First custom-made RED EPIC-M ships, gets tested in the field
updated 01:00 pm EST, Sun December 19, 2010
RED EPIC cam arrives in custom builds
RED this weekend confirmed that the first custom-made EPIC-M cameras were shipping to the earliest members of the program. Camera number 6, the first not headed to RED chief Jim Jannard, was shipped on Friday to OffHollywood studio co-founder Mark Pederson. The 5K resolution camera is already being tested in a live shoot at Niagara Falls and initial impressions of how it works compared to earlier RED cameras, including a RED ONE MX sporting its upgraded sensor.
"What really struck me about the EPIC is that it just felt EASIER to work with," Pederson wrote. "I'm not sure if it's a 'graphical' thing with respect to the font and size of text in the menus - or if its [sic] the organization of the menu options - or maybe the fact that you can move through the menus with the touch screen, the side handle or the Redmote - or maybe all of the above. But it just FEELS easier than working with the RED ONE MX to me. It feels 'better.'"
Apart from the higher resolution, the EPIC is also an improvement on earlier cameras through a wider dynamic range and support for 120FPS shooting, even at high resolutions. Pederson noted that the camera body is much lighter than other cameras in the class, proving it by holding the camera upside-down with one hand. The weight is considered an important element to the camera as it allows the modular system to work and is instrumental to shooting in 5K with two EPIC systems working in tandem.
RED is selling the special run for $58,000 with a REDMAG SSD reader, four 128GB SSD cards and a REDMOTE for controlling the shot, though it's not clear whether these editions have sold out yet. More of the first batch should ship between now and early 2011, including to director Peter Jackson, with wider production is expected in the spring, while upgraded versions are due to arrive by the end of 2011 or early 2012 with resolutions up to 28K. Footage shot from the cameras can work in common video editors, including through Final Cut Studio's native REDCODE format support. [via Engadget]
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