Red Battle Tested vs. New Lenses ??

[Jonathon Lee]

Does anybody know the differences between the "BT" lenses available in the store vs. a new one? Also, wondering how the Red zoom lenses are. I'm looking at the 18-85 BT. Has anyone on this list used any of the BT lenses?

thanks!

Jonathon

 

[Matt Ryan]

BT just means they have been refurbished by Red. They are either internally used by Red for tests and then refurbished and sold or they are customer returns that have been refurbished to quality specs then sold as BT. They are just as good as new only they cannot be sold as new since they have been used. The 18-85 is my favorite red zoom but i hear nothing but good things about the 17-50 zoom. Here are some screen grabs from a shoot i shot with the Red 18-85 http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?69063-Zeiss-CP-2. The pics are towards the bottom.

The 18-85 is awesome but heavy.

I personally wouldnt hesitate buying a BT lens or any other BT product from Red.

 

[Chad Lancaster]

I have a 300 RPP BT lens. They could've thrown a brand new one in the box and labeled it battle tested and theres no way I would've known the difference

 

[Mark Phelan]

I have a 300 RPP BT lens. They could've thrown a brand new one in the box and labeled it battle tested and theres no way I would've known the difference

+1. Mine too. Best value at RED are the BT items.

 

[Tom.Wong]

you also get a shorter warranty.

 

[Jim McKinney]

I've had nothing but good things from my BT 18mm.

 

[Jonathon Lee]

Wow... thanks guys! I'm new to the Red world... just ordered a Scarlet. Sounds like the BT lenses are the way to go for me.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Welcome Jonathon,
Once you go Red youll never want to shoot anything else. Seriously...

 

[Michael Millichamp]

I purchased the BT 18-85 and I examined it with a fine tooth comb when I got it.

Literally not 1 scratch anywhere. The front lens was scrape free and the back was perfect. It looked brand new to me.

 

[Eli Jarra]

I've got a couple of 18's and they'r great! Only issue is one of them doesn't properly reflect accurate focus measurements after 15'. Or at least its inconsistent with the other 18mm in that they don't match. (based on witness marks)
Gotta chat with my bomb rep about that one... not sure if fine-adjustment tuning is covered. Other than that, I hope they add more gear to the BT emporium!

 

[Kamal Kyrala]

I purchased the BT 18-85 and I examined it with a fine tooth comb when I got it.

Note: this is not the recommended method of examining a lens. :biggrinjester: