From R1 to Scarlet

[Shaun Au]

Hi guys,

I have some questions regarding to the R1 future outlook and upgrade options for it's owner. Forgive me if these questions have been asked and answered previously. I don't spend a lot of time on this forum as used to. Sorry.

I own an original R1(pre X upgrade). It's been my personal camera, not a rental. I mainly use it to shoot my indie films. I'm not really a camera geek. For the last few years I've been focusing on story and acting. So I haven't really followed this forum that much since I got my R1 in the spring of 2008. With Epic, Scarlet and other DSLR available on the market. I'm curious of it's future.

I also see it's a time to revisit my options for my next camera. Most of my film production is very small. R1 is a great camera, still is. But there're increasing times I wish it's less bulky and heavy, more discrete when I'm shooting with a skeleton crew and don't want to draw unwanted attention in the public. I particularly like the options of combining stills and motion into one small package like all of the Canon/Nikon DSLR out there.

However, I love working with RAW footage. This is one area I love so much about Red stuff. So I intend to stay in the RAW realm. My R1 has the pre-X sensor(original). Both Epic and Scarlet has the same X sensor as far as I know. The dynamic range is so much better than my R1. So my option is either Epic and Scarlet. Now Epic is pretty much overkill for me. One of the greatest advantage for Epic is it's various frame rate for all resolutions. In my case, I didn't even use R1's high frame rate that much. 5K footage is way too much for me at this point. I didn't finish a single personal project in 4K with my R1. All 1080p Blu-Ray. Not to mention the Epic package still requires a big chunk of change even if I trade in my R1(is trade in program still available?). Since my next camera will be my personal still/motion camera, that leaves Scarlet as the only "downgrade" option. I shouldn't say it's a downgrade. It's a great camera. It offers more than R1 at this point in my opinion.

I have some questions regarding to the best approach of getting an Scarlett.

1. I will need to find a new home for my R1 or is there a trade in program for Scarlet?

2. Nikon F mount. I have a good collection of Nikon full frame lenses. I've been using with my R1(ordered an F mount for it) and receive great results. Red.com. says: "….so Leica, Panavision, and even Nikon lenses will all be available for you to lock and load. One Camera. Every Lens…." Does this mean there will be an F mount available. If so, when? It's not listed on the store page.

3. What're the available Scarlet production packages? Is the Clutch the only option? I purchased the full production pack when I got my R1. Top/Bottom rails, extended handles/vertical grips, dovetail, EVF/LCD, battery/drive mount, etc. Plus Element EVF mount, follow focus and matte box from RedRockMicro. Curious of the Scarlet package options. I'm open for aftermarket packages from Zacuto and RedRockMicro. I will only use it for personal projects instead of rigorous professional productions. I still want a Bomb EVF and an LCD(5.6" probably). Any budget minded suggestions?


Thanks!

Shaun

 

[Ian B. Johnson]

1. I will need to find a new home for my R1 or is there a trade in program for Scarlet?

2. Nikon F mount. I have a good collection of Nikon full frame lenses. I've been using with my R1(ordered an F mount for it) and receive great results. Red.com. says: "….so Leica, Panavision, and even Nikon lenses will all be available for you to lock and load. One Camera. Every Lens…." Does this mean there will be an F mount available. If so, when? It's not listed on the store page.

3. What're the available Scarlet production packages? Is the Clutch the only option? I purchased the full production pack when I got my R1. Top/Bottom rails, extended handles/vertical grips, dovetail, EVF/LCD, battery/drive mount, etc. Plus Element EVF mount, follow focus and matte box from RedRockMicro. Curious of the Scarlet package options. I'm open for aftermarket packages from Zacuto and RedRockMicro. I will only use it for personal projects instead of rigorous professional productions. I still want a Bomb EVF and an LCD(5.6" probably). Any budget minded suggestions?


Thanks!

Shaun

1. No upgrade program for scarlet, your best bet is to sell your package here on the forum.

2. Nikon F Mount is supposed to come this summer. Currently being tested in Beta. I believe Jarred's last update listed July as the estimated release date. Going by the RED from the past few years, that could mean late fall. Or going the RED of 2012 that could mean July-August.

3. There are soooo many ways to rig a scarlet that it's silly for us to try to guess what configuration might be best for you. I'd suggest browsing the Scarlet and Epic forums for the threads about different people's configurations. There are many photos, parts lists, and descriptions of use to help you figure out your ideal system. Trying to suggest what to do here is like trying to suggest a LEGO. Too many parts, options, and configurations to even begin!

Good luck!

 

[Adam Clark]

optitek makes a red-approved nikon mount for the epic & scarlet. generally gets great reviews from redusers.

 

[Shaun Au]

Question. Do you have to wait for the Nikon Scarlet? I mean Red.com doesn't have a product page for Nikon Scarlet where I can put down a deposit and be on a waiting list. There's only Canon and PL mount Scarlet available at this point.

Thanks, for the note on the configuration. It's pretty cool that there're many ways to configure to tailor to different needs.

1. No upgrade program for scarlet, your best bet is to sell your package here on the forum.

2. Nikon F Mount is supposed to come this summer. Currently being tested in Beta. I believe Jarred's last update listed July as the estimated release date. Going by the RED from the past few years, that could mean late fall. Or going the RED of 2012 that could mean July-August.

3. There are soooo many ways to rig a scarlet that it's silly for us to try to guess what configuration might be best for you. I'd suggest browsing the Scarlet and Epic forums for the threads about different people's configurations. There are many photos, parts lists, and descriptions of use to help you figure out your ideal system. Trying to suggest what to do here is like trying to suggest a LEGO. Too many parts, options, and configurations to even begin!

Good luck!

 

[Ian B. Johnson]

Question. Do you have to wait for the Nikon Scarlet? I mean Red.com doesn't have a product page for Nikon Scarlet where I can put down a deposit and be on a waiting list. There's only Canon and PL mount Scarlet available at this point.

Thanks, for the note on the configuration. It's pretty cool that there're many ways to configure to tailor to different needs.

No, you don't have to wait. If you want to start getting to know the camera you can buy the Canon AL mount version (cheapest mount since you intend on switching later on), then buy some of those $30-40 dumb adapters to allow your Nikon glass to be used on the Canon mount. Just look on eBay or Amazon for Nikon G to EOS adapter. Then when the Nikon mount comes out, simply buy the mount and swap them out.

Or, buy the Scarlet brain only for $9700 and then get the optitek ($1000) now.

 

[Shaun Au]

Is optitek F mount mechanical or electronic? I checked their website, but couldn't find the F mount for Scarlet X. There's only F mount for R1.

No, you don't have to wait. If you want to start getting to know the camera you can buy the Canon AL mount version (cheapest mount since you intend on switching later on), then buy some of those $30-40 dumb adapters to allow your Nikon glass to be used on the Canon mount. Just look on eBay or Amazon for Nikon G to EOS adapter. Then when the Nikon mount comes out, simply buy the mount and swap them out.

Or, buy the Scarlet brain only for $9700 and then get the optitek ($1000) now.

 

[Ian B. Johnson]

The optitek is mechanical only. Their website is quite outdated, but they do in fact make the Epic/Scarlet mount. Personally I'm waiting for RED's own electronic mount, though it will likely be a bit higher than the optitek (Probably in the $1000-$2000 range depending on what they decide to make it out of).

 

[Nick Wernham]

It seems like going for an Al Canon mount version of the Scarlet-X along with some "dumb" Canon EF to Nikon F-mount adapters for your glass is a great option for now. Just save some extra money to purchase Red's own Nikon electronic mount when it comes out in case it looks like a substantial upgrade from the "dumb" mounts for your purposes. You may find that you're fine without it though. You never know.

 

[Randall Brown]

I am guessing that you missed the stages for trade in? Because for an original RED One owner. you would be able to get an epic for the same price as a new scarlet. If you are the original owner, it may make sense to write you bomb squad rep and see if they would at least give you stage 3. With regards to nikon glass, I use a simple adapter to mount my nikon primes on my canon mount. Works great. I am patiently trying to wait for the RED electronic mount. Carefully plan out your accessories, particularly the mounting and rails hardware. Your RED was probably set up for 19mm. The Scarlet can use that, but stays smaller when you use 15MM LWS.

 

[Shaun Au]

Yeah, I'm the original owner. I was busy at making a few films from 2009 to 2011. Didn't follow that much on the camera tech. The last time I checked. To get an Epic, you still would have to pay the price difference between an R1 and an Epic. Red just give you a full credit of the original R1 price($17k). Unless, I missed something

I am guessing that you missed the stages for trade in? Because for an original RED One owner. you would be able to get an epic for the same price as a new scarlet. If you are the original owner, it may make sense to write you bomb squad rep and see if they would at least give you stage 3. With regards to nikon glass, I use a simple adapter to mount my nikon primes on my canon mount. Works great. I am patiently trying to wait for the RED electronic mount. Carefully plan out your accessories, particularly the mounting and rails hardware. Your RED was probably set up for 19mm. The Scarlet can use that, but stays smaller when you use 15MM LWS.

 

[Randall Brown]

@shaun Thats correct. but because you are early owner, you had different packages available to you. Even if you were in the worst trade in program (stage 3.5) then your Epic would cost you 10k post your red one trade-in. You still would have to buy a mount. Not too much more than a scarlet. Pretty good deal. I have a Epic-M and a Scarlet and about to send my Red 1 back for trade. I initially planned to buy another scarlet, but i did the math and the epic post red 1 trade was pretty great.

 

[Shaun Au]

Just got an email from Red. Stage 3 and 3.5 is all closed. All they can do is to do a $6000 MX sensor upgrade on my R1. Oh well, looks like I'll have to sell it here to buy a Scarlet X.

@shaun Thats correct. but because you are early owner, you had different packages available to you. Even if you were in the worst trade in program (stage 3.5) then your Epic would cost you 10k post your red one trade-in. You still would have to buy a mount. Not too much more than a scarlet. Pretty good deal. I have a Epic-M and a Scarlet and about to send my Red 1 back for trade. I initially planned to buy another scarlet, but i did the math and the epic post red 1 trade was pretty great.

 

[Shaun Au]

I have another question. Can I use the original Red EVF with the Scarlet or Epic? I know Bomb EVF is smaller, the original EVF works pretty nice for me.