R1MX value in 2024

[Stuart McQuade]

My R1MX has been gathering dust for a couple of years now and I'm considering parting with it. But does anyone know how sought after these cameras are anymore? Is there much call for them nowadays? I mean, are they even worth selling anymore if their value has dropped so much? Part of me thinks I should just keep it and consider it a museum piece...

The camera's based in Europe, is a battle-tested model, and comes with a RED EVF, SSD reader, 64GB RED SSD, PL mount, Canon EF-mount and power supply (plus handles and mounts). Is anyone able to give me an idea of its value as a package? But, of course, I understand that 'value' and 'what people are willing to pay' are two different things.

 

[Karim D. Ghantous]

If you check the online reviews, you'll find that a few people still like and use this camera. Personally, I think it's way outdated. Unlike the Epic, which holds up very well to some modern cameras from other manufacturers. And the Epic is amazing value.

Still, I think you can auction off the R1MX. Someone will buy it for sure. Be glad to get rid of it while you still can.

 

[Brian Timmons]

Hey Stuart,

Your R1MX having the SSD module should help a bit with general interest and resale value for anyone looking for one to purchase.

To me, there's a point with cameras where a great image is a great image despite advances in technology and the R1MX still puts out a great image that can get pushed around pretty well in post.

You're definitely right about people's perception of value though.

I have 2 Komodos and a Komodo X so my R1 MX does not see as much action but I still put it to use on shoots where I need the additional camera.

The size is probably the most off putting quality to many but my formative years were filming with S16 film cameras (with a touch of 35mm)
and I still freelance a fair bit with ENG shoulder mount cameras so the size of the R1MX never quite bothered me (ok my right forearm might spasms a little after a long day but not a show stopper).

It looks like R1MX's are still moving on eBay so there does seem to be a market.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[M Harvey]

All you can really do is search the marketplace here and on ebay. The value is what people are willing to pay-- but they might derive that value from a plan for actual use, or they might need a spare body for parts.

 

[Mike Krumlauf]

If you check the online reviews, you'll find that a few people still like and use this camera. Personally, I think it's way outdated. Unlike the Epic, which holds up very well to some modern cameras from other manufacturers. And the Epic is amazing value.

Still, I think you can auction off the R1MX. Someone will buy it for sure. Be glad to get rid of it while you still can.

I agree with you here. I revisited the Red One MX system last year and realized for the amount i was(n't) using it, I could not justify the high cost and weight of the camera and after one experiment camera inbetween, I reinvested in an EPIC MX and couldnt be happier. The OG Epic MX rules!

To answer the question at hand: A red one mx body alone without anything else (i think) isn't worth more than $1000 if you are lucky. The weight of the camera and tech in there is pushing 20 years old and again, given how stupid cheap Epic MX bodies are becoming, it makes investing in a RED ONE a financially stupid idea when you can get a smaller camera with the same sensor but higher resolution, frame rates, etc for what some people are trying to sell their R1 bodies for... unreal.

 

[Zack Birlew]

We bought ours right at the time when 4K was just becoming the mainstream norm and our only competing options were an original Blackmagic URSA 4K and the Sony FS7 and after seeing the FS7 at NAB without a speedbooster or anything, I just couldn't see the cinematic look coming through. So, with frame rates and R3D in mind, we decided on a used RED One MX even though the URSA 4K was a pretty great cinematic image maker as well. It was rock solid on our feature film shoot and other than some hot pixels that should have been blackshaded out on set that I now have to spot fix in post (remember to stick to your black shading practices people!) , it's still a viable 4K camera for sure.

If I was buying today, I would only consider the RED One MX if I could get a full package with media for around $1,000 and I'm sorry about that, it's still such a nice camera with a pretty cinematic image but when Epic Dragon 6Ks are going for about $1,800 or less for a body and even $2,500 for a starting kit, it just doesn't make sense anymore like it did back around 2016/2017. New camera options also eat into used RED cameras greatly as we have the Nikon Z8, Fuji XH2/2s, Sony FX3, BM Pocket CC 6K, etc. to consider for the same price range and with much cheaper and more plentiful media to boot. Even on Dragon 6Ks it's time to move on just in terms of features and ease of use along with the full frame difference depending on your camera choice.

 

[Stuart McQuade]

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone! I think I'll just keep hold of it and use it for personal projects.

 

[Mike Krumlauf]

Thanks for your thoughts, everyone! I think I'll just keep hold of it and use it for personal projects.

Good Plan!

 

[Brian Timmons]

Yesterday I just used my R1MX on a doc shoot as CU cam alongside Komodo (Wide) and a BM Pocket 4K (kind of a roaming C camera).

It was a multi person interview and the night before the shoot the audio recorder normally used started to crap out making things a tad more exciting.

R1MX with its 4 mini XLR audio inputs came to the rescue. As the 4 wireless lavs were connected directly to the camera.

yes- i can hear audio heads yelling blasphemy and I hear you (no pun intended) but it worked and I’ve done several times in the past with minimal issues.

Saw the resulting footage after backing up and I continue to be very pleased by what the R1MX captures and the audio was as expected quite clean.

Komodo (and KX) is still a favorite but R1MX holds it's own even as a 16 year old camera.

No you won't be putting it on a gimbal (get a steady cam) but it still works very well as a cinema camera despite not having the latest bells and whistles.

REDcode, IPP2, and the various delayering upgrades have helped keep this camera more relevant than one would think and highlight rolloff performance is still quite good despite the older MX sensor.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA