When do you pick the Red V-Raptor 8K S35 over the V-Raptor 8K VV?

The new Red V-Raptor 8K S35 is the Super 35mm version of the Red V-Raptor 8K VV.

Is that the only difference, and when should you pick which? This fun comparison attempts to find out with currently available information.

Since we don’t get Red cameras easily in India, and the dealer isn’t very helpful with demos, it might be some time before I get my hands on one, so be patient. I’ll have a review once I shoot with the Red V-Raptor 8K S35.

These are the new camera bodies Red currently offers (excluding the XL series):

Camera	Price for body	Resolution
V-Raptor VV	$24,995	8K
V-Raptor S35*	$17,995	8K
Komodo	$5,995	6K

*There’s also a Rhino edition but I guess the cheaper Red V-Raptor 8K S35 will be the one most people go for.

Both cameras are Hollywood-level cameras. There’s no doubt about that.

There is a considerable difference between the two V-Raptors in price, so it’s important to understand the distinction from an investment standpoint as well as a filmmaking one.

Let’s find out.

What does S35 and VV mean?

S35 stands for Super 35mm, because the sensor size adheres closely to the Super 35mm format.

VV stands for Vista Vision, which is a legacy film format similar to a full frame sensor. It can shoot in Super 35mm mode too, but at 6K since the sensor has to be cropped.

Comparison of sensors and video features

Here’s how the camera sensors compare:

Camera	Resolution	Shutter	Sensor Size	Dynamic Range	ISO
Red V-Raptor S35	8192 × 4320	Rolling	26.21 mm x 13.28 mm	16.5	250-12,800
Red V-Raptor VV	8192 × 4320	Rolling	40.96 mm x 21.60 mm	17+	250-12,800

Both the V-Raptors don’t have a global shutter like the Red Komodo. They have rolling shutters.

The sensor size is slightly larger than full frame and Super 35mm. This can cause problems sometimes with lens coverage for these specific formats. The crop factor between these two formats is 1.56.

The Red V-Raptor 8K VV has the highest dynamic range of any Red camera, and according to Red’s own published data the Red V-Raptor 8K S35 has half a stop less of dynamic range. This is in spite of the ISO range being similar. The larger sensor will surely see better into the shadows and will be a better camera in low light situations.

What about frame rates?

Max Frame Rate*	Red V-Raptor VV	Crop Factor^	Red V-Raptor S35	Crop Factor
8K	120 fps (150 fps @ 2.40:1)	1.00	120 fps (150 fps @ 2.40:1)	1.56
6K	160 fps (200 fps @ 2.40:1)	1.33	160 fps (200 fps @ 2.40:1)	2.00
4K	240 fps (300 fps @ 2.40:1)	2.00	240 fps (300 fps @ 2.40:1)	3.12
2K	480 fps (600 fps @ 2.40:1)	4.00	480 fps (600 fps @ 2.40:1)	6.24

*Maximum frame rates are always not possible with the Redcode HQ setting. E.g., in Redcode HQ, when shooting 8K, the maximum frame rate is 60 fps. You only get 120 fps in LQ mode.

Resolution	Red V-Raptor S35	Red V-Raptor VV
8K	HQ (24p to 60p), LQ (120p)	HQ (24p to 60p), LQ (120p)
4K	HQ (24p to 240p)	HQ (24p to 240p)
2K	HQ (24p to 480p)	HQ (24p to 480p)

Compression ratios listed are the highest possible. Everything under that is available.

The sensor is cropped at higher frame rates, which is nothing new for Red cameras so it is what it is.

The important distinction here is the added reach of Super 35mm. E.g., if you’re filming wildlife with a 600mm lens, this is how it translates in practical situations:

Camera	Focal length in 8K	Focal length in 4K
Red V-Raptor S35	936mm	1872mm
Red V-Raptor VV	600mm	1200mm

Your camera essentially gets a 1.56 tele-converter while filming with the Red V-Raptor 8K S35, without losing the ability to film in 8K. With the Red V-Raptor 8K VV, if you wanted to film in Super35mm mode to get the same reach, you can only do so in 6K. That’s the key distinction.

Red has confirmed that Redcode MQ is as good as the best in the DSMC2 line of cameras, and Redcode HQ is better than what you would get with the Red Monstro.

Both cameras also record in all variants of Apple Prores, except Prores RAW:

Alternate Codecs	Red V-Raptor S35 and Red V-Raptor VV
4K	ProRes 4444 XQ, ProRes 4444, ProRes 422 HQ, ProRes 422, and ProRes 422 LT
2K	Proxy recording up to ProRes 422 HQ

There is no DnxHR recording in either camera.

What you get externally:

Camera	Connection	Best external resolution and fps
Red V-Raptor S35	12G SDI x2	4096x2160p @ 60fps 10-bit 4:2:2
Red V-Raptor VV	12G SDI x2	4096x2160p @ 60fps 10-bit 4:2:2

You can use the external port to record video but I think most filmmakers will prefer to use Redcode RAW.

