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 :)

Epic Portability?

May it's a bit off topic here, but I'm also searching for the most compact solution with RPPs (R1 later EPIC). How can we mount filters on RPPs without using a mattebox (i.e. LMB-5)? I think the RPPs have no threaded filter mounts, so I'm thinking about a clamp-on adapter or so.
 
Tom said:
David, are you thinking about getting an Epic yourself?

I'm dreading the cost, but drooling over the possibilities of what could be shot with that camera.
Click to expand...

Start saving Tom. But your waiting until the FF35 comes out, right? I hate to wait plus I want to get that special packaged deal for the Epic X. So I'm getting the 5K Epic then moving up to the FF35...when I can.
 
I completely agree, lack of a 7" Pro or Panasonic 8.4" is a deal breaker if there is a deal breaker on a Red package rental. But for Tom focusing must be much different. I was dreaming of a control unit that let you write a timeline for ramping focus from an object to an other and work out the timing. Add a dolly move to that and by timing out two more segments of that timeline you could make a helluva shot. Though you I suppose you can push the f/stop quite a bit shooting stills. I wonder how far you can push it for something like this, there is a lot more light than at the dessert.

I think the EVF Bomb might be the way to go for you Tom. Though a wireless screen might be fun to have too. :)

I can't wait to see an EVF Bomb in action. It is supposed to gain a ton of resolution at equal or better quality than the current. A real kicker is that it is incredibly compact in comparison to the current. About half the lenght and thinner. It is also nicely articulated with a nice range of adjustment all while making the operation of the camera feel a lot more like a DSLR. With the Bomb the whole apparatus feels exactly as a D3 or 1D. If anything it is actually smaller than both top dogs when you remove the secondary handle. PL lens size will be the only difference.

The EVF on the one I held felt solid. There is no load on the arm's movement, but when locked it was plenty solid. Twisting the locking ring on the elbow felt quick and easy to operate. There was no Alcantara leather covering the metal, but since the one I held was obviously not the final version... there is hope. :)

Hopefully Red manages to work everything into their insane R&D schedule, satisfying both the never ending hunger for resolution and retaining the physical size as is sure to please everyone. I would personally love it if they also managed to find a way to deal with performance in severe cold weather. But if they don't, there are several nifty and simple ways around that colds which attacks all electronics a at below freezing temperatures.

Don't mean to brag but... well, who am I kidding' here: Here is a picture of me holding a shiny little monster while trying not to faint from the excitement.

Happy.jpg
 
It's amazing that a camera that size is going to replace this:

Mei-001_cameraman_350h_XP.gif
 
I don't have the disposable income that some of you guys seem to have, so I'd really have to think about whether it makes sense to buy a camera. I'd have to either find use for it as a C-camera on a show, like for 2nd Unit shots, etc. or to shoot my own stuff on it. And then the question becomes whether to get the S35 or FF35 Epic.

If the camera was going to augment a rental package of S35 cameras, then it would make more sense to get an S35 Epic, but if it were more to shoot my own stuff, or to shoot landscapes and efx plates, with perhaps some still camera lenses (until Red made some FF35 lenses to cover the wider angles), then the FF35 Epic makes sense, plus I'd have the dynamic range advantage of the 14-bit Monstro sensor. Of course, I could still shoot S35 stuff on a FF35 camera, so perhaps the FF35 Epic makes more sense. But I don't know what the cost differences would be.

Other than my house, the most expensive thing I've ever bought in my life was a $26,000 Toyota Prius...

If you drop $40,000, let's say, for a camera package, how much of that is deductible as a business expense at tax time?
 
David Mullen ASC said:
I don't have the disposable income that some of you guys seem to have, so I'd really have to think about whether it makes sense to buy a camera. I'd have to either find use for it as a C-camera on a show, like for 2nd Unit shots, etc. or to shoot my own stuff on it. And then the question becomes whether to get the S35 or FF35 Epic.

If the camera was going to augment a rental package of S35 cameras, then it would make more sense to get an S35 Epic, but if it were more to shoot my own stuff, or to shoot landscapes and efx plates, with perhaps some still camera lenses (until Red made some FF35 lenses to cover the wider angles), then the FF35 Epic makes sense, plus I'd have the dynamic range advantage of the 14-bit Monstro sensor. Of course, I could still shoot S35 stuff on a FF35 camera, so perhaps the FF35 Epic makes more sense. But I don't know what the cost differences would be.

Other than my house, the most expensive thing I've ever bought in my life was a $26,000 Toyota Prius...

If you drop $40,000, let's say, for a camera package, how much of that is deductible as a business expense at tax time?
Click to expand...

All of that $40,000 should be a tax write off towards your business. Or you might only be able to write off so much of it depending on your income. I once heard that $30K was the limit of write offs but I think that was for when I was doing my taxes.

I wish RED had a trade-in plan going from the Epic-X to the FF35 Epic because that's where I really want to end up. If they offered a FF35 Epic-X that I just had to wait a little longer for I would just do that...maybe.
 
