Scarlet-X with a fixed style lens?

[Tim Nitsch]

First of all this isn't a thread begging RED to resurrect the Fixed-Scarlet from the dead, This thread is about looking at other options to fit other peoples needs. So if your going to bitch about that, don't waste your breath. :Yawn:

With that said, yes I was one of the many who wanted the Fixed-Scarlet for its potentially amazing run and gun capabilities.

But when the specs changed I had to pass. And I'm perfectly ok with that.

So instead of just giving up and crying I searched for a way to make Scarlet-X work for me because it truly is a fantastic camera, and there were a few options but nothing really caught my eye.

Until I remembered a not so little lens that was announced at NAB.

http://pro.sony.com/bbsc/ssr/product-SCLZ18X140/

If RED could build one of these or find a way to adapt something like this to work with the Scarlet-X and Epic M/X, I think it could win back many of the people who wanted the Fixed Scarlet or a more ENG style camera.

It's a power zoom lens with autofocus, auto Iris and optical stabilization and the RED Side handle has a rocker switch built in so two key components are already in place.

Yes it's not exactly cheap at $12k nor is it the best spec'ed lens so it might not bring everyone back but I think it could be a start.

It's just an idea, but It proves that it is possible to make a lens that can power zoom, autofocus, auto Iris and has optical stabilization. Maybe RED couldn't figure it out at the time but clearly Sony was able to.

 

[Gavin Greenwalt]

RED has previously announced an electronic lens. No news though of its status for over a year.

 

[Jeffrey Loewe]

RED has previously announced an electronic lens. No news though of its status for over a year.

Yikes, not sure I could front that kind of money for a lens. I'd rather have several different ones, but can understand the purpose of it.

 

[Josh Kameyer]

000

 

[Paramon Ivanovich]

I would never buy a lens that starts at T3,8 even if it's $1K,
but that's me

 

[Michael Dalton]

Tim, if your thinking that 6-7k is not bad for a lens, you should really give the canon L series zooms a try. Like you I've used many fixed prosumer and pro camcorders, and the switch to a detachable setup was one of the most liberating experiences I've had as a filmmaker. My work has improved substantially as a result. Not only can I opt for longer or wider lenses, I can also go faster for low light situations. Fixed lenses is an ENG concept and red has stated that don't think where the market is anymore. They won't go back, especially now that others like JVC are bring out 4k for 5k. With a detachable system there is no limitations.

One interesting thing about fix vs detachable is your lenses hold about 70-80% of their value. If you attach the lens to camera and that camera breaks or gets outdated, the glass is useless. A good L-Series lens will always have value. Look at guys selling 20 year old gear for good money. As my needs grow, this scarlet I have will grow with me. It's the first camera I can say I'll get more then 2 years from.

I would say my style pushes "run and gun" to the extreme (from raiding real poaching camps in Africa, game capture of rhino and elephant, helicopters, to climbing exploding volcanos with a single camera setup), so I know where your coming from, but I must say I would not go back to a fixed system ever.

This post is not an attempt to poop on your thread, but to maybe to give you another way of looking at it. I think Jim did many people a favour by dropping the fixed. You may not think that, but I do.

My Lenses
16-36m F2.8 Canon
24-70 F2.8 Canon
70-200m F2.8 Canon
100-400 F4-5.6 Canon (will get rid of this one, and replace with a faster version)

 

[George Butterfield]

If RED could build one of these or find a way to adapt something like this to work with the Scarlet-X and Epic M/X, I think it could win back many of the people who wanted the Fixed Scarlet or a more ENG style camera.

Maybe RED will worry about winning customers when they get out of "backorder".

 

[Tim Nitsch]

@Michael Dalton

I completely agree with you. A interchangeable lens system is the way to go. Thats why I think this type of lens would be interesting because it has the function of a fixed lens for those who want the simplicity and convenience of a "all in one, do everything" lens and its removable for those who also want the flexibility of multiple lenses. A permanently fixed lens isn't the answer for a large investment like the Scarlet-X. I liked the power zoom, AF, IS features of the Fixed-Scarlet but not necessarily the fixed aspect of it. This is a way to possibly give you the best of both worlds.

 

[Michael Dalton]

I just think it'a an expensive option, that not many will use. You can't make it cheap enough for mass market, and it's not fast enough for the cinema market. This type of lens is not desirable for a cinema crowd which red is, we don't zoom much. Even docs, watch a good nature program and see how much zooming is done. It's only occasionally for effect. The eng type crowd can't use the red workflow so I'd struggle to a see a market for this. Seems like you want to make your red camera into a camcorder. I don't really understand why.

 

[Tim Nitsch]

Seems like you want to make your red camera into a camcorder. I don't really understand why.

You say camcorder like its an inferior tool. A camcorder by definition is nothing more then a camera that can also record. If you think about it, you have a very expensive camcorder with your Epic-X...

I'm just looking at options that's all.

 

[Roshdi Alkadri]

I'm not sure how you would win people who were expecting 3k for 3k, let alone a lens over 10 grand