Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Scarlet-W Production Update?

patrickortman said:
Well, I'm out. Despite them saying it'd ship in the next batch. It's been a fun RED ride, since 2007 for me, and we'll keep renting REDs when it makes sense for the project, just as we're renting Arri, Sony, Panasonic, etc. But camera tech is moving way too fast to make a good investment for my business, especially as we do larger projects, and especially given the age of Dragon.
Click to expand...

Man I wish I could say the same... Living 3 hours from the nearest rental house makes this impossible for me. Good luck!
 
The Dragon is getting older and people are leaving.. While I'm decided to queue for the Scarlet-W because I thought this camera will be more than enough to be the creative tool of my life, the RED that will always be by my side literally. Doing so many passion projects and jobs together.

But wait, I think I also thought of that when I first got my 5D mark 2... "I don't need anything else because this monster huge sensor with amazing lowlight and magic lantern raw is all I need to conquer the world!"
Then I sold the camera 4 years later...

No, no way! Scarlet-Ws are different class, its Dragon sensor and Redcode will still be amazing for many years to come. Won't it??
 
Last edited:
I buy a camera so I can produce nice high-end images and make some money on it. Thats the primary goal.
If my scarlet MX was capable of shooting higher frame rates, I would still be using it for atleast another 2 years.

Bought it 4 years ago and still is more awesome then black magic and a FS7 (except for the slomo part).
Comparing camera's like the GH5 with Red is also comparing apples with oranges, ill buy one because its super nice, but I cant really use that on bigger projects.

I think for the price there is still nothing better then scarlet-w. Saying that the dragon sensor is old is really subjective, but yes, compared to helium it is.
Isn't it true that arri still uses really old sensors? They produce some of the best camera's.
 
Dragon isn't going anywhere. They can't make Dragon-sensor cameras fast enough.

It's not 'old tech' it's 'mature tech' with the bugs and creases ironed out.

Helium doesn't interest me and 8K doesn't interest me. I'll happily stay with Scarlet-W until a Dragon-sized sensor replaces it that is 6k at S35 and 8k at VV image circles. If my actual camera arrives that is :)
 
I too have plenty of faith in Dragon sensor because it has been out long enough that issues appear minimal now. Dragon + Scarlet - w body, ipp2 and 5k 48fps (or 4k 120fps) is all I really need.

8k is not necessary in my world as most of my work goes to web and the real advantage of 8k over 5k will likely never be seen. And for any film going to theatre the SW is more than enough camera to handle that.

Anyway, I'm patiently waiting as well, convincing myself that investing in cameras and not lenses is the route I want to go...
 
Ah.. good points.. Dragon is already a PROVEN sensor! That will not easily replaceable by anything even the new Helium. Unless some radically new sensor tech is coming with significant improvements in the Dynamic Range, I'll stay away. To be honest, after seeing all the available tests I kind of disappointed with the Helium's DR and maybe I'm not alone..
 
Personal opinion so far regarding both sensors:

(Absolutely non technical, emotional reaction to the images I'm getting:)

Dragon is more "filmic". Helium is better in skin tones, colours and noise, but less "organic".

How do I feel going from Epic Dragon to Weapon Helium? Happy.

Do I consider my Helium making the Dragon sensor obsolete? absolutely not.

Actually contemplating getting those crazy cheap second hand Dragons on the market. Absolutely insane how people are selling at 12-15K a camera that shot the Great Gatsby and other gorgeous masterpieces. Its a sensor technology that is at the cutting edge still today and heads above 90% of the competition, with a cemented workflow.

Phil said it very well. Dragon and Helium are different "stocks". Personally I Just have to understand and try to get the best of Helium and work with its advantages, which are many. Dragon also has its advantages.

Both sensors are absolutely gorgeous and above almost anything on the market. If I was to shoot multi camera I would definitely go for Dragon and Helium without any issues.

Don't ask me for a scientific description of what I said.

My current 2 cents.
 
But they can't delivery on the dragon, last time i spoke to my bomb rep she just just asked me to keep and eye out on reduser as they have no information, which i found a little crazy.

they can not tell me anything about delivery, where i am in the que, anything. to be honest it sounded like she's had enough herself.

If the camera arrived tomorrow i would take it.
 
Bart de Graaf said:
I buy a camera so I can produce nice high-end images and make some money on it. Thats the primary goal.
If my scarlet MX was capable of shooting higher frame rates, I would still be using it for atleast another 2 years.
Click to expand...

Couldn't have said it better myself. I've had mine 4 years too and was on great paid shoot with it today. Can't wait to not have to drop to 3k for 48 fps!
 
Thanks, guys. I still use REDs, so I'll pop in now and again of course. I hope you all get your S-Ws soon :-(.

I agree that S-W is a kickass camera, and yes it'll continue making gorgeous images for years. It's just that at this time, for my business, located where I am (NY and LA), the case to buy has become very non-compelling. I can rent anything- and often for cheap. Plus, RED's not right for every project we do (I tried shoehorning it into as many productions as I could when I owned, and boy was that a mistake!). Combined with my uncertainty about the future viability of Dragon cameras with RED, and how REDs are seemingly are constantly in upgrade-mode... it's not a winner for me. At this time in my life. Earlier on, owning a R1, MX, Scarlet, and S-D served me well. I made a lot of money off all of them except the S-D. I would have made money off that one, too, but I foolishly thought RED had figured out their supply chain issues and believed them when they said "Spring 2016", so sold my S-D at that time.

A fun note: we recently pulled up an old (2009) commercial to do a recut, and were able to get back to the R3Ds. I was able to do a quick re-grade in Resolve in Raw, and it was nice seeing the new color science on the very old RED footage. That's one of the reasons I like RED. And, how they used to be a bit rebellious, back in the day ;-)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top