David Mullen ASC said:
I don't have the disposable income that some of you guys seem to have, so I'd really have to think about whether it makes sense to buy a camera. I'd have to either find use for it as a C-camera on a show, like for 2nd Unit shots, etc. or to shoot my own stuff on it. And then the question becomes whether to get the S35 or FF35 Epic.

If the camera was going to augment a rental package of S35 cameras, then it would make more sense to get an S35 Epic, but if it were more to shoot my own stuff, or to shoot landscapes and efx plates, with perhaps some still camera lenses (until Red made some FF35 lenses to cover the wider angles), then the FF35 Epic makes sense, plus I'd have the dynamic range advantage of the 14-bit Monstro sensor. Of course, I could still shoot S35 stuff on a FF35 camera, so perhaps the FF35 Epic makes more sense. But I don't know what the cost differences would be.

Other than my house, the most expensive thing I've ever bought in my life was a $26,000 Toyota Prius...

If you drop $40,000, let's say, for a camera package, how much of that is deductible as a business expense at tax time?
Click to expand...

David, are you worried about the ethical implications of renting your own camera to a production you are DPing?

My guess is that many of your future features will be shot on Epic FF35 or S35 as they gain market share, so in terms of the shots matching, I would have to think that this won't be a problem. I'm sure you could get a lease for an Epic, considering your stature and the amount you work. I will probably have to lease or finance mine. I doubt I can pony up the full amount in cash. The lease or finance companies are mainly just looking at how much you work and your ability to make the payments.
 
Andrew Walker said:
I wish RED had a trade-in plan going from the Epic-X to the FF35 Epic because that's where I really want to end up. If they offered a FF35 Epic-X that I just had to wait a little longer for I would just do that...maybe.
Click to expand...

This keeps coming to mind as something that Red might consider. Or an other but much smaller discount for the S35-X to FF35-X upgrade since they are all R1 owners. Not sure what could or could not be done, but it sounds like a great incentive.
 
Why not just wait for the FF35 Epic? I guess there are some freebies with the Epic-X?
 
I believe on the tax question there are several ways to go & elaborate formulas and regulations dictating how you do it -- usually on a big ticket item it's to your advantage to amortize the cost over a period of years. And there are limits on the single year deduction if you file as Schedule C professional. But of course you have to income to offset the deduction.

All in all, a rough formula is you end up saving about 20% of the cost in tax savings. This is from my personal experience, playing it straight, doing my own taxes over the years. I'm not an accountant or tax professional.
 
Tom said:
David, are you worried about the ethical implications of renting your own camera to a production you are DPing?

My guess is that many of your future features will be shot on Epic FF35 or S35 as they gain market share, so in terms of the shots matching, I would have to think that this won't be a problem. I'm sure you could get a lease for an Epic, considering your stature and the amount you work. I will probably have to lease or finance mine. I doubt I can pony up the full amount in cash. The lease or finance companies are mainly just looking at how much you work and your ability to make the payments.
Click to expand...

I'm going to try and pay for mine in gold. I figure its going to be about $1,500 pre ounce by the end of the year if things keep going the way they are. Then I just need to spend some time up at my property processing ore and working the creeks. I should be ready to go when the FF35 is ready to ship.:thumbsup:
 
Please don't shoot me I have a quick question! What is the weight of the Epic running with everything but lens e.g. body, battery, EVF bomb....
 
Last edited:
Andrew Walker said:
I'm going to try and pay for mine in gold. I figure its going to be about $1,500 pre ounce by the end of the year if things keep going the way they are. Then I just need to spend some time up at my property processing ore and working the creeks. I should be ready to go when the FF35 is ready to ship.:thumbsup:
Click to expand...

Lol you got any extra pans up there?
 
Drew, we should start a cult or something on your property. Try to recruit some college babes to be our followers. :)
 
Tom said:
Drew, we should start a cult or something on your property. Try to recruit some college babes to be our followers. :)
Click to expand...

Easy with that talk man. You know what they do when you start a cult. They sick the FBI and ATF on you then burn your place to the ground. Believe me we already have everyone we know hitting us up to go out there and just play. Its like your own private forest. I'm going to try and go up there this weekend.

But the idea about the college babes doesn't sound like a bad idea.:smile5:
 
Okay, I will recruit the college babes, you are responsible for establishing some cabins or nice camping spots for our new hippy babe followers....
 
Tom said:
Okay, I will recruit the college babes, you are responsible for establishing some cabins or nice camping spots for our new hippy babe followers....
Click to expand...

The cabins that we are going to build up there are going to be 10x12 with no running water to them. As doing it this way lets us build them without permits from the county. Here's one that was built back when the place was a mining camp. Still very livable just needs a little work.

Cabin1.jpg


Cabin2.jpg


Cabin3.jpg


...and yes its build on a hillside. Great shooting positions. Thinking about outfitting the one I'll be in with a portable solar kit. Should be fun.



To keep this on topic. I'm looking forward to a light handheld setup using the Epic. Should be quite a bit lighter with just the brain, lens and LCD or EVF on my shoulder.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top