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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 :)

Will it rent?

Andy Jarosz

Andy Jarosz

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Hey all. I know nothing is set in stone, but I'm still interested in any opinions on this.

First of all, I'm in Chicago. That's not likely to change any time soon.

My question is simply, how well a full s35 Scarlet package would rent. This is obviously important to be before I drop 30k.

My end goal is not to keep renting the camera for a profit, I shoot enough personal stuff to keep it busy all the time. But if getting an s35 is going to lose me money in the long run, the I have no problem just going with a 2/3s fixed kit.

I am not familiar with the RED rental market in Chicago.

Sorry if this doesn't make as much sense as it should...
 
realistically in any market I would not count on rentals, unless of course your arental house. There have been plenty of stories on here about people that took out loans thinking they would make a killing renting their cameras but in the end lost out to larger outfits that could offer better discounts.

I dont know the Chicago market and maybe you can find a niche, but if you have a certain payment you need to make to get the camera and you dont have any other way to get it other than rentals I would think twice before buying.

Hope this helps in your decision
 
Not to sound pessimistic but unless you are a working DP, own your own successful production company or rental house, or have very good contacts, just getting the camera is not going to get you very far in real rentals.

VERY few people will rent from some dude when they can get an known owner operator, or use the company they have been using for years, or the one with the good reputation.

That being said, be the exception, prove me wrong. I triple dog dare you. You never know.
 
I would suggest the message of the above posts pretty much spells out the reality in any major urban market. Renting to friends, associates, people you know will be viable and bring in some walk-around-money, but it's not a business and has its liabilities as well. So I echo what's been said.

Professional rental houses are probably going to be offering the Epic line more than the Scarlet line and who knows for absolute certain if Scarlet s35 at current specs will be a reality anytime soon at the price stated.

I would bear in mind what makes a professional production camera package professional, is in some part the accessories. You will notice most Red rental houses have very serious money invested in high-end accessories (not made by Red) -- and of course there are lenses. I would outfit the camera for your own use, and if people you know want to use it for some $ consideration, and you trust them, fine. But wouldn't count on paying for it with rentals -- nevver mind paying any other bills.
 
Yeah there will be a *lot* of cameras out there and a lot of established rental companies dealing them especially in a big market like Chicago- Fletcher et al. As an independent with just one camera- not going to be a business you make a sole living with.

Noah
 
I know people who get $750/d for a few suction cups and grip cubes and I know people who can't get $600/d for a 5-ton grip truck. Know your market, know your clients and make your judgement.
 
If you are going to spend $30K on a camera, do so because you want to and it is worth it to you. Can you make back the $30K by using the camera? If the answer is no, then you probably don't want to buy it. Or perhaps you don't mind sinking $30K into a camera kit for hobby purposes to make your own films and to learn with. To echo the others in this thread, unless you are established in some way, people are not going to rent from you. Not when most productions need far more than a $30K camera kit, but also lights and other grip equipment, people, etc..

Also consider that owning the camera doesn't mean you just send it out on a rental to make a few bucks with no overhead costs. You will need to provide support for that camera. You will want to insure it.
 
Would a 3D Red Setup Rent in Chicago?

Would a 3D Red Setup Rent in Chicago?

Andy Jarisz said:
Hey all. I know nothing is set in stone, but I'm still interested in any opinions on this.

First of all, I'm in Chicago. That's not likely to change any time soon.

My question is simply, how well a full s35 Scarlet package would rent. This is obviously important to be before I drop 30k.

My end goal is not to keep renting the camera for a profit, I shoot enough personal stuff to keep it busy all the time. But if getting an s35 is going to lose me money in the long run, the I have no problem just going with a 2/3s fixed kit.

I am not familiar with the RED rental market in Chicago.

Sorry if this doesn't make as much sense as it should...
Click to expand...


Living in Chicagoland, I think you'd have much more success specializing with a 3D Red rental setup that you could rent at the same rate as a "single" Red from a major house.

Then, your expertise and willingness to advertise could absolutely differentiate yourself.

My "3D" Cents...
 
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I agree with the professionals here that it is impractical to compete with a rental house. There is no way to afford to offer the options a professional user will expect. However, since I am raising money to shoot films, I may save money on rentals buying an S35. That's the idea anyway. At $750 a day, the lowest I see for a Red One, 16 days gets me $12,000 ($12K < $30K, I know) which will get me started with an S35 and my current Nikon lenses. I will shoot many more than 16 days in the next couple of years. Whatever I need that I don't have I can rent just as I do now. I get to test and experiment which is invaluable and if I can make the rig, and myself available to other low budget independent film makers then maybe I can pick up something there. If not, I'm learning and I'm not renting. If the whole thing blows up, I sell because I don't think they will depreciate too much. For me, it's the means of production.
 
