Red V-Raptor’s 8k at 120 fps Is Incredible, but Is It Worth $34,000?

The spec sheet of RED's new is staggering, but so is its price tag. In this video, a filmmaker discusses using the camera, its results, and whether he thinks it's worth the price.

RED cameras are famous for their supreme quality in videography, but also known for their high prices. As many videographers who use mirrorless bodies like the a7S III become more experienced and curious, they will often look at the large financial jump to RED. Well, RED's newest camera, the V-Raptor is no deviation from the norm in terms of price, nor is it in spec either.

The V-Raptor cinema camera is 35.4-megapixel full frame sensor, rolling CMOS, has 8k at 120 fps and 17:9, 6k at 198 fps and Super35, or 4k at 240 fps and back to 17:9. It has a superb 17+ stops of dynamic range, and then all of the usual features you would expect. It is then, however, $24,500 for body-only. So, is that price tag justifiable for any filmmakers?

In my opinion, yes — some. While the quality and resolution are seldom needed for most projects, those who are striving to shoot at the higher echelons of the industry could conceivably set themselves apart with the V-Raptor. The results even in Parker Walbeck's test footage are stunning and if you shoot short films or commercials, it could well be justifiable.

What do you think? Is the V-Raptor fairly priced?

Rob Baggs's picture

Robert K Baggs is a professional portrait and commercial photographer, educator, and consultant from England. Robert has a First-Class degree in Philosophy and a Master's by Research. In 2015 Robert's work on plagiarism in photography was published as part of several universities' photography degree syllabuses.

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