Advice/$50K investment

[Kyle Broom]

Just posting to see what advice people have. I run a small rental business that helps me fund my own projects. I currently own a RED MX and next month I'll be getting an EPIC-X and Scarlet-X. I own a set of Zeiss prime lens (contax glass rehoused in cine housings) and I'll have my Scarlet outfitted with a set of Canon L zooms (all f/2.8).

My question is, given that I've got the Epic, Scarlet and the lenses described, suppose I have $50K more to invest. What do people think would be most valuable (in terms of rentability) thing(s) for me to buy. Any suggestions/thoughts would be most appreciated. (Also, I'm in LA.)

 

[David W. Jones]

This is a question I would pose to my clientele rather than a forum.

 

[Shane Kelly]

My advice would be a good set of Pl mount lenses. They will hold their value and are not camera dependent.

 

[brian leisring]

I also think you would do beter putting that $ into glass. If you have two epics, you are good in the camera department... plus I think there is going to be a load of scarlet owners that will flood the market with disgusting low rentals. If I were you i would get a fujinon 18-80 and a set of CP2's.

 

[Kyle Broom]

Thanks Brian and Shane. I'm looking into glass now. My impression is that Super Speeds are more sought after than CP.2's. So I looking into those. Also seeing if I can put together a little more and go for a set of 5 Ultra Primes.

Haven't looked into the Fujinon but will do so.

 

[Tom Lowe]

Maybe Ultra Primes, maybe Leica Ms?

 

[Kyle Broom]

Thanks Tom. I will definitely try to put together a set of Ultras if I can. They seem to be pretty hard to come by. Any suggestions on where to pick up a used set would be appreciated.

 

[brian leisring]

Kyle,
I think you may be hard pressed to find a set of UP's for 50K, there is a set of 5 here ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/Brand-New-A...era_Lenses&hash=item519b731edc#ht_2178wt_1167 ) for 75, and it is the most desireable set of 5 (16,24,32,50,85) These dont come up too often on the used market and still demand a lot.

A cheaper option would be the Luma Tech T1.3 set, which I believe is manufactured by LOMO and just a bit warmer than MP's. And you can pick up a set for 34.

Also if you like to Cooke look you could go for a set of new style Panchros, I have tested these out and they are a nice set of glass, unfortunately they are very slow for Primes. T2.8

Hopefully that helps, PM me if you want to talk more about lenses...

 

[Obin Olson]

One item ...remote wireless follow focus.

 

[Kyle Broom]

Thanks guys. I like the Luma Techs (and Lomo), but I doubt they will be as in demand from renters as Zeiss. If it were just me wanting fast, sharp glass, I might go with RPPs; I just know that the Zeiss brand is something that DPs ask for, which is relevant for me as rental company, not so much as a filmmaker myself.

I know that it will be impossible to put together a set of Ultras for 50K, but that 75K is also considerably marked up from the list prices by Arri.

 

[brian leisring]

If your looking for a lens that would go out the most, the optimo 24-290 seems to be in the highest demand these days. It may cost a bit more, but that thing would pay for itself in a coule of years.

 

[Andy Jarosz]

x2 24-290.