Buying Scarlet MX now, worth it?

[Pavel Vitko]

Hello guys,

I´ve possibility to buy read2shoot package with Scarlet MX for roundabout 5k. But the question rises, is it worth it right now? As I am new to all this RED world, i am very excited to get my hands on it. Im coming from BMCC 2.5k and thinking about to upgrade. But does this 5k upgrade over the BMCC worth it? What do you think guys, can you give me some ideas. Should i wait for better offers like Scarlet Dragon/W or just go with it. My budget is about 10k

 

[Paul Duvilla]

For right around 10k you can get an epic mx kit. I'd recommend going that route as the frame rates are much more desirable.

 

[Maik Müller]

Scarlet/MX is still a great camera to work with, nothing wrong here. But what is included in that kit and do you really need/want all of it? Ready2shoot can mean a lot. Roughly you should get accessories that have a (used) value of 2k-2.5kUSD.

Like Paul said, for your 10k-budget you could probably go for an EPIC-MX kit or Scarlet Dragon? You just have to know what you really need and want.

And yeah, maybe do some calculating for a new Scarlet-W.

 

[Jim Skinner]

I have both the Scarlet MX and the Scarlet W, and now that I have seen the images that come off the Scarlet W I don't think I can look at the Scarlet MX the same way again. The Scarlet MX does not have the dynamic range and color science that the W has. When I white balance with the W and the MX, it's like the W knows what it's doing and the MX is just choosing a random tint. I think the Scarlet W will cost you about 3x the amount you are planning to spend on the MX, but it is worth every penny. You'll be using that Scarlet W for years. In the case of the MX, though, I think the Sony FS7 has surpassed it in range and color accuracy (for a similar price).

Don't get me wrong, I love my MX, I use it as a b-camera when there is less dynamic range in the scene. But if it was my primary camera I would be losing work to the FS7s of the world. Make the investment and move up to the Scarlet W. It's basically the best camera per $ on the market today.

 

[Hugh Scully]

Yes, a used Scarlet MX is a great camera for a great price. Especially if it matches your budget. I shot a job, all day time exteriors with one a few years back and it held the highlights beautifully. We had a great colorist and it graded really well. It's still one of the best looking things I ever shot.

 

[Fahnon Bennett]

Hey I think I might remember you from over on the BMD forums. I just got a Scarlet MX a couple months ago and was also coming from BMD. If you have $10k, I'd echo what others have said and get an Epic or a Scarlet Dragon. I was working with a smaller budget (and found a great deal), so the MX was the right fit for me; but if you can get better frame rates (Epic) or better DR/Sensitivity (Dragon), that'd make more sense. Having said that, the MX is still one of the best cameras you can get and was ~$16k only 3 years ago...

And I love the BMCC 2.5k, but any Red (MX and higher) is a clear step up. What's included in the $5k kit? The brain alone is worth about that much, so if it's ready to shoot I'd say jump on it!

 

[Eric Santiago]

You'll be using that Scarlet W for years. In the case of the MX, though, I think the Sony FS7 has surpassed it in range and color accuracy (for a similar price)...

I guess it depends on what you've invested into the camera.

I cant see myself replacing my Scarlet MX with an FS7 ever (costly move).

Also, I can say the same about the Scarlet MX as far as working with it for many years.

Im on year 4 with my BT Scarlet and to date (where Im located) my camera still does the job for myself and my clients.

 

[Zack Birlew]

With a 10K budget, you really are scratching at the door of Scarlet W! Really, it's worth it. I stepped up from a Canon 5D Mark II and I know it's not 2.5K like yours but from 1080P to 4K has been amazing and I can imagine 5K being even better. I second the recommendation for an Epic MX package if you can find a good one. There's just more features and perks despite it being an older sensor. I bought a RED One MX for my upcoming feature film and I too wondered about the Scarlet MX but the frame rate options and other features specific to the RED One MX steered me towards it instead. So if you've got that kind of budget and want a RED camera, I would think about features and what you really plan to do with it. On a side note, don't consider getting a RED One MX if you're all about run and gun and handheld because it's REALLY heavy! Lol!

 

[Ben Scott]

With a 10k budget you are nowhere near the price of a working ready to shoot Scarlet-W kit.

 

[Eric Santiago]

With a 10k budget you are nowhere near the price of a working ready to shoot Scarlet-W kit.

Some of us are deep into the older eco system so it is a costly upgrade.

I myself (due to my location) cant justify the move.

I have way too much invested in my Scarlet MX

 

[J Obertone]

With a 10k budget you are nowhere near the price of a working ready to shoot Scarlet-W kit.

This is very true..

 

[J Obertone]

For me the Dragon sensor is where RED rises above similar cameras like BM. The tonal depth, dynamic range etc. I would recommend, like some others here, jumping in on the dragon sensor. Perhaps Raven if you are good with EoS mount only, or Scarlet Dragon used. I just upgraded from scarlet dragon to scarlet-W and I would say I probably could have stuck with scarlet dragon for many years to come.

 

[Curtis boggs]

My first Red was a Scarlet -X,, learned the Red workflow
from that Scarlet-X,,
Shot some awesome stuff with it,, and still have it.
It has its own look that combined with some newer color science can't be replaced.

I love my Epic-W but we have to remember just how special the X is.

 

[Alex_Cook]

I just recently paid $5k for a fully working Scarlet X and (coming from a Sony a7sii) I am completely blown away. If you are new to RED you will absolutely love it. Obviously the Epic will give you more frame rates and the Scarlet W will cost much more, but that's my 2 cents. 100% happy with my Scarlet, it destroys the a7sii.

 

[Joe Cage]

Yeah I might pull the trigger on one as well. As I see there are red scarlet x packages beeing sold as low as 3500€(france). So it might be time to upgrade my a7s ii.