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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 :)

My Scarlet will arrive tomorrow!

Even if some words from Bart Allen are excessive, I'm afraid I agree with him.

90 % of Scarlet owners here will never see their money back with their "work".

It's obviously overkill for 1080p use, you can deny it. Who owns here a 4k display ? Who owns here a LTO tape system to backup the TB of data you will get at 4K ? (I had plans to get one LTO tape system even with the 3K cam.)

Who can afford here to get 8/10 REDVOLTs and four to six SSD 128/256 mb for one day of shooting ? Who can afford here a full lighting cinema installation and the people to setup/use it ?

A Scarlet-X is definitely not a RAW 5DmarkII, nor an EFP videocam...
 
Even if some words from Bart Allen are excessive, I'm afraid I agree with him.

90 % of Scarlet owners here will never see their money back with their "work".

It's obviously overkill for 1080p use, you can deny it. Who owns here a 4k display ? Who owns here a LTO tape system to backup the TB of data you will get at 4K ? (I had plans to get one LTO tape system even with the 3K cam.)

Who can afford here to get 8/10 REDVOLTs and four to six SSD 128/256 mb for one day of shooting ? Who can afford here a full lighting cinema installation and the people to setup/use it ?

A Scarlet-X is definitely not a RAW 5DmarkII, nor an EFP videocam...

I agree on all points here. I don't think anyone can guarantee there money back on such an item. No one knows whats around the corner. I know I'll have work, how much and how long is another story. I plan on renting it to productions and other things while owning it to make as much back on it as I can. I saved for something that changed. And what it changed to is something that I was hoping for all along. I think people grow with there camera. Sure 4K may not be here now, but that way when it does we are ready I guess? I can see both sides in this argument. But I don't agree with Bart's overall generalization of members on this board.
 
Bart,

I will have a great experience shooting on my scarlet. I will be shooting cats and flowers as well as music videos, shorts and features. It may not pay for itself off the profit it makes. However, after all is said and done, I will know the RED work flow, I will know how to best light an RED, I will know the camera inside and out. I will increase MY value with knowing the equipment. A scarlet is not that far removed from an Epic. It is a high end camera that I can say I will be able to shoot with, or edit from. (It takes 10,000 hours to truly be good at something.)

We each must walk our own path.
 
Stop whining about the 8x scarlet that didn't happen. We get it, you're upset. Let it go. Nothing good can come from you trying to belittle the people who ARE happy with the new scarlet. It's not your place to lecture others about how they spend their money.
 
I think the people saying that we will never make our money back are being... I don't even know. Silly.

No one ever said buying the camera and all the accessories, will turn you a profit. If that was the point everyone would buy it just to instantly make money.

Did those people forget that we know its a hard industry and we know the risks, yet we are still taking them because this is a passion? Why avoid something in life because it might not make you money. If you love it do it. We are certain what comes after death, but what we are certain is, we only have one life now. Make the most out of it. Work hard. Accomplish what you can. Try and try.

Stop saying 90% of the people won't make their money back, because who are you to say?
 
I think the people saying that we will never make our money back are being... I don't even know. Silly.

No one ever said buying the camera and all the accessories, will turn you a profit. If that was the point everyone would buy it just to instantly make money.

Did those people forget that we know its a hard industry and we know the risks, yet we are still taking them because this is a passion? Why avoid something in life because it might not make you money. If you love it do it. We are certain what comes after death, but what we are certain is, we only have one life now. Make the most out of it. Work hard. Accomplish what you can. Try and try.

Stop saying 90% of the people won't make their money back, because who are you to say?

Word!
+1
 
its funny to see that it's the same people who were excited about the scarlet 2 monthes ago that are bashing it so violently now.
If they were not able to afford the scarlet-x it's sad of course but it also mean that they don't make enough money with video works, it's obviously not a cam for them. But they should not forget that there is a crazy amount of different people on this forum. Super talented pro or rich amateurs. And a lot of scarlet buyers are never showing on any forum too.

