Carbon Weapon Upgrade/New Order Update -

[Brian Merlen]

Right but the timeline won't work if people don't ship in... I'm broke atm anyway so more so trying to just figure out when to be ready financing wise. Ps lens coverage information on 8k would be a great holiday gift ��

 

[Luke Neumann]

Why dont you sell it and order a new weapon then?

Thats...exactly what Im doing...

 

[Luke Neumann]

I am sure there are far more people thankful that there is an evergreening (ever'redding?) process in existence - than there are that would rather buy everything new each time.

Perhaps all that is needed is an order status page when someone logs into their Red Account that gives an approximate range of dates before they will be asked to send their camera in for upgrades:

Eg:
+) Expect to send your camera in to Red in 5 - 8 weeks.
+) Expect to send your camera in to Red in 4 - 7 weeks.
+) Expect to send your camera in to Red in 3 - 5 weeks.
+) Expect to send your camera in to Red in 2 - 4 weeks.
+) Expect to send your camera in to Red in 1 - 2 weeks.
+) Expect to send your camera in to Red in 1 week.

This may even replace the 'information vacuum induced stir-craziness' with a (more positive) sense of anticipation.

AJ

You are buying new with upgrade path. The only difference is that you "sell" your camera to RED instead of someone on this site. RED gives you a good deal on your old brain but you could get similar prices on the open market. The package discounts are nice and overall you probably save a few grand...but at what cost? Longer wait times, less time for RED to innovate and bring on new customers.

 

[Brent Carter]

The package discounts are nice and overall you probably save a few grand...but at what cost? Longer wait times, less time for RED to innovate and bring on new customers.

Let me be clear. Our engineers are not touched by upgrades. Jarred and Jim suddenly don't stop having ideas because we do upgrades. Upgrades by no means mess up our innovation potential.


And, yes, that suggestion, Anthony, would be great in a perfect world. But predicting upgrade influx to be able to even remotely estimate those windows would do more harm than good. Like I said earlier, upgrades are not solely at RED's discretion. Relies on customer schedules and timing...

 

[Luke Neumann]

Let me be clear. Our engineers are not touched by upgrades. Jarred and Jim suddenly don't stop having ideas because we do upgrades. Upgrades by no means mess up our innovation potential.


And, yes, that suggestion, Anthony, would be great in a perfect world. But predicting upgrade influx to be able to even remotely estimate those windows would do more harm than good. Like I said earlier, upgrades are not solely at RED's discretion. Relies on customer schedules and timing...

You know what I mean though, if Raven/Scarlet W came out a year ago they would be that much more groundbreaking AND we would be possibly be getting close to the next iteration. It's always hard to "move on" completely when the older projects are still in limbo.

 

[Jonathan Stevenson]

I mean, I absolutely understand the logic here from a production standpoint. Makes total sense. Don't fault the decision to do it this way. Doesn't mean I'm not bummed to hear it though. I have funds in my account and could ship my camera tomorrow. Oh well, patience is a virtue.

Sounds like RED has their work cut out for them for the next two weeks. Hang in there Brent! Sprint to the finish and enjoy your Christmas!

 

[Brent Carter]

You know what I mean though, if Raven/Scarlet W came out a year ago they would be that much more groundbreaking AND we would be possibly be getting close to the next iteration. It's always hard to "move on" completely when the older projects are still in limbo.

But a year ago we were developing WEAPON. Which allowed us to make RAVEN. Which allowed us to make SCARLET-W. Lessons and engineering on one directly led to us being able to make the next. And make RAVEN for under $6K for a brain and SCARLET-W for under $10K. Without lessons learned from WEAPON, you don't get the specs for the price you are getting them for.

I mean, I absolutely understand the logic here from a production standpoint. Makes total sense. Don't fault the decision to do it this way. Doesn't mean I'm not bummed to hear it though. I have funds in my account and could ship my camera tomorrow. Oh well, patience is a virtue.

Sounds like RED has their work cut out for them for the next two weeks. Hang in there Brent! Sprint to the finish and enjoy your Christmas!

Thanks, man. We sure do, but what is the alternative? Being bored? No thanks : )

 

[Christoffer Glans]

I reckon that this also pushes forward the MG Weapon upgrades? We who ordered the MG and put out a deposit during the "lower price and keep the accessory credit"-days, when might we expect to be upgrading? March? April? Later?

