Let's talk 4k.

I am trying to make some decisions on new gear and workflow. Even though 4k is all the buzz, I just can't quite push myself off the edge to go full hog 4k. Some questions for discussion.
-How to price 4k with relation to how you price HD clips. i.e. 50% more, 100% more? Will this increase in price offset the loss of HD sales of the same clip? I guess what I'm asking is will buyers download the 4k and then convert to HD if they need the clip?
-To upload 4k and HD versions of the same clip or just 4k?
-Are there enough sales from 4k to warrant the extra work?
-Shoot 4k, but only upload HD version for now? Save 4k for possible uploading later?

I won't get in pricing for you, that is up you for what works. My 4k is priced at $140 and that works for me.

1)On Pond5 I upload both 4k and 1080 only because they don't want to do automatic downsizeing. All other sites will do that for you.
But I don't upload 1080 of all clips, just the one's I think are most likely to sell.

2) There aren't enough sales now. But if you wait you will be swallowed with competition that isn't waiting. So again that is up to you. I couldn't wait to get my hands on a 4k camera.

3)Again, if you only upload HD now you will be behind in the curve from others that aren't waiting.

Jake

Yep, what he said. :)

I'm uploading 4K and HD. I have yet to see a 4K clip sell here (had quite a few over at SS though), but the HD versions do OK. Unless you run into serious bandwidth problems, upload both. Long term it's most likely going to pay.

I on the other hand have had many 4K sales here. My pricing is compatible with one other agency that I work with that also offers 4K and as well as much higher and it seems the higher priced ones sell even more (up to $500.00). And yes, I also upload both 4K and 1080p here. :)

I'm with Varius. Andy on the other hand has done well on 4K with his great opportunity capturing monsoon storms. I'm sure he has made 4K sales on many other subjects as well. I think a lot of his 4K sales are timelapse photo rendering also (maybe he can enlighten us on his 4K video versus timelapse sales here). I have over 1,000 4K videos here at P5 and started uploading them this year. So far only three 4K sales. HD sales are very good. I believe 4K will mature in a year or three while HD is in it's prime. Due to slow bandwidth I've been uploading 4K versions hoping the future is good. Sometimes I think that is a mistake and should be uploading HD for immediate sales. When and if auto downsizing of 4K to HD happens here at P5 like at the other agencies then 4K is the best option.

While my 4K collection of real time clips (I have a few 4K time lapses, but not many) currently uploaded is fairly minimal, I am still just a teensy bit disappointed to not have sold even one. However, most of it has HD versions, and I have sold some of those. Glad I did the HD version. This 4K thing yields such awesome HD that I appreciate it just for that. The costs of acquisition, processing, storage, are way higher, so my prices will reflect that for the most part.

I guess I should have started complaining earlier. Just got my first 4K sale. And of course it's a clip that I never would have expected to sell...

I can report that the very first 4K sale I had was back in Dec 2010 (time lapse). I do upload both 4K and HD versions as HD sales are still predominant. However, over the years since then I have seen a steady increase of 4K sales. As of this year, since I acquired an actual 4K video cam, those have started selling as well (real time cuts).

I see it as a must, if anyone else isn't actively working towards 4K (UHD) clips then you'll be left behind, more so if you're not able to incorporate it into your workflow. Sales now bay not be relevant, but just take a look at the price of the "Consumer" 4K (UHD) tv's, they'r 1/3 of the price they were last year. I saw a Panasonic 4K 55" TV for $1600, not sale price, actual. To me that means the consumers are going to want 4K source, meaning the industry that feeds them, will need to provided it, you get the idea. I give it 2, 3 years max, when the next line of game consoles hit the market producing 4K outputs, and 1080p will be the next VGA.

Stock footage is an investment, uploading now as many of you guys have done means that you'll have a large piece of the pie and I've a huge amount of admiration for that insight for doing it, i'm hoping we're not too late to the game. Are issues are we need complete new systems, (ideally) MAC PROs with 5K screens, these are not cheap and which camera becomes our work horse. We know we HAVE to make the jump this year, with a huge capital outlay, but i'll be honest, 4K becomes a standard, but with that level of money and investment, i'm seriously considering a camera that can go beyond 4K, not just RAW, or even 60fps, i'm looking to see anything in the professional range that goes beyond.

For now, this year, 4K is a must as is filling our stock footage library.

... One foot in front of the other.

I agree completely with the need to shoot 4K but I don't think you should try future proof your purchase of a camera. They price change too dramatically with time.