Also. The wide dynamic range (flat profile) is not commonly used in the final grade of a motion picture. The out coming picture (DR) from the gh2 is quite close to something we expect after CC in most cases. That's why I thnk that the gh2 got a perfect balance between DR and 8-bit. The downfall is that you need to get it just right on set while doing lightning. Getting a great result from the gh2 is in most cases more challenging than with a higher bit/raw camera like the scarlet. But it can be done, because we know that the gh2 have great IQ and can compete.

the footage cuts very well

Yes, indeed. Let it be noted in the GH2 Compatibility Guide*:

• A-Cam: RED Epic
• B-Cam: GH2 Sanity 5 patch
• Genre: Studio Interview
• Delivery: Web FLV, SD
• Shot Type: Skin Tones, CU Hands
• Inter-cut-ability rating: 8/10

• (*Future GH2 Compatibility Guide)!

@ronmen That comment about the sensor resolution is somewhat misleading - that's like saying the GH2 has a 5K sensor: it's not the resolution being saved in any of the video modes.

The Alexa is being consistently advertised as outputting a maximum of 2880x2160 (4:3) or 2880x1620 (16:9) in ArriRAW. http://www.arri.com/camera/digital_cameras/workflow/working_with_arriraw/arriraw/format.html

The situation is fairly complicated as to what camera is "best" in a given situation. Keep in mind that the Alexa doesn't just compete with the RED Epic, it also competes with the Scarlet and BMDCC (which undercut it in price) and the Sony F65 (and possibly soon with whatever they are announcing shortly).

There are many things I really like about the Alexa footage I have seen, but there is none of the cameras where I would say "this one is always better". The Alexa can't do the EPIC's combination of resolutions and frame rates but it bests the EPIC in dynamic range (unless HDRX is used, which is a more complicated subject). And based on the very limited tests I've seen (which should not be taken as gospel) the F65 bests both in native dynamic range. The upcoming C500 is no slouch either - less dynamic range on paper, but a great highlight roll-off.

But the BMDCC and Scarlet get you a lot of the way there (and a big DR improvement over the GH2) for much, much less. Part of the reason the Alexa gets used so much is not a question of technological superiority but one of reputation, support and familiarity of workflow. You can see RED working to address the last one in part with the Meizler module.

Things are competitive. Every camera (Alexa included) is facing a ton of competition and more is on the way.

@vicharris @ronmen Keep in mind that the Alexa has a softening filter built-in. If you add one to your workflow on another camera without it, it becomes more "forgiving" to the talent as well. Of course each of the cameras has their own highlight roll-off curve and the Alexa one is quite pleasing - though I would love to see how it compares to the C500 which has also been beautiful in the things I've seen so far.

My respect for RED went up by an order of magnitude when I saw their recent announcement of a monochrome Epic-M sensor. Black and white cinema making a comeback - imagine that! Even if it doesn't really catch on (and to be realistic I doubt it will), you've got to hand it to them for making such a risky R&D investment.

That having been said, I do agree that the Alexa has a much more pleasing picture than the Epic, and that the C300 and the BMCC have much more pleasing images than the Scarlet.

@Vitaliy_Kiselev

What I'm seeing a lot in the commercial world is that DPs are gravitating much more toward using the Alexa lately. Even though it is only a 3.5K sensor, it produces a superior image in every way compared to any of the Red cameras - in my opinion. The additional $30K you would have to pay for the Alexa package over the Epic is not a major issue for a busy rental house or production company. They can recoup that difference in 17 rental days. So on the high end people are moving toward the Alexa, on the low end, people are moving toward the C300.

@ronmen

Yeah it's more contrasty (baked in look), but I think you did a very good job joining the two forces in any case. Some plases color balance was a bit of, but nothing to spend time on.

RED EPIC just announced a huge price drop effective Nov 1st.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?87757-Everything-changes-IMPORTANT-post

@fix

The GH2 is definitely more crunchy. As good as it is, it really can't compete in terms of latitude with the Epic. 'Definitely saved some production dollars :-)

I'm very happy with the FD lenses.

@virgilr Just do it! You'll love the Tamron.

why on earth was sanity 5 used instead of sedna or another higher bit patch?

Viewed on a ipad. You can tell that the gh2 is a tad more contrasty, but man, the gh2 intercut fine. I would go so far and say that a couple of shots looks better than the Epic on this one. Smart use of the gh2, the close ups makes it hard to spot but gives it a hugh benefit production wise IMO. Save you guys an extra epic in there.