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  • 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 :)

First Cam - Scarlet ?

M

Mike Luk

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Hey Guys,

My Name is Mike L. And i just Finish My Infirmtraining. now PrivatUni and i Want to get My Foot inside the Filmszene. And now it is Time to get My own Camera.

I dont Want a DSLR. I Want a Camera for the Future. So Scarlet Should be the best choice Or what do you Guys think ?

BCC Sounds nice but "only" 2.5k RAW and you can Not change the Power like the REDVolt.

I Want to do Musicvideos Or some Kind of Imageclips.

I Hope you can Help me to find the best Camera for me

Greetings from Germany

Mike
 
Yep. Scarlet is a great camera but don't jump right in until you know your market. Ask yourself, do you have enough money to buy it and not be over-stretched financially? Are you gonna rent or offer DP or Cameraman services to help pay (and if so, what's the current demand and competition in your area)? Finally, do you think you'll earn your money back in a few years (because cameras will always get cheaper and better).

A Scarlet is a very different beast from a DSLR. It is easy to use but It'll cost you more. If money is not a concern then I would say get the Epic instead. Either way, just try your best to know what you have to buy and the full cost including shipping, taxes, duty/vat, etc. The worst is to run out of money before you bought the basics.

Guess you can say this about any camera. Scarlet is a good choice.
 
Mike Luk said:
Hey Guys,

My Name is Mike L. And i just Finish My Infirmtraining. now PrivatUni and i Want to get My Foot inside the Filmszene. And now it is Time to get My own Camera.

I dont Want a DSLR. I Want a Camera for the Future. So Scarlet Should be the best choice Or what do you Guys think ?

BCC Sounds nice but "only" 2.5k RAW and you can Not change the Power like the REDVolt.

I Want to do Musicvideos Or some Kind of Imageclips.

I Hope you can Help me to find the best Camera for me

Greetings from Germany

Mike
Click to expand...

The BMCC has numerous power options. Like most of the Scarlett's options they are external solutions. Easiest to think of the BMCCs internal battery as a reserve.
 
I adore RED's camera system and my Scarlet and I think RED's vision gives you a far more future proof system than most. So if you are trying to buy a camera "for the future" well, buy an epic really, but otherwise Scarlet makes a great second choice. But my own two cents would probably be to think carefully before buying a camera "for the future". "Everything changes" and so fast these days. Best bet is to buy a camera for "right now" basing that on what you think your most important shooting needs will be.

As a "first cam" while a raw workflow is far more powerful, it is also a steeper learning curve, and perhaps one of the more wysiwyg "Out of the box" style Sony's or an overpriced but very user friendly canon may be a better initial tool... But no, they are not camera's "of the future".

BMCC is an inexpensive way into a raw workflow, and then you could upgrade to Scarlet or Epic or what have you... and I think the BMCC is a pretty incredible option as a "first camera" but you mention music clips, and a lot of music clips use slo mo. So that may be an issue. Power I wouldn't worry about too much. People are different, but I use my Vmount a lot more than my REDvolts.

Anyhow, bottom line, if you have the cash and a strong desire to learn. RED is exceptional.
 
At the Moment i work with Panasonic AG-HPX171e , Canon 600D and Canon 5D Mk2.

I think the Scarlet is the Perfect Camera for me because it makes The Videos i Want with the quallity i Want.

The Scarlet will be a Good Start to get My customers while i am at the Privat University for Music , Dance and Video.
So i can get My Money back, by the epic Brain later and got the Scarlet as a B Camera.

My Customers Should be the Music Industry and Ppl who Need Imageclips.

I have the Money for a scarlet Basic Pack with 14 / 35 and 85mm Objective. So i Would say i can Start shooting.

My 2 Macs could work with the RAW Files and i have My Thunderbold Raid for The ammount of Data.

or Would u say. Buy a BMCC instand for about 6k ready to shoot and 1 Or 2 years later a New Camera ?
Dont make Sense i think.

Mike

I Hope My english is Not to Bad and My ipad dont correct Strange words
 
As much as I love my Scarlet, I would recommend you do extensive research before buying one. Be honest about the equipment you'll need to do the work you want to do. Make a detailed list with the prices of everything. Like Will said, the price of a fully stocked Scarlet kit can be many times greater than the price of the camera itself.

I love mine, but I've definitely invested a lot of money into the kit. Just something to consider.
 
To start shooting you should buy the Battery-Belt-Clip and some V-Mount Briks (Beillen are cheap) Those Redvolts wont make you happy if you shoot Musicvideos outdoor.
 
ok thanks

And i have 2 Years to get additional Stuff like mor Redmags or something like tht
 
You're definitely going to want additional equipment. For one, the Redvolts just don't cut it on set; I would recommend alternate power methods, such as a V-Mount or AB setup at the very least. That's another $1,000, easy. More likely closer to $2,000.

If you want to use it professionally, I would also recommend rails, matte box, and follow focus, but you could shoot without them. I've also found a top plate and riser essential, since there is no where to mount additional monitors / accessories beyond the front mounting point. The riser is nice for any rails you could end up on, since the Scarlet and Epic don't sit at standard heights.
 
I know i need much additional equip , but the point is tht i have 2 years to get tht equip.

So i can start shooting early and earny some cash to buy more equip.

