Get a used Scarlet for cheap!
- Thread starter vanvideo
- Start date
stefancolson
Well-known member
The only thing keeping me from even considering the Scarlet is the abusive pricing on media and accessories. If you want to shoot full days you're going to need to approach $10k just on media and batteries! Even at less than $8k for the body you're still going to drop $20k for a realistic shooting package (for features). Add in the 40tb+ of drive space you'll need to deal with all of that footage (and back it up), the cost of a good DIT on set at all times, and all of that extra time in post and it becomes a high enough price point that it makes more sense to rent (for me) in most situations. The image looks great, but I just don't see how Scarlet is a good fit for most of the independent type productions it's aimed at. I'd love to shoot a feature on one if I had the time and resources to do it, but if I had that time and resources I don't know why I wouldn't just go straight for Epic or Alexa.
S.Blanchardon
Well-known member
Be ready to buy a fan plate guys...
William_Robinette
Shallow Member
Yup, cost of ownership. I think a lot of these Scarlets bought from this deal are going to be on the market in a couple months when people realize the cost of the brain is really one of the smaller considerations in the grand scheme of things.
I'll say though I don't think you need a DIT on every shoot. I'd love to have one of course but there are plenty of smaller production days where it is possible to get by without. As for post, I don't find it to be a headache anymore; two years ago sure... But now? Easy.
Referring to a top plate/fan plate? I find this interesting - I've had many, many long take shoots (green screen talking heads, interviews) over the past 9 months and have never had a problem with overheating or the fan noise. Maybe I got lucky with a brain cool as ice but really I think this problem is a bit overstated. Sorry if you've had a poor experience though
stefancolson
Well-known member
You're right, I was mainly referring to features, where I don't think it's possible to efficiently and effectively work with any RED camera without a DIT on set all day. For music videos, corporate, etc. it's not going to be as big of a problem (as long as you have thousands of dollars worth of RED mags and RED bricks).
As far as post goes it isn't so much that the process is a huge pain, just that it's significantly slower than shooting a lighter codec on a different camera. Again, for music videos, corporate, commercials, or anything with a smaller total volume of footage it's a complete non-issue. But for features, when there isn't a budget for any kind of support in post, it's a deal breaker for me. I'm too used to cutting roughs within 20 minutes of walking in the door from a shoot to go back! Spoiled by the digital revolution!
I already have a Scarlet, but I was very tempted to jump on this deal for a second body and B Camera. It's not Nov. 2011 however, its Oct. 2012, and we have quite a lot more choices a year after I made my decision to purchase the Scarlet:
1) Sony FS700 @ 8K
2) BMC @ 3K
3) Canon C100 @ 6K
3) Sony F5 @ ???
They're not quite apples for apples with the Scarlet, but it does make you re-evaluate where your $8000 ( I pay CA tax) could be better spent. I held off thinking the 8K might be more useful as a downpayment on a DRAGON sensor update or on the Sony F5.
1) Sony FS700 @ 8K
2) BMC @ 3K
3) Canon C100 @ 6K
3) Sony F5 @ ???
They're not quite apples for apples with the Scarlet, but it does make you re-evaluate where your $8000 ( I pay CA tax) could be better spent. I held off thinking the 8K might be more useful as a downpayment on a DRAGON sensor update or on the Sony F5.