Can an iMac truly be a "professional" computer?

[rkuo]

So if you are saying the opposite, you are saying the same thing I am. So why did you even bring it up? Did I claim anywhere that a 50 million dollar movie company can get by with a 4K camera from best buy? I have said MANY MANY times that you get the correct equipment for the job. There are some professionals that COULD be fine with a camera from Best Buy and it will fit their needs just fine.

Please read what I said, you are the one not reading what I am writing. I have said from MANY times a $200 computer to a $20,000 workstation, they can ALL be used for professional uses. Someone that just makes a living writing online stories in PDF format can get by with a $200 system. Someone that need HEAVY 3D modeling, or Pixar like movie production, or statistical analysis, or data analysis, or any other highly specialized areas might need around $20,000 workstations.

So my SAME argument is the same as yours, Pixar cannot get by with a $200 computer. But some professionals CAN.

Yes, and what I'm trying to explain is that a professional using mainstream/low-end equipment does not suddenly make that equipment "pro". You were the one that drew the correlation between resolution and professional camera.

Intuitively, isn't it obvious that you would be laughed out of the room if you tried to compare your iPhone "4K" camera to a RED? It doesn't matter what you do for a living.

 

[Ethosik]

Yes, and what I'm trying to explain is that a professional using mainstream/low-end equipment does not suddenly make that equipment "pro". You were the one that drew the correlation between resolution and professional camera.

Intuitively, isn't it obvious that you would be laughed out of the room if you tried to compare your iPhone "4K" camera to a RED? It doesn't matter what you do for a living.

Again, we are NOT talking about cameras. That is different. But if you do, if all your job NEEDS is a camera for 1080p, or the quality of the iPhone camera is ENOUGH for your job, WHY WHY WHY should someone get a RED camera "just because"? That was my argument. There are some jobs that still only deal with 1080p footage.

Ok, lets talk about cameras then since you want to. If someone NEEDS - I repeat NEEDS to shoot in 8K, is this camera still professional to them? http://www.red.com/products/weapon-6k . No. They NEED the 8K version. JUST LIKE WITH COMPUTERS. There are those that need 20-cores, and those that only need 4-cores. There are those that only need the AMD Pro graphics, and those that need Quadro and CUDA for their work. There are those that only need 16GB of RAM, and those that need 128GB of RAM.

Why should I get a RED if this camera is good enough for my job? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._1004c002_xa30_professional_hd_camcorder.html

If you need a RED, get a RED. Putting a $20,000 photography camera in my hands will NOT help me take better pictures because I know very little about photography.

No I wouldn't be laughed out of the room. If you need a RED camera, you need a RED camera and obviously the iPhone camera will not do. I do this for a living, I take people's budget and needs in account and recommend the best computer/server available. If someone comes to me with a question that all they need is a file storage server, I would be laughed out of the room if I say they need two 20-core processors, 128GB of RAM, Quadro video cards, and more.

And BTW I do know some professional photographers that can take pictures just as good as a "professional" camera.

If the business only needs to record at 1080p, and they are on a tight budget, they will not benefit from getting a RED camera. It will just break their budget with no advantages.

Why don't you get it? Different jobs require different equipment. If you NEED to use a RED camera, then get a RED camera. That does not mean others cannot be used for professional work.

 

[jjjoseph]

Again, we are NOT talking about cameras. That is different. But if you do, if all your job NEEDS is a camera for 1080p, or the quality of the iPhone camera is ENOUGH for your job, WHY WHY WHY should someone get a RED camera "just because"? That was my argument. There are some jobs that still only deal with 1080p footage.

Ok, lets talk about cameras then since you want to. If someone NEEDS - I repeat NEEDS to shoot in 8K, is this camera still professional to them? http://www.red.com/products/weapon-6k . No. They NEED the 8K version. JUST LIKE WITH COMPUTERS. There are those that need 20-cores, and those that only need 4-cores. There are those that only need the AMD Pro graphics, and those that need Quadro and CUDA for their work. There are those that only need 16GB of RAM, and those that need 128GB of RAM.