Regarding good videos on vimeo or youtube, most of the time, interesting videos dont show which camera was used so you have to search to find them. There is the fact that some festival don't want us to put our short movies on the net, or some clients who are the only ones having the right to post the work on the net, in general on their own website. There is thousands of thousands of movies, commercials, docs, etc, everywhere everyday on tv, cinema, dvds, in shops, ...., and there is people making them, making money with it and renting or buying expensive cameras.

These angry people should not paste their own failure on the rest of us. Maybe it's a surprise for them to think that there can be some people really working, or having some real talent out there. they should take example and motivate themselves instead of staying in a negative pessimistic state of mind because, imo, it's a thousand times worst than doing any cat/flower youtube video.
 
and after all ... there are probably a lot of people working in VFX like me ... 16Bit Raw Code, 4k resolution, HDRx are ultimately big Advantages for VFX-Work ... even if you are outputting @ 2K

I worked on 6 features last year that could have benefited from exactly this. Especially a certain blue screen crowd duplication sequence. Not going back to anything less than 4k from here on out. No more lossy codecs either for that matter.
 
I think the people saying that we will never make our money back are being... I don't even know. Silly.

No one ever said buying the camera and all the accessories, will turn you a profit. If that was the point everyone would buy it just to instantly make money.

Did those people forget that we know its a hard industry and we know the risks, yet we are still taking them because this is a passion? Why avoid something in life because it might not make you money. If you love it do it. We are certain what comes after death, but what we are certain is, we only have one life now. Make the most out of it. Work hard. Accomplish what you can. Try and try.

Stop saying 90% of the people won't make their money back, because who are you to say?

I agree with this whole-heartedly, Michael!

and not for the first time on reduser, I'll say the following:
How people choose to spend their own money is of no concern to anyone else. Maybe 90% don't intend to 'make their money back'; maybe 90% want to own a Scarlet X for other reasons.
Anyone 'made their money back' after buying a car that wasn't the cheapest availible? or better still, how many people buy a car for personal use with the sole purpose in mind being to make their money back?

You pay a little more for plenty of other reasons. In this case 4k, HDRx, RAW workflow (and the list goes on).
If none of that matters, there are a wealth of cameras shooting 1080p at competitve prices.
 
Especially a certain blue screen crowd duplication sequence. Not going back to anything less than 4k from here on out. No more lossy codecs either for that matter.

+1 on this!
Last year was trying exactly the same thing and was pulling my hair out in frustration!!
 
Right now just the 35mm. Still deciding which other focal lengths I will get. Considering some LOMO anamorphic glass too.

would love to see a portrait frame grab with that 35mm
i have two old Russian still cameras and some Russian still glass - not very sharp but love the coating, or lack thereof
 
and after all ... there are probably a lot of people working in VFX like me ... 16Bit Raw Code, 4k resolution, HDRx are ultimately big Advantages for VFX-Work ... even if you are outputting @ 2K

+1

I doubt I'll make my money 'back' on my scarlet. But you can say that about every aspect of film making. Most people never would pay off 3ds Max or Maya. Most people would never pay off Final Cut Pro. Most people would never even pay off a 5D.

But if you can't justify a $20k business investment... you might as well not even be trying. I hear this all the time "3ds max is too expensive". No, you just aren't charging enough. If you can't make back your money on a scarlet and you don't just want it for yourself then you shouldn't buy one. But conversely you'll never charge scarlet rates shooting a 5D either. It's admirable that people warn people off "hey it's not just a $10k camera, there are $10k in accessories you need as well!" but even those people aren't really giving the full picture either "Hey, there is also your $30k+ salary you need to pay yourself, health insurance, liability insurance, marketing, LLCs to setup, loans, business plans etc..." if you're buying Scarlet to start a business... then the scarlet is going to be one of your smallest expenses.

