The amusing unboxing of $138,000 worth of 8K RED Weapon and accessories
May 3, 2017
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Share:
This is, by far, one of the most entertaining unboxing videos I’ve seen in a long time. I’ve been a fan of Linus Tech Tips for a good while now. I’ve seen them grow from a channel of less than 100,000 followers to almost 4 million today. I’ve also seen the equipment they use change and evolve over that time. The new cameras and lenses, and the computers to handle it all.
Recently, they installed a 1 Petabyte upgrade to their server room. This is to handle all of the footage coming from their new 8K RED Weapon cameras. Now we get to see exactly what that camera order includes. The total cost for two cameras and associated accessories comes in at around $138,000, and less than $100,000 of that was on the cameras themselves.
I’m not a big unboxing video fanatic, but I like some of the ones they post to LTT, especially when it’s something they’ve actually bought. LTT, as with us here on DIYP are fair and impartial when it comes to equipment that’s sent in for review. But when your own money’s on the line, one tends to get a little more critical. It’s just human nature.
And, well, Linus is an expert when it comes to being critical after spending money. Of course, he wouldn’t have spent the money if he didn’t think for one minute that it was worth it. And it is a whole lot of money. $138,000 in total for two cameras and the extra bits to go along with them. I think what’s most shocking at all, though, as Linus notes, repeatedly, is just how much those extra bits cost in relation to the camera.
The cameras themselves cost $49,500. That means a further $19,500 per camera for extras. Extras like a $2,750 LCD, a $1700 adapter that adds video output, a $200 proprietary cable so you can hook that adapter up to the monitor, and $1500 for 4 batteries and a charger.
Well, at least you get a free RED sticker.
Although I can’t see myself ever owning this kind of kit, it’s still interesting to see. And when you see the price, it certainly puts things into perspective. I’ll never complain about DSLR or lens prices again.
What camera gear would you buy with $138,000?
John Aldred
John Aldred is a photographer with over 25 years of experience in the portrait and commercial worlds. He is based in Scotland and has been an early adopter – and occasional beta tester – of almost every digital imaging technology in that time. As well as his creative visual work, John uses 3D printing, electronics and programming to create his own photography and filmmaking tools and consults for a number of brands across the industry.
Join the Discussion
DIYP Comment Policy
Be nice, be on-topic, no personal information or flames.
4 responses to “The amusing unboxing of $138,000 worth of 8K RED Weapon and accessories”
Sorry, but I can’t stand that guy….
I do agree with Linus. Some of this Proprietary accessories is just pure tech money extortion.
he’s the Angry Videographer
This is disgusting. What a degenerate waste of money. They are nerds standing in a warehouse and recording themselves talking about new PC parts. A GH4 would have sufficed. Sometimes I understand why some people hate capitalism so much; the wastefulness is just incomprehensible sometimes.