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Red Weapon DSMC2 module choices (soo many).

Phil Moreton

Phil Moreton

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Hey guys,

So we have the Red DSMC2 accessories, Wooden Camera, Tilta, OffHollywood and some future BrightTangerine modules. I'm finding it extremely hard to choose which one to go for. I'm a v-lock user but finding it very hard to know what is the best choice as it is very hard to see all these products in person to see which would be best.

What are your experiences and what did you go for? I believe I may of missed some other company options, or if you think I should look at another company then let me know.

I quite like the Red DSMC2™ Base Expander and then either getting the Red v-lock battery module or the Wooden Camera version. Just so I have future flexibility with future modules. Thoughts?

Thanks!
 
Did you go for the Wooden Camera version?
 
Thanks Matthew!

How about other accessories?
- Top plate & bottom
- Handle

I've gone for Wooden Camera in the past, as I like the nato rails with the safety section.
I do like the OffHollywood handle tho!
 
For me, the most flexible setup has been to have things like the Base Expander and a separate V-Lock Module/Expander. I have both the RED and ET versions.

The reason for this?

When you don't need the Base Expander or whatever else you have in the Module Chain, you can rig small and tidy with just the V-Lock Module/Expander. There are slight trade offs with this method in terms of minimal additional rigging time and full rigs being slightly longer/heavier than they would be with an all inclusive Expander/Module, but it's the most versatile solution for sure.
 
Phil Holland said:
For me, the most flexible setup has been to have things like the Base Expander and a separate V-Lock Module/Expander. I have both the RED and ET versions.

The reason for this?

When you don't need the Base Expander or whatever else you have in the Module Chain, you can rig small and tidy with just the V-Lock Module/Expander. There are slight trade offs with this method in terms of minimal additional rigging time and full rigs being slightly longer/heavier than they would be with an all inclusive Expander/Module, but it's the most versatile solution for sure.
Click to expand...


As I undrstand there is a big difference between seperate Vlock module + Base expander or the two in one Vlock module. As I understand, have not tested my self just yet, the Vlock module with built in connections have a difference as it can take a trigger as a closure. Which is something the base expander can not do.

For that reason I picked the combo module.
 
Björn Benckert said:
As I undrstand there is a big difference between seperate Vlock module + Base expander or the two in one Vlock module. As I understand, have not tested my self just yet, the Vlock module with built in connections have a difference as it can take a trigger as a closure. Which is something the base expander can not do.

For that reason I picked the combo module.
Click to expand...

The Base Expander requires +3.3V to trigger (same as the DSMC1 Epic/Scarlet), whereas the VLock expander and every other module use the Arri standard momentary trigger. So if you have trigger cables already for the older style the Base Expander might make sense.

It's a non-issue if you're using a top plate that features a 3-pin Fischer port for triggering (like the WC Easy Top or the Arri DSMC2 top plate) as most ACs would probably use that instead.
 
Hi guys,

Thanks for the replies. Really good to know about the trigger. Luckily I was going for the Easy Top from WC.
What are you guys using for handles for the DSMC2? Are you using the a normal handle or going with ones with run/stop electronic triggers?
 
I like the base expander V lock but I want lemo (2pin) power, I don't love p taps. I have a base expander and a older ET batt plate that has lemo power taps build in, this is my favorite but I can't find a second set up like this. Anyone have a solution?
 
Mark Andersen said:
I like the base expander V lock but I want lemo (2pin) power, I don't love p taps. I have a base expander and a older ET batt plate that has lemo power taps build in, this is my favorite but I can't find a second set up like this. Anyone have a solution?
Click to expand...

Mark, have you looked into the Tilta cages? The top plate has some 2pin and 3pin lemo power, and more. I made a video of our cage if that helps.


https://vimeo.com/217913516
 
Keenan Hauff said:
Mark, have you looked into the Tilta cages? The top plate has some 2pin and 3pin lemo power, and more. I made a video of our cage if that helps.


https://vimeo.com/217913516
Click to expand...
Great video Keenan, thanks for sharing! was looking for someone to show the Tilta stuff. How do you find the build quality compare to the Red module? I really like it got two SDI ports at the back, does the camera recognise both of them automatically? can you apply different settings to each?
 
Oron Cohen said:
Great video Keenan, thanks for sharing! was looking for someone to show the Tilta stuff. How do you find the build quality compare to the Red module? I really like it got two SDI ports at the back, does the camera recognise both of them automatically? can you apply different settings to each?
Click to expand...

Hey Oron, thanks. Glad it was helpful. We were in the same situation, wanting to see some actually video/images of the cage since no one seemed to have any.

The build quality of the Tilta stuff is top notch. Not necessarily better or worse than the RED module since the RED mod's are well built (we originally had the RED Base Expander) but feels really solid, well built.

We loved the power options it gave us on the top plate. With multiple lemo, a record button, and monitor option through the cage.

The dual SDI ports are great and it does recognize both automatically but unfortunately they are not independent. You cannot apply different settings to each SDI. I'm not sure if this has to do with the RED firmware or the module itself.
 
Keenan Hauff said:
Hey Oron, thanks. Glad it was helpful. We were in the same situation, wanting to see some actually video/images of the cage since no one seemed to have any.

The build quality of the Tilta stuff is top notch. Not necessarily better or worse than the RED module since the RED mod's are well built (we originally had the RED Base Expander) but feels really solid, well built.

We loved the power options it gave us on the top plate. With multiple lemo, a record button, and monitor option through the cage.

The dual SDI ports are great and it does recognize both automatically but unfortunately they are not independent. You cannot apply different settings to each SDI. I'm not sure if this has to do with the RED firmware or the module itself.
Click to expand...

Thanks a lot for all this info. I wonder why do you need all those power ports?
 
Mark Andersen said:
Keenan, Thanks for the video, I will look further at the Title stuff, I'm sorry I walked right past their booth in Vegas, twice.
Click to expand...

Interestingly enough there was very little coverage of their cages at NAB this year. All of the attention was on the nucleus M. They announced the cages at the 2016 NAB, so there was not alot of hype for them this year.
 
Oron Cohen said:
Thanks a lot for all this info. I wonder why do you need all those power ports?
Click to expand...

Well they are easy (and close) access to power potentially multiple follow focus motors (Iris, zoom, focus) and an EVF. More than we need at any given time although nice to have since they dont take up extra space.
 
I really like my setup, but it took some evaluating of what I really needed. Here's what I went with

RED Base I/O Expander
WC BlueShape cableless v-mount plate (mine has no issues, i like the additional P-Taps and USB)
WC Easy Riser + 15mm
OffHollywood DSMC2 Standard Top Plate
WC Trigger Top handle

A main reason I really wanted the OffHollywood top plate was I wanted to be able to reverse my WC Trigger Top handle. This is the only top plate that I believe has an extra two holes for the Trigger Top so it can be mounted either way. I also like how minimal the OH plate is and though some may say it doesn't protect the top pogo, I'd rather have fewer links in the chain as possible points of failure than more. I also went Base I/O + Cableless plate for similar reasons as stated above: flexibility. I'll most likely be renting the Teradek DSMC2 module for a feature (if it comes out in time), and can attach any other module on a per-project basis. I'll go from shooting super lightweight handheld one day, to a 40lb studio rig the next so making the most of the flexibility of the DSMC2 system is key for me.
 
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