The Hobbit shooting in 3D using Red Epic cameras

Peter Jackson

Peter Jackson will be shooting his Hobbit movies in 3D using at least 30 Red Epic cameras.

The cameras are notable for their top grade quality, which shoot in 5k resolution and are able to capture up to 128 frames per second. It’s been described as “the highest dynamic range of any camera ever made” by owner Jim Jannard.

“I find the picture quality [ of RED cameras ] appealing and attractive,” says Jackson, “and with the Epic, Jim and his team have gone even further.

“It is a fantastic tool, the Epic not only has cutting edge technology, incredible resolution and visual quality, but it is also a very practical tool for film makers. Many competing digital systems require the cameras to be tethered to large cumbersome VTR machines. The Epic gives us back the ability to be totally cable free, even when working in stereo.”

Which sounds a bit like the icing on the cake for The Hobbit . Really, we’re just happy to see the films finally being made with Jackson at the helm – no matter what sort of cameras are being used.

Josh Winning has worn a lot of hats over the years. Contributing Editor at Total Film, writer for SFX, and senior film writer at the Radio Times. Josh has also penned a novel about mysteries and monsters, is the co-host of a movie podcast, and has a library of pretty phenomenal stories from visiting some of the biggest TV and film sets in the world. He would also like you to know that he "lives for cat videos..." Don't we all, Josh. Don't we all.