The recent update to the RED Control app reveals RED’s plan to sharpen the AF capabilities of the DSMC3 cameras (Raptor and Komodo). Although this feature is only active in the app (for now), testers have shown solid performances regarding the face detection autofocus.
RED Control Pro 1.4.5
The RED Control Pro app which was developed by Mikael Lubtchansky, gives users advanced control over their V-RAPTOR, KOMODO, and multi-camera arrays. The Pro app offers advanced features and an enhanced experience, including native iPad support, multi-camera control, quick settings overview, FTP file access, advanced LUT, CDL, PRESET management, or independent image orientation setting. The app is also fully redesigned for larger screens and monitoring of live streaming from several cameras simultaneously. RED Control Pro can be installed as a native version on macOS, which includes even more options such as clip auto download, detachable and resizable windows. The Pro app costs $500. However, there’s the free version as well. Both versions include the most anticipated feature – which is the Face Detect AF (AutoFocus).
DSMC3 Face Detect AF
Why just DSMC3? Because this feature will not be rolled out to DSMC2. And we’re talking about the Face Detect AutoFocus which was recently updated on the free version of the Red Control app (and the Pro all well). Face detection will most likely (hopefully) be added to the Komodo itself when the new firmware comes out in December. So it’s impotent to mention that for now, it’s a new update for the app, and in the camera in the future (it’s an app function, not a camera function – for now). However, it surely indicates the potential of face detection AF in DSMC3 cameras. Watch this topic discussed in the RED Tech session:
How does it work?
The feature will not work without the app being connected. It is a stop-gap until it is fully working with the camera. When activated, a green box will appear on the face. The app does not drive the focus itself but it drives the box while the camera does the focusing. The accuracy of the focus will depend on the stability of the network connection, the lens, and the lighting conditions. There are two options: One is to have the app track the first face it finds and stick to that one and the second option is to track the last face it finds – every time there is a new face, it will track that one. App Face Detect Autofocus is located on the Lens page of the RED Control App. Below you can explore some tests performed by Jon Pais from The Daejeon Chronicles.
Summary
The tests show some pretty solid results, and these come from RED cameras, which is even more impressive since RED has been ‘focusing’ on developing and sharpening DSMC3 AF capabilities from the start. Let’s hope that this will be pushed to Raptor and Komodo in the next firmware update. RED has not commented on this during the RED-Tech session, but we believe/hope it will be rolled out in a future firmware update, and will also get improved over time. Who knows? RED might nail this feature better than Canon (!?).
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- RED Digital Cinema Komodo 6K
- Red Digital Cinema V-RAPTOR 8K VV DSMC3 Camera
