About to pre-order, but have some questions...

[Somnang Vann]

Hey guys,

Hopefully soon-to-be-Red-owner (first time), but I have some questions before getting on the pre-order. I had a chance yesterday to visit the Red store and take a look and feel the Weapon. One thing that I noticed is the top handle. The version I saw yesterday is similar to this setup (minus the lens):

I have a generic quick release top handle that I've been using on my other cameras and I would like to transfer over to the Raven. My top handle is about 145mm in length (roughly around the same length as the one pictured above). The pictured top handle works for this setup, but I'm looking to get the Base I/O V-Lock Expander instead. The issue I see here is that the V-mount battery would stick up too high for my top handle (my top handle being too long).

Not to sound cheap, but I rather not buy the DSMC2 Universal Handle since I already have a top handle and use the extra cash towards something else. Am I correct to think that the only top handle solution is to go with the DSMC2 Universal Handle?

Here is a breakdown what I'm planning to get:

Red Raven brain -- $5,950
Base I/O V-Lock Expander -- $1,900
Red Mini-Mag 120gb (2) -- $850.00 + $850.00
Red Station Mini-Mag -- $195.00
Red Touch 4.7" LCD -- $1450

$11,195

I also have SmallHD DP4 and AC7 for monitors, but plan on upgrading to either 502 or 701.


Another big question I have is, how long do you guys think it'll take for the Raven to get shipped if I were to jump on the pre-order today or tomorrow? Do you think by end of April?

 

[Marco Hanna]

Welcome to the community! I'm not exactly sure what to tell you about the handle. I would say buy the Universal Handle or look into other third party solutions like wooden camera.

I can 'try' to answer your second question. RAVEN is still in the process of being built. They don't have tons of them around and the pre-orders have been live since September 25th. They also have MG Weapon upgrades and Scarlet-W going on this month. Launch date for Raven is March 17th. So if you pre-order now... you have to account for a couple things.

1. You're at the real tail-end of the queue.
2. There's about a few orders of magnitude more Raven orders than Scarlet W, so we are are talking about thousands
3. The allocation process isn't the fastest.

Let me explain 3, RED works in a way that BombSquad members reach out to people on the queue who have their pre-orders in. They tell them their camera has been allocated, then they invoice them for the amount remaining. In total, they have 10 days to pay, but if you reach back out and say I need a couple extra days, they will work with you.

So with all of that taken in account, I can't tell you what you want to hear. By NAB, they'll hopefully be pouring Ravens and Scarlet-W's. It always starts as a trickle but a few weeks go by and its a flood and raging torrent of shipments. I wouldn't hold my breath for April. Though, RED is always full of surprises. Ask anyone to tell you a date, and if they do they are lying. No one really knows when they'll receive their order. Though, you'll definitely get a camera sooner if you order now, rather than wait until they are in-stock on RED.com.

 

[Brice LeCarre]

Somnang, the universal handle from the Red store cost only $150.00. Now $150.00 is still $150.00, but in the Red ecosystem it is really not much. You are thinking about a Raven package which will cost you 10k (us dollars). the handle cost i about 2% or so of the camera cost.
I am in the queue for the Raven I/O V lock package so I will get the same handle but will most likely get the new DSMC2 side handle.
You can probably sell the handle for a few bucks to recoup your cost.

Hope that helps

 

[Somnang Vann]

Welcome to the community! I'm not exactly sure what to tell you about the handle. I would say buy the Universal Handle or look into other third party solutions like wooden camera.

I can 'try' to answer your second question. RAVEN is still in the process of being built. They don't have tons of them around and the pre-orders have been live since September 25th. They also have MG Weapon upgrades and Scarlet-W going on this month. Launch date for Raven is March 17th. So if you pre-order now... you have to account for a couple things.

1. You're at the real tail-end of the queue.
2. There's about a few orders of magnitude more Raven orders than Scarlet W, so we are are talking about thousands
3. The allocation process isn't the fastest.

Let me explain 3, RED works in a way that BombSquad members reach out to people on the queue who have their pre-orders in. They tell them their camera has been allocated, then they invoice them for the amount remaining. In total, they have 10 days to pay, but if you reach back out and say I need a couple extra days, they will work with you.

So with all of that taken in account, I can't tell you what you want to hear. By NAB, they'll hopefully be pouring Ravens and Scarlet-W's. It always starts as a trickle but a few weeks go by and its a flood and raging torrent of shipments. I wouldn't hold my breath for April. Though, RED is always full of surprises. Ask anyone to tell you a date, and if they do they are lying. No one really knows when they'll receive their order. Though, you'll definitely get a camera sooner if you order now, rather than wait until they are in-stock on RED.com.

Thanks a ton for your reply and the Bomb Squad explanation. I just went ahead and made a deposit on the brain only. I'll work out the rest down the road. I really should have made a deposit months ago, but the dumbness in me wanted to wait and do more research on other cameras, even though 75% of me is already sure I'll be getting a Red.

Thanks!

 

[Somnang Vann]

Somnang, the universal handle from the Red store cost only $150.00. Now $150.00 is still $150.00, but in the Red ecosystem it is really not much. You are thinking about a Raven package which will cost you 10k (us dollars). the handle cost i about 2% or so of the camera cost.
I am in the queue for the Raven I/O V lock package so I will get the same handle but will most likely get the new DSMC2 side handle.
You can probably sell the handle for a few bucks to recoup your cost.

