A huge discount is being offered on the RED Digital Cinema DSMC2 Dragon-X camera kit. Instead of $19,950 USD, you can purchase it for $9,950 USD. Does this price drop indicate the EOL (End OF Life) of DSMC2 bodies?
50% price drop on the RED Dragon-X Kit
RED has smashed the price of the RED Dragon-X Kit — $9,950 USD instead of $19,950 USD. That means a 50% discount. The RED DSMC2 Dragon-X Camera Kit includes the camera brain, and the minimum gear needed to make a functional shooting package. The Dragon-X brain features a Super35 sensor and can shoot and record at 6K uncropped up to 75 fps. The kit includes a DSMC2 Dragon-X camera, Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens, RED Touch 4.7″ LCD, IDX Dual Charger, DSMC2 Outrigger Handle, G-Technology RED MINI-MAG Reader, DSMC S35 Aluminum Canon Mount, V-Lock I/O Expander, 2 x IDX DUO-C98 Batteries, 480GB RED MINI-MAG, and RED Camera Kit Case. Hence, all those goodies will cost you less than $10,000 USD. It is worth mentioning that the Dragon-X is still a capable camera that can produce stunning imagery, and can be perfectly utilized in high-end productions. However, the support of the DSMC2 lineup is fading. And that’s something you should consider before entering the DSMC2 adventure.
The smashed price symbolizes EOL (?)
As explained, the DSMC2s are great cameras. However, DSMC3 is being quickly evolved and adapting. Furthermore, the next DSMC3 will be announced soon (RED Komodo-X), establishing this lineup further. On the contrary, DSMC2 shooters claim they suffer from a steep devaluation of their cameras, and a lack of firmware updates (read: R.I.P DSMC2? RED Removes DSMC2 Bodies From its Store). For instance, the last firmware update was in 2020, and moreover, the DSMC2 brains have been removed from the RED.com store, although you can still find a new DSMC2 body here and there, from online retailers. We wrote about the DSMC2 users’ petition to RED, begging for bug fixes, more anamorphic options, and mainly that media issue to be unlocked so that 3rd media can be used. Hence, We don’t see a lot of shooters jumping on this deal. Nevertheless, that can be an attractive offer for those who want to try RED and enter the RED DSMC2 temporarily ecosystem.
Waiting for the Komodo-X
On the other hand, why take this deal if the Komodo-X will be announced soon (estimated pricing will be around $10,000 USD)? Thus, this value feels more like a liquidation sale of DSMC2, and we assume we’ll see more DSMC2 deals like this one soon. Anyway, it seems that the forthcoming Komodo-X will replace the Dragon-X. We’ll update you when we have more info about the Komodo-X.
Product List
Here’re the products mentioned in the article, and the links to purchase them from authorized dealers.
- RED DIGITAL CINEMA DSMC2 DRAGON-X Camera Kit
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I would say the final nail in the coffin after 15 years. Makes a former not-so-cheap investment almost worthless and cements the decision to not throw a single more dollar into REDs mouth.
What about rendering obsolence obsolete ?
Dunno if that‘s just after Jim left, but before the claim was there will always be an upgrade path.
And that ended completely 2 years ago when they announced DSMC2 cannot be upgraded anymore.
Now they are dumping the last bodies out and smash rental and used-market values.