EPIC trade-ins; question for RED

[Mike 'Fireman' Ross]

The Stage 2 and Stage 3 upgrade programs are awesome deals, no two ways about it, and we should all feel suitably grateful that RED has decided to give their customers this opportunity; it's insane, really. I don't want to sound like the fanboy who asked for more!

But I had a thought.

Seeing all the raptures of ecstasy on the EPIC-S thread got me thinking; that camera sounds better and better by the day.

Is there the slightest chance that RED would consider offering Stage 2 & 3 customers a choice between the existing upgrade deals, and a lower-priced upgrade to EPIC-S?

- it seems to me there may be a fair number of customers who don't feel they will need the high res / high frame rate combos that are only available on the EPIC-X

- and, if it proves impossible to stick to the original price points due to the parts/supply situation, and the realities of production cost, it could be offered as a consolation: 'Sorry, but Stage 3 EPIC-X is going to cost you your RED ONE trade-in plus $15k, not the $10k we had hoped. But guess what, we've decided to offer an alternative deal, you can have the same package, but with an EPIC-S instead of an EPIC-X, for your RED ONE plus $5k, if you're strapped for cash'.

Crazy idea? Too much complexity? Numbers don't add up? I have no idea... but I'd take an interest in such a deal, if it were offered.

Mike

 

[Dan Kanes]

edited to maintain a friendly demeanor.

Personally, I don't understand what you are asking, and it seems way too complicated.

 

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

Epic-S is a replacment name for a Scarlet model that evolved, so I would assume that the 10% or was it 15%? price cut for R1 owners (pre cut-off date) still applies, and then your R1 will be executed. No?

To me stage 2/3 is a no brainer - if one isn´t happy with it either a) let it pass or b) get it and sell the Epic-X then get the Epic-S

I am keeping my Epics for sure! Epic is the new industry standard, and with the announced Tatoo upgrade it will be for sometimeI imagine.

 

[Johnny Friday]

what's the "announced" tatoo upgrade?

 

[Paul S.]

Why not sell your Stage 3 position in the queue to someone in Stage 4? There are tried and tested ways of capitalising on the generous nature of the stage 2 and 3 offers, which should go a long way to financing the purchase of an epic-S

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

what's the "announced" tatoo upgrade?

AKA Dragon Sensor. Announced at NAB.

I wouldn't hold my breath on seeing that in the market.

I see the announcement as just a way of saying that if you buy an Epic M or X you'll have some ability to upgrade without having to buy a whole other brain. So customers can rest easy that "obsolescence, obsolete" is still the name of the game at Red.

That said ... I've said to many people that Epic is SO bad ass that I don't see really needing another camera for a LONG time.

I really don't need another sensor ... I'd rather see processing improvements than a new sensor.

Eventually if faster framerates become the cinematic norm, I'd like to be able to overcrank 10x so that might be an objective. Maybe 600fps at 5K.

And for goodness sake please don't change the sensor size again! Keep the current 5K sensor size as a standard - I mean more resolution if delivery goes to higher than 4K, but the same sensor size please.

 

[Eirik Tyrihjel]

Sorry!!! Dragon, was the name, so many names to keep track of (and a long night of editing), thanks Alexander.

It just means we can count on Epic for many many years!

 

[Paul Nordin]

I really don't need another sensor ... I'd rather see processing improvements than a new sensor.

Those are mighty bold words, considering you haven't seen what the next generation of sensor tech will bring. Personally, I don't "need" an Epic. But after seeing it's footage displayed in 4k glory at Red Studios, I "want" it like a, well, you fill in the blank. I don't want to shoot another project that is not taking advantage of the image technology in Epic.

I'm guessing that when we all get to see what Dragon does, I'll feel the same way about that. I won't need it, but I'll want it, and I'm damned sure my clients will as well.

Just sayin