RED DSMC 1 & 2
SERVICING & REPAIR
Cinelux offers servicing and repairs for your RED DSMC 1 or DSMC 2 cameras
About Servicing
Servicing can be carried out more frequently than repairs, as the servicing procedures are less intrusive and time-consuming than a typical repair.
To book servicing, please contact me via the contact form, and I will get back to you with a quote. Prices start from £75 / $100.
Overheating Repair
Both DSMC 1 and DSMC 2 cameras can suffer from overheating. Several factors can contribute to this issue, with the first being the cooling fans.
Cooling Fan Wear
All cameras will experience some form of rapid temperature changes at some point, such as shooting in the cold and then transporting the equipment in a hot car. These transitions can cause moisture buildup within the camera, which can affect the fan motors.
The motors may become sticky, causing the fans to operate intermittently at lower speeds. This forces the camera to run hotter and increases fan speeds.
Things to check
If your fans are not operating correctly or are sticky, the fan assembly can be disassembled and renewed with brand-new components to restore them to factory condition.
DSMC1
Depending on the version, there are one or two fans located on the lower part and the top of the camera.
The lower fan can be removed by undoing 2 screws on the fan cover grill, the fan can be unplugged from the camera and removed for inspection.
The top fan / cover can be removed via 4 screws & the fan can be unplugged and removed for inspection.
Removing both fans also allows access to the finned cooling block. Using an inspection light, check for small debris buildup that may reduce the cooling capacity.
If debris is present, clean it carefully without damaging the cooling block, as even slight pressure can deform the fins.
DSMC2
To access the top cooling assembly, you can remove the top fan yourself—at your own risk—using a flathead screwdriver to carefully lever it up.
Removing the top fan allows access to the top of the cooling fan assembly inside the camera. When doing this some of the internal cooling fins are exposed.
Using a inspection light you can inspect and see if there is any build up of small debris inside. if so these could be further reducing the cooling capacity of the camera if not removed.
If there is any debris and you want to clean it be extremely careful of not damage the finned cooling block as even a small amount of pressure on them can cause deformation.
Thermal Pad / Paste Replacement
If the camera’s fans are functioning properly and no debris is present, the next area to check is the thermal paste and pads.
Over time, these can harden due to heat cycles, reducing their effectiveness. Replacing the thermal paste and pads requires disassembling the camera.
I replace them with upgraded GELID thermal paste and pads, which provide significantly better heat transfer efficiency compared to the original components.
About this Repair Service
I want to clarify that I am not an authorized RED repair technician and do not have access to RED’s proprietary repair tools.
Due to these limitations, I only take on cameras that have a reasonable chance of being repaired.
How I Guarantee Reliable Repairs
It's crucial that repairs are not only reliable, but are done correctly so that they do not introduce any adverse effects. For this reason, I work closely with specialists to ensure high-quality & reliable repairs.
For any PCB repair I am not the person physically conducting the repairs, my role is to carry out diagnostic work. Once I identify the potential faults, I source brand new replacement components but If that's not possible, I provide a donor board with the correct replacement component.
The replacement boards are carefully packaged sealed in padded ESD safe packaging, and I create a detailed document’s illustrating the parts that need replacement.
I then physically deliver these boards to a specialist company who have expertise in micro IC soldering and board repair.
Repair Background
My background in electronics repair is all self taught, and are skills that I have developed and worked on over the last 15 years. Mainly focusing on computer repair these skils have provided me a source over the income over this time.
In 2020 during the lockdown it clicked that I could possibly use these skill's to also repair cinema cameras. I focused on RED as they had interested me and I thought this could be a good way to get into that system.
I picked one up for about a tenth of its value and after a few weeks of probing and testing, I successfully identified and repaired the issue.
Over the last couple of years I have purchased almost every faulty RED camera I have seen listed for sale online and have developed a lot of insight into the repair of RED cameras and there accessories. I have been able to fix some significant issues even without access to RED’s repair tools.
Each camera I repair I have made detailed notes of the symptoms, the issues found and the steps I took to repair it. I now have a comprehensive document I can reference, allowing me to diagnose issues in many cases before opening the camera.
What are Repair Slots?
I don't have the capacity to offer this repair service on a full-time basis. The only way I can effectively carry out these repairs is by taking in faulty cameras / accessories approximately every 2 month’s.
If you have a faulty RED Camera or Accessory, please check the next repair slot which is listed at the top of this page.