But i think with my age of 21 it is realy good to have the scarlet basic pack to get into work
 
there is always what you need and what you want,
if you know enough about the camera and workflow, and you want it - sure, it's amazing!
not the easiest piece to shoot with, but i love mine;
but if you think that camera will get you clients - you're wrong.
 
Nono dont misunderstand me.

Its me, and my Work to get Customers, not the Camera. But i could be the best Cameraman ever , when i want to film with a Toaster , no one will give me a Job ;)

Thats what i meen
 
some guys shoot better footage on the toaster, than some on Epic:),
well anyways, as i always say, and always do, before you buy any camera try spend at least an hour with it, shoot some footage, bring it home, see what you can do with it,
you know, test drive, always good idea.
best.
 
Paramon Ivanovich said:
some guys shoot better footage on the toaster, than some on Epic:),
well anyways, as i always say, and always do, before you buy any camera try spend at least an hour with it, shoot some footage, bring it home, see what you can do with it,
you know, test drive, always good idea.
best.
Click to expand...

This is very sound advice. Rent before you buy. That said, there use to be a kid on this forum, Joseph Hutson, who I have not seen post much lately. I think he got a red one when he was 17. While he is an exception you should follow your dreams and go for it. But, rent first.

Best, Peter
 
I bought Canon 7D, then Sony HXR NX5U. Then a Scarlet. Just know exactly why you need it and that reason won't change when you are spending the money. I needed 4k and to use my canon lenses. I also wanted the best image quality my money could afford. I love it. Top notch!
 
Also, there's something to be said about being carved out of necessity. I owned a Sony PD150, Sony HVR-Z1, Canon 3CCD's (XL2) then moved on to 5D Mark II/7D and now considering a Scarlet/Epic.
This process took 8 years of a roller coaster ride, where I learned to hone the skills needed and develop an approach on and off the set that really helped shape my career.
By the looks of it you've already convinced yourself to go the RED route, and by all means go forth, BUT remember that a camera doesn't buy prestige on set, past experience and approach do.
Best of luck
Ethan
 
OK... here's a bit of a different perspective...

For sets you don't run yourself, the redvolts can be a hazzle, BUT the lightweight collection is a good startingpoint IMHO (CANNOT understand why they don't just add the neccesary bolts to put it together...)

I have found that if you have a minimum of 5 RedVolts and 3 chargers, you can just about make it through a continuus shooting day, given that you have access to maibs for charging.

A batterybelt clip and a couple of V-mounts would be a good addition, though...
But you really want wat's in the lightweight pack.

Of course you'll eventually need what everyone needs with "any" cam, like MatteBox/rods/FF etc, but get yourself up and running first.
It is incredible what you can "make do" if you know what you do...
And for many, there is only one way to really learn "how to solve", and that's just by doing.
If you are shooting Canon glass, screw in variable ND's will get you far in controlling exposure/DOF.

"Professionally" is a moving target... :)

Strictly meaning, it means you live from it, and does NOT refer to your capacity or the type of images you make. (Even though that CAN be related)

Search up a bit on Steve Gibbys posts here.
He has been making the argument for shooting professional images en masse and having a lot of work with the RED cams, in a non-"classical film" context.

A good way to free up your mind.
His practical approach to imagery, is a good way to free your mind.

On the other side, have a good long look at David Mullens approaches.

Between the two of them, there is just sooo much to pick up.

Photography/cinematography is about making "good" images, but "good" is not a scientific/specific term...

If at all possible, though.... I would try to get an Epic, not a Scarlet. Just sayin'.

AND:
DO NOT EXPECT RENTALS unless you already have a customerbase.
YOU will be the product and the reason for renting from you, not the camera.

Rent/borrow/schmooze yourself into a couple of Epic/scarlet shoots and get the hang of it.
It certainly does NOT have to be expensive or hard, but also don't expect SpiderMan results without that kind of talent/post/workflows.

Try to make the best out of the premises you have...
And don't make decission based on kit/talent you DON'T have.
Try to make the best of what you have access too...

Best of luck

Gunleik
 
Mike Luk said:
I dont Want a DSLR. I Want a Camera for the Future. So Scarlet Should be the best choice Or what do you Guys think ?
Click to expand...

My thoughts... As someone who has owned many cameras over the years, currently have 5 different style cameras in-house right now, there is no such thing as a camera for the future. The best advice I could give would be to purchase a camera which best fits your current needs and budget. Rent to supplement, and replace when needed. I honestly can't imagine somebody using todays Scarlet as a primary camera 8 years from now. Something better cheaper will always come along.

Good Luck!

Dave
 
You'd be much better off to at least wait until NAB (April). Scarlet is ~$15k for a basic set up; not chump change. I presume being your first camera means you don't have clients clawing at the door (for anything, much less 4k/raw, which is Scarlet's only advantage), and who knows what could be announced and for what price a mere two months from now.

It will likely take months to generate $15k above what you would've made with "any ol' camera". I think people have delusions that getting a Scarlet will allow them to make money via rentals, but that really isn't the case. No on will even spend $200/day for a basic/gimped package and productions that only have $200/day to spend proabably don't have their ducks aligned in terms of insurance (or RED knowledge) and it could end up being disastrous for you.
 
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