 

[Matthew J]

Brent, what actually is "used" from our old cameras in the upgrade? I've always understood it to be that you all just check out our old cameras to make sure they are working correctly and then actually ship a whole new camera out.

 

[luigivaltulini]

Brent, you're doing a great job, and all very difficult to manage
I can understand all your efforts.
Are waiting for the mail, every day check ehehe.

Order Stamp: Dragon Carbon to Upgrade Weapon woven Carbon , 24.06.2015.

 

[Etienne Perrin]

Thank you Jarred and Brent for theses informations.

Ordered a new Weapon Woven on May 8th and still haven't received the notice from the bomb squad, is it normal?

 

[Jarred Land]

Thank you Jarred and Brent for theses informations.

Ordered a new Weapon Woven on May 8th and still haven't received the notice from the bomb squad, is it normal?

Nope not normal, you should of gotten an email Yesterday, you can email your bombsquad rep and they will help you.

 

[Christopher Probst]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... The BEST and least painful method of Red camera ownership is to by the top of the line the minute it goes on sale. For many reasons this method has paid off time and again for me... FIRST, I get the best camera with the latest imaging quality as early as possible. I get to reape the premium rental rates and take advantage of the best images out of the camera earlier than the general masses trying to save a buck and buy the moderately priced lower models...

SECOND, I get to be front of the line for all of the future upgrades and that spins the cycle right back to the first reason to get the camera... It's a self-fullfilling loop. I'm always using the latest technology, fast tracking my upgrades and giving my work a leg up the general population that usually lags behind my delivery dates by a year or more... Those taking notice, I've been shooting on my Weapon since August. By the time MOST people start getting delivery of the Mg Weapons, it will be spring or summer... Just saying.

My original logic to pay the 10K premium to buy my Epic-M was that if I get my camera 6-months earlier than waiting, if I can make back over $10K in rentals in that time frame, it was worth it. That proved to be an underestimate and the return on investment on that camera convinced me to opt-in early and pay the $20K premium to go with the next flag-ship camera, the Carbon Fiber Dragon... I got CF #14 delivered to me and was shooting Dragons in Oct of 2013. That plan put the camera in my hands LONG before most out there and I was able to enjoy all the rewards that brought... Again, that increase in ROI made it a no brainer for me to opt to go all in, full monty on the Forged CF Weapon.

The FINAL bonus of opting in early and going big, is I don't have to even think about all of the drama that these threads generate!

 

[davidtorres]

Hola Jim + Brent
I place at the NAB two Up Grades to WEAPON CARBON FIBER & 8K Sensor as well, around when I'll be get news from my Bom Squad to send my EPIC's for this up grade.

.... Thanks David Torres

 

[Ash Worth]

So definitely no Bad Blood between you and RED then

 

[Mark Toia]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... The BEST and least painful method of Red camera ownership is to by the top of the line the minute it goes on sale. For many reasons this method has paid off time and again for me... FIRST, I get the best camera with the latest imaging quality as early as possible. I get to reape the premium rental rates and take advantage of the best images out of the camera earlier than the general masses trying to save a buck and buy the moderately priced lower models...

SECOND, I get to be front of the line for all of the future upgrades and that spins the cycle right back to the first reason to get the camera... It's a self-fullfilling loop. I'm always using the latest technology, fast tracking my upgrades and giving my work a leg up the general population that usually lags behind my delivery dates by a year or more... Those taking notice, I've been shooting on my Weapon since August. By the time MOST people start getting delivery of the Mg Weapons, it will be spring or summer... Just saying.

My original logic to pay the 10K premium to buy my Epic-M was that if I get my camera 6-months earlier than waiting, if I can make back over $10K in rentals in that time frame, it was worth it. That proved to be an underestimate and the return on investment on that camera convinced me to opt-in early and pay the $20K premium to go with the next flag-ship camera, the Carbon Fiber Dragon... I got CF #14 delivered to me and was shooting Dragons in Oct of 2013. That plan put the camera in my hands LONG before most out there and I was able to enjoy all the rewards that brought... Again, that increase in ROI made it a no brainer for me to opt to go all in, full monty on the Forged CF Weapon.

