Advice for Gradual Kit Build

[Adrien oneiga]

Hello, I'm looking for some advice regarding building a Kit in stages.

I'm looking at adding an Epic Dragon to my kit, to take advantage of the image quality and slow motion.
It's a leap in price, but there's specific projects i would like to work on in my own time that it doesn't make sense to rent, and i feel like it will help bring more work opportunities as well.

since i've only shot RED with a full kit, i'm looking for advice from people who've shot with it in more bare bone configurations.

i have a MOVI, 5-axis cinedrive, and ideally my package would start with:

Dragon Brain
2 x 1TB mini mag
IDX endura 7S + CF mount (from freefly)
top handle
EF Motion Mount
Foolcolor + IOS/MBP Control

I have existing smallHD monitor /eVF / Shoulder Rigging if need be.


Is there something indispensable that i would be foregoing?

keep in mind, that i would probably add on accessories within the coming months shooting, and that i have other cameras such as a C100 / DSLR for more 'run and gun' use. any feedback from small production crews / independent owner oporators is especially welcome, as the reality is that we can always go big or go home, but from my standpoint, I'm just trying to be smart about initial up front cost, so that i don't have to pay crazy premiums from Leasing which puts pressure of stacking rentals etc.

also, i'm curious if anyone uses FSI monitors with IDX batteries, i was thinking about geting the 17" version.

thanks in advance.

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

If you want to use foolcontrol iOS or OS X with an EPIC you will need a wifi module on camera (or a GIGE cable + router but not ideal on a movi...)

RED's REDLink module : easy setup and cable free but attaches to the back of the camera (can be an issue with some battery mount but might be fine with freefly cf vlock side plate)
OFFHOLLYWOOD's HOTLink or HOTBOX : can attach anywhere on the camera with CTRL + power cables.

More options like the Minion may be available in the coming months and WEAPON will have built in wifi but on EPIC / SCARLET you need one of those to add wifi capability to the camera brain.

 

[Demetri Zuev]

Don't see why you need 2Tb of media. Two 512gigs mini ssds will do just fine.

Do you plan to use your Dragon mainly on a MoVi or handheld? For the latter I'd recommend to also get an outrigger handle + dsmc sidehandle or dual outrigger handle. This will allow you to hold the camera with both hands comfortably.

DSMC battery belt clip is also a brilliant accessory that allows to lower your rig weight.

FoolControl is great but I really recommend you to get either a used 5 inch touch or a sidehandle as they allow to change any setting quickly and without a third device that you can lose or will have to throw around just to change something.

NOGA arm or any other arm is a necessity too.

And get at least a top plate, better get some side plates too. Seems irrelevant for a single operator but these 1/4-20 threads allow you to get creative and mount almost anything onto the camera.

And last but not least - use the for sale section on Reduser to your advantage, you can find almost all RED accessories here for lower than in RED store. The majority of them in good to great condition.

 

[Patrick Tresch]

Hello,

For the gimbal have you seen that?

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...DSMC-cameras&p=1492909&viewfull=1#post1492909

Pat

 

[Adrien oneiga]

Thanks for the responses so far. I chatted with Mikael and am definitely impressed by the feature set of foolcontrol, but Demetri i appreciate your point about having a red touch LCD. It is certainly my plan to buy one, but the fact that foolcontrol exist would allow me the flexibility to wait for a good second hand deal.

most of the Dragon filming will happen on my MoVI, and with sticks/sliders/cinedrive, and i have existing rigging for 15mm rods and quickplates, so i'll probably get a top plate / handle so i can add peripherals where needed.

@patrick no, I hadn't seen it! looks a bit heavier than Freefly's solution, but i like that it has more power outputs.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Get a regular EOS mount as well for standard and lowlight situations.

 

[Adrien oneiga]

Get a regular EOS mount as well for standard and lowlight situations.

I'm aware of the min 1.5 stop loss from Motion Mount since it was released, but I was hoping that with the Dragon's better latitude I might be able to get away with using fast lenses in low light.

 

[Montgomery Sutton]

^ I upgraded to the 7" red touch and far prefer it to the 5". Pulling focus is a dream.