If you want to book in a repair you can use the contact section to detail the issues you are experiencing with your RED camera.
Camera Inspection - £100 / $125
This is the fee to receive look over and disassemble the camera to get an understanding of what may be of fault. I have tried to keep this fee to a minimum as no repair is guaranteed, A visual inspection is essential as it is the only way I can get an insight into every components condition
This is paid before a repair is carried out:
Successful Repair
This initial cost will be deducted from the repair cost.
Unsuccessful Repair
This is the most you will pay for the inspection and will cover the cost of correctly reassembling the camera.
Shipping
Due to the value of the cameras and accepting cameras from any location worldwide, shipping to and from Cinelux is arranged by the buyer.
Alternatively if you are in the UK you can drop a camera off to me directly in Meriton Foundry, Bristol UK. (Please email before detailing the issues and we can confirm the date you intend to drop off)
Warranty
To help mitigate any issues after receiving the camera back the repaired camera will be thoroughly tested using the stress testing method outlined by RED.
https://support.red.com/hc/en-us/articles/1500008404981-DSMC-Perform-a-Stress-Test
This will be done for approximately an hour before sending it back and both pictures and video will be taken of the camera operating correctly.
From your receipt of the repaired items they are covered for 30 days, if you find any faults or issues in that time, you can return the item and the repair will be carried out for no cost, unless the issue is different to that of the repaired fault.
Both shipping to and from Cinelux is to be arranged by the buyer.
RED DSMC 1 & DSMC 2 Repairs
The good news is that RED DSMC 1 & 2 cameras were designed with servicing in mind, repairs are possible and both camera systems can be disassembled and reassembled in a non-destructive way.
When I carry out any repair I do so in a clean environment, using ESD-safe, services gloves and a grounding interface to minimise any chance of component damage.
Limitations
I don't have access to the RED DSMC 1 or DSMC 2 repair tools and there is no way to purchase them sadly.
The system RED used to allow authorised 3rd party repair of these cameras was very sophisticated, where remote repair centres would have a "Test Bench" that was able to connect to the camera system, though diagnostics ports placed on every component within the camera.
This system would remotely connect directly to RED in the USA, to have access to the tools and software to run diagnostics on the camera. The System also has the ability to decrypt the LOG files the camera can generate.
Even though I do not have access to these tools there are a significant amount of repairs I can carry out without them.
Repairability
RED Epic & Scarlet - Mysterium X
These are the most repairable, with all parts being being able to swapped out or replaced,
*Sensor Swaps*
I have successfully swapped sensors between MYSTERIUM-X bodies, the only issue is that with the factory sensor calibration, the T/E tool will show as a bad calibration after the initial startup, but after performing a new black shading calibration all works correctly with no artefacts or issues.
The only small downside is that If you ever perform a system reset, you will have to perform a new black shading, as there is no way to replace the factory calibration.
RED Epic & Scarlet - Dragon
The good news is that most parts can be swapped out or replaced, but there are more limitations than Mysterium-X
*Omaps*
Omaps cant be swapped successfully, as once swapped the camera triggers a “SERIOUS ERROR” on startup warning.
*Sensor Swaps*
Sensors cant be swapped successfully, as once swapped the camera triggers a “SERIOUS ERROR” on startup warning.
RED DSMC 1 & DSMC 2 Accessories Repair
Most accessories can be repaired for DSMC 1 & 2 and I have a significant amount of parts for RED accessories from EVFs & Touch LCDs down to replacing individual Buttons or damaged ribbon cables.
Advanced repairs on the bonded touch screen of the Pro 4.7, Pro7.0 and Pro 7.0 Bright LCD Monitors can also all be repaired.
Look at the section below if you would prefer to just buy the replacement parts directly.
RED DSMC 1
I have almost every spare part and component for RED DSMC 1 Camera Bodies, all of which can be purchased if you wish to carry out a repair yourself, just give me an identifying number from the board you require and I can get you a quote for the price and shipping
If you need help or advice before buying a component send me a message and I will try and help identify the issue.
RED DSMC 2
The amount of components I have for DSMC 2 camera is more limited, but feel free to use the contact form below to get in contact and see if I have the repair part you need.
RED Accessories
I have a significant amount of spares for the accessories that go with DSMC 1 & DSMC 2 cameras including RED PRO Touch LCDs, RED Side handles and more.