thanks Jay

Okay, I ponyed up the 1000 dollar waiting list deposit (refundable by the billionaire Jim Jannard so nothing to worry about). As Jay said, this is a prototype---they expect to begin manufacturing sometime towards the end of 2006. Jannard has hired some of the best minds in the video hardware and software fields, and is a very serious man. By the way, I have never prepaid for anything, and I usually council people not to jump before doing their own tests on any given piece of hardware. In this case the 1000 dollar deposit seemed irrelevant because if this camera ever does see the light of day, it will truely be revolutionary.

By the way, this is the team that Jannard has assembled to build this camera:

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/redteam/

Rex I'll gladly take a 1000.00 deposit on the new xray sunglasses i am perfecting, specs are great, 3d puter model being built and anticipate total future proof, plus 20/20 vision on non xray mode.
and they look very cool.:)

The RED Booth is something fun; they took a page from Panasonic last year where they bring you into a closed room, close the door, swear you to secrecy, and then show the camera as it currently sits. Very impressive marketing presentation. I know some of the guys on the team, and they're all top-notch people in the industry. If this camera flies at the price they're planning on introducing, it will represent a major shift in the industry, no doubt. The hype and marketing around this camera are reminiscent of the DVX100a camcorder, and that was one of the most significant shifts in the market in recent memory.

Totally fallicious analogy.

Enron -- billionaire security.

Another one.

And, just what IS the price mentioned, and the feature set?

Check it out yourself.

http://red.com/index2.html

More information can be found here:

www.hdforindies.com

John

Okay, I read the article twice and I still don't understand how you win an award for "Innovation In Media for Content Creation" with a product that doesn't even exisit yet. Is this anything like getting arrested for a murder you didn't commit yet (Minority Report)?

I agree---it makes no sense to give an award for something that doesn't exist yet. Thats why I seldom pay attention to awards.

REVOLUTION, they call it. Now, $1,700USD would be MY kind of revolution. Even if this did exist, it is still just a dream, so it may as well not exist.

I've seen that many people have paid $1,000 to reserve nothing more than a body that will cost them at least another $16,500. There is no recorder, no lens, no viewfinder, no medium for video storage, etc.

I am truly curious to see how much this "revolutionary camera" will cost once the owner is all geared up and able to record, store and edit the video.

I fear some may have jumped into the deep end of the pool forgetting that they don't know how to swim.

LOL, good point, Rex. Kinda reminiscent of another recent post by you.
The RED body is designed well, it's too bad they didn't have a working prototype or even a "balsa" prototype at NAB though. Products made out of balsa wood have won awards in the past more due to the foresight and inventiveness of their owner/designer/manufacturers in the past, and there is something to be said for that. What RED has in their booth is similar to a race car body stripped down without paint or engine. Reading the post about how good they are to their employees and customer service supports what most folks are expecting regarding the RED.
One point of note is that two of last year's NAB Pick Hit winners didn't even ship their product until after the turn of 06', so this also happens with fair frequency.

The point Jay, is those who have put down the 1000 (that includes me) are taking absolutely no risk, even if this camera never hits the market. We are essentially betting on a a man---in this case, Jim Jannard. As far as final costs go, remember some of us already own lenses that will be usable on the Red, and Jannard claims that Oakley will be releasing home grown lenses with the body. (I appreciate the fact that they are only showing the 300mm lens for 5500 bucks and have not committed to a price on the zoom that is also shown on their site) My sense is that if the camera is as advertised, the lenses as advertised etc, then you can get into this camera for under 25,000. Certainly that is a very reasonable price---IF-----this baby is as advertised. If it isn't, then I take my thousand dollars back and move on. Meanwhile, my transitional camera (the Z1) will cover me for most jobs I get until this interesting little drama plays out.

By the way, DSE, it would be interesting to read the criteria that NAB uses for making their awards. The other interesting thing, is that besides the RED, and some very high end stuff, I haven't been blown away by new offerrings at NAB.

Sorry, Rex, I didn't mean to imply that you were one of those jumping into the deep end. I've read so many posts elsewhere by folks who, according to their previous comments, are not as well established videographers as some others.

At any rate, the bottom line is, if they've got the bucks it's no one's business but there own.

I got to be honest with you Jay---this is the first time I have ever done anything as insane! When I bought my first 16mm camera in 1982, I drove myself absolutely batty during the decision making process---I drove my camera guy totally crazy.! I just have a feeling about this---I might be wrong but what the heck--I'm getting to a point in my life where father time is telling me to be a little less analytical and a little more intuitive. Anyhow, I'll keep everyone abreast as the process evolves (or devolves). It should be an interesting journey.

er...
can I borrow your camera?
v

Vic you got a deal---I'll trade you for a couple of lighting tips---

forget that!

Let's shoot a film together |:>))

Seriously, please keep me in mind when you DO get this revolutionary camera... I'd love a full "first hand" report.

On paper, it's the camera of my dreams. Hopefully it's not just "vaporware". But I don't think so.

When are they predicting actual product? (I've got a feature I want to shoot).

v

You know Vic, thats an idea----I'm interested in documentary (as you are) and would love to make one of the first documentaries using the Red---If this thing really happens, lets just do it---life is to short!