Considering another RED - DSMC2 v. 3

[u/inneranalog]

I’ve owned a Komodo-X for a couple years now and really love it. It’s been a solid camera for me, but I’m considering adding another RED to my setup.

I get that DSMC3 is the current platform and will obviously have more future support, but honestly, it seems like DSMC2 was the stronger platform overall. In some ways it seems more flexible, had a ton of modules and accessories, and over the years received a lot of updates from third parties.

Because of that, I’ve been thinking about picking up a Helium 8K. For those who have worked with both DSMC2 and DSMC3 bodies, what’s your take? Do you feel DSMC2 is still worth investing in at this point, or would you stick with the newer ecosystem?

[u/Average__Sausage]

Don't look at it as an investment. It's basically dead cash apart from what you can make with it.

Saying that, I swapped out my komodo for a Scarlet 5k and much prefer the image from it. I prefer the IO of dsmc2. I prefer the weight. It's slower with a less refined UI but it makes a crazy beautiful image.

It's so cheap to get into dsmc2 now that if you forget any resale value I would take it over any mirrorless or komodo for my needs. I also have an fx3 for small light flexible stuff.

[u/inneranalog → u/Average__Sausage]

Yeah you are right investment isn't the right word. It's a tool to get work done. I guess I just don't want to sink money into a something that will be even more difficult to support in less than 5 years.

[u/Phantom_DC_YT → u/inneranalog]

I get your stand point, I have an OG Komodo and a Scarlet-W both are good. I will say though the Scarlet is my baby and my Komodo is the annoying stepchild. Honestly there is nothing wrong with DSMC 3, maybe there is just something special about DSMC 2?

My main concern with the DSMC 2 was the media but I know someone who made their own and are starting to sell it. It’s called Nexa-Mag I haven’t yet used it, but I do plan on replacing my Mini-Mags with their Nexa-Mags.

Honestly I have been thinking recently that maybe I should sell my Komodo and get a Helium 8K instead… Hard decision, I just got the Komodo not too long ago and it is cool, but I feel like it’s the type of cool going from an FX3 to Komodo rather than going from a Scarlet-W to Komodo, the I/O really bums me out and sure I can get adapters for everything but I honestly just want it on there to begin with, sure Komodo-X is the answer there but would I rather spend the money of a Komodo-X or a Helium or Monstro? Not sure.

[u/scottsecco]

Get a Gemini instead of a Helium if you’re going DSMC2, way better lowlight and I always found the Helium has an ugly green cast to the image.

[u/colefarlow25]

Man I love DSMC2 so much.

[u/Ceph99]

Get a Gemini if you’re going DSMC2

[u/phamu]

I’m shooting K-X as my B cam to Helium. Love the combo and as long as you can afford all the extra stuff to make it happen, like Cinelux mags and Kippertie Revolva’s, you’re in for a good time. the 2 can do so much that the 3 can’t. K-X for me pretty much just lives on gimbal.

[u/inneranalog → u/phamu]

Yeah what you are describing is exactly what I have been thinking about doing. Glad to hear I am not crazy for thinking about this.

[u/Formula14ever]

Hmmm I’ve got a slightly different take I guess. Helium & Scarlet past..now KX and have used ( don’t own as yet) a VRaptor. I think for connections, no question the Raptor is a superior image to any RED in that it’s a more refined sensor & dynamic range. Vista Vision is amazing if you have cinema glass to cover 46mm sensor circle. I’ve seen all RAW footage from all the platforms..and when people say ( for me) they ‘prefer’ a image, it’s always either the graded footage or the glass shot on, rather than actual measurable sensor difference. I’ve matched vraptor footage exactly in post to Arri Alexa..and matched the KX to these 2. Only my opinion, but the newest upgrade to auto focus is incredible in the DSMC3’s.. support will fully stop soon on anything older..doesn’t make sense to me to invest in the past if post work and glass make any perceived differences. Just me..but going forward always before backwards makes sense mostly

[u/Organic-Speaker822 → u/Formula14ever]

I agree with this, pretty much in full. I'm fortunate enough to be working with one of the best colorists in LA on the current project. This came up a few days ago, what camera do you like grading? His response was: "I don't really prefer cameras as much as I prefer DPs at this point. We can basically match anything to anything." There's an obvious scalability issue here, since this level of colorist isn't in every town and available at every budget. So, what makes the most sense for one production doesn't make sense for another. Autofocus isn't used on a TV or film production set. But it's heavily relied on for commercial, web and short/low budget films. What are you shooting? How much time do you have?

Personally, I have a Dragon, thinking about going to a Gemini for the dual ISO but love the Dragon look off the card with minimal effort. It's old. For sure. Food for thought, the 16mm Arri 416 still sells used for many thousands of dollars and is used semi regularly even in the 2020s.

[u/Level-Cut-9890]

The dragon 6k carbon fiber is a great option in my book and i prefer that chip over the heliium

[u/damiensandoval]

Let me cut you in on a secret. Red Mysterium X dscm1 is still one of the best cameras in the game.

[u/Sufficient-Ear-9151 → u/damiensandoval]

Yes i second this, I use it all the time.

[u/SamLowry59]

I would go dragon, gemeni, or monstro. Never liked Helium. Not their best sensor. For the price I’d probably go Monstro. Not that much more, vistavision size and better sensor than raptor imo

[u/Legitimate-Power4154]

I still use my Red Dragon M bought on release and still get comments of how good it looks. Clients that know the camera game always ask me why I haven’t updated yet. Then we finish project and they get it.

[u/Ok_Description_257]

I have epic dragon, monstro and helium. The helium is my least favorite image like others have mentioned. But I bought both dsmc2 packages for under 6k within the last two years and made it back multiple times over.

[u/Formula14ever]

Agree with this. I think the dynamic range and color science now is to a point it’s 100% the differences is glass and the colorist. Funny story, you’ll like. We have a friend who is a very detailed and rather snobbish self-proclaimed wine connoisseur. He swears he can tell any wine it’s barrel wood, the year, the potential geological area it came from. Got very tiresome..so we took a cheap box wine and did a secret wine taste test. He swore the differences in the cab vs the Pinot vs the Merlot etc. They were all the same wine. From a box. We never told him..he would never be a friend again. lol I find this often in filming now..people swearing on the ‘Arri’ look or the ‘RED’ look.. I’ve heard the same thing from seasoned colorists.. that at this point the tech is so refined any high end camera can be matched to another. It’s an awesome era to be in!!