I want to express my dissatisfaction with the quality and after-sales issues.

[Marshall Zhang]

After much consideration, I still want to express my dissatisfaction with the quality and after-sales issues of the Red DSMC 3rd generation cameras. I am a loyal Red user who purchased the Komodo, V-Raptor VV, Komodo-x, and many official accessories in their first batches. In the latter half of 2021, I purchased a V-Raptor VV. After using it for a while, I found that when using the Canon RF to EF adapter and the Dulens 31mm lens, there was a discrepancy between the actual focusing distance and the distance marked on the lens focus ring. This issue also led to problems with focusing when using the DJI Lidar at distances close to 4 meters from the camera. I conducted comparative experiments with my other EF mount cameras and sent the lens back to Dulens for inspection to rule out any issues with the lens itself. After eliminating all possibilities, I narrowed the problem down to the V-Raptor VV's mount or the Canon adapter. I contacted Red China and visited their office for on-site testing. The friendly staff successfully reproduced the distance discrepancy issue on-site and tested other PL lenses with an RF to PL adapter, which partially alleviated the issue. However, it was not completely resolved either using PL lens. The staff informed me that the first batch of V-Raptor VV had slightly looser mount locker and offered to replace it with a tighter one. After the replacement, I noticed some improvement in the distance discrepancy issue, although it wasn't completely fixed. As a non-industry individual, my busy work schedule made it difficult for me to address this matter further. However, due to issues with Komodo-x, today, after one year, this incident came to mind again, prompting me to voice my concerns. My frustration lies in this: as a loyal user of the first batch, if I hadn't identified the problem and contacted Red, would I not have been provided with a better quality mount locker replacement? The loose mount issue with the first batch - since your staff were aware of it, why didn't you contact early users and recall the cameras for optimization? The reasons behind the distance discrepancy issue remain unclear to me (industry insiders have mentioned similar cases, but I'm hesitant to draw conclusions based on hearsay). The situation with Komodo-x has also made me uncomfortable, and here's what happened.

In Komodo-x, some foam was added inside the mount to block light from specific angles. However, Red failed to explicitly inform early users like me about which RF lenses or RF to PL adapters should not be used with the camera. Without this information, users would naturally assume that all RF mount lenses could be mounted, right? When I attached the Canon RF 28mm F2.8 STM lens to the KX, I discovered that the foam inside was damaged by the protrusion of the rear of the RF 28mm lens. This is akin to mounting a Sony GM lens on a Sony camera and damaging the camera's internal components - it's absurd. These cameras are substantial investments, and users should not bear the financial loss due to issues not explicitly communicated by the official sources. However, the response I received from Red China was merely "we suggest not using these lenses for now." Red did not provide a list and, by using an RF mount on the camera, essentially left users to assess which RF lenses were safe to use at the risk of damaging their camera on their own.

As a dedicated enthusiast who has invested close to $80,000 in Red products, I feel a sense of regret regarding these design and quality details, as well as the level of problem-solving in after-sales service. This has made me hesitate about future purchases of Red cameras.

 

[Zack Birlew]

The conflict of lens choice with the camera should have been thoroughly checked and tested in the manufacturing stage as there may be a good amount of RF lens and adapter options out there but not so many that time couldn't be afforded in the design stages for trying on different lenses and adapters at a local rental place or camera shop to see if they rip the mount foam out or not. Very disappointing, especially as it's with a Canon RF lens of all things!

 

[Luka Sanader]

this sentence sums it all "As a dedicated enthusiast who has invested close to $80,000 in Red products" as long Red knows they have deducted enthusiasts willing to give them 80k they will act like that.

 

[Ryan Chernin]

80 grand later… getting close to Alexa 35 territory. Heck, Mini LF packages are going for around 75 these days.

 

[TYLER STOOKSBURY]

I do have a few thoughts here. Keep in mind, these are complex tools you're using. They require precision care and understanding to operate as intended. That goes for any pro cine camera, ARRI, Sony, RED, Kinefinity, etc. They all are prone to issues.

Regarding with the 28mm: That does really suck. The lens did come out pretty recently, and after the KX was released. Canon did some weird things with that particluar lens and it's not a standard RF mount from what i can tell. Canon and RED both need to make customers aware, that that lens may not be compatible with every RF mount camera. Im sure they will, but my assumption is that neither have tested it yet, and unfortunately you beat them to it. It's not the greatest lens for video work, so i would guess it was pretty low priority for RED to test. I don't know how much blame i would put on them. Canon did some pretty unorthodox things with that lens. I think you were just pretty unlucky here. Im sure RED will have you covered.

Regarding the inaccurate focus markings: Any cinema lens, no matter what mount you buy, and what camera it's on, can have discrepancies in focus markings. This is partially why PL is so relied upon for professional work because you can easily add shims to get accurate focus markings. Just because you have a EF mount lens, on a body or adapter with a EF lens mount, does not insure you have accurate focus. I've even seen canon EF Cine Primes on Canon cinema bodies, not have perfectly accurate focus markings probably due to the mount shifting over time. Budget cine primes can also be pretty inaccurate just due to defects, poor design, etc. It is just part of using cinema glass.

The issue with the locker being updated, it really may not be an issue for everyone. So personally, i wouldn't think it would make complete sense to track down all those owners to replace them. A lot of V-Raptor owners will use PL adapters and will have everything properly shimmed.

- Tyler