Why should I get a RED if this camera is good enough for my job? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._1004c002_xa30_professional_hd_camcorder.html

If you need a RED, get a RED. Putting a $20,000 photography camera in my hands will NOT help me take better pictures because I know very little about photography.

No I wouldn't be laughed out of the room. If you need a RED camera, you need a RED camera and obviously the iPhone camera will not do. I do this for a living, I take people's budget and needs in account and recommend the best computer/server available. If someone comes to me with a question that all they need is a file storage server, I would be laughed out of the room if I say they need two 20-core processors, 128GB of RAM, Quadro video cards, and more.

And BTW I do know some professional photographers that can take pictures just as good as a "professional" camera.

If the business only needs to record at 1080p, and they are on a tight budget, they will not benefit from getting a RED camera. It will just break their budget with no advantages.

Why don't you get it? Different jobs require different equipment. If you NEED to use a RED camera, then get a RED camera. That does not mean others cannot be used for professional work.

Where is the love for ARRI Cameras!!! ARRI ALEXA is where the sweet spot is and the footage from their 4k sensor, the XT and others coming down the pipe are stunning. I graded some 4k ARRI footage using MXF wrapper, NO PRORES!!, and that was the first time I said to myself that CELLULOID is truly dead. RED are fine, but SO MUCH NOISE!!! Low Light RED footage, BLEH!! Dragon Sensor better, but still love the ARRI.

BTW I bought a $165,000 ARRI package just to film my kids swim lessons. Is that overkill? Am I professional now?

 

[Ethosik]

Where is the love for ARRI Cameras!!! ARRI ALEXA is where the sweet spot is and the footage from their 4k sensor, the XT and others coming down the pipe are stunning. I graded some 4k ARRI footage using MXF wrapper, NO PRORES!!, and that was the first time I said to myself that CELLULOID is truly dead. RED are fine, but SO MUCH NOISE!!! Low Light RED footage, BLEH!! Dragon Sensor better, but still love the ARRI.

BTW I bought a $165,000 ARRI package just to film my kids swim lessons. Is that overkill? Am I professional now?

Ah please, you need to spend $250,000 in cameras and equipment

 

[rkuo]

Again, we are NOT talking about cameras. That is different. But if you do, if all your job NEEDS is a camera for 1080p, or the quality of the iPhone camera is ENOUGH for your job, WHY WHY WHY should someone get a RED camera "just because"? That was my argument. There are some jobs that still only deal with 1080p footage.

Didn't say everybody should get a pro camera. Why would I say that?

Ok, lets talk about cameras then since you want to. If someone NEEDS - I repeat NEEDS to shoot in 8K, is this camera still professional to them? http://www.red.com/products/weapon-6k. No.

Uh, yes, it's Pro. Give me a break.

They NEED the 8K version. JUST LIKE WITH COMPUTERS. There are those that need 20-cores, and those that only need 4-cores. There are those that only need the AMD Pro graphics, and those that need Quadro and CUDA for their work. There are those that only need 16GB of RAM, and those that need 128GB of RAM.

Quadro's are Pro. Plain as day. 5-10x the cost with zero benefit to anyone that isn't making a crapload of money doing the work those cards are intended for.

Why should I get a RED if this camera is good enough for my job? https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod..._1004c002_xa30_professional_hd_camcorder.html

Didn't say you should.

If you need a RED, get a RED. Putting a $20,000 photography camera in my hands will NOT help me take better pictures because I know very little about photography.

Didn't say it would.

No I wouldn't be laughed out of the room. If you need a RED camera, you need a RED camera and obviously the iPhone camera will not do. I do this for a living, I take people's budget and needs in account and recommend the best computer/server available. If someone comes to me with a question that all they need is a file storage server, I would be laughed out of the room if I say they need two 20-core processors, 128GB of RAM, Quadro video cards, and more.

Didn't say you should recommend that to them. That doesn't make the file server you do end up recommending to them "pro".

And BTW I do know some professional photographers that can take pictures just as good as a "professional" camera.

Didn't say you couldn't take good pictures with a non-pro camera.

If the business only needs to record at 1080p, and they are on a tight budget, they will not benefit from getting a RED camera. It will just break their budget with no advantages.