The FINAL bonus of opting in early and going big, is I don't have to even think about all of the drama that these threads generate!

Been my philosophy also Chris.

However this time round, the EPIC DRAGON is still a great camera... very similar to the Weapon in 6K RAW performance. Not having PRORES for so may years, (because Jim didnt believe in it) I now have a post edit pipeline were I don't depend on it.

But you are correct in saying this. Hence why I always had the latest RED's when they launched. Till now.

The RED team shouldn't have made the EPIC DRAGON so freakin good in the first place.

 

[Brian Merlen]

forged is relatively cheap too price wise, seems worth it to those with the cash for sure... i hope to one day get up to the front but going scarlet to CF is already real sweet too!

 

[Stacey Spears]

SECOND, I get to be front of the line for all of the future upgrades and that spins the cycle right back to the first reason to get the camera... It's a self-fullfilling loop.

I completely agree! I had EPIC-M really early and recouped the extra cost before EPIC-X had even started shipping. I held out too long on changing my order from Woven to Forged, but glad I finally made the jump. I know for some, on paper, Weapon may not seem like much of an improvement over EPIC, but in practice it is a better all around camera. I find myself using the side kick much more than I ever thought I would. I do really miss the side handle though. I had Dragon early and now I have Weapon.

Problem now is the EPIC DRAGON is still a great camera... very similar to the Weapon in 6K RAW performance. Not having PRORES for so may years, (because Jim didnt believe in it) I now have a post edit pipeline were I don't depend on it.

The CMOS smear and the magenta orbs make the jump to Weapon worth it for ME. I don't use ProRes for my projects, so I doubt I will ever turn it on. I am really excited about the OMOD modules! EPIC had lots of potential with modules, but it never really panned out for me. Having Wifi built-in is great if you use foolcontrol. Like you, though, my primary reason for Weapon is the upcoming 8k sensor and I want it sooner rather than later.

 

[Mark Toia]

[/COLOR]
I find myself using the side kick much more than I ever thought I would. I do really miss the side handle though.

One of the sticking points for me also... I really hope they get one developed and sorted similar (better) than the last.
having thumb controls for menu's while still having my eye in the EVF is a big deal for me.

Anyways... time will tell.

 

[Björn Benckert]

I've said it before and I'll say it again... The BEST and least painful method of Red camera ownership is to by the top of the line the minute it goes on sale. For many reasons this method has paid off time and again for me... FIRST, I get the best camera with the latest imaging quality as early as possible. I get to reape the premium rental rates and take advantage of the best images out of the camera earlier than the general masses trying to save a buck and buy the moderately priced lower models...

SECOND, I get to be front of the line for all of the future upgrades and that spins the cycle right back to the first reason to get the camera... It's a self-fullfilling loop. I'm always using the latest technology, fast tracking my upgrades and giving my work a leg up the general population that usually lags behind my delivery dates by a year or more... Those taking notice, I've been shooting on my Weapon since August. By the time MOST people start getting delivery of the Mg Weapons, it will be spring or summer... Just saying.

My original logic to pay the 10K premium to buy my Epic-M was that if I get my camera 6-months earlier than waiting, if I can make back over $10K in rentals in that time frame, it was worth it. That proved to be an underestimate and the return on investment on that camera convinced me to opt-in early and pay the $20K premium to go with the next flag-ship camera, the Carbon Fiber Dragon... I got CF #14 delivered to me and was shooting Dragons in Oct of 2013. That plan put the camera in my hands LONG before most out there and I was able to enjoy all the rewards that brought... Again, that increase in ROI made it a no brainer for me to opt to go all in, full monty on the Forged CF Weapon.

The FINAL bonus of opting in early and going big, is I don't have to even think about all of the drama that these threads generate!

can not agree more.
But this time around I fooled my self thinking that if weapon upgrades is out by the summer, as was the first time estimate. then buying a forge instead of upgrading was not likely to pay of and 8k coming before christmas was another reason not to buy into forge and instead do the upgrade.

But well I guess this round of upgrades once again shows that best practice is actually get your camera in line for upgrade, and then also buy as many as you can afford. As It´s no doubt that when 8k forged is out it will be quite easy to sell such for a prime price.