Isaac Babcock
10-11-2007, 11:34 AM
I usually just sit back and observe, but Stuart English said it is helpful to write in – that feedback has been a large part of the camera’s progress. I enjoyed dabbling around with Stuart, Gibby, Jeff, et. al in Jackson, and thought I’d share a couple of my thoughts from the natural history side of the pond. RED team, please know that these are not criticisms, I am entirely thrilled with your progress and what you have done. Chances are you have already thought of these things and have your good reasons for not having them, or they are already in the works…but I’ll pontificate about what I shouldn’t while the backcountry satellites are aligned.
Sleep Function: I know Jim has reiterated over and over that they are working on decreasing the startup/boot up time. But even if that gets down to 10 seconds, it is a bit to long when your saving batteries in the winter backcountry with the camera off and the action starts. What about having a sleep function (like closing and opening a laptop) where the camera powers “mostly” down but can wake up in a second or two with the push of a button? Suddenly even a 1 min. boot up time becomes acceptable. Start/boot up first thing, put it to sleep until the action starts. When the shoot is over and your hiking home, power it completely off.
Fan Speed/cold weather: The overheating issue has been addressed. But cold? Though typically a lesser concern with electronics, is anyone brave enough to stick their RED in the freezer for a couple hours, then record? At below freezing temperatures would a zero fan speed (both while shooting and in standby) significantly increase battery life (since cooling shouldn’t be an issue??)? I dunno, maybe the fan actually generates heat when the ambient temp is 20 below???
Supergrip: Any chance that it will be able to control/power other motors such as a Heden M26? I’m asking a lot here if I’m the only one in this position, but my 150-600 lens has a built in Heden zoom motor, I’d replace the motor with a Red Motor, but it doesn’t appear that simple. I’d hate to need a Micro-force and a Supergrip both if the Supergrip could do it all. Just wishes…
Thanks and continue the revolution. Jan/Feb can’t come too soon.
Sleep Function: I know Jim has reiterated over and over that they are working on decreasing the startup/boot up time. But even if that gets down to 10 seconds, it is a bit to long when your saving batteries in the winter backcountry with the camera off and the action starts. What about having a sleep function (like closing and opening a laptop) where the camera powers “mostly” down but can wake up in a second or two with the push of a button? Suddenly even a 1 min. boot up time becomes acceptable. Start/boot up first thing, put it to sleep until the action starts. When the shoot is over and your hiking home, power it completely off.
Fan Speed/cold weather: The overheating issue has been addressed. But cold? Though typically a lesser concern with electronics, is anyone brave enough to stick their RED in the freezer for a couple hours, then record? At below freezing temperatures would a zero fan speed (both while shooting and in standby) significantly increase battery life (since cooling shouldn’t be an issue??)? I dunno, maybe the fan actually generates heat when the ambient temp is 20 below???
Supergrip: Any chance that it will be able to control/power other motors such as a Heden M26? I’m asking a lot here if I’m the only one in this position, but my 150-600 lens has a built in Heden zoom motor, I’d replace the motor with a Red Motor, but it doesn’t appear that simple. I’d hate to need a Micro-force and a Supergrip both if the Supergrip could do it all. Just wishes…
Thanks and continue the revolution. Jan/Feb can’t come too soon.