BMPCC 6K Pro VS Komodo?

[Kenneth Hansen]

Hello everybody.

I come from shooting with big RED kameras and haven't really used smaller compact "cinema" cameras before. I just bought a BMPCC 6K Pro (even thoe i'd rather have the Komodo - but it's a bit more expensive) and i was all excited but now i'm really dissapointed. The camera is great don't get me wrong, but i can't really use it. I normally shoot handheld footage with a lot of motion and movement but this camera is very shaky and jellowy when i do so, to a point where i can't use it at all.

The bigger cameras have more weight to them and because of that handheld footage actually looks smooth compared to the BMPCC shaky footage. I've had the camera for two days now and tried a ton of different things but i'm already considering selling it and switching to a RED Komodo. This camera is great for doing stuff like interviews on tripods or gimbals, but the type of footage i shoot where there is a lot of motion and movement is just not going to work. When i shoot on the big cameras i always stabilize the footage in Premiere Pro - and it works 99% of the time. But when i try stabilizing the BMPCC footage it glitches out and is not usable at all because of all the small micro movements and jellowy look - which makes sense.

I know this is a problem for smaller compact cameras, but i didn't know that it would be so extreme. I have used smaller cameras like the A7Siii which also has some of the small micro movements - but it's nothing compared to the BMPCC. I was so shocked when i tried the camera out because i have seen a lot of YouTube videos on the BMPCC and i didn't notice this problem on any of the videos.

Does anyone have experience with both the BMPCC line and the RED Komodo that can tell me if the shaky/jellowy footage is the same on the Komodo or better? The Komodo is also a small camera compared to the bigger cameras but i feel like the Komodo is much better built and has a bit of weight to it compared to the BMPCC that's very light and made of plastic. And the Komodo has no rolling shutter so that helps aswell.

Because of this a started researching and found a comparison video between the BMPCC 6K Pro and the Komodo. The guy only showed a few tripod shots with a pan so not really much to compare to, but i noticed on one of the pan clips that even thoe the BMPCC was on a tripod it still had those micro shakes which is just crazy - IT'S ON A TRIPOD? I feel like the BMPCC has a really poor build quality almost to the point where the sensor is shaking or something. And of course the Komodo didn't shake at all. He also used another camera (i think it was a Panasonic) and that didn't shake aswell..

Just to clarify, a gimbal or other kind of stabilizers is not an option for me - it has to be handheld. And ive researched a ton and can't find any solution. Maybe this camera just isn't for me?

Thank you very much

 

[M Harvey]

I own a Komodo and have used the BMPCC 6k. I have NOT used the BMPCC handheld, however, only on tripod-- so I can't give you the direct comparison you're looking for. I'll share my experience, which may be of limited value to you.

I can say that I quite like handheld footage on the Komodo, which I've used both shoulder mount and with an easyrig. I do think in these cases the global shutter contributes significantly, though it's a subtle "feel" thing unless you're making rapid movements. I have not done post-stabilization tests.

As you recognize, it also is an advantage that the Komodo is a bit heavier, and in my case always a bit more built-up than other small cameras, with at least an EVF or monitor and a v-mount on back-- sometimes mounted on rails. It's also tends to get built "forwards" and "backwards" (on the lens axis), rather than out to the sides, if that makes sense, and therefore also in a way that works better to support it with your body. (For handheld, my point of comparison would be the Sony A7 series-- which actually aren't bad due to the stabilized sensor and the fact that I'm always pressing it to my face if I shoot this way).

 

[John Brawley]

The 6k Pro has a relatively slow rolling shutter.

I find this makes a big difference in hand held work.

The smaller build of the Komodo is still a problem (in my view) and I frankly hate the box mentality for a hand held camera, however the global shutter of the Komodo is a huge plus for hand held footage.

JB

 

[Tyrone Braithwaite]

I've owned both. (No longer a Komodo owner)

I found the Komodo was very jittery without IS lenses. And few lenses were supported at the time.

The 6kpro supports all the IS lenses I've put in it and is easier to hold and operate HH. You can put they eye piece up to your eye for another point of contact.

Micro jitters are the main issue for me. That can be fixed with IS. Jello has never been an issue for me.

The 35mm Canon EF 2.0 works great on the Komodo.

I've also mounted the 6kpro on an RS2 to great effect.

6kpro is less than half the cost and is a terrific camera.

17-55 makes a great IS lens on the 6kpro too.

 

[Kenneth Hansen]

Hey guys, thank you for all the tips! Tyrone have you ever rigged out your 6K Pro? I found a guy on YouTube who said that rigging it out helps a lot with micro jitters. He had a base plate, cage, V-mount battery, monitor and a few extra things. His footage looked very great handheld and it give me the same handheld feel of bigger cameras - but he didn't really go into detail about this. So now i'm considering rigging mine out. It defeats the whole purpose of having a small compact camera haha, but i feel like the end product will be much better this way. And with some IS lenses i think it will look amazing - hopefully. After reading your comments i think that i will wait a bit before buying a Komodo because i feel like the Komodo will have the same problem with jitters, but for a much higher price. Thank you again!

 

[Tyrone Braithwaite]

Hey Kenneth - no I've always kept it compact apart from when on legs and cine zooms.

IS lens is the way to go - or Ronin. Get the EVF and place against your eye.

Cheers.

 

[Adam Langdon]

I recently did a doc in Africa with two Pocket 6k Pros handheld. They performed really well, held up to the heat and constant recording.
For that trip, they were the right cameras to bring, given a few safety measures we had to take.
There were moments when we were tracking that jello-ing was playing a part in the capture, but honestly it was pretty manageable.

Truth be told, I sold my P6KPro and bought a Komodo. For several reasons:
- Global Shutter
- Speedbooster capabilities
- Image Quality
- Portability

To me it's the perfect weight between an Ursa Mini and a Pocket 6k Pro.

 

[Mark Kuroda]

Coming from a 4K I will miss the external SSD. Curious to try out the 6K Pro. The shutter does make a huge difference in movement, even minimal movements.