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  • 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 :)

When is too many?

When is too many?

  • 5 Cameras

    Votes: 18 41.9%

  • 10 Cameras

    Votes: 9 20.9%

  • 15 Cameras

    Votes: 5 11.6%

  • 20 cameras

    Votes: 11 25.6%
  • Total voters
    43
  • Poll closed .
P

purefilm

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How many cameras do you think would be too many to purchase and still be profitable? Do you think that you could run a successful company with 10+ cameras in your stable. I would be concerned that 10 would not stay out enough to pay for all of them in the long run.

I know Hollywood could handle a large inventory, but what about smaller markets like Seattle, Austin , or Atlanta?
 
purefilm said:
How many cameras do you think would be too many to purchase?
Click to expand...

One.

I'm still buying one anyhow... and it looks like I'll probably own a RED and a EX1 at some point but I think the smartest guy in the room is someone like David Mullen who rents. But I'm still figuring out the craft and I look at it more like a musical instrument. It's pretty tough to rent a guitar 2 days before the gig, walk on stage and kick butt. You need to own and play it a lot to get good. After you're good you can probably rent. Especially in 6 months when a zillion RED's will be out there. Own one rent the rest.
 
digitalfx said:
3,752 is too many
Click to expand...

Sorry, I disagree. I think that 3,752 is a managable number of Red cameras, however 3,753 would be too many for one person to deal with.
 
Hi,

Hollywood managed for 30 years with about 360 Mitchel BNC's.

Stephen
 
purefilm said:
Hollywood could handle that but what about smaller markets like, Seattle, Austin or Atlanta?
Click to expand...

So you're starting a rental company? Buy one to get in business and find out what the market is demanding. You may be better off buying lenses and accessories to rent to RED owners.
 
I'm thinking that the RED cameras are like motorcycles from Italy or large frame revolvers, you can't have to many.
 
joelnet said:
So you're starting a rental company? Buy one to get in business and find out what the market is demanding.
Click to expand...


BINGO! :biggrin:

Joe Kleber
Red Acquisition Warehouse
Atlanta, Ga
 
No, just wonder what would be profitable, I would be afraid that if I had more than five camera I would have problems keeping them working enough to pay for all of them. I could see having one or Two, and still be able to turn a profit.
 
Well, a dozen is a nice number, right? Just like fairy tales.
 
You know, I heard a story the other day of three guys pitching in money together to buy a Red to "live off the rental income". I'm not saying that's your plan or attitude, but I would be willing to bet that out of the more than 3,000 Red cameras out there, a good percentage are people are betting on that horse... And I'd be further willing to bet they won't be happy about it down the road, unless they're using their camera themselves - a lot.

If you're getting into the rental business, be prepared to be available 24/7 with spares, accessories, knowledge, etc. And, to your other question - you'll possibly do better in the smaller markets, especially if you're just starting your rental company.

Not trying to scare you - just prepare you. Best of luck!
 
There is nothing wrong on "living off the rental income", it's serious job to rent.

I'd be rather aware for how long it may last. The RED is cheap (well comparably), so I'd bet, all the producers will tend to buy their owns instead of renting them.
 
Don't mistake my post - there's nothing wrong with trying to live off the rental income - just don't buy something you can't really afford, while assuming it's going to create a financial windfall for you from rentals. Especially for the one-camera owner... Rentals are a bit risky. You need insurance, good policies/contracts and advertising. You're going to be competing with a lot of people on Craigslist.... Just trying to give you an idea of what to expect, not talk you out of it.
 
Hi Purefilm,
Don't forget you need about 1 backup camera for every 3-4 you have out
so you can rotate and service them, this applies to lens sets and other
items a well, LCD's, Tripods, Batteries, that sort of thing
Bigger companies get away with less as they have in house repair staff.
Having more units lets you handle the cancelled bookings thing as well.
I'd probably start with 4 to be safe and test the water. mezmo
 
joelnet said:
So you're starting a rental company? Buy one to get in business and find out what the market is demanding. You may be better off buying lenses and accessories to rent to RED owners.
Click to expand...

Sim Video with 25 REDs already on order which bumped their PO to 50, making theirs one of the largest orders placed by any rental house in the world. ( USA / Canada / CHINA )

More details at http://www.studiodaily.com/main/news/feed.rss/8566.html

O Game 2008 can be the biggest rental market for RED one camera and I just have 1st one in HKG - CHINA.

Cheers,

STEW
 
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