Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Don't buy a Scarlet. Buy an Epic.

if i needed a red i think the cheap bt red one deal is the real steal!
 
Some questions.....

Why are you buying the camera ? Because Scarlet X kicks arse for TV. Cinema maybe Epic. But for the dollars, Scarlet is a perfect match for TV. Epic IMO for TV is overkill unless you need high variable frame rates & frankly how much slo-mo does the world need.

Given Epic has dropped substantially it is very tempting to buy, but for those creating TV will you ever actually use those additional 12k of features ? Or can you hire it in for those couple of jobs a year?

Points to ponder when your looking at media costs, glass, aks, batteries, mounts, etc.
 
Gavin Greenwalt said:
My advice to new owners is to listen to Jim when he said everyone who doesn't own an epic after Nov 1 will: everybody buy Epic. Don't buy a Scarlet.

Spend the extra $10k. When you upgrade to Dragon you'll be spending more than $6k. How much? $1k? $4k? You're spending a ton of money already. I don't think it makes sense anymore to buy a Scarlet. 2c.
Click to expand...

Not everyone wants an Epic for 10K more plus the 6K upgrade to Dragon. I think you should reserve your comments until Jim & Co decide what will be the Dragon upgrade path to Scarlet.
I'm very happy with my Scarlet and really don't need 5K or 6K at the moment. Yes in the future, I agree but now - not so much.
 
Well, with all the delays over the BMCC, i am now seriously looking at purchasing a Scarlet..

Andrew.
 
Rex Phillips said:
Not everyone wants an Epic for 10K more plus the 6K upgrade to Dragon. I think you should reserve your comments until Jim & Co decide what will be the Dragon upgrade path to Scarlet.
I'm very happy with my Scarlet and really don't need 5K or 6K at the moment. Yes in the future, I agree but now - not so much.
Click to expand...

^ This. I love sensible posts on REDUser. They're becoming harder and harder to find.
 
Andrew Usher said:
Well, with all the delays over the BMCC, i am now seriously looking at purchasing a Scarlet..

Andrew.
Click to expand...

Yup, I forfeited my $200 deposit on the BMC and went with the BT Scarlet. Nothing against the BMC, but Scarlet is real and shipping. BMC is a rev.1 product, always a bit dicey. And that 2.3 crop factor, ouch. Looks like a fine image based on the stuff Brawley posted though, but is it better than Scarlet? No. At that price (w/software) the BMC is almost an impulse buy.
 
The new Epic price is great but I'll wait because if anything has been proven it's that RED cameras will have dramatic losses in value. Who knows what an Epic will be worth in six months or even two weeks. No way to know when, obviously, but there is an enviable record of predictable loss of value so I'll rent till then.
 
I agree with going to EPIC IF its affordable for many people. It may be not. I am returning my Scarlet tomorrow and will save up this month to jump on EPIC. Scarlet doesn't deliver 4K as net resolution. Also, when the Dragon comes out, its 6K for EPIC and possibly more for Scarlet, so you will do some savings there. As an EPIC owner, you will be able to apply for higher end jobs as well as lower end / low budget for anybody you like. As a Scarlet owner, you won't be able to be considered for all jobs unless they are willing to rent an EPIC for variable rates plus 5K. As an owner / operator it makes sense to go to EPIC. The cons are obvious. Extra $10K plus more media cost if you want to keep shooting 5K for long takes.... happy that Lens rental rents media for dirt cheap rates and renting media is always an option... Also, I am planning to make several mini docs and would just love the flexibility of great off speed coupled with Twixtor for something crazy like 1000 fps... my 2c..
 
Ayan Pratap said:
I agree with going to EPIC IF its affordable for many people. It may be not. I am returning my Scarlet tomorrow and will save up this month to jump on EPIC. Scarlet doesn't deliver 4K as net resolution.
Click to expand...


Uh...it delivers 4K. What are you talking about?

Also, when the Dragon comes out, its 6K for EPIC and possibly more for Scarlet, so you will do some savings there. As an EPIC owner, you will be able to apply for higher end jobs as well as lower end / low budget for anybody you like. As a Scarlet owner, you won't be able to be considered for all jobs unless they are willing to rent an EPIC for variable rates plus 5K. As an owner / operator it makes sense to go to EPIC. The cons are obvious.
Click to expand...

