Purchasing Camera Features

[Harry Clark]

I'm no fanboy, but I have to give credit to Red for being generous in giving us upgraded camera features at no charge.
As some of you know, I own lots of cameras and related gear.
I just got an email from the company that makes one of my cameras; a camera that I like very much from a company that is well respected. Apparently, if I want to de-squeeze anamorphic images in the EVF and monitor outs, I need to pay them 590 Euros to unlock this feature.
I am waiting to hear the release date for am "upgrade" to another camera I own; a very handy cam that also makes nice pictures. But if I want to unlock 4:4:4 recording, I need to pay them $3,000.
These are cameras I already paid for, capable of these features. Yet the companies that make them want to bill me for a simple software enhancement. Interesting business concept.
I have no idea if Jim Jannard is making any money at all on this venture, or just having the ride of his life, but I appreciate not having to pay for every little software tweak.
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Richard Foster]

Hear, hear!

 

[J. Eric Camp]

With the plethora of cell phone jail breakers, magic lantern makers, crazy code moneys out there, I would be interested to see what some of them could do if given a copy of these updates and the system, (camera) they are meant to run on. I doubt the security is actually that strong on the systems.

Charging for turning on an AnamoRRphIc setting, or a Simply turning ON a setting in a sYstem for 444 over 422 is nickel and dimming your customer base. Say what you will, formulate what ever opinion you want. I have never had a relationship with a manufacture where so much consideration has been extended to the customers as with RED. Some may not like RED (for whatever reason) but one thing you cant not ever say is that they don't care about and for their customers.

 

[Curran Giddens]

I posted this in another thread but seems fitting here to remember all the other things Red has given us besides the free firmware updates with new features.


1. Titanium "R"!

2. $2,500 credit for accessories.

3. After a few complaints about the finish on some of the cast parts, we were allowed to trade in our used accessories for new ones, with a new finish.

4. Free CF module upgrade and firmware update for 16GB cards. Free Red Drive firmware update and 6' Red Drive cable replacement.

5. MX sensor upgrade with $1,250 credit if you go Epic-X Stage 2.

6. Epic-X Stage 2 - The best deal ever! $8,500 credit + around $6k worth of free accessories!

 

[Max Fischer]

Harry,

Sorry about the Willytec last week, Eric said it drove you nuts.

I agree, RED has set a precident with free upgrades, and the other companies should follow suit just based on principle. We all know R&D is expensive, but maybe they should make the upgrade free for existing customers (ie. early adopters), and just increase the current purchase price...?

 

[Jannard]

As long as people continue to pay for upgrades... they will charge for them. Complaining doesn't register. Paying does.

Jim

 

[Harry Clark]

Heh heh. Indeed, Mr. Jannard...
Or NOT paying for them (which I'm planning on doing in the case of the anamorphic desqueeze)
Max, no worries about the Willytec. Once I got it figured out it was fine. The 2-speed knob was actually kinda useful!
Cheers,
Harry

 

[Rich Schaefer]

Prost to Team Red on this one!

I HATE the way one of the other big companies outdate and replace their camera models every year or two! You can't even update them you have to replace the whole damn rig! Sux.

Another resin to love Red.

Cheers,
Rich