Has a RED ever been used for IMAX?

[drew sandoval]

Hey guys...

Just wondering if anyone has ever heard of RED 4k footage being tested as a substitute for IMAX film? I am not talking the IMAX DMR blow-up ( which Contagion underwent), but the full 1.44 aspect ratio full-size IMAX. The only films i think to have full size IMAX sequences are MIGP, Dark Knight Rises and Transformers 2 (all shot there sequences with actual IMAX-size 70mm film, except alot T2 stuff was full frame VistaVision stuff upconverted to the 1.44 full-size IMAX). Does anyone know if tests were ever conducted, and could recall what the consensus opinion was?

just wondering...

[Sergio Perez]

I think Contagion was on IMAX screens?

[drew sandoval]

I think Contagion was on IMAX screens?

Contagion wasn't blown up beyond the normal IMAX DMR conversion, which on a six story 1.44 IMAX screen only takes up the center two-thirds, with it's 1.85 aspect ratio. I am wondering about any tests everdone with RED footage used to fill the full six story screen.

[Austin Chapman]

Bump, interested in this same topic.... is 5k IMAX size or smaller?

[Kemalettin Sert]

read or heard somewhere imax is beyond 8K...gotta check Wally Pfister interviews again for this

[Jake Bastian]

IMAX film resolves beyond 8K but it's still projected at 2K, hopefully that will change to at least 4K soon. I'm betting RED Dragon will be better for shooting in the right aspect ratio without having to crop too much into your sensor.

[Tom Lowe]

The answer is yes. Epic is being used now to shoot portions of multiple IMAX films, and has been for almost a year. Extensive testing has been done, by multiple parties.

The problem, though, is the aspect ratio. By the time you cut off the sides of the Epic image to make it 3:2, for example, you have lost much of the resolution. This is why developing a 3:2 FF35mm cinema camera is still important, IMO.

[Martin Whittier]

There was a really good article on here awhile back discussing IMAX projection not resolving past 4K due to limitations in the glass, not the film.

[Lonny Danler]

Been shooting a bit of an IMAX 3D documentary 5k 3:1 but haven't seen anything printed yet. First thing when they do I'm taking a look at it though.

[Trevor Meeks]

I believe they were shooting AIR RACERS 3D (Reno Air Races) on Red Ones for IMAX.