Clutch handle finally ready for Komodo (programmable dials, fingertip control etc)

[nickybee]

Hi guys - I haven't posted in a VERY long time. but I've been around since the early days (And am a longtime friend of Jarred Land's)
Anyways - I got a question for y'all because we just built a little something for Komodos (and frankly any other RED that has a 9pin EXT port) - with some crucial help from Mikael Lubtchansky at just the right time

Some of you may have seen this handle on other cameras - it's called the Clutch (made by RVLVR) and guess what - we just finished development to make it Komodo compatible.

For those who don't know the handle - it's a wired controller with two click-rotating dials that are themselves clickable. (and of course a REC START/STOP feature). This gives you, in effect, 6 programmable buttons and 4 different rotating features.

(for example on the ahem - OTHER camera - the defaults were ISO/Shutter Angle on one wheel - click to toggle between them, long click for Peaking and on the other wheel Aperture control, click for Monitor zoom, and long click for Exposure Assist functions like False color)

But the point is you can program the wheels to do ANYTHING.



Well ok fine, anything in the pull-down menu on the programmer app

In V1 we're thinking Aperture, ISO, Shutter, Color Temp, Auto WB, Peaking Cycle, Tools Cycle, False Color Cycle.

I'm posting to say hello and to ask for feedback - we're finalising pricing for the RED adapter cable for these handles (they are currently in stock in their standard other camera form - the cable will be available in the not too distant future as an add-on for users who already have the handle - or a bundle for new users)
Users of the other camera found this handle an invaluable time-saver on many shoots - but I'm curious what (overall) the RED community might think - here are some pics and a quick and dirty video (Google Drive Link)

 

[Brian Timmons]

Hi guys - I haven't posted in a VERY long time. but I've been around since the early days (And am a longtime friend of Jarred Land's)
Anyways - I got a question for y'all because we just built a little something for Komodos (and frankly any other RED that has a 9pin EXT port)

Some of you may have seen this handle on other cameras - it's called the Clutch (made by RVLVR - https://store.rvlvrlabs.com/.../clut...-remote-handle) and guess what - we just finished development to make it Komodo compatible.

For those who don't know the handle - it's a wired controller with two click-rotating dials that are themselves clickable. (and of course a REC START/STOP feature). This gives you, in effect, 6 programmable buttons and 4 different rotating features.

(for example on the ahem - OTHER camera - the defaults were ISO/Shutter Angle on one wheel - click to toggle between them, long click for Peaking and on the other wheel Aperture control, click for Monitor zoom, and long click for Exposure Assist functions like False color)

But the point is you can program the wheels to do ANYTHING.



Well ok fine, anything in the pull-down menu on the programmer app

In V1 we're thinking Aperture, ISO, Shutter, Color Temp, Auto WB, Peaking Cycle, Tools Cycle, False Color Cycle.

I'm posting to say hello and to ask for feedback - we're finalising pricing for the RED adapter cable for these handles (they are currently in stock in their standard other camera form - the cable will be available in the not too distant future as an add-on for users who already have the handle - or a bundle for new users)
Users of the other camera found this handle an invaluable time-saver on many shoots - but I'm curious what (overall) the RED community might think - here are some pics and a quick and dirty video (Google Drive Link)

Komodo OG and X need this.
The handle and it's functionality look good.
A wireless version would be nice as it would help save the EXT port for timecode boxes which I sometimes have to use.

Still looks like a great accessory and would be interested in getting.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[Gregory Karydis]

Count me in for a couple in walnut!
Also, consider a shortcut for 1:1 magnification!

Would be neat if one of these dials could control focus for electronic lenses OR take it one step further and provide an LBus lemo port for follow focus motors and you've got a winner!

 

[Mikael Lubtchansky]

looking good Nick

 

[Patrick Tresch]

+1 magnify
+1 focus (are there clicks?)
speed ramp would be nice (if Komodo had it :concern

 

[Alex Zeder]

+ Gio Scope (or other false color modes) peek while holding a button/wheel down.
​​

 

[NathanApffel]

I’d be in for one. Looks like your link is busted. Is it available now?

 

[nickybee]

Komodo OG and X need this.
The handle and it's functionality look good.
A wireless version would be nice as it would help save the EXT port for timecode boxes which I sometimes have to use.

