Comments on: 8x Fixed Zoom Lens Scarlet Kit Now $4,750

By: Justin O'Neill

Justin O'Neill — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 05:58:31 +0000

The 8x fixed zoom lens is t2.6 and f2.4 throughout the range. It is powered and the focus, zoom and iris can either be controlled by the one ring on the lens or wheels on the REDhandle and REDmotes. They have not announced the range of focal lengths at this point.

By: JCD

JCD — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 05:55:10 +0000

Does anyone know how fast the lens is on the fixed zoom? And what is the range of the zoom? Is it a powered zoom?

By: Justin O'Neill

Justin O'Neill — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 07:29:13 +0000

Part of the fixed lens is actually inside the Scarlet brain so it is more compact then if you attached a similar detachable zoom. But for sure price is the huge plus. An electric zoom with similar capabilities can run up to $20k for the lens alone.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 01:57:31 +0000

That’s great news… I was starting to get worried! Thanks a lot for tracking that down for me. A good reminder not to believe everything you hear on the internet (the boon/bane of the 21 Century). I wonder, is there any advantage to having the fixed lens other than a lower price (which is a great reason for me)?

By: Justin O'Neill

Justin O'Neill — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:26:04 +0000

Ok it looks like that $20k number originated here: www.ocbj.com/article They definitely don't know what they are talking about as they claim "Slumdog Millionare" was shot on the RED camera when it was actually shot on the SI-2K digital camera. I would say the fixed lens Scarlet ready to shoot starts at just over $5k: fixed lens Scarlet kit + 16gb CF card = $5,245.

By: Justin O'Neill

Justin O'Neill — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:03:38 +0000

Hi Jason, yeah I have seen that number showing up on Twitter lately. I need to find the original article to find out how they are coming up with that number. That number is way off as the fixed lens kit is only $4,750 and is a package ready to shoot. I calculate about $6,545 for a minimum Cinema Scarlet package: 2'3" Cinema brain + CF side module + 16gb CF card + 2.8" touchscreen LCD + Side handle + 16mm miniRED prime = $6,545. Maybe they are talking about the S35 Scarlet with a couple of RED Pro Prime lenses. That could get you close to $20k. Keep in mind the only fixed thing about the fixed 8x zoom Scarlet is the lens. It uses the same modules as all of the other Epic and Scarlet cameras, Side CF module, REDmote, 2.8? Touchscreen LCD, and REDVOLT battery and travel charger. You can upgrade the brain to any of the other DSMCs in the line.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 05:21:14 +0000

As a novice seeking to enter the field of film with the latest technology at the lowest price possible, with hope of upgrading in the future, I have been attracted to the RED Scarlet. But in reading some other news reports on the release of RED Scarlet and Epic, they put the price point at around $20,000 instead of $5,000. What exactly are they adding that I am missing? Also, the fixed lens Scarlet sounds great for a low budget starter camera, but it is worth the trade off of not being able to upgrade later, I wonder?

By: Justin O'Neill

Justin O'Neill — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 22:26:13 +0000

We have a couple of the HVX200 + M2 rigs as well so we are in the same position. We already interchange the rods, Redrock matteboxes and Nikon lenses with our RED camera packages and they will work great with Epic and Scarlet as well. The Ikan monitor may be more trouble then it's worth. RED does not have component outs planned on any of it's modules and we've never tried any of the component/HDMI adapters out there. My guess is it will be cheaper to sell the Ikan and go with one of the RED touchsceen LCDs. You would also get the touchscreen capabilities and much higher image quality of the RED LCDs.

By: Richard Crook

Richard Crook — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 18:32:52 +0000

I trying to wrap my head around the Scarlett as I’m just now starting to look into this as a replacement for my cumbersome HVX200/Redrock M2 Encore rig. I would of course like to sell off the HVX and Redrock to help pay for the Scarlett…but I’m wondering what I could keep to use on the Scarlett. I have a set of decent Nikon primes, the whole rod systems for the Redrock, a nice mattebox, a IKAN 8″ HD monitor (Component inputs)…can I use all those on the new scarlett coming out? I’m probably going to spring for the 35″ sensor. (S35) Thanks!

By: Justin O'Neill

Justin O'Neill — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 19:37:29 +0000

The 2/3″ Scarlets won’t give a lower quality image, just lower resolution. When viewed at HD resolution I think you would be hard pressed to tell the difference between the two. You will be able to get shallower depth of field with the S35 Scarlet though, if that is important. The depth of field you would get shooting on the 2/3″ Scarlet at t1.5 on a miniRED prime would be equivalent to shooting at t4.0 on the S35 Scarlet with the same field of view. Recording time depends on the media but with a 640gb RED drive you should be able to get at least 5 hours.

The 8x fixed lens is actually part of the 2/3″ fixed lens Scarlet body and is not removable and that is the only kit RED has announced. They will likely announce some sort of base production pack for the S35 Scarlet as well but we will have to wait and see.