Komodo + DJI RS 2

[Christoffer Glans]

So with the news of DJI RS 2, me and probably many others aim for it to be the combo stabilization we want with Komodo. But the new Raveneye requires a video feed in HDMI input.
How can we solve this either with a converter or similar? If the SDI cannot be converted to HDMI, can we use the Link Adapter?

 

[Andrew Reese]

SDI can be converted to HDMI for sure.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...c_design_convcmic_sh_micro_converter_sdi.html

Why not just use RED Control App though for wireless monitoring?

 

[Joey Ciccoline]

The advantage of using the DJI solution is having access to things like focus motor control, active track, force mobile, etc.

 

[Andrew Reese]

Personally I am a little skeptical of the active track feature and the promise that the RS2 can reliable focus manual lenses (fast primes wide open) with as good of success as AF or a human focus puller considering the price point of the system is less than a traditional wireless video T/R system alone. Anyone have experience with active track and how reliably it works? I am a little out of touch with all the info out there in regards to the RS2 but personally it just seems a little gimmicky compared to having a traditional focus puller on a wireless feed or by pulling focus by hand as a single-op for more assurance. If it is truly reliable and legit, that would be awesome and makes me think we may see new technology in the future for AI / Lidar based focus pulling with traditional cinema lenses almost like AF. (i.e. reducing the need for a focus puller). I currently rig my Komodo on a Letus Helix Magnesium (full size) with great success even with heavy cine lenses and I have added arri rosettes to the Helix to replace the hand grips so I can instead use my Tilta FF Handgrips from my Nucleus kits which is quite the awesome combo for pulling focus while running a gimbal as a single-op but If I could instead rely on software to track my subject and adjust focus on manual lenses that would be definitely a reason for me to jump ship from the Helix and grab the new RS2.

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

The 3D focus system is an add-on that isn’t available, yet, so I guess we’ll have to wait to see how good it really is.

I’ve seen decent stuff with active track on the drones. My Ronin S is capable, but it’s cumbersome, because you have to mount your cellphone on top of the camera, as it uses the phone to do the tracking, so I haven’t used it. This new system in the RS-2 actually uses the real camera to do the tracking, so I’d guess it could be pretty decent. I’m sure there are probably examples on YouTube, by now, from the usual suspects that get early access to these things.

 

[Elliot Lucas]

I wonder what type of onboard power the Ronin SC2 has....can it power the komodo or any accessories like a teradek bolt....

 

[Andy Roberts]

The advantage of using the DJI solution is having access to things like focus motor control, active track, force mobile, etc.

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Raven Eye would be for monitoring only. I think you need the USB connection for focus motor control, active track, force mobile, etc. In which case, you'll likely need the Komodo Link ($395) or a USB to Komodo Control Port... and that assumes that DJI and Red can work out the protocol. My RS2 arrives tomorrow so I'll be testing whatever I can. My main plan is to use the Red Control app for wireless control of Komodo.

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

I wonder what type of onboard power the Ronin SC2 has....can it power the komodo or any accessories like a teradek bolt....

The "on-board" battery is ~30Wh and there are three USB-C ports on the gimbal for connection to the camera for control, the external focus motor and their wireless video system(mini-HDMI) that feeds their app. I could be wrong, but I doubt you can power a Komodo or Teradek from those ports.

 

[RyanFrancis]

I'm a bit underwhelmed by the RS 2. It feels like it's trying to be a "pro-tool" but no d-tap- which means no easy way to mount a pro focus motor, high nit monitor, or teradek shows me that they came up short. So freaking close, but no cigar.

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Raven Eye would be for monitoring only. I think you need the USB connection for focus motor control, active track, force mobile, etc. In which case, you'll likely need the Komodo Link ($395) or a USB to Komodo Control Port... and that assumes that DJI and Red can work out the protocol. My RS2 arrives tomorrow so I'll be testing whatever I can. My main plan is to use the Red Control app for wireless control of Komodo.

Hopefully you get yours. Unless there was just a glitch in their system and it failed to update, it would appear that B&H is continuing on with their recent pattern of being incapable of fulfilling orders on-time. I ordered mine on Wednesday evening with one-day shipping for delivery on Friday. My order still says “estimated delivery Friday Oct 16th”, but I never received a shipping confirmation or tracking number.

I normally just take the free shipping, because it used to only be two days, but now it’s at least a week. And ironically enough, the last time I used one day shipping(pre-pandemic), they completely dropped the ball on that, as well.

 

[Phil Holland]

Mine also gets here tomorrow. I'll be converting the SDI to HDMI to utilize the Raven Eye, though it would be wonderful if there was an SDI version, but don't think they'll do that.

I also have the Crane 3S, which is rather flexible in terms of what and how much you can mount to it. But DJI's software and control integration is leagues beyond Zhiyuns IMO. Though the hardware is pretty close.

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

I'm a bit underwhelmed by the RS 2. It feels like it's trying to be a "pro-tool" but no d-tap- which means no easy way to mount a pro focus motor, high nit monitor, or teradek shows me that they came up short. So freaking close, but no cigar.

It seems pretty darn good, from what I’ve seen so far. If you were trying to run a high-torque motor, high-nit monitor and a Teradek, plus the gimbal itself, that 30 watt battery would be toast in a hurry. Are there any “one handed” gimbals with power taps for powering accessories?

 

[Aaron Green]

Depending on how well that 3D TOF sensor works it could be a huge deal!

 

[Andrew Reese]

It seems pretty darn good, from what I’ve seen so far. If you were trying to run a high-torque motor, high-nit monitor and a Teradek, plus the gimbal itself, that 30 watt battery would be toast in a hurry. Are there any “one handed” gimbals with power taps for powering accessories?

The answer here is to mount a gold mount or v-mount battery or power bank off to the side and use that for powering all accessories via D-tap (i.e. Komodo, FF, Teradek, Etc.). I know I can get a small Komodo build on an RS2 with Leica-R's or a small cine zoom as a payload. But I'd really like to know if I could be able to run small Anamorphic's or heavier spherical lenses (Kowa, Cooke Mini, Zeiss B-Speeds, etc.) with a matte-box and FF as well so I am curious if the payload ability is on par with Crane 3S? But most importantly want to know how usable the RavenEye is in terms of tracking focus, wireless video transmission, etc. If I could rely on DJI tech for accomplishing these features reliably that would be pretty extraordinary for a piece of gear under $1000.00

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

The answer here is to mount a gold mount or v-mount battery or power bank off to the side and use that for powering all accessories via D-tap (i.e. Komodo, FF, Teradek, Etc.). I know I can get a small Komodo build on an RS2 with Leica-R's or a small cine zoom as a payload. But I'd really like to know if I could be able to run small Anamorphic's or heavier spherical lenses (Kowa, Cooke Mini, Zeiss B-Speeds, etc.) with a matte-box and FF as well so I am curious if the payload ability is on par with Crane 3S? But most importantly want to know how usable the RavenEye is in terms of tracking focus, wireless video transmission, etc. If I could rely on DJI tech for accomplishing these features reliably that would be pretty extraordinary for a piece of gear under $1000.00

I’m not a gimbal expert, by any stretch, but one of the problems you may start to run into is not just the raw weight of the camera payload package, but it’s distribution and size. If you can actually move it around enough to get it in the proper balance point or being able to add counterbalance weights in the right spots and not overtax the motors or cause mechanical obstruction or interference.

 

[Chuks Ude]

Tilta are releasing a whole ecosystem of accessories for the DJI RS 2.

https://tilta.com/2020/10/introduci...paign=dji&mc_cid=905434d126&mc_eid=3d46f4dcbd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtjldXOELxI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xeFaAkk9a88

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Noemqdy70A8

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

Correct me if I'm wrong but the Raven Eye would be for monitoring only. I think you need the USB connection for focus motor control, active track, force mobile, etc. In which case, you'll likely need the Komodo Link ($395) or a USB to Komodo Control Port... and that assumes that DJI and Red can work out the protocol. My RS2 arrives tomorrow so I'll be testing whatever I can. My main plan is to use the Red Control app for wireless control of Komodo.

Mine also gets here tomorrow. I'll be converting the SDI to HDMI to utilize the Raven Eye, though it would be wonderful if there was an SDI version, but don't think they'll do that.

I also have the Crane 3S, which is rather flexible in terms of what and how much you can mount to it. But DJI's software and control integration is leagues beyond Zhiyuns IMO. Though the hardware is pretty close.

Anyone get a chance to play with it, yet? As I suspected, B&H did drop the ball on mine and it's not scheduled to be here until next week, now. Guess I'll be requesting a shipping charge refund.

 

[Mike McEntire]

This is getting spicy!

 

[Andy Roberts]

Mine came today as promised from B&H. I ordered with their Payboo card (get sales tax refunded) and I heard someone else who ordered with Payboo also got theirs today. Maybe payment clears faster or something. Anyway, just saying they did right by me. I haven't opened it yet. I will test tomorrow for a shoot Wednesday.

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

Mine came today as promised from B&H. I ordered with their Payboo card (get sales tax refunded) and I heard someone else who ordered with Payboo also got theirs today. Maybe payment clears faster or something. Anyway, just saying they did right by me. I haven't opened it yet. I will test tomorrow for a shoot Wednesday.

I used PayBoo, too. 7% sales tax adds up after a while on stuff like this... ; )

I normally just go with the free shipping(used to only be 2 days pre-Covid), but it said free was Wednesday delivery, and I’m heading out of town that morning for a multi-day shoot and won’t be back until the weekend. It’s not the end of the world. I had a shoot pop up for Saturday and I was already booked on Sunday, so I wouldn’t have had a lot of time to check it out now anyway, but it’s really the principal of it. Especially paying extra for faster delivery. In our business, we wouldn’t survive long if we operated the same way. You can’t just tell a client that you slept late and didn’t get up in-time to make it to the shoot, but it’s ok, you’ll be there tomorrow.