Fixed Scarlet - Digital Zoom Steps?

[Laco Gaal]

Would it be possible to have a software feature in the fixed Scarlet, that when it's enabled, only a few focal lengths available, and all the other ones ignored?
I mean, I would set up the equivalents of FF 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, and so on, and when zooming it just jumps from one to another skipping all the focal lengths in the middle.

I know it's not a must-have, but it would be nice:)

[Benoît-Joan Clariana-Roig]

Oh, interesting idea !

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

The Lumix FX5 point and shoot camera does that... It's fun! :)

[Laco Gaal]

The Lumix FX5 point and shoot camera does that... It's fun! :)

Maybe the RED version of this thing could be user-definable, that would be amazing.
I just simply don't like that when I use a zoom, you don't really know/care what kind of focal length is the current one.

[Pietro Impagliazzo]

Well... I think most zooms have markings. The old Sony Z1 has zoom FL markings, my Panny 14-140 has, my Olympus 14-54 as well.

I remember very losely someone from RED mentioning that you see what FL the lens is set at the moment. I think it's just one of those things a professional camera is bound to have, not up for discussion since it's so basic.

However, if we are able to see the FL, do we really need to have these steps? Just set to your preferred FLs and it's done. But it can also be of creative advantage if someone wants to use the FLs as several primes, so why not have?

[Steve Wake]

This is way beyond my modest plans, but I could see this being a useful feature if you were using your Fixed to scout out different locations or test different camera positions for a shoot using a rented EPIC and high-end set of primes. When the time came you would know exactly what to use and where to put it for each scene.

Also useful for teaching purposes.

Presets would allow you to quickly match your prime set, possibly down to a fraction of a mm in focal length depending on the accuracy and precision of the Fixed digital readout. Could be significant at the wide end.

[Michael Dearworth]

But it can also be of creative advantage if someone wants to use the FLs as several primes, so why not have?

This is what I was thinking. While not necessary, it sure would be useful.

[Laco Gaal]

Presets would allow you to quickly match your prime set, possibly down to a fraction of a mm in focal length depending on the accuracy and precision of the Fixed digital readout. Could be significant at the wide end.

Well, this is how my brain works:
before I look in to the camera, I know what will I see through my 50mm, the field of view, the approx. depth of field, so on. I have to practice this day and day, and it would be great not to forget this knowledge using the the zoom on the Fixed Scarlet. I know a few other DOPs, who - when it's not possible to use fix lenses - always stick to these focal lengths using a zoom.

Also - correct me if not - but this is not an impossible thing to program (for example, reading/writing at 120fps, or HDR should be ten times harder), and it would be unique in the camera market.

[Steve Wake]

Well, this is how my brain works:
before I look in to the camera, I know what will I see through my 50mm, the field of view, the approx. depth of field, so on. I have to practice this day and day, and it would be great not to forget this knowledge using the the zoom on the Fixed Scarlet. I know a few other DOPs, who - when it's not possible to use fix lenses - always stick to these focal lengths using a zoom.

Also - correct me if not - but this is not an impossible thing to program (for example, reading/writing at 120fps, or HDR should be ten times harder), and it would be unique in the camera market.

I'm about the last person on this forum who could authoritatively correct or confirm that last comment, but it certainly makes sense to me.

As far as the first part, the last time I was at that level of awareness and confidence was when my camera body was a Nikkormat and the only lenses I owned were a 35 and a 50. Since then I've been through so many relatively short-term relationships with equipment, formats, aspect ratios, crop factors, etc, that I can't trust my judgement. Add to that zoom lens-induced laziness and my increasingly slippery middle-aged mind and I'm glad I still know just enough not to trust my judgement 100%.

What I'm really talking about is scouting a site so I know that the shot I want is achievable. I won't have to levitate 5 meters off the end of a pier with a 28 to get the framing I want, nor will I have to back-up through a concrete wall or trim a 100 year-old oak tree. I generally run and gun and do the best I can with what I have, but others are more meticulous and have more resources.

Because of the price point, the people considering purchase of Scarlet Fixed are a very mixed bag - despite Jim's desire that his tools be used by professionals. Some are well trained and experienced low budget cinema pros, some are moving up from HVX, EX or whatever, and some are established pros looking at it as part of a toolset that would include EPICs, $100,000 lens sets, etc. There are, however, no soccer moms.

We should all be thankful for this diversity because a bigger customer base means more projected sales, which should drive down the price. I doubt the price would be under $10,000 if Jim thought he was going to sell only 10,000 of these.

[Jeff Coatney]

Great Idea. And probably plenty of time to implement.