Take For Granted...

[Chris McKechnie]

I think through all of the camera announcements/releases/shipping dates, etc...we often take for granted what a blessing it is to be a part of this RED community/family. Tell me one other company that gives it's customers ALL of the following - and these are just to name a few:

We have the ears of the big shots within the company and they communicate directly with us - This is HUGE!!
Are given trade-in allowances/incentives for used/old gear....this is a BIG ONE too kids!
We, the customers, are actually listened to - ANOTHER big one!
Have technical support 24/7 - Again, huge!
Are backing a company that's pushing the industry...not trying to play catch up! - AMAZING!
This amazing community/resource - Possibly the BEST part!!

So while a lot of us may be frustrated through these changing/rapidly progressing times, just remember that RED is a business...and is in the business to make money. If I owned or had on order a Canon, Blackmagic, Sony, Arri - I wouldn't get more than 1 (maybe 2 at best) of those points listed above.

Seriously....look at what RED does for us. I too get frustrated and irritated with shipping delays, but if that's really the only thing that I've ever been frustrated with while owning a RED...jeez...that's peanuts compared to what a PITA it would be owning anything else. We really should be thankful for not only the level of communication we've been given, but for the opportunity to own the gear that blows the sensors off the competition.

The RED train is getting longer each and every day, and I wouldn't want to be on any other ride because it's so worth it!

 

[Elsie N]

Very nice unsolicited testimonial. Should be put up on RED.com.

 

[Marcel M]

well said Chris ...

I think through all of the camera announcements/releases/shipping dates, etc...we often take for granted what a blessing it is to be a part of this RED community/family. Tell me one other company that gives it's customers ALL of the following - and these are just to name a few:

We have the ears of the big shots within the company and they communicate directly with us - This is HUGE!!
Are given trade-in allowances/incentives for used/old gear....this is a BIG ONE too kids!
We, the customers, are actually listened to - ANOTHER big one!
Have technical support 24/7 - Again, huge!
Are backing a company that's pushing the industry...not trying to play catch up! - AMAZING!
This amazing community/resource - Possibly the BEST part!!

So while a lot of us may be frustrated through these changing/rapidly progressing times, just remember that RED is a business...and is in the business to make money. If I owned or had on order a Canon, Blackmagic, Sony, Arri - I wouldn't get more than 1 (maybe 2 at best) of those points listed above.

Seriously....look at what RED does for us. I too get frustrated and irritated with shipping delays, but if that's really the only thing that I've ever been frustrated with while owning a RED...jeez...that's peanuts compared to what a PITA it would be owning anything else. We really should be thankful for not only the level of communication we've been given, but for the opportunity to own the gear that blows the sensors off the competition.

The RED train is getting longer each and every day, and I wouldn't want to be on any other ride because it's so worth it!

 

[Michael Dalton]

Haha, it's sweet and kind, it's not Red! Red is a disruption or counterculture to a normally conservative industry! It's two guys at the top (Jim and Jared) having a boat load of fun causing some serious shit . They are turning EVERYTHING upside down, and just when their competitors think they have a plan to catch up, they do it again. I don't think it's malicious, or to destroy their competition, it's driven by pure passion. Film and TV got stagnant, dull and full of comprimises! It's Jim's passion to push the technology not only with in Red, but rather the industry like apple did.

They are not the only ones with vision. 8K has been around in concept since 1995 from NHK Japan and a working technology since early 2000. They have been inching it forward. (I'm surprised we have seen more between connection here)

What Red has really done is managed propel film and tv into a creative age by seducing the content creators that is now driving the rest of tech side of things. I think this has led to spin off of creativity like DJI etc and will propel the industry forward for a while. I think Black Magic, although great, have been more conservative -- adapting current technology to replace archaic ways of doing things at a fraction of the costs. They are not innovators in the same way.

What this means for us is a pretty exciting few years ahead. We have not seen anything yet!

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I think through all of the camera announcements/releases/shipping dates, etc...we often take for granted what a blessing it is to be a part of this RED community/family. Tell me one other company that gives it's customers ALL of the following - and these are just to name a few:

We have the ears of the big shots within the company and they communicate directly with us - This is HUGE!!
Are given trade-in allowances/incentives for used/old gear....this is a BIG ONE too kids!
We, the customers, are actually listened to - ANOTHER big one!
Have technical support 24/7 - Again, huge!
Are backing a company that's pushing the industry...not trying to play catch up! - AMAZING!
This amazing community/resource - Possibly the BEST part!!

