RED DSMC2 HELIUM 8K S35 Brain

Includes

RED DSMC2 Helium Brain w/integrated media bay
AC Power Adapter (DSMC) w/power cable
DSMC2 Base Expander
DSMC2 Lemo A Adapter
DSMC2 Standard OLPF (installed)

Resources

Netflix Camera Production Guide

Manual

RED Tools

RED DSMC2 HELIUM 8K S35 Brain

Expected Release Date: 04/02/26

The used RED DSMC2 HELIUM 8K S35 Brain is a cinema-quality, modular camera brain featuring an 8K, Super 35, 16.5-stop dynamic range sensor capable of shooting. This version is housed in a new unified DSMC2 brain. Key features include:

8K resolution, Super 35, 16.5-stop dynamic range CMOS sensor
Frame rates up to 60fps in 8K & 300fps in 2K
Full-sensor 4K ProRes & DNx
Netflix approved camera

What’s Changed? Not much new here compared to the previous WEAPON HELIUM. This camera has the same exact features and very similar physical specifications to the RED WEAPON HELIUM 8K S35, so this brain is mostly a change in name only. It’s worth noting that it will record up to 8K/60p where as the similarly named RED EPIC-W HELIUM 8K S35 Brain will only record up to 8K/30p.

8K Resolution. This is the banner headline that gets people in the door. The HELIUM sensor pushes RED to a monstrous 8192 × 4320. That means you get video that’s four times the resolution of DCI 4K at 60 fps and still images at up to 35.4MP. In addition to an increase in resolution, you will also see improved low light performance and greater dynamic range from this sensor over previous Epic and Mysterium sensors.

High Data Rates. The HELIUM can handle 300 MB/s transfer rates, which allows you to record REDCODE RAW files at the highest quality, while also recording ProRes proxy files in 422 HQ, 422, and 422 LT at 4K resolutions.

Greater Versatility. The DSMC2 HELIUM features the DSMC2 Interchangeable OLPF system. This means that you can optimize your footage for your environment by swapping out the optical low pass filter. We send the DSMC2 Standard OLPF installed for balanced shooting, but we also rent the Skin-Tone Highlight and Low-Light Optimized OLPFs as add-ons.

Semi-Backwards Compatible. A fully redesigned brain also means support for some components/accessories has been dropped. Any RED component labeled DSMC2 is fully compatible, and we include the DSMC2 Lemo A Adapter to retain compatibility with original DSMC Touch LCD monitors.

Additional Items Required. At a minimum, you’ll need the following additional items to operate this camera:

RED DSMC Canon, Nikon, or PL lens mount (see Recommended on the left-hand side of this page for a complete list)
RED DSMC2 Sidekick or DSMC2 Touch LCD (see Recommended on the left-hand side of this page for a complete list)
RED Mini-Mag SSDs
RED Mini-Mag Station

Q & A

Is this camera on Netflix's list of approved cameras?

Yes! As of Q1 2026, the RED DSMC2 HELIUM 8K S35 Brain appears on the list of approved cameras for Netflix. We expect this list to be updated regularly.
You can access the Netflix production guide for the DSMC2 HELIUM 8K here!

What do I need to operate this camera?

At minimum, you’ll need these items to operate this camera: a RED DSMC Lens Mount; a RED Mini-Mag SSD; a RED Mini-Mag Station; and a menu-interface solution such as the RED DSMC2 Sidekick – Woven CF (external monitor required for live view), a RED Touch LCD, or a DSMC2 Touch LCD.
If you’d prefer to rent this brain with an accessory bundle, we also rent Gold Mount and V-Mount Helium packages.

Will this work with any DSMC3 accessories?

No. DSMC2 cameras and accessories will not work with DSMC3 cameras or accessories.

Do you have any DSMC2 brains with a full frame or vista vision sensor format?

Yes! As an authorized RED rental house, we proudly offer the RED Ranger 8K as an available rental option.

Are there any known power compatibility issues with this brain?

Wooden Cable-less battery plates used with DSMC2 brains running firmware version 7.1 or newer require a firmware update to the plate before it can be recognized as a compatible module by the camera.
We’ve updated our copies in-house so if you rent a DSMC2 brain and cable-less plate from us, you’re all set! If you source a cable-less plate from somewhere else, you can go here for instructions on how to update the plate yourself.

Does this rental include a lens mount?

This rental doesn’t include a lens mount but available mounts can be found under the “Recommended” tab on the left side of this page or by searching here.

Specifications

Audio	Integrated dual-channel digital stereo microphones Sampling: Uncompressed 24-bit, 48 kHz
Brand	RED
Camera Mount	None
Camera Type	Cinema
Compatible Media	RED
Data Rates	Up to 300 MB/s using RED MINI-MAG (480GB & 960GB) Up to 225 MB/s using RED MINI-MAG (120GB & 240GB)
Dynamic Range	16.5+ stops
Item Type	Camera
Maximum Frame Rates	Full Format (1.9:1): 8K (8192 × 4320): 60 fps 7K (7168 × 3780): 60 fps 6K (6144 × 3240): 75 fps 5K (5120 × 2700): 96 fps 4K (4096 × 2160): 120 fps 3K (3072 × 1620): 150 fps 2K (2048 × 1080): 240 fps Scope (2.4:1): 8K (8192 × 3456): 75 fps 7K (7168 × 3024): 75 fps 6K (6144 × 2592): 100 fps 5K (5120 × 2160): 120 fps 4K (4096 × 1782): 150 fps 3K (3072 × 1296): 200 fps 2K (2048 × 864): 300 fps *REDCODE values and max frame rates may vary based on selected acquisition format, aspect ratio, project time base, and SSD.
Maximum Video Resolution	8K
Memory Type	RED Mini-Mag
Recording Formats	REDCODE RAW (available compression ratios): 5:1-22:1 REDCODE for 8K Full Format (8192 × 4320) at 24 fps 12:1-22:1 REDCODE for 8K Full Format (8192 × 4320) at 60 fps 2:1-22:1 REDCODE for 4K Full Format (4096 × 2160) at 24 fps 4:1-22:1 REDCODE for 4K Full Format (4096 × 2160) at 60 fps Compression ratios and resolutions are limited to recording data rate limitations. Apple ProRes:* 4096 × 2160 ProRes 422 LT/422/422 HQ up to 29.97 fps 2048 × 1080 ProRes 422 LT/422/422 HQ/4444/4444 XQ up to 120 fps AVID DNx: 4096 × 2160 DNxHR 8-bit HQ/SQ/LB, 12-bit HQX up to 29.97 fps 2048 × 1080 DNxHR 12-bit 444 up to 120 fps 1920 × 1080 DNxHD 8-bit HQ/SQ/LB, 10-bit 444/HQX up to 120 fps
Screen Type	None
Sensor Size	Super35
Sensor Type	HELIUM 35.4 Megapixel CMOS
Stabilization	No
Viewfinder Type	None
Weather Sealing	No
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

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