Still looks like a great accessory and would be interested in getting.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

well the chipset on the PCB happens to have WiFi/BT so wireless would definiitely be possible - but the complexities here involve batteries - the moment you stuff a battery into a device like this you need to

(a) worry about charging (i.e. running out of charge)
(b) because of (a) you need a charge level indicator
(c) worry about pairing (granted you only need to do this once - but I've rarely come across two wireless devices made by different companies that have utterly painless pairing)

So for now we decided to just go wired for simplicity.
As for blocking the 9 pin EXT port - yeah we'd ship it with a 9-pin to 4-pin adapter (or the other way around) for that precise reason

 

[nickybee]

Count me in for a couple in walnut!
Also, consider a shortcut for 1:1 magnification!

Would be neat if one of these dials could control focus for electronic lenses OR take it one step further and provide an LBus lemo port for follow focus motors and you've got a winner!

ah yes magnify is already in. Forgot to put it on the list.
Focus is "easy" to add but honestly kind of imperfect so I never use it. Because the wheels have clicks/detents in them it just doesn't "feel" right. As for controlling follow focus motors - yeah technically possible but same same as above - the UX is odd. I have an idea on how to build a better tool for Follow-Focus so maybe in a future version.

 

[nickybee]

I’d be in for one. Looks like your link is busted. Is it available now?

Fixed the link - thanks for noticing - As to availability - well we have a number of the handles in stock (200 or so) - but the RED cables are in the process of being manufactured.
Here's the thing though - the handles could go out of stock really fast and it'll take a while to make more.

We'll see - thanks for the encouraging feedback overall so far guys

 

[nickybee]

+1 magnify
+1 focus (are there clicks?)
speed ramp would be nice (if Komodo had it :concern

Magnify yes for sure. Focus yes possible but as I mention above - the fact there are clicks makes it feel very unnatural (And I never use it)

 

[Brian Timmons]

well the chipset on the PCB happens to have WiFi/BT so wireless would definiitely be possible - but the complexities here involve batteries - the moment you stuff a battery into a device like this you need to

(a) worry about charging (i.e. running out of charge)
(b) because of (a) you need a charge level indicator
(c) worry about pairing (granted you only need to do this once - but I've rarely come across two wireless devices made by different companies that have utterly painless pairing)

So for now we decided to just go wired for simplicity.
As for blocking the 9 pin EXT port - yeah we'd ship it with a 9-pin to 4-pin adapter (or the other way around) for that precise reason

Thanks for the response.

understood about the powering issues for wireless.
a rechargeable internal battery could be a possibility though that can put an expiration date on the handle as those batteries would eventually need to get replaced.

Not sure I understand the 9 pin to 4 pin adapter.
Would this allow for a means of essentially "splitting" the EXT port where one can use the Clutch along with another device (i.e timecode)?

Clutch seems like a great development and hope it fulfills the promise of getting more dynamic one handed control of Komodo.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[nickybee]

Not sure I understand the 9 pin to 4 pin adapter.
Would this allow for a means of essentially "splitting" the EXT port where one can use the Clutch along with another device (i.e timecode)?

Clutch seems like a great development and hope it fulfills the promise of getting more dynamic one handed control of Komodo

Kind of. what I mean is that you could either use it direct to camera (9 pin Lemo) or via one of the break out boxes (4 pin Lemo)

I didn't mean the cable itself would split the port - the breakout boxes do that.

​​​​​ Nick

 

[M Harvey]

In V1 we're thinking Aperture, ISO, Shutter, Color Temp, Auto WB, Peaking Cycle, Tools Cycle, False Color Cycle.

(Google Drive Link)

This looks great!

I love that it's so versatile, but I wouldn't personally set the default controls for ISO and color temp/auto WB. Since most of the time I'm shooting r3d raw, and I only rarely adjust. And ISO and color temp are among the changes you can make very quickly on the screen.

Agree on aperture, though many of us probably won't use it (I don't own any native RF lenses myself). And then just the viewing tools: magnify, peaking, exposure tool (choose gioscope/false color/histogram), perhaps grid, perhaps raw/LUT toggle. These are slower to access than I'd like on the Komodo cameras. One thing: would they by default affect the built-in screen, or SDI out? SDI would be most useful to me.

 

[nickybee]

This looks great!

I love that it's so versatile, but I wouldn't personally set the default controls for ISO and color temp/auto WB. Since most of the time I'm shooting r3d raw, and I only rarely adjust. And ISO and color temp are among the changes you can make very quickly on the screen.

Agree on aperture, though many of us probably won't use it (I don't own any native RF lenses myself). And then just the viewing tools: magnify, peaking, exposure tool (choose gioscope/false color/histogram), perhaps grid, perhaps raw/LUT toggle. These are slower to access than I'd like on the Komodo cameras. One thing: would they by default affect the built-in screen, or SDI out? SDI would be most useful to me.