Didn't say every business should get a RED camera.

Why don't you get it? Different jobs require different equipment. If you NEED to use a RED camera, then get a RED camera. That does not mean others cannot be used for professional work.

Didn't say mainstream gear couldn't be used for pro work.

Tell you what, why don't you just write a bunch more garbage responding to stuff I didn't say. Except don't involve me. Thanks.

 

[SaSaSushi]

The correct answer to the question posted by the OP in the title of this thread is yes.

Professional is as professional does and there are many professions in which iMacs are used effectively.

 

[Ethosik]

rkuo - that is what I am saying. ANY camera, ANY computer, ANYTHING can be used for professional work. Did you actually read my posts? I said a $200 computer can be used for professional work if you just need to use Microsoft Word. I said a $20,000 can be used for professional work.

This whole idea of classifying a computer as professional needs to STOP. A $200 can be used for some professionals. Actually, a Quadro can be a bad idea for some professionals - video game developers. A GTX 1080 Ti performs better in games than a Quadro would. A 20-core processor can be bad for some professionals that need single threaded and clock speed more than cores.

What is a Professional computer? Don't you see that this needs to stop? EVERY computer is a professional computer

I think the same can be said about cameras too, and that is fine if we do not agree on that. I can understand the argument, but it is similar to computers in a lot of ways.
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The correct answer to the question posted by the OP in the title of this thread is yes.

Professional is as professional does and there are many professions in which iMacs are used effectively.

Yep, glad someone else knows this. As I said a while ago to the OP. Ask around in your field. Is the iMac powerful enough for your field?

I do not know what the big deal is with "professional" computers the last few years. Where is the line? 20-cores? 128GB of RAM? Three quadro video cards? And anything less than that is not professional?

 

[jjjoseph]

Thanks for all of the replies. I get that a pro can use different devices to get a job done, you can even use an iPad and edit video, and if clients are happy with the final video, run a successful business possibly off it. Maybe not...

I guess what I am wondering more specifically, do you think post production houses, places that edit video for film, tv, or places that composite special effects for movies, tv, would consider purchasing iMacs or iMac Pros vs. some desktop PC or Mac Pros? I do have a reason for asking this, I work at a school and we need to purchase computers to train our students consistent with equipment they will use in the workplace. We had been getting iMacs, especially when Final Cut Pro 6/7 was around, though we are now thinking of looking into PCs.

I have been in film an tv for over 20 years. I have taught at universities and tech colleges, I have worked as a director, editor, VFX Supervisor, VFX producer, I have owned multiple companies in VFX and Production, and I am currently a full time colorist. Just for credibility.

One thing you shouldn't do is compare the needs of a professional Post Production Company or VFX Studio to the needs of a university or tech school. I have worked in both and their needs are completely different. Learning a tool for production and being immersed in a production pipeline for film or tv are so radically different... and the PC versus MacOS, HP Z840 or iMac Pro is just gonna spin out of control. In every post production pipeline you have a mixture of all flavors. MacOS, Linux, Windows, and proprietary stuff. The one system for all things does not work in a professional environment.

I would say for schools, Apple Computers are always the way to go. We can argue what defines the word "PRO" in regards to the internal guts of a computer, but Apple has always had "PRO" build quality. Even if Apple is behind multiple generations and doesn't put in high end components, their computers will always have a professional quality about them, that even the most "PRO" P.C. won't have.

When I was teaching, I had students who where interested in Film, Video and Digital Technology, but had never been exposed to anything. This was the first time they had ever touched a camera or an editing program. It was also the first time they had used a computer for anything other than email. This was especially true for the tech schools. This has always been an area where Apple has excelled. Apple has a clean and easy to use OS, their hardware is easy to use and has amazing build quality, and their software tries to be intuitive and easy to use. IMHO, an iMac would be a way better choice for learning, even if the internals could be a little more desirable.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

Any computer used to make money is a professional piece of equipment, anything else is just dick measuring.

 

[shaunp]

Depends upon your requirements. For me, it's a definite 'no', but for others they are fine. Just get the right tool for the job.