Building out your Scarlet... Cage/ Batteries/ Viewfinder? How are YOU doing it?

[Ian McGrew]

Hey all... First post... woo! Bought the Scarlet... Woo!

So I am wondering how people are building up their Scarlet...? I am debating between going all Red Volt (with full intention of buying the Quad Battery Module) or getting one or two of them and then going Anton Bauer for the rest since I already own these... Just getting their plate that corresponds with this camera. Any thoughts of that first off?

I am then debating between going 15mm rails (which I already own basically an entire kit that will work... for now... Rais, follow focus, mattebox) or go 19mm and be ready for more film friendly kind of sets. Also how are people rigging/ caging up their cameras????

I already own a Zacuto EVF... Which I love and feel it has a great picture! However I do not love the flimsy HDMI connection and have heard that the Scarlet X's (as well as the Epic... might have already been resolved) HDMI port does not work currently. That they are waiting for a software upgrade basically... Is this true? I have no problem spending the money for the EVF Bomb but would much rather spend the money elsewhere if I don't have too.

Lastly. I have a lot of clients who only want 1080p as an end result and yes... Many people will complain and rant about how I should shoot on another camera like an HDX900 or Canon 7D. But in my honest opinion... A lot of people will pay for the rental on a Red Scarlet X just because of the name... "RED" So I am thinking about getting an external recorder like either the Sound Devices PIX 240 or keep it simple and get a Nano. Any thoughts of this? I'm thinking for certain clients just by pass the whole real reason for shooting on this camera but still somewhat have the "look" for them and just record solely on CF cards on whatever I decide to go with. Any Ideas?

I am new to the Red scene and any suggestions would be huge!

Thanks
Ian

 

[Phil Holland]

Hi Ian. I'll share my thoughts on the matter.

- Power: The advantage of the RedVolts is their compact size and the concept of hot swapping while the camera is on with the Quad and Dual Battery Modules. The downside is that they won't power the camera very long if just used in a singular fashion through the DSMC Side Handle.

- Rigging: The choice between 15mm and 19mm rods is similar in the concept that 19mm rods will take up more space. However, they will also support more weight. Cinema glass is heavy, DSLR glass not so much. 19mm is certainly more common on set. I've been using 15mm to stay compact and using carbon fiber rods typically. When I need to support more weight I have steel rods that I use.

- Monitoring: It sounds like you have an EVF solution already. The Bomb EVF is really nice. If you are dealing with loose HDMI cables popping out there are many cheap solutions. Simple gaffers tape works. What I like to do is use a thin gauge wire to secure the cables to devices. Cheap and sturdy.

- Different jobs certainly require different finishes. There are many external recorders and that's one option. I prefer to shoot higher resolution and work in RedCineX Pro to export other resolutions. That way you still have the power of RedCode at your disposal. However, if I was primarily do something like broadcast or live event work I would focus on getting a quick and usable stream from the get go. Depends really on what you're shooting.

I come from the motion picture world where camera packages quickly get big and heavy. For my own equipment I focus on the advantages of the DSMC concept. Light weight, portable, flexible to rig out in many different configurations. It's real easy to make something bigger and heavier, it's not easier to make something smaller and lighter. Easy to work on my own. Easy to build up for larger productions.

 

[Mike Garrick]

Yep definitely 15mm rails for me. There is a question yet to be asked with these new small & lightweight cameras eg. Epic, Scarlet X, F3 & E300. Just how much you will actually need or ever need 19mm rail support? Granted there is some huge lenses out there that need support, but I would hire in the support at the same time you hire in the lens.

 

[stu aull]

Pix 240 for me, with hopefully RED SSDs down the road. Fab construction (PIX), legendary audio quality and actively working with RED on integration (Sound Devices/PIX has a demo vid with EPIC).
BOMB EVF
V-mount IDX power - including D-tap for PIX
Sidehandle with one REDVOLT and Charger (for jib work)
Brand "X" shoulder mount: prefer RED's but don't want to have to spend ANOTHER $600+ on their Q-release to make it work so hoping for a work-around...
Canon mount Glass: Tokina 11-16/ Canon (or??) 70-200/ + intermediate zoom, to be researched...
15mm rails if any - 19 overkill and why pay the extra $$?

You may want to confirm the HDMI connection includes display of menu system for your EVF or you will be S.O.L. controlling the camera!
And-
you didn't mention a Side Handle or Redmote - you will need one of these to _control_ the menu system!

Stu Aull
Alaska

 

[Phil Holland]

zacuto universal baseplate

I had the same thought, but my concern is that on smaller diameter lenses the follow focus may not reach. I'll know when I get the thing I guess.

 

[Marcos Montenegro]

Great post. Question: I already have a SmallHD DP6 HDMI monitor (not the HD-SDI), so I'm definitely interested in OP's question regarding the HDMI port not being enabled currently. Can someone confirm if a) HDMI port in Scarlet-X/Epic is currently enabled and b) if so, can it show the menu, etc, so I can move around the camera menus with either a REDMOTE or a DSMC Side Handle?

 

[Häakon]

I'll show you a picture of my rig when the battery modules finally arrive.

 

[Justin Batchelor]

I am about a day away from the order. How long on average would a Redvolt work for? It looks like I have to get the Side Handle just to accommodate the battery instead of full Bricks.

And then if I get the redmote, will I be able to see the changes on my Small HD DP4 though HDMI or is that only possible through the red connectors with a Touchscreen

So many options. Which is great, but also a little confusing. Where's that Epic PDF. There is a must read before my head hits the pillow.

Mount on my hand built 15mm rails, stick in some wireless mics and whoopee, its time to shoot that pilot, short and the 5 corporates I have in the next 4 months.

 

[David Rasberry]

Side handle, redvolts, and the Small HD DP4 LCD/EVF combo with some sort of mount arm to start. Minimalist lightweight rig.

 

[Ian McGrew]

Hi Ian. I'll share my thoughts on the matter.

- Power: The advantage of the RedVolts is their compact size and the concept of hot swapping while the camera is on with the Quad and Dual Battery Modules. The downside is that they won't power the camera very long if just used in a singular fashion through the DSMC Side Handle.

Thanks Phil for the suggestions... I somewhat had the same idea. I still can't wrap my head around spending something like $5,000 on batteries, quad core, and chargers but I plan on going that route eventually... For now I plan on just primarily using Anton Bauer's for whenever I have to go on batt and just using the RedVolts for hot swapping when I need to change Anton Bauer bricks.

 

[Ian McGrew]

This is my List... I feel its a decent list... I'll be using my 18" RedRock Carbon Rods for "bigger projects and then the 9" for everything else... Still haven't gotten any word from Red if the HDMI port actually works on the Scarlet???? Anyone know!!???? I plan on using the Zacuto EVF (for now.. would love to get a bomb) as my viewfinder. I don't really care about having all the information on that screen at all because if I need something I'll just be relying on someone else to keep me honest. Anyone have any other suggestions for my "list"?

ps... I'll be using an assortment of Canon L series lenses and my Chrosziel Mattebox

 

[Mike Garrick]

In regards to the HDMI port....apparently yes it is enabled.

Heres the thread link http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?66508-HDMI-Port-Is-it-enabled