Stu Maschwitz rants about Jannard's latest...

[Dingos8mybaby]

http://prolost.blogspot.com/2008/09/red-addresses-dslr-market.html

Thought Stu brought up some interesting points (although I'm sure they've been brought up plenty of times before...). RED conquering the DSLR market? Sounds like an uphill battle, even for the guys that brought us the RED ONE.

[dougspice]

I agree with him. I am worried about RED diversifying into other markets with even stiffer competition when they haven't even come close to mastering their existing market. I'm also incredibly skeptical of their production run capability... there are many RED One orders that have still not been fulfilled. How large do you think the demand is for SLRs compared to professional motion picture cameras? An order of magnitude larger, at least. Even Canon and Nikon cannot meet production demands at the initial release of their products. So how will RED do it?

I am worried they are more interested in speculative innovations than in delivering actual refined products to consumers. I am glad someone is pushing that envelope, but that alone is not enough!

[Cheesesailor77]

I agree with him. I am worried about RED diversifying into other markets with even stiffer competition when they haven't even come close to mastering their existing market.

I feel like they've come close to mastering it, everyone just hasn't realized it yet ;) As a RED owner I agree that it's still a work in progress, but even if they stopped now, it would/will be a revolution. The fact that they continue to improve makes it a sure thing :)

Although, RED fanboyism aside, i do agree with most of your points. However, my personal feeling is as long as they're working on what they're passionate about, they can't go wrong.

[LuckyStudio 13]

I agreed with Stu, I got a chance to play with a RED ONE few days ago (a project is scheduled soon involving Red One + Hvx200). While the Red ONe camera itself is built rock solid, nearly all the accessories are junk with built quality that rivals stuff that you can purchase from the dollar store. Granted it was an early batch (serial# below 200), to me it is unacceptable. We got the metal bottom plate that was broken, loose LCD connector, broken top handle ..... etc.

IMHO, I rather see them develop the Red One to its fullest potential software and hardware wised. Not only did they announced, 4k projector, drive, Scarlet, Epic and now they want to get into the DSLR market. I dont know wht the bru ha ha was with the new Nikon D90, Filmmaking is an uphill battle by itself and I dont see why anyone would want to make it more difficult by using a DSLR to make their film.

Speaking about the industry, to me the biggest loser is Canon. Canon has all the resources in the world to dive into the indie semi-pro industry.

a) Canon has been making one of the world's best lenses (both still and motion).
b) Canon is in the digital video camcorder industry (A1, G1, H1).
c) Canon does not have any high end camera market to be cannibalized.
d) Canon has full frame sensor on a $2000 5D camera.

So if you think about it, all the resources are already in place for Canon to produce a truly Indie, H1 sized camera that uses CMOS 35mm sensor that mates with their still camera lens. They know it is possible, they offer EF adapter for the XL-H1 so you can use Canon SLR lens on the H1. All that is left, is to rehouse some of ther SLR prime lenses to cine style; declick the aperture stops, give it a longer throw and put gear rings on it and charge 2 1/2 times more than the current price.

If such Canon camera exists, it will easily sell a TON at ~$15k (Body) and ~$10k (set of primes). Yet, look at Canon; still HDV codec, still DV tapes and nothing notable/perfomance during this past NAB on their cameras. Too bad the Japanese while having all the resources at their disposal but they are very conservative and not innovative at all. I can understand Sony and Panasonic being super conservative becasue they have to protect their higher end offering, but Canon has nothing to lose, and yet still, Nikon took the leadership by offering movie mode on the D90 ahead of Canon.

WAKE UP CANON !

[Texanite]

"If people are not stunned by the specs and design, I will retire... truly."

LOL I love this quote. Did Jim really say this somewhere? What a master of smoke and mirrors. Notice that he DOESN'T say "If people are not stunned by the product and the results". He only stands behind the specs he's going to release, which can be anything he can come up with, and the design, which will be a 3D rendering that doesn't have to even be possible.

Remember the 4K projectors and displays (http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/16/red-digital-cinema-planning-pocket-cam-4k-projector-and-display/) you mentioned two NABs ago? It would delight me to no end if you were as enthusiastic about refining your existing products as you are about announcing new ones.

And what ever happened to the Scarlet pocket cam? Why would anybody buy the Scarlet if there's a DLSR coming out that will kill all the competition?

Shell game anyone?

[ProLost]

Hey guys. I had to re-read my post after reading these reactions—I had not intended my post to be an indictment of Jim's lack of focus, but I guess a little of that is in there. I would love for Jim to build something that makes me want to sell my 5D and my Scarlet. I hope that I communicated my enthusiasm for this fascinating collision of DSLRs and video.

That said I hear you all loud and clear, and I would sure love it if Canon and Nikon provided some worthwhile competition in this new area.

-Stu

[J.R. Hudson]

This is just the beginning guys. Whether Jim or another competitor makes it happen, be happy and embrace this emerging era.

[Dingos8mybaby]

It's also a bit intriguing that Mr. Jannard seems to 'know' that Canon's new DSLR will have 1080p-recording capability...

I think it would be fantastic if the guys at RED could take everything they learned from the RED ONE and apply it to their future products, but, as exciting as their innovations seem, they really are still learning to perfect their current flagship model. I'm not an owner, but I've seen and heard enough things to know that it's a great product, but what about wait times, application support and market adoption? I've heard and read a lot about those things too. Are they, or will they be, prepared to handle the slew of new customers and complaints and praise and requests and repairs and inquiries and criticism and general responsiveness of a market thats hungry for their much-anticipated gear? One thing I do know is that I am extremely eager to see how the competition reacts.

For a company that's not even officially 4yrs old, I think they're doing a fantastic job of supporting their current products and their past claims. But maybe they're rushing into things a bit, and having to grow a lot faster than maybe even they can keep up with. I guess that's why they call it a 'RED-olution'.

[GaryinCalifornia]

So if you think about it, all the resources are already in place for Canon to produce a truly Indie, H1 sized camera that uses CMOS 35mm sensor that mates with their still camera lens.

I thought the same thing... but you have to remember Canon has to protect their high end lens for video cameras... both cine and eng stlye...

[LuckyStudio 13]

I thought the same thing... but you have to remember Canon has to protect their high end lens for video cameras... both cine and eng stlye...

As far as I know, all of their cine products are 2/3" B4 mount. All they have to do is rehoused their "lower end" SLR 35mm lenses to cine style that uses their own Canon Mount and not PL mount or B4 mount.

Sony has the XDCAM EX with its full rasta resolution, Panasonic has its DVCPRO HD codec, Where is the sex for Canon ???