Revar Cine Mini RED V-RAPTOR – Is RED Going Micro Four Thirds?

Pictures of an upcoming pocket-sized version of the RED V-RAPTOR camera have leaked. This upcoming model features an interchangeable PL mount system, has an integrated mini V-mount battery plate at the back, and its handy form factor hints towards a new 8K Micro Four Thirds sensor capable of capturing motion at up to 480fps… well, almost!

Over the last few days, pictures of a miniaturized Mini RED V-RAPTOR started populating the web. Although we’re looking at a desk toy camera, its unbelievable true-to-life level of detail might actually trick some users into thinking that this is actually the extravagant design concept behind a forthcoming RED camera.

The crazy idea of producing an exact scale model of the V-RAPTOR belongs to Ryan Avery from Revar Cine. During IBC 2022, we sat down with him to find out what sparked this peculiar project. Ryan recently got blessed by Jarred Land, CEO at RED Digital Cinema, and gave the go to license the V-RAPTOR design. So let’s take a closer look at this already-cult item for RED enthusiasts.

Revar Cine Mini RED V-RAPTOR: desk toy camera

All right, let’s get serious. The Revar Cine Mini RED V-RAPTOR is a limited-edition replica of RED’s 8K flagship camera. This 1:2 scale model is machined out of a single block of anodized aluminum with an astonishing level of precision. Even the smallest buttons and parts are amazingly identical to those found on the real camera body

The desk toy camera from RED feels really sturdy in the hands and its astonishing manufacturing quality is truly representative of the meticulousness that Ryan and the Revar Cine team put into creating this collector’s piece. The model measures 125x50x50mm/5x2x2”, weighs approximately 800g/1.8lbs, and features a real 1/4”-20 threaded hole at the bottom, so it can be attached to real tripods and gimbals.

Interchangeable lens system

What’s even more impressive is that Ryan not only worked on creating a scale model of the camera, but went the extra mile by developing exact replicas of a few popular cinema lenses. These include the Atlas Orion 65mm Anamorphic prime and three Tokina Cinema Vista lenses: 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm T1.5.

These scale model lenses screw to the camera via a threaded lens mount with simulated PL-mount tabs. The housing and gears are reproduced with extreme accuracy, while the front of the lens features a real glass element.

Price and availability

The Revar Cine Mini RED V-RAPTOR 2:1 scale model is currently in production and will start shipping in November. Only 300 limited-edition Mini V-RAPTOR units with unique serial number will be produced, but Ryan told us that other camera models from other manufacturers will follow in the future.

Luckily, it is the most affordable RED camera ever produced. The brain-only option retails for $199, while the price for the camera with single lens kit is set at $299. The Tokina Cinema Vista lenses are also available to purchase separately for $149 each. Lastly, Revar Cine also offers 2, 3, and 4-lens camera kits for $439, $579, and $699 respectively.

For more information, please visit Revar Cine’s website here.

What do you think of the Revar Cine Mini RED V-RAPTOR Scale Model? Are you going to gift one of your camera geek friends with this desk toy camera? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!