Can anyone recomend a RED ONE minimum package?

[Christer Runde]

Hey there.

I'm truly facinated by the RED ONE camera and what it can do. I've been saving up money to order one soon. Therefore I was wondering if anyone could come up with a minimum package for the RED ONE that isn't too expencive? I can't afford everything yet, so I'm buying the 35mm nikon adapter at first.

Thanks in advance

 

[Scott Anderson]

Wait for Scarlet. Seriously. If your main concern is an inexpensive package, and, as you say you "can't afford everything yet", wait.

I know the allure of 35mm depth of field is strong, and you may already have a huge stock of Nikon lenses you're dying to put to work, but bear with me here:

1. It's almost a certainty that the main 35mm DOF adapters will work with Scarlet. You'll be able to use those Nikons with an adapter purchase somewhere south of $2,000 (guessing a bit here, but I think it's a safe bet).

2. Scarlet's 2/3" DOF is really a good compromise, in many situations. Many fine features and television episodics have been shoot on Super16. you don't have to sacrifice a "cinematic look", even with the Scarlet stock lens.

3. Again, I go back to your concern about price. Unless you're certain that you NEED 4K (and let's be honest - that's a small group), adopting a 3K or even 2K workflow with Scarlet will require much less horsepower in post. Heck, you might even be able to squeek by with the computer you already have!

4. Why kit out a partial Red One when instead, for the $17,500 you'd spend on the Red body only, you'll probably be able to buy a Scarlet, a full complement of Red-branded accessories, tons of CF or HD storage, a 3rd-party 35mm adapter, and a pony?

5. Everybody wants a pony.

6. 35mm DOF and 4K resolution are great, but the real Red revolution is in the sensor design and RAW workflow. With Scarlet, you'll get the benefits of the new Mysterium X sensor (faster reset means less skew, and who knows what else), You'll still be in Redcode RAW, and most likely several other surprises.

Just my 2 cents....

 

[mikeburton]

Are you prepared to spend 3-5k on a head and legs to support the RED, or have to spend the endless amounts of cash on mattebox, filters, storage, post setup etc etc. Don't get me wrong I own a RED and got a scaled down package myself but just know that once you get a RED it doesn't stop with just the basic package. Expect to spend between 40-60k by the end. If your not prepared to really spend that kind of cash maybe you should wait for a Scarlet.
Not trying to discourage you just letting you know what your getting into here.

 

[Jason Ing]

I think Mike is right... happened to me too. Tripod was 5k. But... you can forego the mattebox if you get ND filters for your still camera lens. But you'll need to get the Nikon or Canon mount which is more. As far as Red accessories, I think this is the basic:

1) Base Production Pack (recomend cheese plate)
2) Power Pack (or absolute minimum: 1 charger, 1 brick)
3) LCD or EVF
4) CF Module

Oh yeah,

Red One Camera

Happy Shooting!

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Good advice here. The RED One body is only a portion of what you will need to purchase for a functional kit.

What Jason listed above + Nikon adapter is about as minimal as you can get and probably where to start if you have nothing to go with the camera yet.

There may be more practical options for you than the base production pack, depending on your intended use or needs, but you didn't specify. OTOH, the base production pack is a good deal for all the bundled items.

Perhaps instead of saving up to buy a minimally functional kit, you worry more about what you are going to shoot with it. When the time comes, go rent the kit you will need.

 

[Ramesh Jai]

If I were you, I would buy the RED One body only and then buy ALL the accessories from 3rd party vendors at my 'financial pace'.

 

[Jason Ing]

Jeff is right. Try and price out the production pack at other 3rd party vendors and it costs substantially more, I think almost twice the amount.

 

[Paul Harrill]

I think the first question, before weighing whether to wait for Scarlet or go for the Red One is: What do you hope to do with this camera?

Do you need a tripod at all? Do you only shoot handheld? Do you need lots and lots of record time? You might need a Red drive. Or several CF cards... and a laptop so that you can download on set.

And so on. That said...

The Nikon mount is definitely an gateway for independent filmmakers to own and use this camera... but it's still going to cost you $23,000 MINIMUM. And that's if you've got some good equipment already. The most minimal setup I can imagine has:

- Red One + RedFlash CF module ($18000)
- Nikon mount ($500)
- LCD ($1700)
- 3 8GB CF cards (shooting with one, one downloading, and one ready) ($600)
- Red Power Pack (2 batteries) ($1450)
- battery belt ($300)
- top mount and handle ($400)

That's $23,000... and we haven't even bought:

- lenses (some MF Nikkors can be had for $250 or so on ebay)
- tripod (???)
- some way to download footage portably (MacBook Pro, CF reader) ($3000? free if you already have it?)
- pelican (or similar) case ($200?)
- drives for your footage -- LOTS of drives, because you need 2x as many as you have footage (for backup) -- just how much do you plan on shooting?

Notice that I'm even avoiding purchasing the "Base Production Pack" to save you some money. Doing so means you'll not handhold the camera. Ever. (Or you'll wait to purchase such a thing later.) To do this you must have the Nikon mount and go with the battery belt. It's a savings of about $500 to skip it, but it might be "penny wise, pound foolish." You'll be pulling focus with your hand, instead of using a rod-based follow-focus. (As has been mentioned, using Nikon means not needing mattebox for filters.)

The moral: The Red One is an incredible bargain, but that doesn't mean it's inexpensive.

 

[Raphael Varandas]

Life is choices man.
Are you in or out...simple and cruel.

You have to make your choice.
Its up to you...


Good luck and good shoots!!

 

[Shawn R]

Depends on where you are in the world. From Visual Products in the US you can get an Oconnor 50 rebuilt for around 1450 plus legs for around 850. For battery stuff check out BH. Check out the VariZoom chargers and batteries. You will save about 2 or 300 bucks. For battery readout don't worry, pick up a origo switch. You just have to look around and do some research. Check to see if anyone has tried what you are looking at buying.

 

[jimhare]

I want a pony...