Arri Alexa and Mysterium-X...

[Graeme Nattress]

As I understand from Marcs test, the Alexa is "real" 800asa, were as Mysterium-X "just" squeezes all it can out of 320asa - ist this correct? When I did a test between the 5D and RED one, the 5D was clearly picking up information at least 1.5 stops sooner than the RED one pushed to 2000asa. So I would think a "real" 800asa sensor will always record more information on the dark end - am I getting this right?

First - no such thing as a "real asa" for these cameras - if we go look at the definition of ISO, it says for raw that you should "go with what the manufacturer suggests makes a good image", and there is a definition for sRGB JPEGs, but that's about it.

Do you not think that the precise tonal curve used to map the Alexa image into a viewable space is being used to calculate the ISO800 base? I can guarantee that the raw linear light sensor data is way too dark lit ISO800 to be of any use at all. A development curve is needed. Same with the RED - use REDGamma. With the FLUT system, it means that the ISO rating set in camera, and when viewed with REDGamma will give you a mid grey brightness that is correct when you measure the scene with your meter and set the lens and camera accordingly.

If you're talking about a sensor - they have one fixed sensitivity, and it's down to how the pixels light gathering is designed and the filters that come before it in the optical chain.

Graeme

[Liam Hall]

Cool article, times are changing fast. I'd loved to have seen a shot of the two cams side by side.

Same thing I predicted years ago. I was calling Epic the "film slayer" the day it was announced...

Who cares? I mean really, who cares?

Why celebrate having less choice? That just seems pointless and irrational.

[David Rasberry]

It will be interesting to see if Arri offers some form of raw acquisition too at some point. They chose to do an in camera deBayer and scale to 1080p output first instead. Certainly a practical choice to fit well established industry work flows.

Congratulations to Red and Arri for achieving the next milestone in the digital revolution: better than film low light performance.

[Graeme Nattress]

If demosaic is done in camera for a 1080p output, it makes the quality of the in-camera demosaic and downsample vitally important.

Graeme

[David Rasberry]

If demosaic is done in camera for a 1080p output, it makes the quality of the in-camera demosaic and downsample vitally important.

Graeme

How are you guys progressing on Red's version?

[Keith Neff]

I'm sorry HD resolution just really doesn't give you the flexibility or the archival value you need if you are truely going to eliminate film.
An interesting side note, we met with a major advertiser this week that was very interested in the Red to shoot both motion and still work during the same studio session. He told us, because of a number of factors, they could save $400-500K on a single project. He also said the agencies and directors were dragging their feet.
Resolution rules!

[David Rasberry]

I'm sorry HD resolution just really doesn't give you the flexibility or the archival value you need if you are truely going to eliminate film.
An interesting side note, we met with a major advertiser this week that was very interested in the Red to shoot both motion and still work during the same studio session. He told us, because of a number of factors, they could save $400-500K on a single project. He also said the agencies and directors were dragging their feet.
Resolution rules!

True, but a good HDSDI solution will make the camera more usable and efficient for general video production where the archival issue is of little importance. Nice to have the choice on a project by project basis.

[Harry Clark]

Even film's "rating" is just a suggestion by Kodak or Fuji. After designing a stock, and testing it, they settle on a speed that produces the "best" image, in their opinion.
However, individual DPs are free to choose to rate the film differently and put the picture information on a different part of the curve, for artistic effect or convenience.
Testing and experience lets us all be comfortable with any tool. In the case of Red's MX (or Alexa) some people may choose ISO 400, some ISO 800, and some ISO 1000 or even higher.
Looking forward to my upgrade, and to start playing with ALEXA as well!
Cheers,
Harry

[JanneJansson]

If demosaic is done in camera for a 1080p output, it makes the quality of the in-camera demosaic and downsample vitally important.

Graeme

Probably need more hardware and/or more power. Like a RedRocket in camera.

[Graeme Nattress]

Or very complex asics....

Graeme