Michael Gyori
Well-known member
I guess you just chose to ignore most of what I wrote or dispute the accuracy of the dates I listed. Others have already pointed out that Red has promised a number of things for Scarlet owners regarding the Dragon, but they will be waiting till late summer 2014 at the earliest for those options to be fulfilled (Scarlet to Scarlet Dragon, and Scarlet to Epic Dragon). This is why I upgraded my Scarlet to an Epic first... to move up in the Dragon upgrade priority list. I had hoped that would mean I'd be getting my Dragon by late February, not June+. But I can live with that.... it'll be an amazing camera. I love Red's upgrade program... I just wish they didn't make me feel last April at NAB that Dragons would be available in mid 2013 when the reality is a year later for most everyone.
A few people have talked about getting a camera fast or getting a great camera. Of course, I'd rather have a great camera... I'll just never again believe any marketing by Red regarding timelines. When Red announces it's successor to Dragon (as if it's right around the corner), I'll know to add 2 to 3 years to my expectation of having one in my hands. Unfortunately, for the Red Bomb Squad members, they're going to be put through this pressure cooker with every new camera Red makes... having to deal with customers that have been waiting an extra year from when they thought they'd have the camera.
My mention of Scarlet delays in my initial post refered to the initial Scarlet 2/3 camera that was announced by Red in 2008 (to be available in 2009):
From Wikipedia:
The RED Scarlet program was announced on November 13, 2008 and upon announcement composed the less expensive half of the company's Digital Still Motion Camera program.[SUP][23][/SUP] The specifications that have been announced were a 3072x1620 pixel, 2/3 inch image sensor and an image processor capable of recording 120 frames per second in RED's proprietary format.[SUP][24][/SUP] It also included a non-removable 8× zoom lens [8× lens specifications: 28–224 mm (35 mm equivalent) T/2.4 throughout the zoom range] as well as a model which uses an interchangeable lens system. Prototypes of both models have been demonstrated publicly since 2009.[SUP][25][/SUP] When first announced the camera was expected to be sold in 2009 for $3,000.
At CES 2010, a self-contained 3K resolution [SUP]2[/SUP]⁄[SUB]3[/SUB] in sensor size Scarlet prototype with an attached lens was demonstrated. The camera was announced to be able to shoot up to 120 fps at 3K resolution.
At the NAB 2011 a working prototype with a fixed lens and electronic aperture control was shown.
Eventually the final (significantly more expensive but more powerful) version of the Scarlet was announced on November 3rd, 2011, with most people getting their's (including myself) in spring 2012 (3.5 years after the Scarlet was announced by Red). This is the poor marketing track record I'm refering to.
If you think these facts demonstrate a great marketing track record by Red, then... well.... I don't know what else I can say to convince you. Keep drinking the kool-aid.
Now, in terms of features... Red has met most or even exceeded some of it's announcements. Certainly, from what I've heard and seen, the Dragon is everything Red promised it would be. And for that I'm grateful.... Just no more fake Epic to Dragon conversion clean rooms at NAB please.
