Upgrading "Mysterium X" to "Mysterium Monstro" Sensor

[James Andrew]

Dear Jim,
I would like to know, if it is possible for Red Scarlet S35 “Mysterium X” brain to be upgraded to Red Scarlet FF35 “Mysterium Monstro” When it is released, like you did with red?

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

Hi James, welcome to Reduser!

from what we know, it will not be possible, but you can sell your M-X Scarlet brain and buy a Monstro brain, and keep all (most) accessories.

[James Andrew]

Great! Thanks!

[Michael Olsen]

The idea behind the "modularity" concept is that the brains can be switched out independently from the accessories.

So lets say you have an S35 brain with the Pro I/O module, the Battery Module, and the SSD module. The FF35 brain comes on the market. All you need to do is buy the FF35 brain, and put the modules on it. You can keep the S35 brain as a spare or to use when the shallow DOF is a bit much for motion. Or you can sell it.

Contrasted with other systems (new sensor = whole new camera) I think this is brilliant.

[James Andrew]

The idea behind the "modularity" concept is that the brains can be switched out independently from the accessories.

So lets say you have an S35 brain with the Pro I/O module, the Battery Module, and the SSD module. The FF35 brain comes on the market. All you need to do is buy the FF35 brain, and put the modules on it. You can keep the S35 brain as a spare or to use when the shallow DOF is a bit much for motion. Or you can sell it.

Contrasted with other systems (new sensor = whole new camera) I think this is brilliant.

But what about the Lens mount? wouldn't it need to be changed?
It feels that S35 is a little bigger than FF35 from the photo, what do you think?
And is it easy to change the brain by my self or Red should be doing this?

[Michael Olsen]

But what about the Lens mount? wouldn't it need to be changed?

That depends on what lenses you are using. If you are putting PL mount lenses on either camera, I believe that mount comes standard. If you need to change the mount to something else (Canon, Nikon, etc) you can purchase the mount from RED for about $500 and install it yourself - four screws is all it takes. No wires to plug in, no complex alignment, no big deal. Judging from a recent article, you can even do it while the camera is on.

It feels that S35 is a little bigger than FF35 from the photo, what do you think?

That picture is just showing different lens mounts. I believe the one on the S35 is a PL mount and the one on the FF35 is a Canon EOS mount.Really, any of those could be switched and put on any camera in the lineup, however you want to. (Though a 2/3" or c-mount wouldn't make much sense on an S35 or FF35 because the lens would vignette...) Another totally modular feature.

And is it easy to change the brain by my self or Red should be doing this?

Unless something has changed, adding or removing modules/brains is as simple as a 1/4 turn of a hex nut, and then sliding the module off its little mounting bracket. No wires to connect, no internal electronics exposed, no complicated procedure...in fact, I think I'd probably have to try to do it wrong and even then I don't know if I could.

[James Andrew]

wow! thanks for that amazing info!

[Michael Olsen]

No problem at all. Epic and Scarlet are shaping up to be really great camera systems.

[Chuck Z]

Any chance we'll see a Scarlet Fixed 2/3" with a Mysterium Monstro?

[Michael Olsen]

Any chance we'll see a Scarlet Fixed 2/3" with a Mysterium Monstro?

Unless I'm mistaken, I think the only chips on the roadmap to be "Monstro" are the FF35, the 645, and the 617. Not to say it couldn't happen...

But I wonder if the "Monstro" monicker is used because the physical architecture of the chips is more geared toward larger formats?