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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Don't buy a Scarlet. Buy an Epic.

Gavin Greenwalt

Gavin Greenwalt

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My advice to new owners is to listen to Jim when he said everyone who doesn't own an epic after Nov 1 will: everybody buy Epic. Don't buy a Scarlet.

Base Package: SSD Module, Canon Mount, Side Handle, 4x Redvolts, Redvolt charger 2x 64GB SSDs, SSD Reader, $1,500 Lens = $7,225

Scarlet + Base Package: $15,175
Epic + Base Package: $26,225

Scarlet / Epic = 58% price.

Scarlet: 12 fps 5k
Epic: 120fps 5k.

10% framerates for 58% of the price.

Spend the extra $10k. When you upgrade to Dragon you'll be spending more than $6k. How much? $1k? $4k? You're spending a ton of money already. I don't think it makes sense anymore to buy a Scarlet. 2c.
 
I want to create now.
If I wanted to wait, then I would have stuck to my original Black Magic order :P

My first goal with the Scarlet is to create something that I shot and cared for.
My next goal is to share to the world.
Repeat the last two steps a few times for good measure.

Im sure somewhere between there I will be picking up an EPIC :)
 
Nathan Apffel said:
I just bought one of the BT Scarlet's exactly for this reason... And now with the Epic pricing it's even more realistic! Scarlet is a starter... Epic is the main course. Gotta pace.
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I just feel that if I start thinking like I did years ago when we got our RED MX at work, when I felt that I would never ever afford anything RED.

Three years later and now I can honestly say I own one.

All my gear is mine and no borrowing from work makes me feel like a real artist :)

I will not be sitting with my Scarlet wishing it was an EPIC.

I know the specs when I got into the Scarlet so I will work with what I have.
 
What about if Scarlet gets 5k/24?

Honestly, I think the real decision for would-be scarlet owners is between an R1mx for $4k and a Scarlet. It's essentially two R1mxs for the price of one Scarlet... or two Scarlets for the price of one Epic. The thing is, R1mx has better audio (mini-XLRs), same sensor characteristics (both MX for now), 4.5k, 120fps, built-in everything (so no costly sidehandle, mount, or touch screen), cheap used accessories... All you need is batteries, media, and a lens.

PLUS, when it comes time to sell, you can basically give it away ($2k, $1k, free) and you won't have lost much money. With the Scarlet and Epic, in 12months from now when Dragon is out, you won't be able to give an MX Scarlet or Epic away, much less sell it to try to recoup some expenses.
 
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Gavin Greenwalt said:
My advice to new owners is to listen to Jim when he said everyone who doesn't own an epic after Nov 1 will: everybody buy Epic. Don't buy a Scarlet.
10% framerates for 55% of the price.... Spend the extra $10k. When you upgrade to Dragon you'll be spending more than $6k. How much? $1k? $4k? You're spending a ton of money already. I don't think it makes sense anymore to buy a Scarlet. 2c.
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Agreed, I love my two scarlets, and don't regret for a second getting them ... but not having a upgrade path like the epic, and being about 5x lower on price performance really means the current scarlet doesn't make sense, so all my purchases in the future will be epic based. Maybe the scarlet concept should go back to a what was originally envisioned - perhaps integrated brain/SSD/touchpad/EF mount with a total cost of 7k. I'm just happy i will be able to use all my current scarlet components on my future epic.
 
PatrickFaith said:
I'm just happy i will be able to use all my current scarlet components on my future epic.
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Here as well on that note.. I had a hard time restraining myself in interest of finances at the moment to not instantly think sell my scarlet, buy epic (Main reason I want EPIC is less the offspeed and all about the 5K ).

But at least having invested in the RED support gear will leave that money for the EPIC brain when I do pull the trigger.

I would agree with Gavin - if it takes only an extra month of work just invest in EPIC
 
Humm... In reality... Title should be "Don't Buy Scarlet & Don't Buy EPIC"
Both will be available $100/day at your local grocery store (lol)

I respectfully disagreed with Gavin (lol),
I think, if you are wise guy you should understand following,
1- Carefully read MOORE's LAW (very important)
2- Save money for better Glass
3- Buy Redone for $4k
4- Rent Epic/ scar if needed

end of story
 
Man the great thing about the Scarlet from my neck of the woods is that, we might actually have a local Scarlet User Group within the next two months :)
 
There are people who will shoot content which will never be published at 4K. It is not their market, they only need 1080p max. For example, I cannot imagine my local car dealers benefiting from an advertisement shot at 4k, considering the budget limitation induced cheesiness in other areas of production (image resolution and framerate are but two links in a big chain).

For that segment, Scarlet still makes a lot of sense.
 
By that logic I shouldn't buy a new TV or car or anything until the price of the model I want now drops to nearly nothing....

I understand frustration but honestly, it's life you either roll with the punches and keep moving or get left behind. I guess I'm not the best person as I love my camera's, I have kept all of my old cameras despite being useless and worth next to nothing (had chances to sell for a good amount of investment back) I just couldn't let go of my past and the tools that allowed and pushed me to the path I'm on today.

To each their own, and I feel for those out there who take this announcement as bad news, as that is truly unfortunate.
 
Don't buy any camera right now. Buy yourself rental insurance policy every year and rent the entire packages for any camera when you need it and don't worry about your investment being worthless in a few months time. How much would a more than capable RED One MX package rent for now? This allows you to be flexible and not biased or forced to defend a bad purchase decision. Rest happy. That is unless you plan on sleeping with your camera package.
 
mikeburton said:
Don't buy any camera right now. Buy yourself rental insurance policy every year and rent the entire packages for any camera when you need it and don't worry about your investment being worthless in a few months time. How much would a more than capable RED One MX package rent for now? This allows you to be flexible and not biased or forced to defend a bad purchase decision. Rest happy. That is unless you plan on sleeping with your camera package.
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That only works for larger cities.

We have one facility here that rents a RED MX.

Good thing is that there are at least 3 EPIC packages renting locally :)
 
I have kept all of my cameras as well. They each were bought with a purpose and in using them a bond created. Although my Scarlet is the first motion camera that I have owned.



Stephen Matthews said:
By that logic I shouldn't buy a new TV or car or anything until the price of the model I want now drops to nearly nothing....

I understand frustration but honestly, it's life you either roll with the punches and keep moving or get left behind. I guess I'm not the best person as I love my camera's, I have kept all of my old cameras despite being useless and worth next to nothing (had chances to sell for a good amount of investment back) I just couldn't let go of my past and the tools that allowed and pushed me to the path I'm on today.

To each their own, and I feel for those out there who take this announcement as bad news, as that is truly unfortunate.
Click to expand...
 
Jarek Zabczynski said:
... I've had a Scarlet for a year and made that money back already. Now, soon I will be able to get an Epic and have my Scarlet as my B Camera.
Click to expand...

My thoughts exactly. Except, I was lucky enough to recoup my investment in my Scarlet in about 4 months. The rest has been "gravy" ... I guess have been sort of building up my "Epic Fund" without realizing it.

___________________________________
Scarlet X # 1859 “Bettie Page”
“… preparing to ‘whip’ the competition …”

Zeiss Lenses:

CY 21/2.8
ZF 28/2.0
CY 35-70/3.4
CY 50/1.4
ZF100/2.0

Nikon Lenses:
G 14-24/2.8
G 24-70/2.8
D 80-200/2.8

Tokina Lenses:

11-16/2.8
 
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