Komodo vs C70

[John Pike]

I had a Komodo for about a year, and really did love it. I am now considering buying one again! However, I've also been looking a lot at the C70. I mostly do my own art projects, and documentaries, some tripod and run and gun. My main attraction to the Canon is I can slap on a mic on the top and it's really all rigged out for what I need to do, especially considering the build in NDs. Additionally, I like the idea of smaller clog 2 files, allowing me to shoot more on my limited budget and easier processing for my computer. Really nice autofocus also would be a big plus.

BUT- I keep coming back to the Komodo. I liked setting mine up with a light setup of just a GDU pistol handle and a small lens, with the iphone as my screen. That, and something about that global shutter, I think really made my footage feel better, especially just filming basic things, like moving water.

Anyways, I'd love to hear from some people here that have had or used both. How do you feel about the image quality of the Canon vs the Red, etc.

Thanks!

 

[M Harvey]

I own a Komodo, and I've only shot once with the C70. I have not shot the same material side by side. But there are a couple things I can say:

They're really both great cameras. I personally would choose Komodo for ultimate image quality, but Canon C70 for general usability. If I were traveling or shooting solo a lot, and/or if I were focused on documentary work (interviews, verite or reportage) or low budget corporate (interviews and b-roll), I think the C70 is a better design-- it's out of the bag and running much quicker, is at home on a strap over your shoulder, offers longer record times, and has decent built-in audio. The single C70 job I did was on a gimbal, so the internal NDs were a life-saver, and I found the AF intuitive and reliable within an hour of picking it up.

I'm sure people are making great narrative, music video, etc. with the C70 as well, but in areas where image quality is paramount, I give the nod to Komodo for r3d, resolution, and global shutter. (I also like Red's color science, but I can't say it's objectively better or worse than Canon's.) The one thing I'd say here is that I wish the Komodo could match the C70 for frame rates.

Maybe it's helpful to ask yourself why (and if) you need the 2nd camera? If it's for 2-camera shoots, you might make out better just renting the matching Komodo, and not worrying about matching footage (with different NDs on top of that). If it's for different types of projects, then I guess maybe the C70 offers a different use case. For my part, I also own a Sony camera with similar capabilities to the C70, and that goes out on corporate jobs and simple interview shoots.

 

[John Pike]

I own a Komodo, and I've only shot once with the C70. I have not shot the same material side by side. But there are a couple things I can say:

They're really both great cameras. I personally would choose Komodo for ultimate image quality, but Canon C70 for general usability. If I were traveling or shooting solo a lot, and/or if I were focused on documentary work (interviews, verite or reportage) or low budget corporate (interviews and b-roll), I think the C70 is a better design-- it's out of the bag and running much quicker, is at home on a strap over your shoulder, offers longer record times, and has decent built-in audio. The single C70 job I did was on a gimbal, so the internal NDs were a life-saver, and I found the AF intuitive and reliable within an hour of picking it up.

I'm sure people are making great narrative, music video, etc. with the C70 as well, but in areas where image quality is paramount, I give the nod to Komodo for r3d, resolution, and global shutter. (I also like Red's color science, but I can't say it's objectively better or worse than Canon's.) The one thing I'd say here is that I wish the Komodo could match the C70 for frame rates.

Maybe it's helpful to ask yourself why (and if) you need the 2nd camera? If it's for 2-camera shoots, you might make out better just renting the matching Komodo, and not worrying about matching footage (with different NDs on top of that). If it's for different types of projects, then I guess maybe the C70 offers a different use case. For my part, I also own a Sony camera with similar capabilities to the C70, and that goes out on corporate jobs and simple interview shoots.

Thanks for your helpful response. I will be mostly operating solo, so it does definitely seem like the C70 is worthy of consideration. And just to clarify, I no longer have a Komodo anymore so this purchase won't be for a second camera, and will be my only camera.

 

[Kevin D'Haeze]

As M Harvey was saying, they are similar but different. In my experience, the C70 is better at quick-moving "less formal" shoots. From power up, it's ready to record within a few seconds... with Komodo you're waiting quite a bit longer for it to boot up. The C70 swing out/tilt screen is far more usable than the Komodo, which is fixed on the top of the camera... forcing you to hold it down at about chest level all the time (unless you add a monitor, of course, but then you're adding to the size/weight/power consumption). Having physical dials for audio on the C70 is very nice, too... you don't have to dig into a menu to adjust levels... plus you get the built in mini-XLRs. And of course the built-in ND filters are SO nice. The file sizes are very managable, it uses cheap SD cards. And you get a lot more flexibility with frame rates.

All that said, the Komodo image look and feel is preferred... at least to me. It has a more organic feel. And R3D files are easy to work with. The colors look great without fussing with much of anything. This is completely non-technical and just opinion, but the Komodo looks more "earthy" to me... less synthetic and sharp.

For me, I find myself going for a C70 more often... unless on a bigger project. To me having that fast-start up and ease of configuring w/buttons and dials vs. menus... means that I am able to get more shots.

It will end up being a personal decision for you.... both are amazing cameras. Either way, if you plan and light properly, you'll get great results.

 

[Han Vogen]

The C70 is a great camera with a wonderful sensor. Very usable and feature rich. But the build quality is sub par. I would take a C70 Mk 2 with Red Komodo build any day.

 

[John Pike]

The C70 is a great camera with a wonderful sensor. Very usable and feature rich. But the build quality is sub par. I would take a C70 Mk 2 with Red Komodo build any day.

I went to BH and peeped a C70, and yeah, I do agree that the build quality isn't quite on par with the Komodo. That said, it seems easier to have great build quality, when you lack the amount of inputs and moving parts found on the C70.

I ended up grabbing a C70 as I found a really good deal used. Maybe, partially, I just wanted to shoot with something different, since I already had the Komodo once. Otherwise, I decided for what I want to work on right now, easier to manage files, and built in mini-XLRs, with (I've heard) decent preamps will be really useful for me. I ordered a Sanken Cs-M1 that I'll graft to the top, and then I'm ready for shooting.

I haven't received it yet, but I'll keep this thread posted on any conclusion I have. You never know, I may be back here to say I'm dumping it for another Komodo lol.