Bad anodizing job on some parts of RED hardware

[Anders Holck]

May I suggest a video of the different EVF adjustments? Just quick peek...

 

[John DeBoer]

Will post one on Monday when the new website is up.....as well as a few other new pieces.....

You will be very happy with the range of movement on the EVF mount.

 

[Jason Wingrove]

I know ET are reeel busy but some kind of quick heads up as to what they actually make would be great so people have a choice NOW rather than whenever they get their website up or store or whatever they're planning?

A quick little splash page showing thumbnails of what's coming so those splashing out now don't regret anything later?

 

[Hrvoje Simic]

The other issue with the die cast... finish. The material used for diecasting aluminum isn't really 100% aluminum. Its typically a casting alloy that is better suited to die cast and it releases easier from the molds etc. It will never look like anodized aluminum. So the options are limited... either take the finish as it is or complain until Jim has to bite the bullet and powder coat everything. I personally like the finish, it kinda reminds me of a gun finish of some sort.

Surface can be treated after casting to obtain smoother finish and determine the quality of anodizing.
I hope you're not suggesting that parts must look like this because they're cast.

I understand that we were told that everything was subject to change, but if I'm getting parts like these I'd like to be told first.
Whether they look better or worse is a subjective opinion. The point is they look different than displayed on the store.

I'd guess that the bottom plate tooling probably ran about $120K...

Over here it wouldn't.

 

[CVB]

I am suggesting that parts must look like that because they're cast. Die cast parts have a specific finish. They typically come off the tool smooth and then you can either tumble deburr them or bead blast to get varying degrees of texture. Anodizing never looks nice on die cast parts. Personally I've done at least 10-20 die cast components in varying levels of complexity in my career... If we ever had an application that had critical finish requirements we'd powder coat them or paint them.

 

[John DeBoer]

I am suggesting that parts must look like that because they're cast. Die cast parts have a specific finish. They typically come off the tool smooth and then you can either tumble deburr them or bead blast to get varying degrees of texture. Anodizing never looks nice on die cast parts. Personally I've done at least 10-20 die cast components in varying levels of complexity in my career... If we ever had an application that had critical finish requirements we'd powder coat them or paint them.

I agree completely....thats why SIM uses CNC aircraft aluminum and anodizes their parts.....looks great, lasts forever, even in the demanding rental market.

 

[Mark Pedersen]

I have lots o ET stuff and they have done a great job. Stephen is a great guy. I plan to buy more. Although there are some things ET hasn't made or not yet at least.

I also don't think it is fair to say we are expecting Mercedes quality at Hyundai prices. It's just inconsistent. Some of the same parts are done better and worse.

Agreed. Fit and finish should be consistent. ET makes great stuff. I plan to buy most of what ET makes, but they don't make a red cradle or quickplate, or handle, etc. which is the main reason I'd still buy the production pack. If ET made all Red accessories, I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

The Red side handles are a great idea (shown from early prototype days) and the machined ones looked great and were tight to the rods. But the cast ones suck, aren't secure, and I'd never trust my camera (or especially a good lens) using those on any kind of rig. Yet that's what they are for, right? And at $200 a pop, they damn well should be well manufactured, fit securely and well, look great too!

'Cmon Red. If you're going to cast parts, make them fit & function properly, finish them like you show on your site (which are all probably machined/anodized parts) or re-post pictures of what they REALLY look like now so customers can make an informed buying decision. Parts that are integral to the camera system like the quickplate, red cradle, top mount, etc. should have a nice black anodized finish like the rest of the camera. You're going to look at them every day. Side handles are less important aesthetically. They are utilitarian. But for God's sake make them secure!

To show nice, black anodized finishes on the site, and then ship grey, flat parts is bait & switch. IMHO.

M

 

[Rick Darge]

Just jumping in... I saw Tonaci's #102 Red yesterday and I gotta say, the ET gear that he had on there was really really f-ing sweet. Within an hour, I had him calling Stephen to check the availability on parts that I now need to get, such as that cheeseplate which is riddled with 3/8" & 1/4" threads. Not to mention, their breakout box is a must have. RED-gear isn't bad for the money.

 

[SF Geek]

Is there any problems grabbing the top handle with the ET top cheese plate on? It looks like there isn't enough clearance for your fingers.

 

[Paul Leeming]

Hi Guys:

With all this talk of accessories, what do people think of the following set up we have developed at SIM VIDEO?

1) Handle/VF support/Battery Plate: This system includes everything you need for your RED upper support. Using lightweight, but extremely durable aircraft aluminum, the handle is extremely versatile with multiple 3/8th and 1/4 threaded holes. On the viewfinder mount, there are multiple adjustments available, with positive locking features, and it comes with a 4" and an 8" extension rods that works with the standard ARRI style EL3 eyepiece leveler. The battery is mounted on a moveable system that allows with one lever to adjust the battery anywhere from flat across the top of the camera, to straight down the back of the body, and any where in between. Battery holder is set up for mounting RED, Anton Bauer and IDX battery plates.

2) Toe Piece: The toe piece works with all ARRI dovetails, and has 15mm rods with Studio and Lightweight rod spacings. Positive lock system holds camera securely on the dovetail.

3) Downconverter/Breakout Box: Converts one HDSDI to VBS (standard definition) as well as giving you access to USB, and all DIN connectors on the RED. Power comes via the 12v connector on the rear of the RED.

Anytime we have shown any of this at our shops, we get bombarded with requests.

What does everyone think?


John DeBoer
Director of Eastern Operations,
Sim Video Group of Companies
(Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, Toronto, Halifax, Beijing)


WWW.SIMVIDEO.COM

This looks great! Definitely add us to your mailing list for prices and delivery times and I'll keep an eye out here too.

Cheers!

