The First Komodo Out in the Wild

[Bastien Tribalat]

I'm curious about the ND situation. Does the Komodo support an electronic ND like the Zcam one?

Yes, via the Canon RF to EF mount adapter or the upcoming KipperTie RF to PL adapter.

 

[Phil Holland]

Thanks Phil. I was quite surprised at how soft it was, then I saw your edit about using the Low Contrast / Soft HL settings. Overall it looks quite promising. I'd be quite curious to see what it's like on Medium/Medium as that's where I'll shoot most of the time. Do you happen to have a flatter lens like a Leica Summicron-C that you could use for some shots?

I really appreciate all your effort on this. I have in mind a dozen uses from drone to gimbal to car interiors that would benefit a lot from this camera. It looks quite promising.

Oh, and I hope my Alexa-compatible Sandisk Extreme Pro CF cards will be qualified for the Komodo. That was save me a lot by having one card compatible with both.

It's looking pretty good. Most humans who shoot RED don't even think about the OLPFs/Color Science Filters from my general research. They just kinda go with what they got. Usually Standard OLPF, which is a good general one. Panavision developed a few versions of their thingy, but the vast majority of DXL/DXL2 shoots have explored the Low Light Optimized OLPF to favor the cleanest shadows. Most of those productions obviously are well lit and rarely clip. There's a few productions that use KipperTie's custom goodies, which are a bit more like the Skin Tone - Highlight OLPF in structure.

Personally I have one Monstro pretty much always with the Skin Tone - Highlight OLPF. Not the cleanest in low light, but the best color response and highlight roll-off. My other Monstro is the variable OLPF. Mostly though, rocking the Standard.

Komodo doesn't have interchangeable OLPFs and this one is much more closer to the Skin Tone - Highlight, which is why you are seeing very nice highlights IMO as well as a big lack of optical artifacts when stopped down. I'll be curious to see how everybody feels about that at the end of the day. It's a much more cinematic image quality first approach IMO.

As for media. RED's official list is coming from what I'm told. Generally the answer will be faster cards likely ranging in capacities 128GB and up. In some cases 256GB and up. I bit the bullet and hopped on 1TB Angelbird cards. I shoot long stuff and don't mind it. I think lots off peeps will rock 256GB or 512GB. But who knows. I can't read everybody's mind.

Yes, via the Canon RF to EF mount adapter or the upcoming KipperTie RF to PL adapter.

Those are mechanical ND options, which in some ways are better. Like KipperTie for instance can be a "clear" and whatever 3 other ND strengths you want in the removable cartridge. The E-ND is a 1.7 stop hit from the get go.

I suspect we'll see more solutions on that front. I've seen significantly more advanced electronic ND tech in the last year that is currently nowhere as well. That's for another day until it shows up somewhere.

Then again, nobody is asking me what the best NDs are for Komodo.

I'll run and hide on that note. Gotta get back to not filming squirrels.

 

[Han Vogen]

dual gain OUTPUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I know right... I can see many here think “Dual Gain” = “Dual Gain Output” when in fact “Dual Gain” is a term that is interchangeable with “Dual ISO” or “Dual Sensitivity”.
Dual Gain Output or in Blackmagic terminology “Dual Gain Readout” records two different gain/iso settings simultaneously. In Canon’s implementation this feature cannot be user selected or enabled/disabled. It is always active and works at all gain/iso settings. I think this may be limited to 3200 ISO on the Ursa 4.6k. In essence these DGO sensors are HDR sensors. Capturing more DR than is possible with dual gain/iso or single base iso sensors.

 

[Aaron Lochert]

dual gain OUTPUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blackmagic is doing both dual gain output (dual gain architecture as Arri calls it) and dual base ISO in different cams in their lineup, so Dmitry isn't wrong.

Strange motion blur on that Night shot flying plane. Hope the shutter was off.

I recall seeing in Facebook comments that it was 1/48th at 48 fps, so it's definite a bit streaky/smeary.

Yes, via the Canon RF to EF mount adapter or the upcoming KipperTie RF to PL adapter.

Those aren't electronic ND's the same way that Todd was asking.

 

[Jeremy Torrie]

As for media. RED's official list is coming from what I'm told. Generally the answer will be faster cards likely ranging in capacities 128GB and up. In some cases 256GB and up. I bit the bullet and hopped on 1TB Angelbird cards. I shoot long stuff and don't mind it. I think lots off peeps will rock 256GB or 512GB. But who knows. I can't read everybody's mind.

Phil, do you mean these bad boys:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1452851-REG/angelbird_avp1tbcf_av_pro_cf_1tb.html

 

[Bastien Tribalat]

Those aren't electronic ND's the same way that Todd was asking.

Yep. Didn't pay enough attention. Sorry.

 

[David Rasberry]

Whelp. Was on the horn today for the better part of 11 hours, so that was fun. Still managed to get a half dozen tests done.



Thank you Todd and for you, here you go.




I'll save you the diary post I made to Instagram today and just write quick thoughts.

As I mentioned the Color Science Filter is strong, somewhat similar in feel to the Skin Tone - Highlight OLPF of our DSMC2 bodies. Though it's more advanced and tuned to Komodo uniquely working with the sensor tech to get us a nice soft Highlight Roll-Off. There's stuff I look for up here, but mainly I'm looking for softness and smoothness. And that's pretty on point with what I see. And this is a contrasty lens, Sigma Cine. Should be fun with certain vintage glass too. Might be even more fun with diffusion, though I rarely use it.

Tomorrow will be a bit more productive for "all of you". Trying to arrange some bigger stuff at the moment now that curfew has been lifted city-wide.

*edit, it's in my IG post, but this is IPP2 Low Contrast / Soft Highlight Roll-Off.

Thanks for this post. I prefer the choice of an OLPF biased for richer color reproduction and smoother highlight roll off over low light sensitivity. Don't mind giving up a stop or so of usable sensitivity for better color.

 

[Phil Holland]

Blackmagic is doing both dual gain output (dual gain architecture as Arri calls it) and dual base ISO in different cams in their lineup, so Dmitry isn't wrong.

I recall seeing in Facebook comments that it was 1/48th at 48 fps, so it's definite a bit streaky/smeary.

Those aren't electronic ND's the same way that Todd was asking.

Sync'd dual gain is a decent tech to get good DR out of a sensor.

Regarding Grossman's motion blur, bare in mind you are seeing the atmospheric perspective and air distortion on a super telephotos lens.

Yep on ND tech. And don't worry many more options incoming. Both electric or physical glass.

Phil, do you mean these bad boys:

Yep. Those bad boys.

 

[David Rasberry]

I couldn't find the Vimeo link to Grossman's footage. Apparently taken down.

However one can glean more than seems apparent at first from his Komodo v Helium post. Look at the difference in roll off and shading into deep shadows. Komodo rolloff is more gradual and retains better detail than Helium in this shot.

 

[Andrew Reese]

I see it the other way around.... More roll-off on the helium frame on the right as you can see more detail in the very most corners where Komodo frame has slightly darker shadows and appears to have more banding (just my opinion). This would be even more apparent especially if you graded the helium frame to remove the green tint bias which tricks the eye into making the Komodo frame look brighter and less "murky". Regardless I assume both cameras will be on par to each other in terms of dynamic range which has already been touted/confirmed by RED and at this point comparisons as such are just pixel peeping. Biggest test will be highlight retention when shooting a subject say in a dark room sitting backlit by a window, etc. Similarly, tests of skin-tones and color shift in over and underexposures. This test really doesn't show much other than how much noise is present and what noise texture is like at low exposure values which Komodo seems to do well very well. I think comparisons of Komodo to Helium or other DSMC2 camera's are mistaken as a test to show that Komodo is somehow "better" when in reality test likes these are meant to show that it is "on par" with the DSMC2 platform which means it will work very well at complimenting those cameras on set. Komodo is not to be a replacement for DSMC2 rather a complimentary tool for unique scenarios (i.e. gimbal, drone, travel, crash cam, action/pov, etc.) as well as an opportunistic camera for indie DP's who may now have the pleasure of getting to shoot RED.

 

[steve green]

Phil,

Thanks for all you do!

Here's an easy one.......What are the max FPS (16x9) for each of the resolutions?

 

[Jeremy Torrie]

So how are you powering via the GDU’s? Is that a special WC plate? Think I read here you said they were planning something to do an insert into the existing battery mounts at the rear of the camera? Obviously we want to streamline as much as possible. I have a ton of Core mini V-Locks which will be groovy.

 

[Jae Solina]

Still no r3d’s released? or?

Did you guys have to sign a NDA or somthing? So odd when people been waiting for a camera to be released for so long time and teased with pictures of the actual camera but no raw footage from it.

Or have I jyst missed tge link somwhere?

This is my observation as well. I truly believe the footage is just not ready yet. If it was, we would have seen mor. I totally respect them not releasing alot of stuff yet. The transparency is also good, letting people know the camera is out in the wild but its also bad because people will want more and more. I for one prefer the suprise approach of not saying anything at all untill a camera is ready to go.

 

[Phil Holland]

This is my observation as well. I truly believe the footage is just not ready yet. If it was, we would have seen mor. I totally respect them not releasing alot of stuff yet. The transparency is also good, letting people know the camera is out in the wild but its also bad because people will want more and more. I for one prefer the suprise approach of not saying anything at all untill a camera is ready to go.

Thank you Jae and you kind of get it.

It's been hard honestly. You long time members know I get stuff out early, real early. But the state of things this week here in LA wasn't ideal for production work. Locations closed, talent can't really be out past curfew, most things close 1-2 hours before curfew. Curfew was literally lifted yesterday and I cancelled stuff. I'm trying to get frames that are useful and of substance for you all. Stuff you want to see.

I grow weary of the goading for footage and the complete lack of awareness of the issues at play to film anything during a pandamic and citywide curfew have certainly worn on me a bit.

But for the patient, I'll have what you desire.

Meanwhile I am sharing things on the daily as I discover them while filming all my weird crazy tests, rigging, equipping, testing workflows, etc. I personally see usefulness in things like that mainly because at the moment only a few people have even shot with these cameras.


Just grammed my selfie from last Friday, not a pretty frame, but does show off LUTs in camera:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CBDyvo1HZEc/

 

[Phil Holland]

Looks like we're getting closer to official CFast 2.0 recommendations, Jarred just dropped this info:

Lots of questions about media for Komodo, and its a bit too soon to certify as we are still testing, but off-the-record , we likely will chose Angelbird to Co-brand with but the top end cards from Sony , Sandisk and Prograde all perform very well. Just avoid the 64GB versions of any... they are not fast enough. I like 512s because it feels like you can record forever , but 256GB is comfortable. 128GB brings on a bit of range anxiety, but that just may be me. 1tb for in the air or where the camera isn’t accessible for long periods of time.

Syncs up with my testing really. Everybody shoots differently and needs different media. I still think 256GB-512GB for general shooting is gravy town and also not breaking the bank. And Jarred's right about the 1TB peeps like me.

 

[scott pommier]

RED Komodo 6k Test Footage - PDK Airport - VistaJet Bombardier Global 6000
Philip Grossman

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

 

[Phil Holland]

I'm totally doing a cute Day 7.5 Diary. You have to see this little thing.



From my Instagram:

RED Komodo Diary: Day 07.5

If you're following me on this orange metal block journey you know I'm testing a lot of lenses and adapters on Komodo, over 100 thus far! However, likely the award for most compact and adorable ultrawide angle native RF Mount lens will go to this Laowa 9mm T2.9 prime. It's *gasp* manual focus, but it's geared and nets about 112-ish degree FOV on Komodo's 6K S35 sensor. I'll shows some tidy rod/electric motor stuff in a bit I imagine, but I still like a good old fashioned mechanical follow focus to stay in touch with the action. This lens is useful for POV setups, helmet cams, and tight space setups. The whole rig is super small. Like absurdly so. Big lenses are next week. Waiting on a few goodies to arrive. Never touch the front element of a lens with your finger, but I did want to boop it like a puppy's nose. Instead I sneezed on it with Pancro and wiped off the dribble.

I mentioned above, waiting of a couple things to help with "bigger lenses" and you'll see what that means. Should arrive between Monday and Tuesday.

 

[Ash Worth]

You have to see this little thing.

I think people would rather see footage TBH.

 

[Nick Morrison]

I think people would rather see footage TBH.

I think Phil is aware. Given the amount of interest there is, I have to imagine Phil not only feels the pressure of doing a test, but also of doing it right.

I think the least people can do is give Phil the time to do that.

He's made it clear he has family in the hospital. There's a pandemic. And there's a curfew in LA.

Phil doesn't OWE anyone anything.

So lets just be patient and let Phil do his thing.

 

[Matt Beardsley]

so cool.. I love the little Laowa wide lenses for FPV aerials.. they can take a beating and are so light – nice they can work with low-profile screw-on ND as well. The 9mm is great on m43, so I'm anxious to try the 12mm on Komodo