RED DSMC LAUNCH SEQUENCE User Manual

DSMC LAUNCH SEQUENCE

1 2 3

PREPARE THE CAMERA

 BUILD

The camera rig essentials include the camera
brain, lens mount, lens, REDMAG™ media,
monitoring device (LCD or BOMB EVF®), power
(REDVOLT® or RED BRICK®) and camera control
(DSMC SIDE HANDLE, TOUCH LCD,
or REDMOTE®).

 UPDATE

Verify that the camera has the latest firmware and
update if necessary.

 CALIBRATE

Perform a black shading calibration if exposure
conditions have changed substantially. This is
typically only necessary with extreme changes
in temperature (30 °F / 15 °C) or exposure time
(above or below 1/2 second), or after a
firmware update.

 CLEAR MEDIA

Format the REDMAG™ media or ensure

sufficient available storage space for your

intended recording duration. Make sure to clearly
label the REDMAG™ with the reel, take, and
camera name.

Checking exposure using the goal posts Checking exposure using the exposure false color mode

DEFINE THE PROJECT

 SELECT A RESOLUTION AND FRAME SIZE

Optimal quality is obtained using the highest

resolution available, even if only lower resolution

playback is needed. Select an aspect ratio or

frame guide that matches or encompasses the

intended output frame.

 SELECT FRAME RATES

The “project time base” defines the intended
playback rate; use 23.976 FPS for cinema,
25 FPS for PAL and 29.97 FPS for NTSC. The
capture frame rate usually matches the playback
rate, but can be higher when recording for slow

motion playback.

 SELECT A REDCODE®

Typically, use a REDCODE® of 7:1 for general
purpose, 5:1 for feature films and 3:1 for stills.
8:1 or higher is typically to enable higher frame
rates for slow motion and HDRx®, or when
storage space is limited.

EXPOSURE DETAIL

EXPOSE, FOCUS, AND RECORD

 SET EXPOSURE

Set camera to an ISO near 800, then adjust the
lens T-stop and lighting or ND filters to match.
ISO can later be adjusted around one stop for
fine-tuning. Changing the shutter speed is often
only for creative control with motion blur.

 CHECK EXPOSURE

Use the in-camera goal post tool and exposure
false color mode. Make sure to assess exposure
using the full range of potential lighting and
subject framing that is anticipated for a given
scene. Please see “Exposure Detail” section
below.

 ASSESS FOCUS

Use the in-camera magnify and focus display
modes to gauge subject sharpness.

 RECORD

Use the DSMC SIDE HANDLE, TOUCH LCD,
REDMOTE®, or on-camera RECORD button to
initiate recording.

Questions? Visit support.red.com

GOAL POSTS

These are vertical bars on each side of the image histogram; an optimal
exposure minimizes red in both bars, but particularly in the right bar.

FALSE COLOR: EXPOSURE

This indicates exactly which image regions are triggering the goal
posts, and appears overlaid on the image as purple in the shadows and
red in the highlights. If red is overlaid within the subject of interest, or
anywhere except lights and direct reflections, then the image is likely
overexposed. If purple is overlaid on key image detail that isn’t in the
shadows, then the scene is likely underexposed.

DSMC LAUNCH SEQUENCE / COPYRIGHT © 2013 RED.COM, INC

845-0013, REV-B