We're breaking down some of the first hands-on reviews of the RED V-Raptor for all your filmmaking needs.
RED has long made a name for itself as perhaps the gateway cinema camera for those looking to make the jump from the comfortable confines of their favorite DSLR or mirrorless cameras and into actual high-end cinematography workflows.
There have been several different RED cameras over the years, which have served as that first jumping-point camera before you watch your friend turn into a bonafide RED-head and join the cult… I mean community.
All jokes aside, there's a good reason why RED’s newest camera—the V-Raptor—might be the new meta for the aspiring amateurs looking to turn into real auteurs and professionals. With a 35.4MP full-frame CMOS sensor that offers 8K VistaVision and 6K Super35 coverage, as well as 17+ stops of dynamic range and coming in at a price point under $25,000 (plus cheaper for renting, obviously), this indeed might be the best RED camera yet.
But since being announced back in September, and with only a little demo footage to go off of originally, we’ve been waiting with bated breath to get some real hands-on reviews of the camera in action. So, let’s see what we’ve learned so far…
The V-Raptor for Filmmaking
I like this video review from YouTuber Spenser Sakurai as he’s one of the few filmmakers who is… you know… actually a filmmaker, and approaches his reviews with that lens, so to speak. In regards to the RED V-Raptor, he’s also a good source of information as he points out that he had made heavy use of the RED KOMODO 6K in the past.
This is a cool video because Sakurai takes the V-Raptor through the paces of an actual indie low-budget short film shoot. The scenes we see in question are shot with minimal lights and are meant to push the V-Raptor, showing what it's really capable of in dark and cinematic environments.
Overall, while you can get Sakurai’s thoughts more in-depth in his review, the results look pretty great, and the V-Raptor certainly looks capable of working either with another camera like the RED Komodo or completely as the main camera for your own cinematic short film productions.
The V-Raptor for YouTube
Moving on, we also have to highlight this review from the great Marques Brownlee. As you might already know, Brownlee is chiefly a YouTube content creator and, as he describes it, for this type of content you don’t really need “more camera.”
That being said, Brownlee has been using RED cameras for some time for their image quality and goes through his decision-making process for upgrading to the new V-Raptor.
Again, it’s best to take these reviews as a glimpse into one specific creator’s workflows and preferences, but the fact that such a prolific creator—who specializes in YouTube content—is eager to embrace a modular and solo-videography type camera like the V-Raptor is a good sign that you could too, if you can afford it.
The V-Raptor Specs and Pricing
Overall, any decisions regarding renting or buying the V-Raptor are going to come down to your specific workflows, styles, and needs.
Do you want an 8K capable camera that can push 120fps for beautiful and cinematic slow-motion, or are your needs more simple? Still, the V-Raptor is quite impressive and, like most RED cameras, highly versatile, so it should be a solid option for any filmmaking situation.
Here are the full specs and pricing:
- 35.4MP Full-Frame, Rolling Shutter CMOS
- Lightweight & Compact DSMC3 Design
- Canon RF Lens & CFexpress Type-B Support
- Up to 8K120 17:9, 6K198 S35 & 4K240 17:9
- 17+ Stops of Dynamic Range
- Right-Side Assistant's User Interface
- REDCODE Raw HQ, MQ & LQ Options
- USB Type-C & Dual 12G-SDI Ports
What are your thoughts on this new RED V-Raptor? Any interest in investing in it for your films or video projects? Let us know in the comments!
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