The latest generation RED cameras (especially the entry-level RED Raven and the 5K Scarlet-W) present many with a unique opportunity to get onto the RED train and likewise the high-end cinematic content creation. Just a few months back in October, RED announced their Epic-W 8K Super 35 camera sporting the innovative camera maker’s latest Helium 8K sensor and thanks to a very generous early adopter promo quite a few shooters jumped on-board and got themselves a RED Weapon, Helium 8K or Epic-W camera. With the huge influx of new RED owners many of whom had either very limited experience with RED cameras or never used one before, it was only natural that RED started doing official how to and tutorial/informative videos to help out all those new to their system.
In the latest batch, RED gives us a three part DSCM2 Camera Prep series of videos going over important pre-production considerations about basic prep principles and accessories for the modular design, basic menu settings and so much more that will definitely help you get your RED camera ready for a shoot.
Despite sharing a lot of similar features, such as sharing the same bolt pattern on the bottom and the same height from the bottom of the camera to the centre of the sensor, thus enabling the same base plates and riser combos, the DSMC2 camera bodies offer quite a few improvements.
For example, the DSMC2 bodies like the Scarlet-W, Epic-W and Helium based Weapons offer a more compact and lightweight form factor and improved cooling design, in addition to the removal of the I/O from the brain to make room for the new exhaust fans and moving them to the camera modules for easier access.
RED DSMC2 Camera Prep – Part 2
The RED user interface is truly wonderful – I had a chance to play with one on a Helium 8K at the BSC Expo in London and it makes so much sense. All major camera settings are available via the touch screen, which I hope one day gets adopted by other camera manufacturers.
RED DSMC2 Camera Prep Part 3
This is the more advanced tutorial delving deeper into the customisable settings available such as adjust remote start/stop triggers, modifying display guides to help see your frame, and assign or display keys on the LCD monitor. Fan control settings is also a big thing, as is black shading and calibrating your camera sensor.
And last, but certainly not least, LA-based Brain Box Cameras have prepared an awesome 30 minute overview and setup video for the RED Epic-W camera, so if you are a new owner, or considering renting this beast for your next project, this may be of interest to you.
At first, like any new high-end camera, the Epic-W and Helium 8K Weapon style bodies can be a bit intimidating. However their intuitive touch screen menu and navigation seems pretty straight forward and accessible to a wide range of users, not just reserved for the super-techie camera nerds.
See more RED tech videos on the official RED YouTube channel here or head over to RED’s official website.
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Good luck with getting them to lock external tc… either to a mixer / recorder , camera or tc box…