Please, help me decide what to do.

[David Rasberry]

So far the trade in allowance is only toward an Epic X S35 model. No mention has been made of doing such a deal for the FF35.

Buy a RED 1 with accessories now and you can be shooting and learning the system while waiting for the new models. Trade for Epic-X when available. The FF35 models are probably at least a year away anyway. You can sell the Epic-X body when the Scarlet FF35's become available and probably get enough for it used to buy two of those.

 

[Petri Teittinen]

Buy a RED 1 with accessories now and you can be shooting and learning the system while waiting for the new models.

You know... that is exactly what my heart desires - but my brain keeps asking if that is the sensible solution. Hence, this thread.

Trade for Epic-X when available. The FF35 models are probably at least a year away anyway. You can sell the Epic-X body when the Scarlet FF35's become available and probably get enough for it used to buy two of those.

I have to admit to being slightly confused. If I buy a new RED ONE now, wouldn't I be ineligible for Epic-X? Unless I've misunderstood something, the October 29th cut-off means I would be only eligible for Epic S35 Stage Four, which is not the same as Epic-X. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. Thank you for posting, David.

Actually, re-reading Mr. Jannard's announcement, I get the impression I wouldn't be getting a $17,500 trade-in for Epic S35 Stage Four either. Check it out for yourself; there's no mention of a trade-in for STAGE FOUR. Hmmh.

 

[David Rasberry]

You will be eligible for the full R1 body trade in credit towards an Epic X body only at stage 4. You would not get the full Epic X package with accessory modules though. Jim said that R1 bodies purchased after Oct. 29 are still eligible for trade in credit. Just no freebies included.

 

[Stephen Williams]

Jim from Sydney wrote earlier that this might not be a good time to buy a RED One. Why would this not be a good time; wouldn't the camera still be worth $17,500 when traded in towards a Scarlet FF35 whenever it becomes available?

Again, thank you very much for your replies.

Hi,

$17,500 trade in has never been available for Scarlet, I think a 12% (?) discount may be available. One of the reasons Scarlet is far cheaper than Epic IMHO.

Stephen

 

[Petri Teittinen]

You will be eligible for the full R1 body trade in credit towards an Epic X body only at stage 4. You would not get the full Epic X package with accessory modules though. Jim said that R1 bodies purchased after Oct. 29 are still eligible for trade in credit. Just no freebies included.

OK, thanks David. It's just that the large image file explaining all the four stages Mr. Jannard posted in the announcement thread makes no mention of a trade-in for STAGE FOUR. I guess he must've mentioned it somewhere else.

I know I'm splitting hairs here, but it's to avoid confusion: EPIC-X is valid name for stages 1-3 only. Stage Four mentions EPIC S35, i.e. it's no longer EPIC-X.

 

[Marc Berger]

Petri,
maybe a stupid idea, but would be a very simple solution:
If you don´t need the items delivered in 2009 just ask RDC if you can already order a Epic and accessories and get a invoice now. Then you pay the bill in advance. Don´t know if Red already accept orders for Epic (sure not for scarlet). The prices for Epic are already fixed (looks like), so there should be a chance to proceed it in this way.
Cheers,

Marc

 

[Petri Teittinen]

If you don´t need the items delivered in 2009 just ask RDC if you can already order a Epic and accessories and get a invoice now. Then you pay the bill in advance. Don´t know if Red already accept orders for Epic (sure not for scarlet). The prices for Epic are already fixed (looks like), so there should be a chance to proceed it in this way.

Thanks Marc. It's not a stupid idea at all. In fact, it would be pretty much ideal for me. I guess it won't hurt to fire off an e-mail to RED and ask.

 

[Karl Gustav H.]

Thanks Marc. It's not a stupid idea at all. In fact, it would be pretty much ideal for me. I guess it won't hurt to fire off an e-mail to RED and ask.

I think this has been mentioned before, and Red didn't say no to the idea.

On the other hand, you can certainly start picking stuff up now to reduce the tax liability. Grab your colour critical monitor, projector, update your MAC/PC, certainly get a RED Rocket™ and your RAID and/or LTO storage in place.

Pick up a new copy of FCP or Adobe (if you haven't already) one of the new affordable control panels while you are at it; should be great with Color, AE and the new RED apps.

If you want something to put your money in, with a decent chance of getting your money back or turning a profit, then grab some glass. As an investment I'd probably suggest the Cooke Panchros over the Red Pro Primes. This has nothing to do with the quality of the RED glass, just that the Cookes should have a wider appeal.

 

[Petri Teittinen]

I think this has been mentioned before, and Red didn't say no to the idea.

Fired off the e-mail, waiting to hear back from them.

On the other hand, you can certainly start picking stuff up now to reduce the tax liability. Grab your colour critical monitor, projector, update your MAC/PC, certainly get a RED Rocket™™ and your RAID and/or LTO storage in place.

Yup, done all those, except for RED Rocket™. It's on the shopping list.

one of the new affordable control panels

Could you please elaborate?

As an investment I'd probably suggest the Cooke Panchros over the Red Pro Primes. This has nothing to do with the quality of the RED glass, just that the Cookes should have a wider appeal.

Are you referring to the new Panchro series or some other model? How about the Cooke Red Set?

Thanks for posting, Karl Gustav!

