Limitations of the Red One.

[Scott Watts]

I've heard many great things about the Red One, but I would like to know it's limitations. What can't this camera do? What are some negative aspects of using this camera? I would like to know any and all.

[Shawn Booth]

Neg. aspects - It's completely electronic, like a computer with a lens. You can't open her up and "repair" it like with mechanical film cameras.

It's "famous".

Currently, there are issues with software (both camera and post) that haven't been resolved - but I'm sure this is actually normal... Some experience random power downs...

Misconceptions about shooting with camera and its post workflow.

Everyone thinks it makes them a filmmaker/DP.
Everyone that thinks it's cool to outfit with the cheapest shit possible.

It's a camera. A camera that rocks despite its neg.

[Julio Quintana]

It's really heavy (for video standards) and not ergonomic at all.
Long boot up time (over a minute).
People who are used to shooting film often overexpose on RED, giving it bad publicity.

[Giancarlo Bianchi]

Just comes in anodyzed Black.

[SF Geek]

Can be noisy if not exposed correctly. Long boot up time. Not the greatest low-light performance.

[Brandon Fraley]

limited dynamic range compared to standard film stocks

Post workflow is actually pretty solid and can suite many different styles, but most ppl are still unfamiliar with it, leading to people making mistakes and thinking it's the camera or software's fault. if your doing the post yourself, or with a house experienced with RED, there should be no issues.

[Kwan Khan]

Can't used IMS mount... unless you're willing to lose warranty (lol)

[Antoine Fabi]

It is a truly fantastic camera.

But it's a Formula One, if you dont know what you're doing, you'll stall it at the starting grid. It won't make you a DP.
Once you know what you're doing though...Ouch... POWERFULL.
It's an very advanced camera.
Antoine

[Leo Ticheli]

Unfortunately, even after all the software upgrades, the Red One is still not equipped with imagination. You have to provide that for yourself.

In every other respect, it's a remarkable camera, a sea-change in the industry.

Good shoot and best regards,

Leo

[David Mullen ASC]

I don't think it is heavy unless your frame of reference is prosumer video -- it's much lighter than a lot of high-end HD cameras like the F23, F35, Genesis.

But you are talking about a camera designed to use 35mm cine glass, which is generally larger and heavier than HD lenses are, especially the zooms.

To be honest, the weaknesses for me are:

* Dynamic range - it's OK, similar to some other higher-end HD cameras, but I'd like to see that improve. I find myself stuck between exposing to reduce noise versus exposing to reduce clipping, and more dynamic range and less noise would help in that regards.

* Low-light capability -- the noise floor, especially in the blue channel, limits the camera in terms of how far you can underexpose it, especially in 3200K balance, which unfortunately a lot of night work happens in.

What this means is that the RED picture can be fantastic... but you really need to light for its contrast range and expose it correctly, and it looks much better in daylight-balanced light.

* people screwing up R3D conversions in post. Not a weakness of the camera per se, just that this is an important aspect to watch out for because it can be done in ways that will end up limiting your ability to color-correct it properly. Plus you can end up with inaccurate-looking Quicktime dailies.

It's a lot of camera for the buck though, I can guarantee that.

[Olivier Madar]

A lot of things are neg with the Red :

- Bugs (reboot, replay)
- Heavy
- A lot of power and hard drives
- You will never be happy and need a lot (ff, matebox, tripod, rods, ...)
- The workflow is continously moving
- You think that the body is not expensive but when you buy all what you need, you have spent a lot
- You though you were good in video before and you have to go to school again when you get it
- You surely won't get a whole Red Package, but you certainly will wait monthes for HD, for CP, for cables, ...
- No paper manuals, you will fill completely lost

But you know what ?

Buy one as quick as you can !

[James T Mather]

Unfortunately, even after all the software upgrades, the Red One is still not equipped with imagination.

Apparently that has been fixed in build 19.

[Christian Edwards]

Unfortunately, even after all the software upgrades, the Red One is still not equipped with imagination. You have to provide that for yourself.

In every other respect, it's a remarkable camera, a sea-change in the industry.


Very eloquently put Leo

[Christian Edwards]

Apparently that has been fixed in build 19.
since when does red condone the use of drugs

[James T Mather]

Also as a friend of mine pointed out other electronic cameras have a sophisticated character generator which allows you to write "sally's birthday pArty" - the Red doesn't have this feature (yet) - but here's hoping this glaring oversight is fixed in a later build.

[Jonathan Stevenson]

Also as a friend of mine pointed out other electronic cameras have a sophisticated character generator which allows you to write "sally's birthday pArty" - the Red doesn't have this feature (yet) - but here's hoping this glaring oversight is fixed in a later build.
A great feature for all those 4K birthday party shoots :)

[Joe Vinson]

No star wipe.

[jimhare]

Now that's funny! :)


Also as a friend of mine pointed out other electronic cameras have a sophisticated character generator which allows you to write "sally's birthday pArty" - the Red doesn't have this feature (yet) - but here's hoping this glaring oversight is fixed in a later build.

[Shawn R]

If you've used the camera outside of the operating or storage ranges that RED has now posted you may have already voided your warranty.

[Thomas Dobbie]

It makes a shit cup of coffee,but it does most other things pretty well.
Give it a try you won't look back.
Tom.

[Nick Gardner]

If you've used the camera outside of the operating or storage ranges that RED has now posted you may have already voided your warranty.

Are all 201 of this guys posts about his phobia of voiding his warranty because he's Canadian?