Side Handle

[james Mallon]

I need a handle I think if I am going to go handheld with the fixed scarlet. I probably should bite the bullet and just get the Red side handle for $950 but is there a cheaper option ie some kind of grip option, even the bottom handle possible. Any ideas? Though a superglued BMX grip isn't acceptable!

*Do people think the fixed can be low profile as much as a DSLR? This I'm wondering is if any extra cables be needed on the basic package for the LCD and how the LCD can be attached to be low profile.

 

[Sean Finnegan]

There's no way to know without seeing all the modules first hand and assembling them. But speculating on the pictures, if you were to go with the body, a lens, a side CF module and a batter and that's it...you might be pretty "low profile". But like I said, no way to be sure.

 

[Perry Wilson]

one of the great things that RED does is that the designs of the scarlet and Epic will be open source... all any one has to do it call red have their idea approved and RED sends the CAD files to that person... So if you have the ability to wait a little I can guarantee that someone including myself will be making a dummy handle... Since you already have the REDMOTE you dont necessarily need the electronics of the side handle... Since it will be a dummy handle they will be cheap... normally people could get away with charging roughly $800 for a dummy handle for RED, but seeing as how the RED handle with electronics is only $950 that is going to force companies to keep pricing competitive... personally if I end up selling my side handle prob. and this is just speculation--- $350? maybe higher maybe lower depending on CNC cost

 

[David Rasberry]

Side handle seems more suited for a DSLR type configuration than a balanced on the shoulder hand held configuration. These cameras will be too heavy for compfortable DSLR style hand holding. There are all kinds of grips available now that mount to 19mm rail systems or something similar.

 

[Perry Wilson]

I would agree with david that shooting with a side grip may be too heavy... but a Side grip with a hand strap? now that will be fine it would be no different than having my XHA1s strapped to my hand... except the form factor of the scarlet will make it very ergonomic and I have also been thinking of making a rotating side grip for low or high shots... Tether your monitor but dont attach it to the cam hold that in one hand and the scarlet in the other and you've got yourself a follow focus using the touch focusing and facial recognition
Plus since the size of the 2 inch monitor including the sides is close to the size of my 7D LCD I will be attaching my extra Z mount on the LCD attach the Z-Finder and BOOM EVF with the stock lcd

 

[Lee Saxon]

Side handle seems more suited for a DSLR type configuration than a balanced on the shoulder hand held configuration. These cameras will be too heavy for compfortable DSLR style hand holding. There are all kinds of grips available now that mount to 19mm rail systems or something similar.

Haven't they said the brains are in the 2-3 lb range? If so, a small setup (like just the fixed package) I don't think would be much heavier than a pro DSLR. Certainly heavier than a 5D II type body, of course.

What kills the handholding for me is the terrible ergonomics of the side handle. It needs to looks more like a Nikon D3 grip less like a Mamiya AFD grip.

A buddy and I were talking about the Scarlet on the way back from shooting the Saints Superbowl parade a few weeks ago. He said "as much as your hand hurts now holding the D3 for six hours, imagine you'd been holding that Scarlet grip." I didn't even wanna think about it.

 

[David Rasberry]

For shooting motion hand held I definitely prefer a nicely balanced shoulder rig.

 

[Terry VerHaar]

Weight

Weight

Haven't they said the brains are in the 2-3 lb range? If so, a small setup (like just the fixed package) I don't think would be much heavier than a pro DSLR. Certainly heavier than a 5D II type body, of course.

I think the brains are projected to be more like 4-6 pounds, not 2-3.

Terry

 

[G Lap]

Haven't they said the brains are in the 2-3 lb range? If so, a small setup (like just the fixed package) I don't think would be much heavier than a pro DSLR. Certainly heavier than a 5D II type body, of course.

What kills the handholding for me is the terrible ergonomics of the side handle. It needs to looks more like a Nikon D3 grip less like a Mamiya AFD grip.

A buddy and I were talking about the Scarlet on the way back from shooting the Saints Superbowl parade a few weeks ago. He said "as much as your hand hurts now holding the D3 for six hours, imagine you'd been holding that Scarlet grip." I didn't even wanna think about it.

The Epic brain is around 6lbs according to the specs so I'm not sure that Scarlet will get down to half of that, but anyone considering using a Scarlet S35 DSLR fashion will certainly need the grip. Realistically though, I don't think that a DSLR style configured Scarlet is necessarily going to compare too closely (in weight and bulk terms) to shooting with a hand-held pro DSLR.

The Nikon D3s/x and the Canon 1D/Ds series bodies weigh in at around 1.2kg/2.6lbs and a pro spec 24-70 zoom at just under 1kg, so in total just about 5lbs, give or take.
A similarly configured Scarlet kit would need a brain with mount, side CF module, grip, redmote and EVF (preferably). We will only know for sure once RED release more details (RED day Vegas, hopefully) but that lot alone will probably weigh almost as much, and that's before the lens.

In other words a hand held DSMC is likely to be heavier and bulkier than a current pro spec DSLR. So, a photographer coming from a stills background is really going to have to need or want the Scarlet's superior video capability to justify the extra heft (no such considerations for cinematographers of course). It's likely then that the new cameras are going to work best with some sort of gunner/shoulder rig, if not tripod or steadicam mounted.

 

[Lee Saxon]

It's likely then that the new cameras are going to work best with some sort of gunner/shoulder rig, if not tripod or steadicam mounted.

Indeed. I am fat and lazy, mine will stay on a tripod or a jib as much as humanly possible. Getting the Side Handle just 'cause it's cheaper than a RedMote and Battery Module.