RED DSLR Camera

#1 Brad Walters

Interesting concept in a camera. But I wonder how sharp the glass is, how accurate the color really is...etc. All of those concerns we struggle with with Canon and Nikon. I think that with Canon and Nokon's new HD video ability, I will be sticking with what I know, and have glass for.

4:36 pm - Thursday, November 13, 2008

#2 jason

Some of the configurations (Scarlet or Epic s35 and FF35) take Nikon or Canon lenses on an APS-C-like sensor or a full frame 35mm sized sensor, respectively. Glass won't be so much an issue.

5:19 pm - Thursday, November 13, 2008

#3 Gordon Moat

Since you would be able to place your choice of Canon or Nikon lens (or Mamiya 645 on the larger module), there is no issue on lenses. If you wanted to use RED lenses, expect to pay around double what a comparable Nikon or Canon lens might cost. As to the quality of the glass, probably not twice as good, despite twice as expensive, but expect mind blowing performance. RED doesn't screw around when they want to make something, though that is reflected in the pricing.

The only downsides I see are the weight, ergonomics, and electronic viewfinder (EVF). They list the full frame 35mm module at under 3 pounds, but you still need to add a lenses, battery grip, and viewfinder . . . I'm guessing a 6 pound DSLR in standard configuration. Compare that to the slightly lighter Canon 1Ds series or Nikon D3 series, and the RED is a bit chunky. The ergonomics are somewhat unknown until someone actually handles it, though it seems to be more like a medium format SLR than a smaller SLR in handling. The biggest question for me is the performance of that EVF for manually focusing. Accurate and fast focus under low light conditions with fast lenses is one performance area that I would want, and I don't see how any EVF could compete with a nice pentaprism.

6:57 pm - Thursday, November 13, 2008

#4 kent wedding photographer

The fact that it is compatable to the canon and nikon lenses makes this camera a welcome addition to the market :o) However the weight and price of the camera are my only concern :o(

11:07 am - Friday, November 14, 2008

#5 Tony Harris

Camera's are too big as it is, who the hell wants to carry that around!

4:33 pm - Friday, November 14, 2008

#6 Smick

Great concept will it live up to its hype, look forward to seeing in depth reviews.

9:27 pm - Friday, November 14, 2008

#7 I take pix

Drool.

9:55 pm - Friday, November 14, 2008

#8 Mike Zdancewicz

Hopefully, this will open eyes to the idea of a modular digital camera. If we could replace the brains and sensor of a camera and keep the remaining bits, then maybe we could have a more affordable and accessible upgrade path for users. The camera makers may discover soon that the public cannot keep chasing the upgrade path of expensive DSLR's.
Maybe the pending economic disaster will underscore the need for a more economical solution.

11:47 pm - Friday, November 14, 2008

#9 red

as someone who has shot with a red and is also a pro photographer I can say that while this is not for me at the moment. But, if I were a studio photographer I would consider it. But what everyone needs to understand this is for DPs who also moonlight as photographers. When I used the RED the first thing I noticed was just how impressive the weight was. It was like a cast iron pan. What's great about that is quality and stability but not so great for 12 hour hand-held days.

@Brad Walters
you can use hundreds of lenses from many different makers. Those concerned about the EV should go bug a friend who owns a RED ONE and look through his EV before you judge

So please remember this is still a video/film camera first, unless you're building out the MF system

12:06 am - Saturday, November 15, 2008

#10 Max Archer

I've been awaiting this camera with baited breath, as they say, and I have to admit being a bit disappointed. While it'll surely be a very impressive system, it clearly isn't going to replace pro-level Nikon or Canon (Or Mamiya, Hasselblad, etc) systems any time soon. The size and weight seem pretty problematic, and the EVF is a definite downside. I also wonder just how well the AF system will perform, as fast-moving action is just the situation where the 30FPS would be a godsend.

8:03 pm - Saturday, November 15, 2008

#11 plast tique

is it only me, or the materials look like cheap plastic used in kid toys?

9:41 pm - Saturday, November 15, 2008

#12 Gordon Moat

Actually, these are aluminum with either powder coated or anodized finish. When you look at how heavy the modules are, then you quickly realize aluminum is not that light. We could only wish for magnesium, high tech plastic, or carbon fibre to drop the weight a bit, though perhaps RED might consider this in the future.

9:50 pm - Saturday, November 15, 2008

#13 Andreas Falco

Is it only me, but the title says "RED DSLR" and now I learn it is an EV camera? "A digital single-lens reflex camera (digital SLR or DSLR) is a digital camera that uses a mechanical mirror system and pentaprism to direct light from the lens to an optical viewfinder on the back of the camera." (Wikipedia)

10:29 pm - Saturday, November 15, 2008

#14 Paul Burwell

The Red announcement is very interesting, but I think it is much more expensive than what is immediately obvious from the press release.

For the casual (non professional) user, a fully configured camera will be considerably more expensive than the alternatives from the likes of Canada and Nikon.

10:16 pm - Sunday, November 16, 2008

#15 68craigdale

I can't wait to use one for street photography. (once I've got the 'dolly' made for it that is.)

11:46 pm - Sunday, November 16, 2008

#16 Daniel

is it only me, or the materials look like cheap plastic used in kid toys?
plast tique

haha! I thought the same thing when I saw the image.

6:35 am - Monday, November 17, 2008

#17 Paul Burwell

"is it only me, or the materials look like cheap plastic used in kid toys?"

Those are not images, they are renders. If you've ever seen the actual Red One you'll know they have a very professional matte black surface and so will the new cameras.

3:53 pm - Monday, November 17, 2008

#18 canon slr camera

i think this camera have a great design. Who doesn't think like me? very cool

4:11 pm - Tuesday, March 10, 2009

#19 Curtis Copeland

This is definitely the future. A fusion between still and motion photography. It is good. Allows more possibilities for creativity.

Curtis

5:08 pm - Tuesday, March 10, 2009

#20 sriram kumar

can any buddy tell when this camera will available in market...

1:14 pm - Tuesday, November 16, 2010

#21 ryan dayon

Well seeing as movies such as Pirates Of the Caribbean, spiderman (the new one) the social network, lincoln lawyer, Jackass 3D and many other major motion pictures were shot with a Red camera I would say Canon and Nikon better run for cover because they are gonna get BLASTED out by Red. They have only been around for like 4 years or something and have Technology Canon and Nikon are PURELY jealous of.... Pretty damn good in my honest opinion.. PLus they accept both Canon and Nikon lenses.....

4:57 pm - Tuesday, June 14, 2011

#22 nope

Ryan Dayon...how is your "BLASTED out" theory working out, considering this camera article is 3+ years old and still no product from them?

10:58 am - Friday, October 28, 2011