We have a "Small" $15k or so render farm. Now I can't say that we've ever been able to charge a single penny for its existence. But I can also say with confidence that we could never have done much of the work we do without it, it enables us to take on big jobs. A better camera lets you take on more ambitious projects for the confidence that you can actually deliver. 4k, mild compression, s35 sensor. These are tools which give you the opportunity to grow. Stick to just a camera you can afford and you'll never be able to afford anything better.

And if your existing clients can't tell the difference between a DVX and an epic then you need to find new clients, they're never going agree to rates compatible with what you need to run a real business. A Formula 1 race car won't make you a racing driver, but show up to a race in your old Civic and you won't be taken seriously.
 
Just checked my red account to remember my SO and discovered no scarlet order!

went to history and saw SCARLET- CANCELLED.

Ordered withing hours of the release. Deposit was paid weeks ago.

great. this better not push me even further down the line!
 
The Scarlet is expensive, but also a bargain. Its a Red One MX without the fast frame rates. Its a camera that is able to, picture wise, shoot something of the quality of "The Social Network". I personally think its a bargain. its a camera that can fulfill the dream of indie filmmakers, of owning an image capture device that can deliver hollywood blockbuster quality images, provided the operator knows how to use it. Its also a question of how much one trusts himself as a filmmaker, shooter, video professional. Having a tool like that in your arsenal makes you have to face your own limitations as a filmmaker. If you can't deliver, you can't blame "picture quality" anymore. Is it a financial risk for a low end producer, someone that doesn't shoot high end commercials or big productions? One can look at it that way, or the other way- as an opportunity. An opportunity to step up one's game, of going for those higher end jobs, or for being more serious about one's own films.

I placed an order immediately for the Scarlet as soon as it was announced. I'm an independent producer, not much high end jobs, have been shooting HVX200, 5D, 7D, 1D mark IV's for years. I didn't even hesitate. In fact, I'm so sure about going Red that I will go even further and go EPIC. Its a big risk, I needed to do some financing. But its a commitment from myself to my work. I believe in it. I think I can make something special, and I don't want any more limitations. And I will take the risk. If I fail, it will not be because of the camera but because my own limitations as a storyteller/content producer.

The Scarlet is a much lesser risk. Its an excellent deal and people will shoot fantastic images with it. I can see even award winning feature films shot on it. But personally I just want to have the best. I'm an independent producer, a filmmaker and as I love cars, I love beautiful images. And since I can't afford a Ferrari (now), I can afford an Epic and will "race" with it. What's life without risk, or commitment?

To all those that purchased and are looking for going Scarlet, just go for it and never look back. No more excuses!
 
Just checked my red account to remember my SO and discovered no scarlet order!

went to history and saw SCARLET- CANCELLED.

Ordered withing hours of the release. Deposit was paid weeks ago.

great. this better not push me even further down the line!
Don't worry, it happened to others too... Their order was converted from USD to a new one in GBP.

Anyway, shoot a mail or a PM to Brent or your Bomb Rep.

Whatever the problem is, they will work it out...
 
Brandon, since you have a working Scarlet in your hands can you please check if there are multiple aspect ratios available under the record resolution menu? Like EPIC's 5K 2:1, 5K 2.4:1, 4K HD, 5K FF, 5K ANA, 2K 2.4:1

I've been asking about this around the board not once but got no response.

I'm beginning to suspect that you can't change them during recording on Scarlet and the only option to achieve the desired aspect ratio would be cropping in post. I hope I'm wrong though.
 
Brandon, since you have a working Scarlet in your hands can you please check if there are multiple aspect ratios available under the record resolution menu? Like EPIC's 5K 2:1, 5K 2.4:1, 4K HD, 5K FF, 5K ANA, 2K 2.4:1

I've been asking about this around the board not once but got no response.

I'm beginning to suspect that you can't change them during recording on Scarlet and the only option to achieve the desired aspect ratio would be cropping in post. I hope I'm wrong though.

you can download the user manual now. You are right i guess, less choice than epic but you can choose whatever frame guide you want.
 
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