Do I really need the side handle??

[Chris Jordan]

So dudes: I will take photos maybe 10% of the time. I have a redmote in my order, and am wondering if I need the side handle?? And of course I'd need a separate way to power the scarlet, such as V mount. Thoughts? Opinions? Direction?

[Barry Bishop]

Of course you DONT need a side handle.
If your just mounting it on a tripod your fine.
If you have a shoulder rig you are fine.
If you are doing hand held, i would suggest you get a setup where you can hold it. (grips, side handle...something)
Its boxy and it isn't the most comfortable thing to hold especially with a lens, lcd, v mount battery, power cable and ssd module.

[Chris Hagan]

I second Barry. It all depends on how you're going to shoot with it. The brain by it self is a box. If you're going to take it off sticks and not use a shoulder rig you're going to need some handles. I'm looking forward to the smart handle so I can control the camera without taking a hand off it while working hand held.

[Andrew Salter]

Had my Scarlet a week now without a side handle, its on back order, i could cancel but definitely won't as l view it as an essential item for the Scarlet, just my opinion though.

[Robert L. Mickles]

So dudes: I will take photos maybe 10% of the time. I have a redmote in my order, and am wondering if I need the side handle?? And of course I'd need a separate way to power the scarlet, such as V mount. Thoughts? Opinions? Direction?

It's been said before, but I'll say it again. Three reasons I find the side handle somewhat of a necessity is 1.) to get the lightest possible configuration 2.) to have a half hour buffer when changing bricks. 3.) if you are renting it out or working under someone on a job with it, they may find the side handle necessary or useful (even if you don't)

I also agree with what Barry said, but I personally would rather have it for the 3 reasoned mentioned above.

[Brant Hadfield]

I've seen enough people comment on the touch LCD being a bit clunky to use, sometimes slow. I come from a news background, and although I sure don't anticipate shooting news with this thing, the idea of relying on a technologically more complicated solution to controlling the camera (touch lcd) in every possible climate or sunlight condition, makes me a bit uneasy. I prefer dumb technology for things essential.

[Chris Jordan]

tis true. It will just save me a lot of cash by not getting one, the batteries, the charger...... $ that could go to a SSD..... ALL valid points too. I agree that the side handle seems like the most realistic control item. hmmmm.

[Peter Strietmann]

Get the side handle. Much easier to navigate the menus. Super light hand held config. Gives you something to hold onto. Alternate power source for camera. Redundancy is a good thing.

[Jonathan Stevenson]

Get the side handle. Much easier to navigate the menus. Super light hand held config. Gives you something to hold onto. Alternate power source for camera. Redundancy is a good thing.

+1. When I got my side handle, it was a whole new camera. I think it's a necessity for any Epic/Scarlet setup IMHO.

[Steve Yager]

It also depends if you're looking to do autofocus. If you've got the touch LCD you can touch on what you want to focus on. With the side handle, you can depress it halfway like a dslr and bring the subject into focus. Without either of these, it's good old fashion focus marks or eyeing it.