Scarlet and Epic Release Reality

[mikeburton]

Put it this way. I put my deposit down for a RED One in August of 2007. I was told upon putting my deposit down that I should have my camera in hand in March of 2008. I received my camera in August of 2008. There are roughly 6000 RED ONE cameras on the market that will all get there stab at the Scarlet cams before you. My camera # is 2322.
So, assuming that RED by some miracle announces that cameras start shipping tomorrow, and seeing as though you don't have a RED One serial # yet, makes me think that waiting/hoping for a Scarlet for your production in 2 months is not gonna happen. I'll bet that at this point someone in your position will be waiting until this time 2010 before they have a chance at purchasing not RECEIVING a Scarlet S35. Who knows could be shorter could be longer. Why plan your film around that camera that you haven't yet seen a single frame?
Rent a camera for your production, don't put off today for the uncertainty of tomorrow.

 

[Ben Coleman]

That poses a question. How many R1 owners will be purchasing Scarlets as well? Mainly the 2/3 Scarlets are what I'm most curious about.

Of course if all the first Scarlets go out to the R1 owners then by the time us common folk are able to get our hands on them then all the bugs should be worked out right?
:thumbsup:

 

[Stelios Kokotos]

but I can't see your lips ?

LOl! :laugh:

Good luck with your project.

Thanks Rod. Much appreciated!

Thanks to everyone for your advice!

I agree with pretty much everything that has been said. To surmise, the way it is looking at the moment is that the camera may be announced (and possibly released) sometime in the next five months but due to the high demand and debugging requirements will not be readily available until sometime in 2010. Anyone who is planning a production in the next few months should concentrate on renting a Red One camera for their production and not expend time or energy waiting for the scarlet.

Sounds like good advice to me. :thumbup:

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

I have started this thread because I have a dilemma. This is a dilemma that I believe others in my position may share. The dilemma is this:

I have an independent feature scheduled to shoot in about 2 months. I have an allocated camera budget (for the body only) that is not far off the cost of the scarlet S-35 body. I also own a 15-50mm Red lens which I plan to use as the main lens for the shoot, renting a longer lens only when it is absolutely needed. I own nearly everything else I need to execute the production (ie, backup, support, monitors, grip, lighting gear, etc). For post I have just built a CS4 based workstation which I have tested with R3d footage and found to work well. I have prepped, checked and double checked the necessary components and from an equipment point of view I am pretty much near ready to go. There is only one problem. I do not have a camera.

I have been patiently waiting for the release of the scarlet S-35 since last year and planning this feature project based on what I interpreted as a realistic release date for the scarlet s-35 camera. If the Red One was in my budget range I would have purchased it and upgraded to the Epic-X when it is released. I do actually believe that in the next two months we will hear news about the Scarlet s-35 release. My dilemma is not so much the release date of the Scarlet/Epic but the ‘release reality’ for someone who does not already own a Red One. If the cameras were hypothetically released tomorrow, how long would it take for a non-Red One owner to receive his/her camera? If the new cameras are released in a month’s time, would it be realistic to expect a non-Red One owner to receive one a month after the release date? Or should I just book a Red One rental and be done with the uncertainty? I know this is a pretty open ended question as Red may not be able to anticipate exact demand numbers, but it is safe to guess that the Scarlet will be a high demand product. From the specs the Scarlet s-35 will be more than adequate for my production and naturally owning the camera has certain future advantages.

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I have been on these board and working with RED for a long time.. I'll tell you the way to handle this. It's simple, but hard to do. Look at your hands, is there a SCARLET or EPIC in them? No? Then forget about them, don't look back and do your business.

Do not change this approach for the camera, OR ANYTHING ELSE IN DEVELOPMENT until it's IN YOUR HANDS and working.

Do not, do not do not plan your shoots on anyone's release schedule.

Even when it's out, there's no telling how long until you actually have one. Even when you actually have one, there's no telling how long until you actually have what you need. Even when you actually have what you need, there's no telling if there could be an known issue or bug with the BRAND NEW camera.

I hope you hear this.. You will thank me someday.

:redface:

Jay

 

[Stelios Kokotos]

Hey Jay,

The advice is heeded!

If it's ok, I'll also thank you for it today, because it is sound advice.

Thanks! :beer:

 

[Dave McMahon]

I understand your situation. The Scarlet is perfect for our requirements for filming at the 2010 Olympics. I can only hope it is available in time, otherwise we will be using other HD cameras. Red One Rentals are not an option. There are none available nearby and the cost of shipping in rentals is almost as much as the cost of the Red One itself for a week long shoot.

 

[Shane Nassiri]

Read my lips:
There, Won't, Be, No, Scarlet, or Epic Cameras, Released, This, Year.

That's a double negative. That means there will be new cameras this year! Rejoice!