So while a lot of us may be frustrated through these changing/rapidly progressing times, just remember that RED is a business...and is in the business to make money. If I owned or had on order a Canon, Blackmagic, Sony, Arri - I wouldn't get more than 1 (maybe 2 at best) of those points listed above.

Seriously....look at what RED does for us. I too get frustrated and irritated with shipping delays, but if that's really the only thing that I've ever been frustrated with while owning a RED...jeez...that's peanuts compared to what a PITA it would be owning anything else. We really should be thankful for not only the level of communication we've been given, but for the opportunity to own the gear that blows the sensors off the competition.

The RED train is getting longer each and every day, and I wouldn't want to be on any other ride because it's so worth it!

As a person of faith blessing has a different meaning for me. Value?- absolutely!!!!!
Blessing? -no, I don't think so....
Blessing is not a word I would use in commercial industry....

 

[Ugo Del]

Well, have you actually owned anything else? I just went Panasonic with the Varicam. They listened to a lot of DPs and professionals all around the world to build the Varicam. They launched a new faster P2 card with a specific new card reader, they still exchange your older card reader for a new one for free ( Prior to use, it may be necessary to upgrade the recorder's firmware and exchange the AU-XPD1 expressP2 Drive hardware (free of charge). They also offer 5 years of warranty for free with a premium service (they send someone to pick up your camera, a 5 days turnaround to fix your camera, they lend a camera if it's more than that, you can follow the repair steps online, they can also send a technician to your place). I can ask anything anyday on Varicam's FB through private messages, they always answered after a few minutes or maximum 2-3 hours (I had answers at literally any time, saturday, sunday, at night, etc), they helped a lot with links to some 3d party products, technical informations, advices, also taking feedbacks into account. There are free updates too. Panasonic already pushed the industry with the DVX100 (ask Jarred who launched DVXusers), the first 24p prosumer DV camera, the HVX200, and many other cameras, and they continue to push it on the Varicam LT (double native 800 & 5000 iso, incredible colors, great DR, external control panel, etc etc). 5 of your points listed above so far. It's always a bit simplistic to unfairly bash these other brands. There are also great guys in those who also want to push the industry. Taka Mitsui, the guy behind the Varicam, is one of them. As much as you want to think that Red is different, the difference is not that huge finally. The first 4k camera was the Dalsa Origin, years before Red, which inspired Red. We should be thankful to any brand. Oh and the PITA can be anywhere. I loved my Red cameras a lot, but I forgot that it was possible to switch on a camera without waiting for a certain temperature, without blackshading, without thinking about which OLPF to use for a specific shoot, without using D.E.B and still getting ultra sharp and clean images, until my Varicam. A good point for Red is to make the transfer of ownership free of charge since july, that was the most ridiculous thing ever and nobody was talking about it here. Congrats on that. These are just tools though, and there is no perfect camera, but there are always great guys behind, Red or not.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Very nice unsolicited testimonial. Should be put up on RED.com.

Thanks Elsie. You too have shared many wise words on these very forums!

well said Chris ...

Thanks dude!

As a person of faith blessing has a different meaning for me. Value?- absolutely!!!!!
Blessing? -no, I don't think so....
Blessing is not a word I would use in commercial industry....

I too, being a person of faith, don't throw that word around lightly either. When I was first starting out trying to attract the higher end market I invested in RED because I thought it could potentially attract those bigger clients...and that's exactly what it helped to do. RED has also blessed me with a loaner camera for a period of time while I await my new brain. So I do feel blessed by RED.

