Epic lite

[Bob Torrance]

Not sure about this one, but what about a b camera setup. No frills. Less money for those who don't what a RED one as a backup (ie, they want a 5K sensor).

I have a cold, maybe too much time on my hands.

bob

[Bob Torrance]

Should have called this thread "B Camera". I think a no-frills Epic B camera would be a good Idea. I think some will not want to carry a RED ONE as a B camera (they will want the same sensor). Of course I'm thinking down the road a ways.

bob

[I Bloom]

What frills are you trying to cut out?

[Michael Ragen]

While we are at it I would like a 5k 4x5 camera that can do 24fps with no audio and one monitor out. That can be the UberMonstro B-camera.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

EPIC "lite".... I would think that would be an EPIC without extra breakout boxes, shoulder piece, etc.. With the last few renders, EPIC is looking very modular, you build it into whatever camera system you want/need.

If they start making 2 or 3 different versions of the EPIC, I would think that translates into more manufacturing costs among other things.

I bet if you took a poll of which features to cut for a "lite" version, people would be all over the place with their requests, just as they are with current discussion on the EPIC design. Can't please everyone, it's best to make one design that will please most.

[Matthew Lochman]

and then there is the red one- so peeps can cope...

[Gunleik Groven]

Oh gee, I thought RED ONE was the no fat "Epic Light"...

[Bob Torrance]

What frills are you trying to cut out?

Less boards. Maybe no audio (or limited audio), one monitor out.
It looks like EPIC is going to be modular, and therefore more expensive to buy for rental houses. It will compete with Sony 4K, Aaton 4K etc. It would be nice to have a B camera option with the 5K sensor (or put one in the RED ONE). What I like about RED is the sensor. I just think options would be nice, think Panaflex-X, Moviecam-SL or Arri 535b, etc.

Just a side note. I was talking to a buddy (camera operator) and when I mentioned a package would include an EPIC and RED ONE, he said "so sorta like a 35mm camera and a 28mm camera as a backup?" Thought that was kinda funny.

My cold is almost gone. I'll shut up.
bob

[James T Mather]

Sure - they should sell it for five bucks - seems to me the more you give people the greedier they get.

Epic lite - give me a break.

[Bob Torrance]

Sure - they should sell it for five bucks - seems to me the more you give people the greedier they get. .

Wow, what an original quote. It's just an idea for down the road - being that the operator I was talking to asked me about the camera (he is an A list union operator). I plan on renting out digital cinema cameras to people that ask questions like this. I plan on renting the cameras they want, not the ones I want. I would like to see the RED cameras be those cameras.


bob

[James T Mather]

Yes - except the 535b didn't cost 40,000 - more like 200,000.

so maybe Red should follow the Arri model make the Epic lite 200,000. Would that work?

Be grateful for what you get - a year ago 40,000 would have brought you a second hand Digibeta camera.

[Peter Majtan]

I think Bob might be onto something here. How many of You would be willing to put EPIC as a crash-cam? Also Red-One won't cut it as EPIC Light since it is actually bigger and heavier... But at the same time I don't see many features that could be cut out that would bring the cost down in any significant manner...

[James T Mather]

The only reason crash cameras existed in film is they were old and pretty clapped out - not because they were cheap to begin with. This will happen in due course with digital.

again I reiterate: 40,000 for a 5k 100fps camera is a pretty good deal - Maybe don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

[Tom Lowe]

Epic is a no-holds-barred digital cinema camera. It aint for the budget-minded prosumer and it aint for sissies.

[Peter Majtan]

please re-read my post - especially the last sentence starting with "But". I was only trying to see the idea from Bob's point of view. JTM - no arguing there - I bought 2 Varicams while back, each of them significantly more expensive then Epic - and by the look of it even the Scarlet will put them to shame... Tom - I think EPIC is for budget-minded users (there is a blurred line between prosumer & pro), considering the other alternatives... And I thin the "sissy" comment was uncalled for. I know many people who can barely afford Scarlet and yet I bow to their talent and skills. I am not sure who You mean by "sissies"...

No hard feelings though... :)

Peace - Peter

[Bob Torrance]

The only reason crash cameras existed in film is they were old and pretty clapped out - not because they were cheap to begin with. This will happen in due course with digital.

again I reiterate: 40,000 for a 5k 100fps camera is a pretty good deal - Maybe don't look a gift horse in the mouth.

Lots of cameras were made to be crash cameras (think elmo, arri 2c). Forget money. I'm talking about a B camera that sits on the truck, just in case (thats also 5K). Originally, it looked like the EPIC was fully loaded. A B camera doesn't need to be. And maybe this conversation is a little too soon. Computer tech has made a $40,000 camera (plus options) possible but it's still a lot of money. (btw, an Arri 535b body was about $125,000 with a viewfinder).

Just an Idea.

bob

[Jannard]

Most of the money in a camera is the sensor. Next is board development. A neutered Epic would really not have much "cost to produce" savings...

Jim

[Tom Lowe]

Tom - I think EPIC is for budget-minded users (there is a blurred line between prosumer & pro), considering the other alternatives... And I thin the "sissy" comment was uncalled for. I know many people who can barely afford Scarlet and yet I bow to their talent and skills. I am not sure who You mean by "sissies"...

Hehe, I was only joking around. :biggrin:

I think Red One might blur the line with prosumer (in some people's minds... not mine), but Epic will strictly be a professional camera, IMO. The price will be closer to Varicam, and Varicam is considered pro gear, not prosumer. That's my take on it anyway.

[Peter Majtan]

Glad we understand each other Tom - I have a lot of respect for You and Your work... But You are actually a good example of the fact that it is the artist and his use of a tool that makes it pro or pro-sumer. You do amazing pro time-lapses with a gear some may call pro-sumer... Take a two sets of art oil paints with brushes and palette. Give one to Michelangelo and the other to G.W. Bush Junior. You get my point... :)

[Tom Lowe]

gotcha. ;)

I just using prosumer as a term very specifically for HD video cameras in the $5-10K USD range. EX3 is a nice example of this type of camera, but it cannot overcrank beyond 30p.

Hopefully scarlet will come out soon and fill that gap.

[Bob Torrance]

Most of the money in a camera is the sensor. Next is board development. A neutered Epic would really not have much "cost to produce" savings...

Jim

And there's my answer. Thanks Jim.

bob