You'll be able to change the wheel mapping via the simple programmer app easily - but as for what they affect - it's as if you were using the camera menus to change them - so if those affect SDI-out and built-in screen then same same

 

[Martin Konrad]

How do we choose the right cable on their website? I see only a choice for the type of wood (currently walnut or walnut).
Would love to get one for the Komodo

 

[Riley Endicott]

Fixed the link - thanks for noticing - As to availability - well we have a number of the handles in stock (200 or so) - but the RED cables are in the process of being manufactured.
Here's the thing though - the handles could go out of stock really fast and it'll take a while to make more.

If we purchase from the link on the website is there a cable that we would need to order separately?

 

[Brian Timmons]

@nickybee
Cur

Fixed the link - thanks for noticing - As to availability - well we have a number of the handles in stock (200 or so) - but the RED cables are in the process of being manufactured.
Here's the thing though - the handles could go out of stock really fast and it'll take a while to make more.

We'll see - thanks for the encouraging feedback overall so far guys

Hello Nickybee,

Any update on the handle and availability?
Asking for a friend (a KX on the way).

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[Brian Timmons]

I finally received my Clutch a couple of weeks ago.
Unfortunately my initial unit had an issue (may have been the lemo cable) but it was promptly replaced
with a new unit that works well.

If anyone used an FX 6 (or older FS7) with it's multi function hand grip then you can see the appeal of a product like this on a RED.
While RED made grips somewhat similar to this in the past, they unfortunately never made one for DSMC 3 cameras.

I already used the Clutch a few days for a doc project that needed some handheld verite style shooting and I must say the grip performed nicely.

The size fits my hands well and pairs very nicely with the size of the Komodo.
The dial placement sort of takes a little to get used to as I'm used to the index finger dial on the top front of the grip (like the old DSMC 2 grips or FX6) but the way the Clutch places the control dials works pretty well.

The build feels pretty solid and the shape of the grip as well as how close it sits next to the camera body is great. The way it fits in the hand is definitely reminiscent of the classic Aaton handgrip which I imagine the Clutch is modeled after.

In the end I think this greatly enhances handheld operation on a Komodo (and KX) as it is much easier to adjust iris, magnify to check focus, and cycle through some of the tools settings while filming.

Before the Clutch I would have to handhold with one hand and change settings with the other hand tapping the touchscreen or iPhone (as I use RED Control a lot).
That brief action of adjusting settings with the other hand can sometimes make shots briefly unstable or add strain to the arm holding the camera to keep it steady.

Using the Clutch one can adjust some of the major camera settings through the grip thus allowing you to keep both hands on the camera and maintain better stability.

Even just activating the record function through the Clutch is easier and more stable than tapping record on the touchscreen.

My biggest gripe is that the current Clutch software (V 1.37) does not seem to store custom settings in the Clutch forcing me to use the default settings.
Perhaps I'm doing something wrong on my end but I could not get it to work.
Hopefully this can be fixed in further updates of the software or figured out if it is indeed a user error.

Minor gripe is that the Lemo connector for the Clutch does not use a right angle connecter (which would sit flush to the body) as opposed to the current straight cable.
My 1st returned unit actually had a right angle connecter but my understanding according to Nick (the person behind the creation of the Clutch) was they had a bad batch of the right angle Lemos and settled for straight angle Lemos which were more reliable.

My unit was used on both Komodo and Komodo X with no issues or differences in operation.

Will report more as I can but I can already give the Clutch my endorsement.

If you want to enhance control of your DSMC 3 RED and/or you perform a lot of handheld work with your camera, purchasing a Clutch is kind of a no brainer.

If the above is what you need, link is below. Make like Nike and "Just Do it".

RVLVR LABS

We use lots of camera equipment - and if we need something specific and can't find it - we design and make it.

store.rvlvrlabs.com

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[nickybee]

Thanks for the kudos Brian.
Honestly many of the modern cinematic cameras can make a lovely image - but the ergonomics are horrendous. Too many clicks to make basic features work.

the Clutch handles and the RED cable adapters are in-stock now (that one's called the Clutch link)

here are the links -
Clutch handle
Clutch link RED camera adapter

You would need to purchase both if you don't have a handle.

here's the original video shot with a prototype - and here's a more recent video shot with the Clutch attached to a 6k Z-CAM - amusingly that video was shot with a Komodo - but you'll get the general idea.

If you shoot any handheld at all - this thing is a godsend.

Nick