EPIC and the Modules - optical vf

[Jon MIchael Puntervold]

The new picture of the EPIC with the new battery module really looks good. It also makes it form look more like a traditional cinema camera, something I find lovely.

I've heard about a pro i/o module and I'm sure many even more interesting modules will come throughout the years.

At Roger Deakins forum i think - if I remember correctly - reading that he hoped Red would produce an optical viewfinder. Would it be possible as a module down the road?

 

[paulherrin]

I think the optical viewfinder has been discussed before. Not sure there's enough interest at the price it would cost to develop and produce. If there's enough demand for it and people want to put deposits down, I'm sure they would do it, that's what they're all about.

Our OVF will be expensive. There is no getting around it. Lots of engineering and expensive mechanical stuff.

It seems we have customers that want it which is why it is in development. But make no mistake... it will not be cheap. And it will require service unlike an LCD or EVF.

We just have to be real about this...

Jim

Our OVF will use a spinning mirror (not a prism) in a completely new way. While we think the new concept is quite unique, the things we are concerned with are:

1. The expense of development
2. The low volume of sales
3. The high price we would need to charge (excess of $20K) to work within our modular system
4. Maintenance
5. Its inability to view and focus in low light
6. In ability to add a viewing LUT.

One of the things we have talked about is just to drop development and let those who need an OVF buy another camera brand. But then they lose the value of being in the RED modular system... and 5K at 100fps.

We would love to hear your thoughts.

Jim

If Roger placed an order with 12 of his friends, we would make him one

Still not a single taker yet...

Read through that thread... David Mullen has some good points in there, as always. For future reference, this thread was found using an advanced google search for reduser with the phrase "optical viewfinder" and "jim"... good way to look for things. course, i already knew it was there somewhere. anyways, hope that helps!

 

[Peter Mosiman]

This option was discussed long ago. They didn't generate enough interest in it to justify the R&D + expenses. Would be a lovely option though.

 

[paulherrin]

It seems like it might be a bit of a hassle for them. Though I will say that if they developed it, I'm sure they could sell at least thirteen of them... I'm sure the big rental houses would at least want to have them, even if not many owners went for it. I just don't think there is enough demand for it that they'd put a lot of effort into it...

 

[paulherrin]

read back in that thread a bit and you'll see that it was an idea for a module. whether they've even thought about it since that point i couldn't say. i will say that there is something i like about looking through an optical viewfinder, but at 20k i can do well without it. could certainly be worth its rental price though, even for owners.