Paul M Clements

In April 2007 Cooke Optics, Leicester (UK), announced that Red would be adopting their /i Technology in the RedOne Digital Cinema Camera (See press release).

/i means lenses with “intelligence” and Cooke has been implementing their technology in their line of S4 lenses. /i compatible lenses will now send comprehensive, continuous lens data information to the RedOne camera.

The data includes vital information on lens setting, focusing distance, aperture and depth-of-field, hyperfocal distance, serial number, owner data, lens type and focal length in both metric and footage measurements. For zoom lenses, the zoom position is displayed.

Display of the data has previously required Cinematography Electronics’ /i Lens Display System and Cooke’s /i datalink. The information available from /i lenses on the RedOne will help focus pullers by supplying accurate live data via the camera as well as aid post production by including the information within the metadata of the shot footage.

As well as the inclusion within the camera body, Red’s own line of cine lenses include the /i technology. Many other companies have also taken on Cooke’s /i technology. They include Aaton, Avid, Arri, Cinematography Electronics, Dalsa, Preston Cinema Systems, CMotion, Pixel Farm, Service Vision and Mark Roberts Motion Control. The move towards standardization will hopefully help to streamline productions.