The S35 also has the ability to pre-record, faster operation and feedback from the system etc. It also has autofocus, though I’ll have to get my hands on both cameras to test them for AF as well as rolling shutter differences.

Audio

They have similar specs:

Camera	Connection	Specs
Red V-Raptor S35	Mic, Line +48V input via 5-pin	24-bit 48 kHz
Red V-Raptor VV	Mic, Line +48V input via 5-pin	24-bit 48 kHz

With the Red 5-pin XLR adapter you should be able to record XLR audio into the camera without recorders.

Lenses

Both of them have a locking Canon RF mount. The locking mount ensures adapters stay rock solid for PL lenses. It is fully electronic.

Red’s strategic choice of RF is clear. They are betting on Canon to come out with more RF lenses. Check out our comprehensive articles on all the currently available RF lenses:

https://website-39341349.tnb.awf.mybluehost.me/canon-lens-guides/embed/#?secret=wC71z5pGim

You can get a robust RF to PL (and any other alternative) adapter. Red sells them too:

Both have contrast and phase detection autofocus.

You can also Canon EF lenses and cine zooms with an adapter. However these adapters from Canon don’t come with locking EF mounts.

Monitoring and ergonomics

You have to purchase a monitor separately, for $2,750.

If you don’t want Red touch screens you can always get something else via SDI. No issues. The advantage of the Red touch screen is the direct connection to the camera.

You can still operate the camera through the OLED display and buttons and dials.

What about weight? The cameras are similar for all practical purposes:

Camera	Weight
Red V-Raptor S35	4.00 lbs
Red V-Raptor VV	4.03 lbs

Wireless monitoring and control

You have Wi-Fi camera control and monitoring in both cameras. You get dual band (2.4 GHz/5 GHz) mounted to a connector.

For monitoring you get a 1080p live preview video feed via 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi. You don’t even need a monitor if you have a nice iPhone or iPad!

You can control the camera via wired USB-C or Gigabit Ethernet (compatible USB-C to Ethernet adapter required) allowing remote camera control, live video feed and remote media offload.

You also get Genlock, Timecode-in, GPIO and Ctrl (RS-232) via an integrated 9-pin EXT Port.

Batteries and media cards

Red has its own ‘rebranded’ CFexpress Type B card, called the Red Pro CFExpress card. Here are the variants possible at the moment:

Card Capacity	Cost	Price per GB
660 GB	$960*	$1.45
1.3 TB	$1,800*	$1.35
2 TB	$960	$0.47
4 TB	$1,800	$0.44

*I have no idea about the price discrepancy here.

These cards are most likely rebranded Angelbird cards. They are good enough to sustain the highest data rates in 8K. I guess most people should stick to the 2 TB card. 4 TB would be great for wildlife and long-form documentaries or events.

You do need to purchase a Red CFExpress Card Reader for about $120.

Red is allowing users to use any card in the market as long as they hit sustained 800 MB/s write. Very few cards do at this time. For an updated list of compatible cards, click here.

What about battery life?

Both cameras come with a 11-17 V 6-pin DC port. What is great is that there is an integrated V-Lock battery interface optimized for Micro V-Lock Batteries. I think the future is smaller brick batteries so it’s a good move (except if you already have a ton of large bricks).

The battery life sucks on both cameras though. You get about one hour on a 98Wh battery. It sucks power in 8K.

Camera	Power Draw	Battery life in 8K	*Cost of two batteries and charger
Red V-Raptor S35	65-75W	60 minutes	$900
Red V-Raptor VV	60-75W	60 minutes	$900

*I’m sticking to Red batteries and chargers, but you can use cheaper varieties as long as they are proven performers and can consistently deliver clean power.

Both cameras would also most likely need a top handle.

Which is cheaper to own?

They’re pretty much the same camera except for the sensor. The price difference comes down to the price difference in camera bodies and the lenses used.

The difference in price is $7,000. You’d really need the advantages of a full frame camera to justify this price difference.

When do you pick the Red V-Raptor VV over the Red V-Rapter S5?

A recap:

Feature	Winner
Dynamic Range	Red V-Raptor VV
ISO Range	Tie
Motion/Rolling Shutter	TBD
Frame Rates	Tie
Lenses	Red V-Raptor S35
Media	Tie
Ergonomics	Red V-Raptor S35*
Battery life	Tie

*With lighter Super 35mm lenses, you get a lighter overall package. Not by much, but it’s important for wildlife filmmakers. You also have a wide range of lenses to pick from with Super 35mm.

I’d pick the following two cameras in this way:

Project	Camera	Major Reasons
Fictional films	Red V-Raptor VV	Dynamic range and choice of film formats
Documentaries	Red V-Raptor VV	Wider angles in confined spaces and better low light
Music Videos	Red V-Raptor VV	Wider angles with higher frame rates
Wildlife	Red V-Raptor S35	Telephoto reach and greater depth of field in close ups

On the whole, I’d still pick the Red V-Raptor 8K VV. The $7,000 price difference isn’t too much in the grand scheme of things. The Red V-Raptor 8K VV will let you film more kinds of projects and will be a better long term investment.

What do you think?