 

[Aleksandar Colancevski]

In my country it was said "If you have pigeon in the hand don't go for an eagle on the tree".
Buy RED ONE and RPP's and be happy to the rest of your life.
If you don't know what you are buying then all the advices in the world can't help you.
Best of luck spending 50 grand.

 

[Petri Teittinen]

Buy RED ONE and RPP's and be happy to the rest of your life.

Knowing myself I'd say I probably wouldn't be. It's the "Ooh, new and shiny, must have" syndrome.

If you don't know what you are buying then all the advices in the world can't help you.

If I don't know something, I'll study the topic and ask for information from folks already in the know.

Best of luck spending 50 grand.

I'm trying to eliminate 'luck' as a factor. Thanks for chiming in, regardless.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

You do not want the RPP's because you have nikkor glass. Right?
Well, don't buy them.

Or is it because someone spoke bad about the 18-50 zoom?

The 18-50 is good for its price but is the first thing people seem to rid themself off. Don't buy it unless you really need it.

I like the 50-150 slightly better what comes to charracterristica, but it still breathes like a dying smoker.

TheRPPs incl the 300 are gorgeous. But heavy.

EDIT:
Some people are not too overwhelmed by their marks...

So...

Buy at least what you can use with "a camera" - whatever make:

On set monitor (Panny 17" or whatever)
LCD
RedRAM
16GB CF cards
RedRocket

Cheap Color panel (Waves is the one currently out)
http://www.tangentdevices.co.uk/products_wave.asp

Mattebox and follow focus
(Go Arri FF4/MB-20 if you can)

Head
(I personally love the Atlas 30)
http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1001397&cat=357&page=1

BUT there is one thing about the moving release date of the Scarlet that would worry me slightly.

A year ago I (for one) was convinced it would be released around last NAB.

It's still a bit ahead and still a moving target.

Thus: I'd really just buy a RED or two now, if I needed them and worry about the next thing whenever it comes...

Just my 2c.

 

[paulherrin]

Paul Herrin mentioned I might be eligible for trade-in stages if I bought a used RED One and inherited its serial number. Can anyone verify this with 100% certainty?

As it happens, I can...

My point is this: If I buy an early serial number Red, a pre-owned model, even if I've never owned one before, do I get that serial number's spot in line when it comes to upgrading?

Got it. Thanks, Jim.

Yes you do... but you need to register with us, pay the transfer fee and make sure the previous owner has not voided the warranty.

Jim

hope that helps!

My recommendation is to find a used One (make sure it's not been voided!) or maybe two - and/or accessories you know for sure you can use on the new one - such as lenses, tripods, rigs, computer hardware/software... whateva. It wouldn't hurt to have a working One.

peace!

 

[Lauri Kettunen]

Buy at least what you can use with "a camera" - whatever make:

On set monitor (Panny 17" or whatever) ...
RedRocket

Gunleik, I haven't followed the discussion around RedRocket. Has Red stated that RedRocket is usable with 5K and higher resolutions together with higher FPSs?

Petri, if you plan to rent your camera and/or keep it for a longer time, the higher frame rates of Epic give a competitive edge compared to Scarlet.

 

[Karl Gustav H.]

Fired off the e-mail, waiting to hear back from them.


Yup, done all those, except for RED Rocket™™™. It's on the shopping list.


Could you please elaborate?

The Tangent Wave or the Euphonix MC Color

Are you referring to the new Panchro series or some other model? How about the Cooke Red Set?

Was originally talking about the Panchros. The Red set are a selection of S4s - lovely glass which will keep it's value for a long long time: they are about $100,000 however.

Thanks for posting, Karl Gustav!

Replies in Bold.

 

[Petri Teittinen]

Hei Gunleik, thanks for replying!

You do not want the RPP's because you have nikkor glass. Right? Well, don't buy them. Or is it because someone spoke bad about the 18-50 zoom?

It's mostly because I have a selection of Nikkors already. It's good to know the negative comments were specifically about the 18-50 zoom, however.

On set monitor (Panny 17" or whatever), LCD, RedRAM, 16GB CF cards, RedRocket

I can use all those with Epic or Scarlet?

Cheap Color panel (Waves is the one currently out)

Define "cheap"

Mattebox and follow focus (Go Arri FF4/MB-20 if you can), Head
(I personally love the Atlas 30)

Excellent shopping list, thanks!

Thus: I'd really just buy a RED or two now, if I needed them and worry about the next thing whenever it comes...

This sounds stupid, but I don't actually need a camera right this second. I just need to spend the money!

 

[Petri Teittinen]

hope that helps!

Thanks Paul, it sure does!

My recommendation is to find a used One (make sure it's not been voided!) or maybe two

Any pointers on how to find one? This forum? eBay?

 

[Petri Teittinen]

Was originally talking about the Panchros. The Red set are a selection of S4s - lovely glass which will keep it's value for a long long time: they are about $100,000 however.

Whoa, way out of my budget. I'll take a closer look at the Panchros. Thanks!

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Whoa, way out of my budget. I'll take a closer look at the Panchros. Thanks!

The Panchros are slow, though, compared to the RPPs...

 

[Petri Teittinen]

The Panchros are slow, though, compared to the RPPs...

And more expensive, correct?