Least Possible Accessories

[Kenn Christenson]

I'm looking for "bare bones" options to get the camera shooting.

So far, I'm thinking: Nikon glass, Birger mount, battery plate, (mounting could be a problem) Red LCD and the CF card option.

[Steven-Marc C.]

You might want to add a battery and a charger. ;)

[Kenn Christenson]

You might want to add a battery and a charger. ;)

Right, of course.

I had been thinking of this company's 150WH batteries - but, it seems they won't work with Red.

http://www.batteries4broadcast.com/combo_order_sm.htm

[donatello b]

i think you'll need someting on the camera to grab ..
i find the body difficult to move around ( feels like it could fall out of hands) without a handle on it ...so maybe a top mount with handle ?

[Barry Green]

There is no Birger mount yet, is there? You could get the longvalleyequip Nikon mount, it should be considerably less expensive too if you're trying to cut costs.

Bare bones also begs the question -- how bare? If you don't need an on-camera monitor, you don't need the Red LCD -- if you're shooting strictly in a studio config you could use a computer monitor with an HDMI->DVI converter; that'd add up to maybe $600 vs. $1700 for the onboard LCD.

For that matter, you don't truly need a battery or charger either for studio config, you could use the AC power supply. $135.

You can go with the CF option, but you'll also have to buy at least one card (another $200). Or you could go with just the Red Drive. CF option with CF card is slightly less expensive, $700 vs. $900.

So -- super-stripped, super-bare, only-a-fool-would-go-this-cheap system would be:
Red One body, $17,500.
Long Valley Nikon mount - $600? $700? Don't know for sure.
CF module - $500
CF Card - $200
AC Power Supply - $135
Computer monitor - $600
---------------
$19,535. That would get you such a stripped-down unit that you wouldn't even be able to use it for a hand-held shot.

For all practical purposes you're going to NEED the Power Pack ($1450), and you really should get the Production Pack ($1250) and some sort of monitor (Red LCD, $1700) and at least two CF cards (another $200). That would probably constitute the most stripped-down Red anyone could build, that they could actually use.

[B Newberry]

For that matter, you don't truly need a battery or charger either for studio config, you could use the AC power supply. I don't see the AC power supply listed in the store, but it can't be more than $200..

$135
http://www.red.com/store/product_detail/78

[Barry Green]

DOH! Didn't see that, thanks for pointing it out. I've edited my post above.

[Steve Sherrick]

I honestly believe you need to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $25K to really have a practical camera build. And even then, you're skimping on some important accessories. Even with lower end HD cams like the HVX, when all is said and done and you get the right accessories, it adds up quickly. When I considered buying an EX1, the complete package was going to be almost $17000.

[mike falconer]

I honestly believe you need to spend somewhere in the neighborhood of $25K to really have a practical camera build. And even then, you're skimping on some important accessories. Even with lower end HD cams like the HVX, when all is said and done and you get the right accessories, it adds up quickly. When I considered buying an EX1, the complete package was going to be almost $17000.

Could I ask specifically what you would purchase to take the price to $25000?

I've made my own list, but would love to see what others think. Thanks.

[Steve Sherrick]

Red One - $17,500
Base Production Pack - $1250
Red Power Pack - $1450
Red LCD - $1700
CF Module - $500
2 CF Cards - $400 (Or substitute a Red drive here $900, same as CF Mod and cards)
Lens - Let's go with a Cooke 20-100 and say we get a deal at $1800. Or Birger Mount for about the same with a lens.

That's $24,600 and now you have to ask yourself, do you have a tripod, matte box, follow focus? If you are implementing the Red into your existing workflow and you already have some of the supporting gear, $25K might get you there, at least to start out.

But my thought is - these are pretty essential pieces of gear that could be added later.

- EVF (could argue, it's not required but I'm desperate to get mine)
- Element Technica accessories (the current products will add at least a couple grand to your budget, but they are really nice and solve some problems.)
- Multiple Red Drives
- Multiple CF cards
- Zacutto gadgets for LCD
- Extra cables
- Need 4 batteries total in my opinion to be safe for a long day of shooting
- Need way to look at footage on set and back up. Maybe a Macbook Pro, but sure you can get away without it.

I could go on, but you get the point. The beauty is the system is modular, so you can get in with a barebones set up and then grow from there. Rent what you need, and then buy what makes your life easier or can make you money in rentals when the time is appropriate. But just getting out of the gate will cost you between $20-25,000.

[mike falconer]

Thanks Steve...appreciate your opinion. I've pretty much got all the other support gear in terms of tripods, jibs, dollies, laptops and so forth so the configuration you outlined parallels what I was thinking.
I wonder if you can reserve a camera and then add all the peripheral gear later, or do you need to order it all at the same time?

[Steve Murray]

Just order the camera.

[tj williams]

KHMUSE on the forum is making a Canon Fd mount which will allow mounting of all canon and with <$25 adapters all Nikon F lenses also. contact him also save $60 as the mount if about $440 rather than $500...This is a much better deal than a nikon mount as you can use both kinds of glass.
TJ

[Jim McKinney]

I think a set of ND's is close to essential.