RED Digital Cinema has just announced its first DSMC3 camera: The V-RAPTOR ST 8K VV which is “The most powerful and advanced RED cinema camera ever”.  RED defines it as the new flagship system and sensor, as well as the first entrant into the new DSMC3 generation of cameras. RED states that the V-RAPTOR stands alone at the forefront of digital image capture technology. The camera is capable of shooting 8K in Vista Vision format, up to 120 FPS, and owns “17+ stops” of DR. All details are below. 

New multi-format 8K sensor

WE WERE RIGHT! RED has just announced the DSMC3. Featuring a multi-format 8K sensor- with the ability to shoot 8K Large Format or 6K S35, the  V-RAPTOR is armed with the largest lens selection of any comparable camera on the market and allows shooters the ability to always deliver at over 4K. RED says that the sensor also boasts the highest recorded dynamic range of any RED camera and the fastest ever cinema-quality scan time. With a dynamic range of over 17 stops and featuring scan times 2x faster than any previous RED camera, allowing users to capture up to 600 fps at 2K. V-RAPTOR will also continue to feature RED’s proprietary REDCODE RAW codec, allowing users to capture 16-bit RAW, and leverage RED’s latest IPP2 workflow and color management.

Compact design: Komodo’s bigger brother

The V-RAPTOR features a modernized platform in a compact package weighing in at over 4 lbs. With 2 4K 12G-SDI outputs, XLR audio and phantom power via an adapter, and a 1080p live stream, RED ensures this system can handle almost anything a shooter can throw at it.

Design

The camera comes with a rugged, locking RF mount, which is similar to the mount on the KOMODO, allowing you to utilize fast RF lenses. The camera records to a CFexpress 2.0 Type B card, which can record raw R3D and ProRes files to up to 800 MB/s. There are three main recording modes, including REDCODE HQ with up to 360 MB/s at high frame rates for high-end VFX usage, MQ for standard cinematic shooting up to 300 MB/s, and LQ mode that shoots up to 180 MB/s for standard web streaming applications and long takes. The design reminds us of the RED Komodo. However, when comparing those cameras side by side, the size difference is significant. Explore the picture below that shows the RED Komodo together with the V-RAPTOR: 

V-RAPTOR – Key Features

• 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
• DSCM3 7.0″ Touch Monitor
• Right-Side Assistant’s User Interface
• REDCODE Raw HQ, MQ & LQ Options
• USB Type-C & Dual 12G-SDI Ports

Tech Spec – detailed

1. Sensor: V-RAPTOR 8K VV 35.4 Megapixel CMOS
2. Effective pixels: 8192 x 4320
3. Sensor size: 40.96 mm x 21.60 mm (Diagonal: 46.31 mm)
4. Dynamic Range: 17+ stops
5. Mount: Integrated RF mount with RF lens support. Supports Canon EF lenses via compatible Canon RF to EF mount adapters. Accepts other Canon RF mount-based lens adaptors for diverse lens choices
6. Max data rates: Up to 800 MB/s using RED branded or other qualified CFexpress media cards
7. R3D max frame rates: 120 fps at 8K 17:9 (8192 x 4320), 150 fps at 8K 2.4:1 (8192 x 3456), 140 fps at 7K 17:9 (7168 x 3780), 175 fps at 7K 2.4:1 (7168 x 3024), 160 fps at 6K 17:9 (6144 x 3240), 200 fps at 6K 2.4:1 (6144 x 2592), 192 fps at 5K 17:9 (5120 x 2700), 240 fps at 5K 2.4:1 (5120 x 2160), 240 fps at 4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160), 300 fps at 4K 2.4:1 (4096 x 1728), 320 fps at 3K 17:9 (3072 x 1620), 400 fps at 3K 2.4:1 (3072 x 1296), 480 fps at 2K 17:9 (2048 x 1080), 600 fps at 2K 2.4:1 (2048 x 864)
8. Compressions: REDCODE HQ, MQ and LQ at 8K 17:9 (8192 x 4320) up to 60 fps, REDCODE LQ at 8K 17:9 (8192 x 4320) up to 120 fps, REDCODE HQ, MQ and LQ at 6K 17:9 (6144 x 3240) up to 96 fps, REDCODE MQ and LQ at 6K 17:9 (6144 x 3240) up to 160 fps, REDCODE HQ, MQ and LQ at 4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160) up to 240 fps, REDCODE HQ, MQ and LQ at 2K 17:9 (2048 x 1080) up to 480 fps
9. R3D formats: 8K 17:9 (8192 x 4320), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1 and Anamorphic 2x, 1.8x, 1.6x, 1.5x, 1.3x, 1.25x, 7K 17:9 (7168 x 3780), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1 and Anamorphic 2x, 1.8x, 1.6x, 6K 17:9 (6144 x 3240), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1 and Anamorphic 1.5x, 1.3x, 1.25x, 5K 17:9 (5120 x 2700), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1, 4K 17:9 (4096 x 2160), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1, 3K 17:9 (3072 x 1620), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1, 2K 17:9 (2048 x 1080), 2:1, 2.4:1, 16:9, 1:1
10. Construction: Aluminum Alloy
11. Battery: Integrated V-Lock battery interface optimized for Micro V-Lock Batteries
12. Audio: Integrated dual channel digital mono microphones, uncompressed, 24-bit 48 kHz, Integrated dual channel mic/line/+48V input via 5-pin Audio Port, uncompressed, 24-bit 48 kHz