Well, have you actually owned anything else? I just went Panasonic with the Varicam. They listened to a lot of DPs and professionals all around the world to build the Varicam. They launched a new faster P2 card with a specific new card reader, they still exchange your older card reader for a new one for free ( Prior to use, it may be necessary to upgrade the recorder's firmware and exchange the AU-XPD1 expressP2 Drive hardware (free of charge). They also offer 5 years of warranty for free with a premium service (they send someone to pick up your camera, a 5 days turnaround to fix your camera, they lend a camera if it's more than that, you can follow the repair steps online, they can also send a technician to your place). I can ask anything anyday on Varicam's FB through private messages, they always answered after a few minutes or maximum 2-3 hours (I had answers at literally any time, saturday, sunday, at night, etc), they helped a lot with links to some 3d party products, technical informations, advices, also taking feedbacks into account. There are free updates too. Panasonic already pushed the industry with the DVX100 (ask Jarred who launched DVXusers), the first 24p prosumer DV camera, the HVX200, and many other cameras, and they continue to push it on the Varicam LT (double native 800 & 5000 iso, incredible colors, great DR, external control panel, etc etc). 5 of your points listed above so far. It's always a bit simplistic to unfairly bash these other brands. There are also great guys in those who also want to push the industry. Taka Mitsui, the guy behind the Varicam, is one of them. As much as you want to think that Red is different, the difference is not that huge finally. The first 4k camera was the Dalsa Origin, years before Red, which inspired Red. We should be thankful to any brand. Oh and the PITA can be anywhere. I loved my Red cameras, but I forgot that it was possible to switch on a camera without waiting for a certain temperature, without blackshading, without thinking about which OLPF to use for a specific shoot, without using D.E.B and still getting ultra sharp and clean images, until my Varicam. These are just tools though, and there is no perfect camera, but there are always great guys behind.

Ugo..while I appreciate your points, this thread wasn't created to start a turf war, so I won't go back and forth with my explanations/reasoning behind my choices.

Something to to also consider is the turf you're trying to start a war on.

 

[Ugo Del]

Ugo..while I appreciate your points, this thread wasn't created to start a turf war, so I won't go back and forth with my explanations/reasoning behind my choices.

Something to to also consider is the turf you're trying to start a war on.

No war here. Just trying to be fair. You can send a love letter to Red without bashing the others. It's always good to have real experience feedbacks (I have owned all these brands, including Red, except Arri) and not only relying on rumors and forum reading I think. Owning another brand is not the nightmare you described, quite the opposite actually. I probably put at least as much money as you in the Red ecosystem, I believe in this brand too.
I always loved your videos "web wear work and play" and "Gabriel's journey to Yosemite" by the way. The last one made me buy Contax lenses.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

No war here. Just trying to be fair. You can send a love letter to Red without bashing the others. It's always good to have real experience feedbacks (I have owned all these brands, including Red, except Arri) and not only relying on rumors and forum reading I think. Owning another brand is not the nightmare you described, quite the opposite actually. I probably put at least as much money as you in the Red ecosystem, I believe in this brand too.
I always loved your videos "web wear work and play" and "Gabriel's journey to Yosemite" by the way. The last one made me buy Contax lenses.

Thanks for those compliments sir. That's one thing I love about our industry...different manufacturers making cameras that fit the needs of other DP's/Cinematographers. Glad to see competition in this market for sure!

 

[Adam Rook]

Well said, my friend. I'm just counting the days when I can join the family. It won't be long. But the points you mentioned are additional reasons I am wanting a RED. Even not owning one yet, you guys, even Jared himself, have had no problems answering my questions and providing very useful information. I mean Mark Toia Facebook messaged me yesterday about a question I had on the new Helium sensor. You, Chris, have certainly shown no shortage of love by providing me valuable information and just being willing to chat about all things RED. It's this community that makes this all worth it.
Not to mention the insane cameras these guys make.

 

[Mike Nagel]

Well, have you actually owned anything else? I just went Panasonic with the Varicam. They listened to a lot of DPs and professionals all around the world to build the Varicam. They launched a new faster P2 card with a specific new card reader, they still exchange your older card reader for a new one for free ( Prior to use, it may be necessary to upgrade the recorder's firmware and exchange the AU-XPD1 expressP2 Drive hardware (free of charge). They also offer 5 years of warranty for free with a premium service (they send someone to pick up your camera, a 5 days turnaround to fix your camera, they lend a camera if it's more than that, you can follow the repair steps online, they can also send a technician to your place). I can ask anything anyday on Varicam's FB through private messages, they always answered after a few minutes or maximum 2-3 hours (I had answers at literally any time, saturday, sunday, at night, etc), they helped a lot with links to some 3d party products, technical informations, advices, also taking feedbacks into account. There are free updates too. Panasonic already pushed the industry with the DVX100 (ask Jarred who launched DVXusers), the first 24p prosumer DV camera, the HVX200, and many other cameras, and they continue to push it on the Varicam LT (double native 800 & 5000 iso, incredible colors, great DR, external control panel, etc etc). 5 of your points listed above so far. It's always a bit simplistic to unfairly bash these other brands. There are also great guys in those who also want to push the industry. Taka Mitsui, the guy behind the Varicam, is one of them. As much as you want to think that Red is different, the difference is not that huge finally. The first 4k camera was the Dalsa Origin, years before Red, which inspired Red. We should be thankful to any brand. Oh and the PITA can be anywhere. I loved my Red cameras a lot, but I forgot that it was possible to switch on a camera without waiting for a certain temperature, without blackshading, without thinking about which OLPF to use for a specific shoot, without using D.E.B and still getting ultra sharp and clean images, until my Varicam. A good point for Red is to make the transfer of ownership free of charge since july, that was the most ridiculous thing ever and nobody was talking about it here. Congrats on that. These are just tools though, and there is no perfect camera, but there are always great guys behind, Red or not.

I agree with a lot of that. Didn't know RED had finally dismissed the transfer fee, but believe me Ugo it's been mentioned a thousand times in this forum. That was ridic, as it was basically nothing but a very expensive db entry update.

One thing I can add for RED is the superb work of the HR team in hiring quality CS reps, I have to say. Usually younger folks, but they are educated, very well spoken, on point, detailed, clear in communication and genuinely very nice people. Most importantly when a rep doesn't know something they usually check immediately with supervisors to get correct data - compared to other reps that just talk all kind of nonsense reading an on-screen script. In this game often it comes down to the smallest details.

All my interactions (except one, that rep wasn't bad it was just not on the same standard as everybody else) with either RSH, HQ Irvine or phone communication have been great.

Customer service in the US is better than in most other parts of the world, but RED is doing a better job than many other companies at finding great people.

Maybe they breed and clone them somewhere ? ;-))))

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Well said, my friend. I'm just counting the days when I can join the family. It won't be long. But the points you mentioned are additional reasons I am wanting a RED. Even not owning one yet, you guys, even Jared himself, have had no problems answering my questions and providing very useful information. I mean Mark Toia Facebook messaged me yesterday about a question I had on the new Helium sensor. You, Chris, have certainly shown no shortage of love by providing me valuable information and just being willing to chat about all things RED. It's this community that makes this all worth it.
Not to mention the insane cameras these guys make.

Thanks man! People are passionate about cameras they person purchase...ever since I joined RED, it's been a non-stop roller coaster ride of insanity and amazing opportunities. RED for life.

I agree with a lot of that. Didn't know RED had finally dismissed the transfer fee, but believe me Ugo it's been mentioned a thousand times in this forum. That was ridic, as it was basically nothing but a very expensive db entry update.

One thing I can add for RED is the superb work of the HR team in hiring quality CS reps, I have to say. Usually younger folks, but they are educated, very well spoken, on point, detailed, clear in communication and genuinely very nice people. Most importantly when a rep doesn't know something they usually check immediately with supervisors to get correct data - compared to other reps that just talk all kind of nonsense reading an on-screen script. In this game often it comes down to the smallest details.

All my interactions (except one, that rep wasn't bad it was just not on the same standard as everybody else) with either RSH, HQ Irvine or phone communication have been great.

Customer service in the US is better than in most other parts of the world, but RED is doing a better job than many other companies at finding great people.

Maybe they breed and clone them somewhere ? ;-))))

Customer service is so huge!!!

 

[Brian Pascale]

Also American made, which I appreciate.

 

[Ces Peynetti]

One of the many things I've always loved about RED is how despite the fact that I'm not a well known DP, or even an established or popular cinematographer, they still have treated me and have made me feel like one of their own. I feel listened to and cared for when it comes to costumer service in a way I really haven't quite experienced with any other company. Now, I'm not saying that maybe other companies dont go above and beyond, But RED has consistently shown a love for their customers in very unique ways.

I mean, even while "being a nobody" the fact that I can approach the president and many of the higher ups of the company and engage with them is huge. Sure, some people dislike the culture of fanboyism that can create, but then, when you approach many of those higher-end users, they tend to be incredibly kind people willing to teach you stuff and share their knowledge and passion with you.

I sometimes try to explain to my non-filmmaking friends why I love RED so much, and it really comes down to me feeling like part of the RED family. A family I hope to make proud with some of the stuff I produce with the tools they've shared with us

 

[Chris McKechnie]

One of the many things I've always loved about RED is how despite the fact that I'm not a well known DP, or even an established or popular cinematographer, they still have treated me and have made me feel like one of their own. I feel listened to and cared for when it comes to costumer service in a way I really haven't quite experienced with any other company. Now, I'm not saying that maybe other companies dont go above and beyond, But RED has consistently shown a love for their customers in very unique ways.

I mean, even while "being a nobody" the fact that I can approach the president and many of the higher ups of the company and engage with them is huge. Sure, some people dislike the culture of fanboyism that can create, but then, when you approach many of those higher-end users, they tend to be incredibly kind people willing to teach you stuff and share their knowledge and passion with you.

I sometimes try to explain to my non-filmmaking friends why I love RED so much, and it really comes down to me feeling like part of the RED family. A family I hope to make proud with some of the stuff I produce with the tools they've shared with us

EXACTLY!! Good to have you here Ces.

 

[Tom Cheater]

the sycophantic stuff like this is making us at risk of diabetes.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

the sycophantic stuff like this is making us at risk of diabetes.

Not saying this to gain approval...it's just how I feel. Feel free to troll in forums other than RU.

 

[Derek Carlson]

Well said Chris. Just checked out Gabriel's Journey to Yosemite from Ugo's post - made me tear up. Beautiful work.

 

[Chris McKechnie]

Well said Chris. Just checked out Gabriel's Journey to Yosemite from Ugo's post - made me tear up. Beautiful work.

Thanks Derek! Yea, that Yosemite piece was a memorable piece to work on that's for sure. Witnessing and being a part of something like a child's wish being granted is unlike anything else, and it will completely change you as a person.

 

[Tim Daust]

We have the ears of the big shots within the company and they communicate directly with us - This is HUGE!!
Are given trade-in allowances/incentives for used/old gear....this is a BIG ONE too kids!
We, the customers, are actually listened to - ANOTHER big one!
Have technical support 24/7 - Again, huge!
Are backing a company that's pushing the industry...not trying to play catch up! - AMAZING!
This amazing community/resource - Possibly the BEST part!!

Chris Thanks for your post.

I received my Scarlet-W on June 4th. Ive been so grateful and humbled to finally have it in my hands and been overwhelmed by the immense family atmosphere I have just become part of.

Back before I was first able to rent one here in Atlanta I was really obsessed with them. The REDONE was like a unicorn from the moment I heard Steven Soderbergh was shooting CHE & Girlfriend Experience on it. Ive always been obsessed with film and specifically the process of achieving the same aesthetic digitally. The achievement of the REDONE was amazing on so many levels and fast forward to present day and we have Helium 8k and VV 8k on the horizon (basically here for Helium lol) Having previously owned almost every "Prosumer" Sony camera they put out through the 2000s I am sick of them, even though S35 CineAlta was awesome. From my first FX1 to EX3 and then downgraded to an EX1 then went to F3 and most recently the FS7. I also owned a 5D when they first one came out and upgraded to the MII and then MIII. I had so many cameras from 1999-2016 its hard to keep up now. Hands down my Scarlet-W is my favorite thus far.

I have been renting RED cameras since 2010. Before that it was just not very easy to get your hands on one in Atlanta, especially for any less than $1500-2000 a day. 100% of the time I tried to shoot on RED but the budgets I was working with made it next to impossible. You see over the past 6 years, anytime my client couldn't afford to shoot on RED, very often I took the money I was getting for my rate and put it directly towards renting a RED. I did this to "buy" in to the ability to make my work stand out whenever I could. Over 6 years Ive definitely rented enough REDs to have purchased 1-2 Epic Dragons by now. The part that has really become humbling is the ability to use the camera now whenever I want. The first 3 days were the best. I remember taking the camera on a few walks with me just filming nature. Something I was never able to do renting the camera for 1-5 days and obviously never using it outside of the camera prep + shoot days. Now having the ability to take the camera wherever/whenever I want is a blessing. I had only Blackshaded a Dragon 1 time prior to owning one. Knowledge is power yes but experience out trumps it 10 folds. Now I have the camera and just like every other piece of technology I own, I will master it. No day rate will stop me.

IF it wasn't enough to have the camera itself in my hands, the next biggest unexpected part of this journey has been the Family/Community. Its really incredible to think that we not only have the eyes and ears of the big guys at RED here, but we also have an entire community of professionals who make a lot of the content we all enjoy here on the forums too. Rob Anderson sold me some used batteries and wouldn't you know it, he had just DPd a Beatles music video that I REALLY loved for "While My Guitar Gently Weeps". Thank you to everyone who have been a part of my experience with RED before and after now owning one.

the negative comments I see on social media regarding having to wait is just overwhelming. RED made a decision to make these cameras affordable. It wasn't because sales stopped. Lets hope these negative comments/attitudes don't make them regret that decision. I for one am grateful beyond words.