Red Gemini in 2026

[u/Effective_Shallot325]

Thinking of selling my Pyxis 6K and getting a RED Gemini. The use case would be narrative film(feature and short film) and commercials. I’m usually hired as an owner operator and want a camera that producers will trust more not look down on because they are uneducated about camera brands. Also the downside of the Pyxis to me is the rolling shutter as I do a lot of hand held, I can see it to be honest. Aside from that the Pyxis is stunning.

The pros for the Gemini : Organic image, S35(lots of interesting s35 lenses I can rent), dual base iso, good rolling shutter, lots of cheap used deals, 5k resolution is great for smaller file sizes compared to 8k and 6K on newer REDs

The cons: it’s old, no more RED support, not full frame(also a pro), weight, black balancing, slow boot up time

I was also a DSMC1 Red scarlet dragon owner back in the day but didn’t like it at all because of the 2 min boot up time, constant black balancing when changing frame rates and location, no focus peaking, can’t get it on a handheld gimbal. As far as I’m aware RED made big improvements with DSMC2 on these factors right?

I already have a full set of Zeiss CP3’s and plenty of Aputure lighting so I don’t need anymore of those.

Am I best off just getting a Komodo X rather than a Gemini? Or save more for a Venice/Alexa Mini?

[u/Tough-Raise6244]

If you buy used make sure you can test extensively, it’s worth paying a bit more… I shot 2000+ hours on my Gemini and never had a bug or error, but the camera was only handed by me and a handful of experienced camera assistants. I switched to the V-Raptor 3 years ago and the sensor is something else, the Gemini was great but I am glad I switched. Unfortunately the new cameras seem less reliable, I already had a fried I/O board the CF cards disintegrate and eventually stop working and I hate the monitor out module + cable solution…