Mixing Red 2k and 4k footage

[Marco Iannaccone]

Do you think (or you have any experience with it) that mixing 2k Red One footage with 4k footage would give bad results, with quality differences clearly visible?

I'm curious about the possibility of shooting the biggest part of a movie at 4k, shooting at 2k when I need 48fps or 72fps.

I'm interested in printing the final master to film and in 4k digital projection, too.

[Gregorios]

I would shoot tests. I'm not crazy about the way 2k looks when intercut with 4k on the big screen. I'm looking forward to shooting 3k the next time I need slo mo.

[Marco Iannaccone]

I would shoot tests. I'm not crazy about the way 2k looks when intercut with 4k on the big screen. I'm looking forward to shooting 3k the next time I need slo mo.

So, you've seen 2k footage made 4k and projected at 4k?

Anyway, what framerates does Red One allow at 3k?

Thanx

[Andrew Walker]

I can't imagine 2K footage going to 4K looking very good. But if you went the other way, 4K to 2K. Then the 2K footage you shot wouldn't look to bad. I think 3K is up to 50fps, maybe 60fps at redcode 28 and shooting to the Red Drive.

[Gregorios]

I shot a short that was a mixture of 4k & 2k (48fps). We did a DI (2k 10 bit DPX) and blow up to 35mm. Even though the DI was at 2k the 4k material stood out as sharper and cleaner. Even on our HD copy the 2k material looks less sharp then the 4k material.

[Marco Iannaccone]

I shot a short that was a mixture of 4k & 2k (48fps). We did a DI (2k 10 bit DPX) and blow up to 35mm. Even though the DI was at 2k the 4k material stood out as sharper and cleaner. Even on our HD copy the 2k material looks less sharp then the 4k material.

Thanx a lot, that's exactly the kind of experience I needed.

So, it seems, even when producing a final master at 2k, it's bettere shooting everything at the same resolution, right?

[Gregorios]

I think it's best to shoot at 4k no matter if you're finishing in 35mm, HD or SD. 4k looks the best and is what separates Red from the look of regular HD cameras (and S16 for that matter).

[Marco Iannaccone]

I think it's best to shoot at 4k no matter if you're finishing in 35mm, HD or SD. 4k looks the best and is what separates Red from the look of regular HD cameras (and S16 for that matter).

Well, obiously, but... in case I need 48 fps, 60 fps or 72 fps?

[Gregorios]

You should run a test and trust your eyes with what's right. You could shoot 4k and use something like twixtor or try out 3k with twixtor for really high frame rates. I haven't done this so I can't comment. 2k might look fine for your project for slow motion too. It's as much a creative as technical decision.

[Kenn Michael]

3K looks much better than 2K for higher framerates.