RED Scarlet vs. Sony EX1/3

[Peter Cutler]

Hey everyone. I've been in the market for a prosumer camcorder for recording independent films. I've mostly been considering the Sony EX1 with a brevis or letus 35mm adapter. The base price of such a configuration comes in around $10,000. I want, ultimately, to get one of the new Epic line brains, and build a camera around that. Since this is my ultimate goal, I feel it might be worthwhile to instead build a setup around a low-mid end Scarlet (2-4k on the brain, 7-8k on accessories, lenses), then upgrade the brain once I have the money. So, my question is, which brain do you think it would make the most sense to choose, and do you think you could make a competitive camera to the EX1 at this price range? I realize the modularity of the new system, and the current ambiguity of its prices, but please try to be as specific as possible in spite of this. Thanks for your input!

 

[rod bradley]

I think it's hard to know because we don't really know what the add-on module prices will be on the Scarlet -- or other accessories that will make it a practical production camera. You'll probably get a lot of speculation that will be hit or miss.

As a Red owner who has also shot a feature on the EX1 (not my call, but...) I can only say they are both remarkable tools -- and the Scarlet will be even more remarkable -- I don't think you'll go wrong either way.

And of course it's apples and oranges kind of comparison anyway -- and there are questions like -- what is the expectted deliverable, what are the quality expectations, what is the nature of the project or projects, et cetera...

 

[Kenneth Elkington]

If I were you I'd pick up the 2/3 scarlet because you'll have a simpler upgrade path and you'll learn the workflow necessary for Epic. You will need to be mindful of the hidden cost of a computer powerful enough to render the footage though.

 

[Peter Weisberg]

If you are seriously considering getting an Epic down the road then don't bother with the EX1. Especially if you are going to go about putting a 35mm sensor on it. The EX1 is something like $6500 (maybe its gone down a bit) + the 35 mill adapter + 35 mil lenses. You may as well just get a Scarlet S35 and cut out the 35 adapter. You will have a much nicer image and it should end up costing roughly close to the same amount. The money you would save on buying a 35 adapter could go towards accessories like an I/O module and a redmote, or whatever it is you would deem worthy of purchase. I think the EX1 is a great camera, but if you are just going to buy a 35 adapter for it anyways, you should definitely just get a Scarlet and put that extra money towards accessories you can later on down the line use with your Epic. This will give you the best picture now, and end up saving you the most amount of money.

Also you might find that you don't even need the epic, and that in a situation where you might want the extra boost of epic you could rent an epic brain and use your scarlet accessories with it saving you money and also having you familiarized with the red workflow. just a thought.

 

[Peter Cutler]

Thanks for the replys. That's pretty much what I was thinking. I'm just hoping for the best come release day.