Hugh Scully said:
I agree with the professionals here that it is impractical to compete with a rental house. There is no way to afford to offer the options a professional user will expect. However, since I am raising money to shoot films, I may save money on rentals buying an S35. That's the idea anyway. At $750 a day, the lowest I see for a Red One, 16 days gets me $12,000 ($12K < $30K, I know) which will get me started with an S35 and my current Nikon lenses. I will shoot many more than 16 days in the next couple of years. Whatever I need that I don't have I can rent just as I do now. I get to test and experiment which is invaluable and if I can make the rig, and myself available to other low budget independent film makers then maybe I can pick up something there. If not, I'm learning and I'm not renting. If the whole thing blows up, I sell because I don't think they will depreciate too much. For me, it's the means of production.
Click to expand...

I think maybe you're inflating the $750/day rate to justify buying your own rig...

the fact is today's rates are much lower. Heck 1.5 years ago you could rented a 300K package at 9k for 5 weeks.... that was during the build 16 era. Today you could swing an even better deal. Just saying....

regardless if you've been quoted 750/d you should count on paying no more than 2250/week for 3 day week (still too high imho) putting your camera budget around 9k instead of 12k. Again...you WILL find better rates (especially in LA)
 
Adil Lahoulou said:
I think maybe you're inflating the $750/day rate to justify buying your own rig...
Click to expand...

Perhaps you're right. I have gotten quotes that were a little better than that, not much though. I'm in NY. Busted... I do want my own rig, as I said to test, experiment, and shoot at will. Over time, I believe I will be saving money over renting. The price makes that possible.

In the meantime, I'll rent.
 
Andy Jarisz said:
...My question is simply, how well a full s35 Scarlet package would rent. This is obviously important to be before I drop 30k...
Click to expand...

There may be so many s35 cameras circulating out there..that even
established rental houses may have a hard time of it. Like the AC has
a friend of a friend who owes him a favor who can get us his
business partner's camera for reduced rate..1/2 rate..free.
 
Buy yourself a house by using the money you spend on the camera equipment on the deposit for a mortgage. Your bank will like you more and you will, over time, make money out of that investment. In 2/3 years time nobody will want to use the scarlet as there will be other new models and you'll be left with a camera for which you are likely to keep paying for years.....

Making a profit our of renting, although you might think otherwise, is not that easy, trust me!
 
Hugh Scully said:
Perhaps you're right. I have gotten quotes that were a little better than that, not much though. I'm in NY. Busted... I do want my own rig, as I said to test, experiment, and shoot at will. Over time, I believe I will be saving money over renting. The price makes that possible.

In the meantime, I'll rent.
Click to expand...

I hear ya brotha...I'm buying as well. (settling for the t2i until epic/scarlet release)
 
Good idea. I think it's still going to be a while for Scarlet.
 
J. Eric Camp said:
Not to sound pessimistic but unless you are a working DP, own your own successful production company or rental house, or have very good contacts, just getting the camera is not going to get you very far in real rentals.

VERY few people will rent from some dude when they can get an known owner operator, or use the company they have been using for years, or the one with the good reputation.

That being said, be the exception, prove me wrong. I triple dog dare you. You never know.
Click to expand...

No, that's correct, that's good advice. It's not unrealistic if you're talking about a cheaper camera, however. I have made a decent amount renting out my HVX200s and I am not an operator, I can barely turn them on ;) lol, j/k I know my cameras ok but I don't do any shooting, I just know enough indie filmmakers in Los Angeles that I've had a lot of people want to use them at various times. Combine that with how often we use them for our own productions and they have really paid off big time, been well worth owning.

I did not feel that would be the case if I got a RED One, though, because nobody I know could afford the rental price honestly. I know a lot of poor indie filmmakers, my circle isn't yet the richer crowd.
 
YES you can make money on rentals...IF your established as a DP or operator and are being hired because of YOU not your gear..

NO you will not make money or rent it.. if you are not one of these things and sought after for your talents

thats the one thing I am starting to see again THANK GOD..
is people being hired for their talent again vs just because they have gear and are whoring it out.
 
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