SHOUKD I CANCEL MY SCARLET W ORDER AND BUY USED EPIC DRAGON X OR M PACKAGE?

[Osman F Arslan]

Hello everyone, I placed my order in early August. I still haven't heard anything from the company I placed my order. I'm pretty frustrated right now an considering canceling my order and get a used Epic Dragon x or m. I wanted to use the scarlet for a year and sell it or upgrade it. Here is what makes me think: let's say I paid $17000 for scarlet w package. And assume that I'd be able to get a used Epic Dragon package for the same amount. In a year I was thinking my scarlet package's value would drop to $10000. I was fine with that. What I wonder is would I be able to get around $10000 for the Epic package a year later? I assume yes because Red Epic is still an amazing camera. Since you guys have experience with Red I'd appreciate any opinions you share with me. I know I'd be able to upgrade and keep my DSMC2 accessories but if I'll sell it for $10000 I can sell epic package with its DSMC1 accessories and move on. Thanks you all for your input and time.

 

[Wil Wong]

Seems like a complex plan that I'm not sure will have a worthy payoff. Selling is always harder/riskier than it sounds.

Do you think you'll have enough clients to justify getting a Dragon now versus getting the Scarlet later? Is there high demand for Dragon in your area or is it possibly oversaturated?

I know you might be losing patience but I wouldn't jump into the DSMC1 body. DSMC2 is much improved. Better to devote your efforts on DSMC2 accessories than to build on the previous generation. My opinion.

 

[Osman F Arslan]

Thanks for the reply Wil. I live in New York City. I want to purchase the camera mainly for my own projects. Short films, documentaries and a feature film after that. I have some people who will be renting it from me for their projects. If I bought the Scarlet probably I wouldn't sell it next year. However if I bought the Epic I would sell it before it's price goes down to nothing. I believe in 2017 Red Epic Dragon will still be more on demand than Scarlet W. So I assume I'd have better chance to make money with it then Scarlet W. Rental and freelance work maybe. I may be totally wrong though. That's why I'm asking. So my idea is to get an Epic Dragon and use it for a year and sell it before it gets dirt cheap. Then move up to Epic W hopefully. If I can sell the Epic Dragon package around $10000 next year I'm ok with that. Do you think Epic Dragon's value would drop down below that? I would love to have the Scarlet W but I already lost so much time waiting for that. They told me they would be able to deliver in last fall,then early 2017. Who knows maybe they would deliver this month or march or April...

 

[Owen Rennie]

Id buy a used epic dragon and never sell it.. if your mainly shooting your own projects it will be perfect t for you for the next 10 years

 

[Osman F Arslan]

That's what I decided Owen. I just had a moment the other day asking myself what does make me think that I have to sell it next year. It's a 6k camera with Dragon sensor. You're absolutely right. just because some people have desire and money to upgrade to the latest camera shouldn't make me think in the same way. Thank you.

 

[Akin A]

A used Epic Dragon is the biggest steal out there. Got mine new and still haven't been tempted enough to upgrade bodies or sensor.
6K @12fps RC 2:1 (stills)
6K @24fps RC 4:1
6K @75fps RC 13:1
6K WS @100fps RC 14:1

Until I see significant DR/color changes that make me want to upgrade, I think I'll be rolling with mine for a little while (although I am known to change my mind and get the new stuff because I like new stuff, lol)

 

[emil_h]

I would totally go with the newer DSMC2 body SW. Nothing that RED releases in the future will be designed for the older bodies. The modular system is so much better then the previous body.

Also the SW was released over a year ago Dec 2015 and hasn't lost any value, so I have no clue how you came to the conclusion that your 17.5K investment would go down to 10K a year from now. Lastly all the accessories on the Epic Dragon are pretty old and dropping resale value every day. On the other hand all of the accessories that you'dbuy with the SW will hold it's resale value for much longer since everything is practically a year or less old.

 

[Michael Tiemann]

I would totally go with the newer DSMC2 body SW. Nothing that RED releases in the future will be designed for the older bodies. The modular system is so much better then the previous body.

Also the SW was released over a year ago Dec 2015 and hasn't lost any value, so I have no clue how you came to the conclusion that your 17.5K investment would go down to 10K a year from now. Lastly all the accessories on the Epic Dragon are pretty old and dropping resale value every day. On the other hand all of the accessories that you'dbuy with the SW will hold it's resale value for much longer since everything is practically a year or less old.

Plentiful and cheap accessories for DSMC is a buyer's dream, not their nightmare. If you buy an accessory that used to cost $3900 for $1500, and next year its value drops to $750, how is that worse than buying an accessory that costs $4500 new and which sells used for $3500? Percentage-wise you lose, but on an absolute basis you are ahead...by 33%! There are great deals to be had...for those who know what they want to do and who know what tools will or won't do the job for them.

 

[emil_h]

Plentiful and cheap accessories for DSMC is a buyer's dream, not their nightmare. If you buy an accessory that used to cost $3900 for $1500, and next year its value drops to $750, how is that worse than buying an accessory that costs $4500 new and which sells used for $3500? Percentage-wise you lose, but on an absolute basis you are ahead...by 33%! There are great deals to be had...for those who know what they want to do and who know what tools will or won't do the job for them.

I was specifically making a point about OP's comments regarding resale value. He used a year as an example and in a year time all DSMC2 accessories aren't going to lose any value besides a few hundred bucks for the foreseeble future. This means if you buy a DSMC2 display and want to sell it, you'll almost break even. On the other hand in a year all DSMC accessories will continue to drop in value at a much higher rate.

 

[Michael Tiemann]

I was specifically making a point about OP's comments regarding resale value. He used a year as an example and in a year time all DSMC2 accessories aren't going to lose any value besides a few hundred bucks for the foreseeble future. This means if you buy a DSMC2 display and want to sell it, you'll almost break even. On the other hand in a year all DSMC accessories will continue to drop in value at a much higher rate.

Aha. I was reading further down, where the OP changed their perspective:

That's what I decided Owen. I just had a moment the other day asking myself what does make me think that I have to sell it next year. It's a 6k camera with Dragon sensor. You're absolutely right. just because some people have desire and money to upgrade to the latest camera shouldn't make me think in the same way. Thank you.

 

[Zeb B]

Depends on what's more important to you
1. Sweet ass gear that is expensive but a joy to own
2. Commercial film making ability with no debt

 

[Rakesh Malik]

That's what I decided Owen. I just had a moment the other day asking myself what does make me think that I have to sell it next year. It's a 6k camera with Dragon sensor. You're absolutely right. just because some people have desire and money to upgrade to the latest camera shouldn't make me think in the same way. Thank you.

Sounds like a good choice. If you're just looking for a camera that will enable you to make great independent films, an Epic Dragon is a great choice. And a Scarlet-W also has a Dragon sensor, after all...

And there are still people out there making good stuff with Mysterium-X cameras.