Price

The price of the V-RAPTOR ST is $24,500. The camera can be pre-ordered on the B&H website. It appears that Adorama also has an option of pre-ordering.

Also, there’s a Starter Pack (see picture above) that includes: DSMC3 RED Touch 7.0” LCD​, RED PRO CFexpress 660GB, RED CFexpress Card Reader​, 2x REDVOLT MICRO-V, RED Compact Dual V-Lock Charger, 2x V-RAPTOR Wing Grip, and a RED EXT-to-Timecode Cable 3′. The Starter Pack costs $29,580. For now, the camera can be purchased at the RED Digital Cinema website.

DSMC3 RED TOUCH 7.0″: 1300 nits

RED has also announced the DSMC3 RED Touch 7.0″ LCD which offers an HD viewing experience for recording and viewing footage on the V-RAPTOR  camera system. A 1920 x 1200 resolution display panel with a peak brightness of 1300 nits and high pixel density (at 322 ppi), not only provides the optimal experience when viewing footage but also features 100% DCI-P3 Color Gamut coverage for tremendous color accuracy. The monitor also features full control over the camera via the new responsive menu system powered by SmallHD PageOS, bringing features like Waveform, Vectorscope, Histogram, False Color, Color Picker, Pixel Zoom & more. The price is $2,750.

Reduced rolling shutter artifacts, and phase-detection autofocus

The new 35.4 MP V-RAPTOR VV CMOS sensor features phase-detection autofocus. Furthermore, as explained, the 40.96 x 21.60 CMOS sensor offers 8192 x 4320 resolution, 16-bit raw capture, reduced CMOS smear, and a new, fixed OLPF stack. Its high frame rate capability also allows for reduced rolling shutter artifacts with fast sensor read speed.

User interface

One of the new features of the V-RAPTOR is the dedicated user display on the side of the camera with an intuitive interface designed for camera assistants who need to adjust settings such as LUTs, controls, presets, formats, and general configuration (not for video preview). It features user pages to save custom presets, and there are quick buttons beside the display so it’s easy to use in the dark.

Improved heat management

The camera also features improved heat management with two intake ports on the bottom, a top vent, and a quiet 60mm fan that utilizes a thermoelectric heat exchanger that helps you change environments quickly without the need to recalibrate black shade. Indeed, one of the features shooters ask for the DSMC3 lineup,  is the reduction of black shading, and seems that the V-RAPTOR covered that. Good news.

So how does it look in hands?

Explore the video below of cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt getting a first look at V-RAPTOR. It’s not a small camera, but not a huge one as well. It reminds the size of the ARRI Mini LF. Check it out: 

Test footage

Check out the first test shots of the RED V-Raptor 8K-VV, by Phil Holand. Shooting setup: 8K 17:9, either 24fps or 120fps and finished in 8K. There are a few BTS stills at the end to show various setups.

Live discussion

RED will host a V-RAPTOR LIVE Q&A session with CEO Jarred Land. The link is below. Stay tuned as we cover this.

Update

Head over to our article with our thoughts about the camera.

Product list

Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers. 

• RED V-RAPTOR 8K VV DSMC3
  • BUY on B&H
  • BUY on ADORAMA