What Can't the side handle do?

[dean lee]

As I patient wait for some stuff to come in the mail from RED (side ssd) to start shooting.. I am second guessing myself about the redtouch 5.0. Coming from a canon background I find that making changes to the camera is super fast once you learn it and I prefer buttons over a touch screen.

So the question is.. what cant it do? can the side handle access all the controls the touch can? I also hear the touch might be faster.. but for someone that's been using a side handle exclusively .. is it really faster??
For example.. one you have a general shoot parameter.. ie 4k.. 6.1..fps.. iso.. arent all you setting is F stops and shutter?

I also understand you need to setup hdmi etc with a touch, but once thats done.. its done.

Thanks
Dean

 

[Matthew B]

The design of the side handle is pretty well thought out and in operation does speed up usage of the UI.

If you are used to the circular wheel of the canon - it is a pretty natural adjustment.

Having both I use them about equally. But yes, once you have your shooting params set you are generally just changing white balance and aperture. I also debated not getting the LCD back when I ordered my scarlet on announcement day - but the redtouch is a good monitor FWIW so I don't regret having it one bit.

 

[Donnie King]

Well I made a decision to purchase the side handle for my new scarlet instead of the 5.0 touch screen. I use a third party 7inch monitor and so far with the force presets on Reds website it works flawlessly with the camera. You can customize all of the buttons on the side handle to do what ever you want. I honestly have to say, that was the only short cut I made when purchasing the scarlet and it worked out well. I use a 400.00 lilliput monitor that's 1080p resolution so I saved about 1,200.00. I guess if the touch screen is in your budget then it's a great purchase but I love the side handle. My Red rep helped me save money by telling me the side handle was a better purchase If I had to choose between the two. I guess it depends on what you need at the time, because I may eventually end up getting the touch screen one day just for the luxury of having it.

 

[dean lee]

Thanks for the input guys.. looks like theres going to be a redtouch in the for sale section very soon.

 

[Nick Pasquariello]

I'm thinking about trading up from my Red 5.6" (non touch) LCD to a 5" LCD for image quality purposes. But I will not be taking my Side Handle off if/when I do.

Why the Touch, then? I want something sourced from the EVF/LCD port, and I want the quality to be sufficient without breaking the bank. I would love the Bomb OLED, but for the moment it's beyond my price range. I would probably use the touch capabilities, but I'm certain I would still use the Side Handle, since I have the buttons programmed the way I like and it would be one-touch access to certain things instead of digging through menus. I also love love love that by having a RedVolt in the side handle, I can hot swap my V-Mount batteries without power cycling. LOVE.

 

[Mike P.]

As far as I'm aware, the sidehandle can do everything the touch can... Actually more, as every button/wheel can be remapped.

 

[dean lee]

What do you guys think about the redmote?? aside from not having the ability to stick in a battery.. how user friendly is it? I love the fact that its wireless but im sure i would probably mount it anyways.

 

[Nick Pasquariello]

If you're not going to use the Redmote wirelessly, then why bother? I see it on the shoots we have at work all the time: we rent an Epic, and it comes with a Touch, Side Handle, and Redmote, and none of the ops we use know really how to use them effectively. I AC'd one shoot with a Milo, and for that the Redmote was incredibly, incredibly valuable. Could control start, stop, and all the major settings without having to get anywhere near the Camera. And that's where it shines. (Had only one connectivity blip all day, too. Found I could use it from 150 feet away, no problem)

However, both the Touch and the SSD have additional utility that make up for the cost differentials. You could buy a Redmoe and bolt it to the camera, but in my opinion you are better off putting a little extra money aside and getting the Side Handle.

 

[dean lee]

Yah im just trying to decide which route to go in controlling the camera. I kind of have my head set on a dp6. slightly larger and the resolution is 1280 x 800. I know the grip is good and a lot of people are using it..but im leaning towards the redmote and being wireless is a bonus.