Hope that helps

Yeah my last resort will be this handle. It isn't much compared to other Red accessories, but my budget isn't as high (Or else I'd get the Scarlet-W instead :smile5. I'll see what other 3rd party handles will be out there in the months to come. I figure the 3rd party accessories will come out before I get the camera.

When you say side handle, are you referring to this: http://www.red.com/store/products/dsmc2-outrigger-handle I'm looking at this as well.

 

[Brice LeCarre]

No I am talking about this one
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?140798-Weapon-Side-Handle-Teaser-on-Facebook

 

[Marco Hanna]

Your pre-order is always refundable.

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

Am I correct to think that the only top handle solution is to go with the DSMC2 Universal Handle?

If you are planning on using the Base I/O V-Lock Expander with Red bricks (or most other V-Locks), then yes, the Universal Handle would be the way to go. Other handles are too long.

Other options would be to [a] use something like a Sony BP-FL75 V-Lock battery, which is a lot lower than the Red Bricks, or bail on the V-Lock Expander and go the route of using the Redvolt XL Expander to get power, which lowers the profile considerably). Or, if you're insisting on V-Locks, you could [c] get a V-Lock from Wooden Camera than can be installed in a "low" position, thus clearing room for handles.

 

[Somnang Vann]

No I am talking about this one
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?140798-Weapon-Side-Handle-Teaser-on-Facebook

That looks cool.

If you are planning on using the Base I/O V-Lock Expander with Red bricks (or most other V-Locks), then yes, the Universal Handle would be the way to go. Other handles are too long.

Other options would be to [a] use something like a Sony BP-FL75 V-Lock battery, which is a lot lower than the Red Bricks, or bail on the V-Lock Expander and go the route of using the Redvolt XL Expander to get power, which lowers the profile considerably). Or, if you're insisting on V-Locks, you could [c] get a V-Lock from Wooden Camera than can be installed in a "low" position, thus clearing room for handles.

Awesome thanks for the Wooden Camera suggestion. Yes I prefer to stick with V-locks as I already have 2 bricks. I'll keep an eye out Wooden Camera's plate. All in all, I'm looking forward to the next few months.

Thanks again

 

[jordan levy]

you should put the orders in for everything else you want too, so you get on the list. choose wire transfer at the end and what happens is they call you for the info, and at that time you can say, ill just put in on credit card or say you dont want it.
about handles, i bought a single powerless outrigger handle on ebay for $125, this way it's just out of the way and can act like a hand holdable grip, or a move the camera here to there handle. when the new side handle comes out that can focus and all, then the outrigger will switch to the left side of the camera.

 

[jordan levy]

If you are planning on using the Base I/O V-Lock Expander with Red bricks (or most other V-Locks), then yes, the Universal Handle would be the way to go. Other handles are too long.

Other options would be to [a] use something like a Sony BP-FL75 V-Lock battery, which is a lot lower than the Red Bricks, or bail on the V-Lock Expander and go the route of using the Redvolt XL Expander to get power, which lowers the profile considerably). Or, if you're insisting on V-Locks, you could [c] get a V-Lock from Wooden Camera than can be installed in a "low" position, thus clearing room for handles.

wow, i never heard anything about those sony batteries, they are low profile and not as fat as the AB cine ones, but man pricey, like them though, anyone ever use them on a red camera?

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

wow, i never heard anything about those sony batteries, they are low profile and not as fat as the AB cine ones, but man pricey, like them though, anyone ever use them on a red camera?

Yes, they work on a Red... great form factor. And they charge about twice as fast on the Sony charger. No P-Tap, though, so if you have to have that, they won't fit the bill. But otherwise very great low profile. Not the right forum, but I have one unused one for sale if you are interested @ $330. I found it online, and intended to built out a camera kit with them, but decided to go with the Redvolt XL's.

 

[Somnang Vann]

you should put the orders in for everything else you want too, so you get on the list. choose wire transfer at the end and what happens is they call you for the info, and at that time you can say, ill just put in on credit card or say you dont want it.
about handles, i bought a single powerless outrigger handle on ebay for $125, this way it's just out of the way and can act like a hand holdable grip, or a move the camera here to there handle. when the new side handle comes out that can focus and all, then the outrigger will switch to the left side of the camera.

Smart! I never thought about that. It's okay though, I already made a deposit for just the brain via credit card. Thanks

 

[Björn Benckert]

Somnang, the universal handle from the Red store cost only $150.00. Now $150.00 is still $150.00, but in the Red ecosystem it is really not much. You are thinking about a Raven package which will cost you 10k (us dollars). the handle cost i about 2% or so of the camera cost.
I am in the queue for the Raven I/O V lock package so I will get the same handle but will most likely get the new DSMC2 side handle.
You can probably sell the handle for a few bucks to recoup your cost.

Hope that helps

We are still working on this... think it will be what makes that top handle better than anything else. Will know next week have only touch it with my mouse so far . Getting costs for it now. in magnesium and also titanium. .. and for us that dont really care aluminum.

 

[Matthew Quinn]

I like that design Bjorn, make sure we can use the easy rig cradle with it please -_-