There’s been quite a stir every time someone mentions the RED camera.
For one, its support for 4K video (4,096 x 2,160 pixels) made quite an impact last year when RED camera stole NAB 2006.
Another point is the price … point. The body will cost “only” 17,500. If you consider the average indie producer’s budget this seems quite high but at the same time, a good zoom lens could cost that much (and more). So considering the 4K capability, you’re getting an excellent deal.
So let’s go to the schedule part. The first batch of RED cameras (50 or so) will ship in August. From then on, it’s about 100 cameras per month. About 2000 have been pre-ordered already which means that if you order today, you’ll get yours in February 2008!
Which definitely is a long wait. Fear not, some of the guys who are buying it are OK to rent it for a week or two.
Good point about the rental option. I’ve been wanting to get my hands on it since I first read about it. Do you have any idea if traditional rental houses will be able to rent them out? I’m not sure how long it takes gear with buzz like this to be available as a rental.
hd-productions.biz said…
Rise of the RED ONE at the Regent St Apple store, London. I was at the UK demo of the first UK RED camerea in the country, supplied by Rory Hinds of MINEfilms.
He was supported by Jonathan Smiles of Digital Safari who specialises in HD production and post solutions.
They commented on the price point being a more cost effective that similar body only options compare to sony xdcam, panasonic hpx and thomson grass valley. With a proficient DP/cinematographer on board, the combination of HD lenses,matte boxes and filters could really add to the palette of what ever look you wanted create or shoot.
The audience was shown the workflow encompassing SCRATCH and Final Cut Pro, as well how the data regarding 4K capturing and handling . Also present were Random Digital who have already got two REDs on order for early January.
I was really impressed with the resolution and the fact that it can be customised to suit production needs for films, features, commericials and pop promos.
Rory of MINEfilms said that the RED is a Digital Cinema camera and needs a film crew to get the best out of it, this is not a digital HD video format or a replacement.
training manager for http://www.hd-production.biz
It is amazing what Red has managed to pull in the past few months.
And now they are about to release a new build, which has lots of new features, such as pre-recording. Other companies would make you buy a new camera, at Red it is a free download.
Oh, and the noise characteristics are greatly improved, too.
These are exciting times, indeed.
Innerspace Cases is a manufacturer of custom protective cases including cases for the Red One Camera as well as many of the Red Accessories on our website.
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