In the next firmware, RED Komodo shooters will get tons of new and exciting stuff. First, the Gio Scope is back (false color straight from the sensor), a new low compression option (ELQ), and improved AF (AutoFocus). All the available details are below:
RED Komodo gets Gio Scope
First, what’s Gio Scope? Gio Scope can be defined as a variation of a false color view using the raw sensor data. Think of it as an exposure tool. Gio Scope is not new and was introduced back in 2014, on firmware 5.3 implemented on the RED Epic Dragon 6K. A lot of cinematographers claim that Gio Scope is the best tool to ensure you aren’t crushing or clipping, particularly in difficult situations, since it shows you exactly what the sensor sees. It’s like a False Color mode that works like a light meter. It shows you the exposure of the scene before ISO is applied, and helps you focus on how to light the scene for the best exposure, rather than trying to compensate with ISO. Since Gio Scope correlates exposure to each numbered step, RED proposed this as a substitute for a light meter.
How does it work?
On the RED Epic Dragon menu, the Gio Scope was located under False Color mode. It displays a color overlay on top of a desaturated image, identifying 16 increments within the dynamic range of the sensor. Each number indicates a different increment of the (advertised) dynamic range. As explained, the Gio Scope indicators are based on RAW data. The RGB settings (color temperature, ISO, LGG, etc.) do not affect the indicators. 11: Represents mid-grey. 16: Represents the top increment, and is broken up into 1/8th sub-increments to show highlight roll-off. Each 1/8th increment is represented by a different shade of red, ranging from light red (less light) to dark red (most light). When the shooter selects the numbered zone on the scale at the top of the screen the corresponding area of tonality is filled in with a unique color in the image. Watch the video below for a demonstration of the Gio Scope on the Epic:
What else?
The update was presented by RED’s CEO- Jarred Land, who stated: “Little update for all the Komodo owners patiently waiting for the firmware update. I’ve been banging on the new build pretty hard and it’s looking good, few little things to mop up and then transfer into a customer alpha build in the coming weeks. @scottbalkum has signed up to test it first at that point and if he gives the thumbs up then we will roll out to the masses. No promises for a Christmas miracle, but the team is doing their best. Apologies for this taking so long… our ninja engineers have fixed a lot of bugs while getting ELQ [lower compression option than the LQ] into Komodo and they also just keep adding new stuff. For example, Komodo will be the first DSMC3 to get GioScope, well ahead of its bigger brothers”. Furthermore, Land said that AF capabilities will also be updated by this firmware update.
Initial thoughts
This massive update will be pushed to other DSMC3 cameras as well later on. However, the Komodo is the first to get it, for free. Furthermore, not less intriguing is the AF improvements applied to this update. Unfortunately, Land hasn’t elaborated much about that. Anyway, it’s a good thing that the Gio Scope is back, as it might be a super handy tool in complex lighting situations. We’ll update you when this firmware is pushed to users. Stay tuned.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- RED Digital Cinema Komodo 6K
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