For those in the imaging world, this is major news: Nikon has acquired Red Digital Cinema. Red, of course, is renowned for those ultra-high-end cameras used in Hollywood productions.
This isn’t just a business deal as it signals Nikon’s serious intentions to become a major player in professional filmmaking, on top of their still photography dominance.
RED co-founder Jarred Land has shared big news on his Facebook account with the following words:
Old enemies, new friends
Red’s journey is as captivating as the visuals their cameras capture. Founded in 2005 by Jim Jannard, Red quickly established itself as a trailblazer in high-resolution video.
They were instrumental in pushing what’s possible in digital filmmaking, famously pioneering 4K technology used in films like Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit”.
However, their aggressive stance on video compression patents has also garnered significant attention. Red’s lawsuits against tech giants like Nikon, Sony, and Apple landed headlines, though the case with Nikon was recently settled.
Get your eyes ready for a feast
Nikon’s got the cash and smarts, and Red’s the filmmaking wiz. Together, they could cook up some seriously awesome new camera tech.
Plus, they could mash their tech together seamlessly, so you could use Nikon lenses on Red cameras, and vice versa. This kind of ‘play nice’ between the brands would make life easier for filmmakers and maybe even open doors to new creative stuff they haven’t even thought of yet.
And let’s not forget, the competition is about to get fierce. With Nikon in the game, big names like ARRI, Canon, and Sony will have to step up their game, which ultimately means even more amazing camera tech for everyone.
But one thing is for sure: Nikon’s acquisition of Red is a bold move with far-reaching implications. Whether you’re a professional filmmaker or simply a cinema enjoyer, the camera industry is about to get even more thrilling.
Featured image credit: Jarred Land/Facebook.
