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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 :)

Low light: Scarlet 2/3" vs Canon 7d

Does anyone happen to know if the Scarlet will have interchangeable lenses? I saw a video with Ted from Red recently saying it will come with a fixed lens - but I'm not sure when the video was produced.
 
Myles said:
Does anyone happen to know if the Scarlet will have interchangeable lenses? I saw a video with Ted from Red recently saying it will come with a fixed lens - but I'm not sure when the video was produced.
Click to expand...

There will be both fixed and interchangeable versions of the 2/3".
 
The interchangeable body will be cheaper, but the fixed will cheaper over all. I have already spent about $3k on a decent selection of used 16mm glass. Neither version is likely to be under $3k for a practical field package with all the necessary accessories though.
 
I am a bit surprised that everyone is talking about the 7D. It is the follow up to a bad camera made some what better, the 5d mark 2 is a better camera. But the new camera of choice better by far than both for shooting motion is the 1D Mark 4 due to release this month. I am on hold for mine and I just heard that a big stock agency just placed an order for 84 of them from just one reseller. Check it out. ISO through the roof with clean blacks that will blow your mind.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0910/09102001canon1d4.asp
http://www.photographybay.com/2009/10/23/canon-1d-mark-iv-hands-on-review/
 
All of this technology is impressive. The rate limiting step will be knowledge and creativity. In the hands of someone who knows what they are doing, all things are possible.

The only strong opinion I have is don't buy anything knowing you will need to do extra post-production work, like eliminating jello-effect or anti-aliasing; too much work.

I bet there are some people on this board who could make pretty good films using cell phone video.

The next 5-10 years are going to usher in an explosion of indy film, can't wait.
 
Are all Red cameras proprietary? Will there be ways to use some of my existing accessories? 4 pin power? HD monitors? CF Cards?
 
Ultimately the real question is how the camera is to be used. What is the end product? Budget also is a concern, but always remember a talented film maker can use a variety of cameras to create a powerful and moving film. Knowledge of DOF and storyline, and other key elements is important. This can be told with virtually any camera. If your lighting stinks and your story is weak, even a Red can't fix that.
Now, end quality is important. A lot of people have raved about the quality of the 7d and other canon dslr's. They are pretty competitive. Yet, I believe that the additional stabilizing equipment needed to get clean moving shots is quite a bit. ( Not that the Red won't need it too). From what I have read, if you are shooting something where you need to move quickly and get in and get out, a 7d will not cut it due to to the 'jello' effect. Who wants to spend hours in the edit room correcting it? I don't. It's better to get it right in camera. You have to remember that time is money. Figure that into your budget.
I am choosing to wait for the Scarlet. I have consdered the 7D and 5D Mark II. But I expect the Scarlet will be worth the wait. Good luck and making a decision.:thumbup1:
 
I can't help chuckling to myself. Maybe it's my age. I love cutting edge technology.I started out with really crap stuff to learn on and earned my high end gear but only after doing this math did/do I ever spring for the top end stuff.
Here's my rule:
If you cannot break even on it in 6 months, you are not a buyer candidate. You are a renter or learner or both.
This rule applies to all but the cheapest gear.
The days when you could by a Camera + Accessories + NLE Suite and expect them to be 'cutting edge' for years are long gone.
So what if you buy a 7D today? Earn enough to pay it off in 6 months and throw it away or anything you earn after that is gravy. Same with Scarlet. That 6 month rule has saved me in 30 years as a pro shooter. All that excess cash lying around got invested where it added up (Real Estate) Now I can afford to buy truckloads of RED or Scarlet- but for obvious reasons, I wont!
Some day a Scarlet successor will be in production at a small fraction of the current boutique prices(when released). That's when I step into the game.
 
I've been a commercial still shooter for 12 years and have only just started "playing" with motion. It's SO cool. A silly thing I found enjoyment out of recently was pulling out my ND grads again with rings and mount for a basic sunset waves on rocks setting using the 5DmkII video mode. It was almost dark, so moody, and using a 24/1.4 wide open gave an equally moody vignette for the stormy sunset.
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Ok, sorry for the newbie ramblings ;)
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On the topic of the 7D, I just got one for my fiancé to use mainly as a still camera and it was only $1700 for the body and she can share some of my lenses and have a few I will replace with newer versions. My 99% primary work lenses are the newest Tilt Shift 17,24 & 45,90 so the others, 24/1.4, 12-24, 16-35, 24-70, 70-200, and 8mm, are all just extras or for personal use.

What I don't understand the purpose of you all discussing at length is any point in comparing the Scarlet to the dslr models. The dslr's, 7D especially, are so cheap by comparison why not just use one when you are starting out and then as suggested early in this thread, it becomes a back-up or otherwise used tool when you get busier.

I learned with 4x5 view cameras of course and am slightly annoyed with now having to buy the next top canon every 18 months for ~$8000.

At least our grip and lighting gear hangs on in terms of use over the years.

Anyway, to the OP, it seems a $1700 7D body plus a couple lenses to get rolling with would make a lot of sense and it can still be used later as a useful tool in the situations where it is more suitable than bigger set-ups.

If you are tight on cash, my assumption based on comments, you could try stretching these costs over a year or more with 0% apr accounts, such as Best Buy for the 7D. Your goal could be to recoup it's cost before the end of the term.
 
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