Obsolescence

[Robert Hofmeyr]

Just got an email from Red saying they will end non-DSMC2 upgrade and trade-in programs. Also chatted to my rep and it seems they are ending ALL trade-ins. So if you plan to upgrade, now is the time (although personally I don't really see the point at the price Red is charging, considering V-raptor is available).

 

[William Long]

Yes, everything in the DSMC1 range is finished from the 31 December 2021 - this also includes all Ranger upgrades as well.
DMSC2 sensor upgrades to continue.

https://support.red.com/hc/en-us/ar...MJM52LSK*MTYzNjczNDEwMy4xLjEuMTYzNjczNDEyOC4w

 

[Luka Sanader]

i have just upgraded a board on E-W and i got a Monochrome sensor. i have talked to them about an possible Monstro upgrade bu they quoted me 32K USD. After that i insisted that a person that handles my file talks to the boss and see if something can be made? finally they got back to me offering me 26k upgrade. i have asked them why would i pay 26K to change a sensor in my old DSMC2 rather i can buy a new Reptpor for that money? if that is a case just close this program and call it a day. It made no sense what so ever to me. Logic is that you sale old stock and move on in to old model. unless they are using same sensor matrix welded on new board for the Raptor. if they said 12K i would of made the upgrade but i guess they have no more interest in DSMC2

 

[Robert Hofmeyr]

i have just upgraded a board on E-W and i got a Monochrome sensor. i have talked to them about an possible Monstro upgrade bu they quoted me 32K USD. After that i insisted that a person that handles my file talks to the boss and see if something can be made? finally they got back to me offering me 26k upgrade. i have asked them why would i pay 26K to change a sensor in my old DSMC2 rather i can buy a new Reptpor for that money? if that is a case just close this program and call it a day. It made no sense what so ever to me. Logic is that you sale old stock and move on in to old model. unless they are using same sensor matrix welded on new board for the Raptor. if they said 12K i would of made the upgrade but i guess they have no more interest in DSMC2

Yeah, it does not make much sense. Maybe Red will do an upgrade/trade-in sale at some point.

 

[PatrickWebb]

Imagine getting a Monstro Sensor and new boards in a RED ONE. Oh man, I am not surprised, really. One just has to wait and see what is around the 2022 corner.

 

[Zack Birlew]

I remember trying to see about getting a damaged sensor RED One MX and simply getting a replacement sensor when they dropped it down to the fire sale at $4,000 to make way for DSMC1 cameras and I thought I could get a RED One MX for a very cheap price by the repair process. Instead, I got quoted $6,500 for a replacement sensor and, mind you, whole used kits were going for around $6,000 at the time and I knew these sensors weren't carrying over to Dragon cameras so I didn't know why RED was sticking to that part price when the whole camera could have been bought from them for $4,000.

Needless to say, I passed on that and eventually we got a very nice deal on a RED One MX kit for our first feature (which is almost done!) and added about another $2,000 for added accessories and media, most of which didn't even get used as we kept things compact and basic as everything was so nicely built into the RED One as-is. Even after the added two grand, it was still far less than that replacement sensor price. I think RED needs to look at things like that more as the whistleblower case about RED Mags blew up spectacularly and really seems to have created some long lasting ill-will from customers and expanding their support and spare part supplies would go a long way towards investing in the RED ecosystem, especially now that trade ins are no longer an aspect of buying into RED cameras.

Also, as PatrickWebb mentioned, I'm surprised nobody has tried to look into cramming another camera system into the RED One body, clearly there's room for it now that everything has become smaller and cooler. Even so, expanding a little bit out through the SSD and video board side panels could be possible if needed. Heck, it's already a big camera, why not an extra side section add-on? Still, not adding firmware support for other SSDs, Compact Flash, or even making a new media side panel for CFast or something else is just wasteful, even for DSMC1 and 2 cameras. Nothing would be lost by making their older cameras even more viable for creators by adding one last media solution upgrade.

 

[Brian Timmons]

I remember trying to see about getting a damaged sensor RED One MX and simply getting a replacement sensor when they dropped it down to the fire sale at $4,000 to make way for DSMC1 cameras and I thought I could get a RED One MX for a very cheap price by the repair process. Instead, I got quoted $6,500 for a replacement sensor and, mind you, whole used kits were going for around $6,000 at the time and I knew these sensors weren't carrying over to Dragon cameras so I didn't know why RED was sticking to that part price when the whole camera could have been bought from them for $4,000.

Needless to say, I passed on that and eventually we got a very nice deal on a RED One MX kit for our first feature (which is almost done!) and added about another $2,000 for added accessories and media, most of which didn't even get used as we kept things compact and basic as everything was so nicely built into the RED One as-is. Even after the added two grand, it was still far less than that replacement sensor price. I think RED needs to look at things like that more as the whistleblower case about RED Mags blew up spectacularly and really seems to have created some long lasting ill-will from customers and expanding their support and spare part supplies would go a long way towards investing in the RED ecosystem, especially now that trade ins are no longer an aspect of buying into RED cameras.

Also, as PatrickWebb mentioned, I'm surprised nobody has tried to look into cramming another camera system into the RED One body, clearly there's room for it now that everything has become smaller and cooler. Even so, expanding a little bit out through the SSD and video board side panels could be possible if needed. Heck, it's already a big camera, why not an extra side section add-on? Still, not adding firmware support for other SSDs, Compact Flash, or even making a new media side panel for CFast or something else is just wasteful, even for DSMC1 and 2 cameras. Nothing would be lost by making their older cameras even more viable for creators by adding one last media solution upgrade.

Upgrading the sensor beyond Mysterium X in the RED One was definitely the original plan but in the end things changed.
From what I remember, all of the major components would need to be swapped out and it ultimately didn't make economic sense.
One can scour old RU posts for the specifics.


Regarding trade ins/upgrade, I think RED is at a point where it is not affordable to continue doing this like previous years.
With the component shortage, inflation, the R&D and manufacturing costs among others I can understand this decision if that's the case.

I think the last couple of years has found RED streamlining there focus on cameras (what they do best) and leaving accessories to third parties (i.e. Small HD, Core, Creative Solutions).

With the economic realities we're in (globally) that is likely the best approach and putting a pause on trade ins is perhaps a part of that move.

This is conjecture on my end. Don't know if this is really the case.

I do hope RED takes further steps in stocking up on as much components for repair as they can since these cameras are considered by most to be long term investments and not quite as disposable as other camera systems out there.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA