi,

Given a choice between a Sony F3 (with Dual link) and a Red One (non mX) for project meant to be projected on a large screen (12-15 meters), I am inclined to go with the F3 because of work flow and familiarity with XDCam cameras. We will be shooting in complicated situation and heat is a factor.

My question is whether there would be any significant difference between images captured on these two cameras: ie the RED is a 2.8 K sensor uprezed to 4K, while the F3 is a 2.5K sensor downrezed to HD.

thanks

Brian Drysdale · July 30th, 2011, 03:55 AM

The RED One is a 4k Beyer RAW, which will have an edge in the resolution stakes and this tends to become more important on the large screen. It really depends on how important the other factors are to you.

Charles Papert · July 30th, 2011, 08:38 AM

Consider that you have been watching theatrical features shot on 1080 cameras for 10 years now, and on screens at least 3 times larger than what you are asking about. Very few people can pick out films that are shot on late-model 1080 cameras vs RED. Yes, perhaps if you viewed the same scene in a split-screen situation, but otherwise--many other factors trump the resolution numbers game. I would go so far as to suggest that for a 12-15 foot screen, the difference in resolution will be irrelevant (just as under a given size of LCD screen, the difference between 1080 and 720 is unnoticeable).

Brian Drysdale · July 30th, 2011, 09:59 AM

The screen size is in meters rather than feet, but in the end either will do the job. Although, if it's filming wide landscapes I'd tend towards the RED over the F3 for a screen that size.

Charles Papert · July 30th, 2011, 10:08 AM

details, details! haha. oops.

Another factor of course is projection--assuming it will be a 1080 projector, not 4k? It's always better to start with more resolution, but I'll stick to my assertions. It would be interesting to see a test of this in split screen.

Brian Drysdale · July 30th, 2011, 10:53 AM

Indeed, it probably does depend on the projection system being used.

I suspect the difference may depend on how close you sit to the screen.

Timur Civan · July 31st, 2011, 03:49 PM

I'd go F3 w/ log and Dual link. You will get better latitude, and sensitivity than the REDONE (no mx like you stated), and based on experience with F3 and Slog, better color as well.

You will not win the resolution battle with a RED, but the F3 with all the fixings will win in several important areas, mainly image quality DR, Color rendition, etc.

July 30th, 2011, 03:30 AM	#1
Kalunga Lima Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Luanda - ANGOLA & Lisbon - PORTUGAL Posts: 160	F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED Hi, Given a choice between a Sony F3 (with Dual link) and a Red One (non mX) for project meant to be projected on a large screen (12-15 meters), I am inclined to go with the F3 because of work flow and familiarity with XDCam cameras. We will be shooting in complicated situation and heat is a factor. My question is whether there would be any significant difference between images captured on these two cameras: ie the RED is a 2.8 K sensor uprezed to 4K, while the F3 is a 2.5K sensor downrezed to HD. thanks __________________ Kalunga Lima PMW-350, PDW-F350, PDW-EX1, MacBookPro, MacPro 8-Core, Final Cut Studio 2, Canon 5D MkII

July 30th, 2011, 03:55 AM	#2
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED The RED One is a 4k Beyer RAW, which will have an edge in the resolution stakes and this tends to become more important on the large screen. It really depends on how important the other factors are to you.

July 30th, 2011, 08:38 AM	#3
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED Consider that you have been watching theatrical features shot on 1080 cameras for 10 years now, and on screens at least 3 times larger than what you are asking about. Very few people can pick out films that are shot on late-model 1080 cameras vs RED. Yes, perhaps if you viewed the same scene in a split-screen situation, but otherwise--many other factors trump the resolution numbers game. I would go so far as to suggest that for a 12-15 foot screen, the difference in resolution will be irrelevant (just as under a given size of LCD screen, the difference between 1080 and 720 is unnoticeable). __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 30th, 2011, 09:59 AM	#4
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED The screen size is in meters rather than feet, but in the end either will do the job. Although, if it's filming wide landscapes I'd tend towards the RED over the F3 for a screen that size.

July 30th, 2011, 10:08 AM	#5
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Re: F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED details, details! haha. oops. Another factor of course is projection--assuming it will be a 1080 projector, not 4k? It's always better to start with more resolution, but I'll stick to my assertions. It would be interesting to see a test of this in split screen. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

July 30th, 2011, 10:53 AM	#6
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,143	Re: F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED Indeed, it probably does depend on the projection system being used. I suspect the difference may depend on how close you sit to the screen.

July 31st, 2011, 03:49 PM	#7
Timur Civan Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: New York City Posts: 120	Re: F3 with S-Log and Dual Link vs RED I'd go F3 w/ log and Dual link. You will get better latitude, and sensitivity than the REDONE (no mx like you stated), and based on experience with F3 and Slog, better color as well. You will not win the resolution battle with a RED, but the F3 with all the fixings will win in several important areas, mainly image quality DR, Color rendition, etc. __________________ Director of Photography - www.timurcivan.com Sony F3, Cooke lenses, sunny disposition.