Paul

 

[Levski]

I wanted to attract the attention of RED QC to the fact that some parts of RED hardware are coming with alternative (not as shown on the RED store website) method of anodizing.
This type of anodizing is prone to scratches and greasy spots done just by touching, that is very difficult to remove. After a few month of use it will look like set of fire place tools.

Correct me if I am wrong, since I am judging looking on the good quality pictures from unpacking thread.

But if it is what I think it is, then you better call your subcontractor to stop saving on anodizing process.

The reason for this is, because they have been sandblasted
prior to anodizing. It makes the surface pourus and gritty.

 

[Dominique Grenier]

Agreed. Fit and finish should be consistent. ET makes great stuff. I plan to buy most of what ET makes, but they don't make a red cradle or quickplate, or handle, etc. which is the main reason I'd still buy the production pack. If ET made all Red accessories, I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

BTW, I asked Stephen from ET about a mounting solution for the RED Drive this week, and he told to wait 'til next friday, that I won't be disappointed... I guess you won't too!

 

[Finner]

BTW, I asked Stephen from ET about a mounting solution for the RED Drive this week, and he told to wait 'til next friday, that I won't be disappointed... I guess you won't too!

Better yet there is even more on its way. I was absolutely blown away by one of the new items in development. The great thing is they all build on one another so no real fear of buying the wrong thing to early.

 

[Warren Kommers]

What's the return policy on the RED parts? 10 days and a 30 percent restocking fee?

If they have a cradle I'm going to really have to think about this.

Definitely wish someone from RED would chime in here about this.

The parts don't match on the camera, scratch very easily, stain and were not what was pictured or announced otherwise. If it was announced it would be a whole different story. Just want to know what's going on.

Even my 900 dollar 19mm ET/RED base plate has paint chunks all over it. Works good though.

Don't worry Jim you take a lot of shit on this site and it sucks. We're a critical bunch. It must be annoying but it has made a better camera. Yes? You've done a great job and I feel guilty complaining too much.

 

[Finner]

If they have a cradle I'm going to really have to think about this.

Cradle is not really needed. Best bet is to have a shoulder pad system with a dovetail on top. This way you just slide the ET/RED plate off the head dovetail and slide on your shoulder pad dovetail system.

There is a getto way of building your own. Take a flat peice of steel, drill holes in it for bolts the size of a dovetail plate and put a bunch of good quality velcro on the bottom side of that plate (use a lighter to melt up the bottom glue side of the velcro and when you stick it to the steel it will stay there forever). Then when you need to do handheld you just screw on the plate to the bottom of the dovetail. Buy or build a foamy shoulder pad that you put velcro on bottom of to stick to that steel plate.

You can also buy complete systems like this online. I am pretty sure Element is building something like this.

 

[Warren Kommers]

Cradle is not really needed. Best bet is to have a shoulder pad system with a dovetail on top. This way you just slide the ET/RED plate off the head dovetail and slide on your shoulder pad dovetail system.

There is a getto way of building your own. Take a flat peice of steel, drill holes in it for bolts the size of a dovetail plate and put a bunch of good quality velcro on the bottom side of that plate (use a lighter to melt up the bottom glue side of the velcro and when you stick it to the steel it will stay there forever). Then when you need to do handheld you just screw on the plate to the bottom of the dovetail. Buy or build a foamy shoulder pad that you put velcro on bottom of to stick to that steel plate.

You can also buy complete systems like this online. I am pretty sure Element is building something like this.

I'm talking about the red drive and battery cradle.

I've seen the shoulder pad in the works at ET and I'm buying that for sure. It's great. Being that the camera tends to be front heavy. The ET pad and ET dovetail gives you about a foot of travel to get ur balance right.

 

[BASSAM MSSALATIE]

The Most Noticeable thing that this thread went on until now with 56
replies and around 2700 views and more that 6 pages without
any respond from any member of REDTEAM

WHY :innocent:

we used to see .jim. jarred. Brent ,.....most of them the do fast respond
and promp reply .with no any delay ..

why hmy:

is it something wrong .....:blink:

are we right or wrong disscussing this ...?

We have also noticed the difference in finish between various accessories.

And here is another thread about what we feel is sub-par quality on some RED Accessories
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=8889&highlight=plate

There has not been any response from RED on that thread either.

 

[luis bustamante]

good to see our pics serving a purpose. Indeed people need to be aware that they might not get what they see on the webpage. I'm sure eventually Red will solve this issue as elegantly as usual.

I have to second finner, ET is the way to go, buy all the accesories they make for red and you'll be set. they just need a webpage for people to find out about these amazing products!

 

[BASSAM MSSALATIE]

I have to second finner, ET is the way to go, !

what is the relation between finner and ET ? is there is relation ?

 

[Andrew M.]

The Most Noticeable thing that this thread went on until now with 56
replies and around 2700 views and more that 6 pages without
any respond from any member of REDTEAM

WHY :innocent:

we used to see .jim. jarred. Brent ,.....most of them the do fast respond
and promp reply .with no any delay ..

why hmy:

is it something wrong .....:blink:

are we right or wrong disscussing this ...?

Jim is traveling, and items sold outside of production pack are just buyer's choice, if you don’t like what you see then buy from third party like ET.

As to the website pictures, well nobody complained since almost all RED buyers are here on the forum and we know all upside out and from the kitchen side what is cooking on the stove.

Most inaccuracy in mechanical details are easily correctable in DIY style and the only thing that I worry about is that the cast is not a machined part in terms of strength, especially at the ends and narrow places, so retest is advised. Probably already tested by Fire Chief.

I always imagined Jim’s products like kind of military standard, rough and strong. I have this vision of people unpacking the truck and throwing RED cameras (with all handles on) on the ground in to dirt and dust.