Not all jobs need 5K and with ProRes HQ or AvidDNA module, you should be fine like the Atomos Samasi

Extra $10K plus more media cost if you want to keep shooting 5K for long takes.... happy that Lens rental rents media for dirt cheap rates and renting media is always an option... Also, I am planning to make several mini docs and would just love the flexibility of great off speed coupled with Twixtor for something crazy like 1000 fps... my 2c..
Click to expand...

Sure, but there will be a ton of Epic cameras around for cheaper rentals too. You can use Twixtor for the Scarlet footage too.
 
Arnold F. said:
The new Epic price is great but I'll wait because if anything has been proven it's that RED cameras will have dramatic losses in value. Who knows what an Epic will be worth in six months or even two weeks. No way to know when, obviously, but there is an enviable record of predictable loss of value so I'll rent till then.
Click to expand...


Where has this been proven in the past?

The price change was just last week?

Where do you dramatic losses in value from?
 
I meant after debayering, isn't it 3.2K then?

I agree that there will be many more Epics out there now with cheaper rentals. But I think people will have a higher demand for Epics as well. So, in essence, you will be able to tap into lower budget market as well (if you want to ) as its more affordable for many productions on the low end, while still working for higher end clients. With Scarlet, you may not be able to get all jobs, while EPIC would be able to get your foot in the door for any job, if you are willing to be a little flexible in the rates they will ask for your EPIC for low budget. For fully funded shows, you can charge whatever you like for your EPIC. With a small discount to lower budget, you are now bringing much more lucrative offer with EPIC vs Scarlet... In my work, I don't work for high end clients everyday. Sometimes, I have to work with medium budget and low budget projects...

Paying $10K extra is a stretch at the moment, but I think it will be worth more in the end Vs getting a Scarlet..
 
I agree with the OP.

IMO the Epic is a MUCH BETTER VALUE now than a Scarlet!

Clearly it all depends of what works with your budget. For many spending and extra $10k on lights, glass and other gear is a better move but to me Epic is a much better value than Scarlet now.

However, I have a suspicion that Scarlet may get an upgrade via firmware soon. I hope 4.5k WS is in our future now, even possibly 5k at speed? Who knows? But in my view the Scarlet just became must less attractive compared to Epic. A lot depends on what the F5 price turns out to be but my bet is that Scarlet will get better soon.

Just my $0,02. :)
 
well, not all of us have the extra 10'000.- to go right after an epic instead of just a scarlet ;) otherwise, I'd totally agree!

plus, the base production pack really isn't enough for a "save" start. from experiences when renting the camera, a redvolt roughly holds for 40 mins. so, imho. you'd either have to add at least another 4 redvolts or go for the redbricks. and then there's a need for some hand held configuration, too.
 
True, I said IF your budget allows. Now, you would say if the budget allowed, then why would I consider Scarlet. Well, When Epic was expensive, Scarlet was a steal, not anymore. I am not saying buy buy Epic, I am just saying Scarlet doesn't seem so lucrative / of value anymore. Also, for power, I went with Anton Bauer Dionics (2) and a Trimpack. I am coming from shooting DSLRs and am planning to use as much of the old rigs / configurations as I can. For your note on low savings on base production package etc, you would need the added accessories with Scarlet too? If we are talking just about the brain, Scarlet loses in this new scenario... IMHO. If I didn't had the extra 10K, I probably would wait and work harder a few months to look into Epic. I just see ultra low rental, owner / operator rates for Scarlet now because I think there will be several of those flooding the market soon..
 
Ayan Pratap said:
...Scarlet now because I think there will be several of those flooding the market soon...
Click to expand...

I would like to believe that, Im still waiting for my BT Scarlet :P
 
By soon, I meant in the next few months. I already know people who are giving out their Scarlet packages for $300-$350 a day with batteries, side handle and a 7 lens set of Nikon Primes! Rental houses are doing $400 a day, 2 day week on it. So, its already getting to be very cheap to rent Scarlet.. I hope with EPIC the rates are still acceptable and something real that will let you pay back the investment..
 
Ayan Pratap said:
By soon, I meant in the next few months. I already know people who are giving out their Scarlet packages for $300-$350 a day with batteries, side handle and a 7 lens set of Nikon Primes! Rental houses are doing $400 a day, 2 day week on it. So, its already getting to be very cheap to rent Scarlet.. I hope with EPIC the rates are still acceptable and something real that will let you pay back the investment..
Click to expand...

I was thinking more of delivering my Scarlet :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top