Epic upgrade procedure for owners of multiple Reds?

[Tonaci Tran]

If an owner owns, for example, Red #102 and a later serial number like #5,000, can the owner get two Epic-Xs at the same time when the first Epic-X upgrade is ready or will the owner have to wait until the number comes up for the second red? Can anyone please chime in? thanks!

[Andrew Benz]

Great question!

[Paul Hazlett]

good question indeed. But I believe each camera has its own upgrade path.
Red folks could certainly prove me wrong but I think that is fair.

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I'm with Paul on this one. I'd say each camera has it's own upgrade path or time, whatever. That would seem to be the most fair and make the most sense.

[JosephArthur]

What if I have two RED Ones can I get an EPIC X even though my number would be like #6999 something? And keep the other one and just upgrade it in a different way in time some way?

[JonathanF]

Separate upgrade paths would complicate things for some production companies who rely on the cameras being identical.

It also makes it mandatory when shooting with two camera setups that your crew be fluent with two camera systems.

Fair is fair and I don't have fault with a decision on either side, but there are some very real considerations on this one for production companies that shoot with multiple cameras.

:J

[jimhare]

Interesting. So do you reward the company who bought two by giving them the second upgrade early, or punish them by making them wait until both cameras are of age.

Interesting...


Separate upgrade paths would complicate things for some production companies who rely on the cameras being identical.

It also makes it mandatory when shooting with two camera setups that your crew be fluent with two camera systems.

Fair is fair and I don't have fault with a decision on either side, but there are some very real considerations on this one for production companies that shoot with multiple cameras.

:J

[Andrew clemson]

I think there is a different argument depending on how far apart the 2 serial numbers are. Ours are for example about 500 units apart. If I remember correctly, RED were shifting about 4 or 5 hundred per batch no? So for us the wait wouldnt be too bad. If you had 100 and 6000 like previously suggested then it would be a long wait.

Then again, will everyone be switching to a full Epic setup straight away? Might be handy to have a R1 backup whilst you get to grips with EPIC.

[JonathanF]

Coming to grips with a camera is not a month-long project, but I don't want to have my AC's having to worry about UI changes in the middle of a setup where it introduces the potential for mistakes. For those who have their crew comfortable with one camera it could be problematic. I would not be a big fan of having my A camera swapped out in the middle of shooting a setup if the primary went down for some reason. Especially if they've gotten used to shooting with one camera for 3 weeks and suddenly they have to switch mid setup. This would be like giving Louis Hamilton a new car mid race. Not a good plan if you want him to give you his very best.

Consider the following: If I am renting gear and shooting with 535's, I'm not going to spec an Arricam for my A cam backup. I spec'd the 535 for a reason and the reasons my backup body should be identical should be obvious.

If I have a problem with my primary body I want to just swap out to my identical spare. I'll loose a lot less time on my setup when I do it and the producer breathing down my neck to get rolling again will be much happier. I do a quick body swap and Bob's my uncle.

With Red, many people bought one and then waited for a long time before getting it. Once it arrived people tested it and liked it and then ordered another. So for some folks the serial numbers are a long way apart.

For us we really don't fall into this area, but we have a couple rental houses we use a LOT who do so we're real curious how this is going to shake out as we almost always spec 2 bodies on important shoots. I think there will be a lot of rental houses who find themselves in the same boat.

:J