Total Investment for Komodo

[Jamil Stubbs]

I'm so on the fence with the Komodo and the BM 12K. I sold my 4.6k but kept the EVF so I have total rigging to get the 12k and keep moving with no additional parts. I have a couple of epics (my A cams) with total rigging. I'm really leaning toward just getting the Komodo, keep the IPP2 color profile and ride with with the Komodo as B cam and gimbal work. Make sense from a workflow perspective. The Global Shutter is such a bonus...

The deliciousness of having 12k with same framing across the K's is sooooo tempting but now in this scenario I'm changing A cams and having to add in the extra workflow of matching footage. (I never mixed cam's with client work)

I'm not rolling in dough so cost is a factor in this equation also. I can pick up the 12k for 10k.

The Komodo is 6k but I know I going to need some extras to get going.
1. Some type of V-mount
2. Bottom Plate ? - (Not sure is this needed?)
3. PL- adapter . I believe it comes with EF plate
4. Monitor - Will need very light external unit(remember Gimbal & B cam)
5. Handles or grips for handheld
6. Storage!!!

What was your total investment in the Komodo?


Can some of the Komodo users post a pic of the Rigs and explain a little about it? It would be awesome for me to see how some of the working Komodo's are being used. Also some details on how you incorporated the Komodo into your workflow and how smoothly or abrupt was it. It really seem like the Komodo is calling me. I have seen some great footage from it so that is not a issue.

 

[Michael Tiemann]

1. Wooden Camera V-mount (may be overkill to have a battery that runs 4-6 hours). Canon BP for 2nd Komodo.
2. No bottom plate: attach directly to tripod plate
3. KipperTie PL mount (one Adapts and one Revolva with A and B cartridges). KipperTie Chinstraps for both.
4. Looking forward to seeing how my Hydrogens will work as monitors (don't know if I'll need the RED USB-C monitor adapters or not).
5. Haven't decided on handles or other grips yet.
6. 2x 1TB Angelbird cards per camera (4 total)

If I could have bought a Komodo PL-mount camera, it would have saved me $1000+ per camera, which is a lot for a $5000 (with discount) camera.

 

[Phil Holland]

1. The least expensive V-Mount solution is the CoreSWX one and it transmits battery information as well as mounting directly to the BP slots.
2. I use the Wooden Camera baseplate solution which does get Komodo up to the proper height for 15mm and 19mm rods as well as being a nimble Arca plate if needed.
3. Lots of RF>PL mount options out there. The question is if you want behind the lens ND or filter solutions or not. More coming too.
4. Small HD Focus SDI displays go on sale a bunch. If you want touch control through that screen you'll need the Focus Pro SDI or one of the 7" models that support that.
5. RED's recent Wing Grip doubles as a handle and mounting point.
6. I wouldn't personally recommend below a 256GB CFast, but the Sony 128GB one is approved.

 

[Dominik Muench]

Tilta make a very tasty looking V-mount for $139 now: https://tilta.com/shop/dual-canon-bp-to-v-mount-adapter-battery-plate-for-red-komodo/

 

[Jamil Stubbs]

Looks like you can do a 2pin to Dtap cable...
SO
2pin to dtap cable that runs to vmount plate (already got)
2 256 Angelbird cards -$580
Makes sense to have the ND before the lens. Is Kippertie our only choice? I need EF (L Glass) and PL (Red PRO Primes & Zoom)
Thats around 3k for both mounts, chinstrap and a cartridge to share between the 2.
JUST IN - I saw this "Add CANON DROP-IN FILTER MOUNT ADAPTER EF-EOS R WITH VARIABLE ND FILTER
$399.99"
SO is this the EF adapter? It seems so..Im sure the canon doesn't work with the Kippertie's. Anybody have more insight om this? Having the ND in front saves weight for gimbal and handheld. I really want to go this route.

 

[Christopher A. Bell]

I quickly spit balled the numbers for myself. I own a ton of gear and would need very little to get up and running on one(not ideally, but just in a very basic shooting state) and I was looking at ~$9K for just the body, cards/reader($2600+)and a monitor mount, because I have BP batts from my C300 and several Focus 5 monitors. To get into a more ideal configuration, it would be north of $11K. Probably really north of $12K.

 

[M Harvey]

I recently put in an order for a Komodo package, and I'm coming up in the same ballpark as Christopher-- approximately $9k (cage with rail mount, v-mount adapter, PL and Nikon adapters, a couple cards, a couple Canon batteries...) to start and, by the time I add some mini v-mounts, a handle/grip, and maybe an additional monitor with control capabilities, I'll be at $11-12k. I'll want to test out Red Control from my phone before I go much further down any particular route.

Do you need an audio solution for the camera? I gather the BM12k has XLR inputs, but Komodo just has scratch mics and a 3.5mm in (as well timecode input). I already own a Sound Devices mixpre 3 for that purpose, but you can add at least a few hundred for something from Zoom/Tascam if you want XLR inputs and preamps, or $100-200 for a Wooden Camera A-box or battery-powered phantom power box, or $500-1k or more for a higher end audio solution (such as Sound Devices, Sonosax, etc.).

 

[Jamil Stubbs]

Made my decision and went with the .......KOMODO!!!!

Ordered 1 day ago with the canon adapter/variable ND filter. Just going to piece the kit together ad hoc.

I also ordered
2 x256 ProGrade cards (Thanks for the "code" someone!!)

I'm eyeing...

Kippertie PL mount/filter system
Chinstrap
Wooden Cam Kit
ND for EF - Any body have experience with canon filters particularly the drop in ND's? Any color shifts? I would like to keep the EF ND solution all Canon if I can get away with it. Otherwise it would be the Kipprttie solution for EF and I wasted the EF mount purchase.


Still Reviewing...

Battery System (Need that dtap for W Focus)
Monitor (leaning toward SmallHD)
Grips Does anyone know if the GDU DSMC2 grips will work on the Komodo?

I will say that I noticed some of the products needed to run the Komodo are selling out or prices are rising on those items. Noticed on a few things....

But i am looking forward to adding this sweet newborn to the family!!!


Edit*
Already set on audio solution.
MixPre-3 II
A few Wooden Cam A boxes.

 

[Mason Day]

Made my decision and went with the .......KOMODO!!!!

Ordered 1 day ago with the canon adapter/variable ND filter. Just going to piece the kit together ad hoc.

I also ordered
2 x256 ProGrade cards (Thanks for the "code" someone!!)

I'm eyeing...

Kippertie PL mount/filter system
Chinstrap
Wooden Cam Kit
ND for EF - Any body have experience with canon filters particularly the drop in ND's? Any color shifts? I would like to keep the EF ND solution all Canon if I can get away with it. Otherwise it would be the Kipprttie solution for EF and I wasted the EF mount purchase.


Still Reviewing...

Battery System (Need that dtap for W Focus)
Monitor (leaning toward SmallHD)
Grips Does anyone know if the GDU DSMC2 grips will work on the Komodo?

I will say that I noticed some of the products needed to run the Komodo are selling out or prices are rising on those items. Noticed on a few things....

But i am looking forward to adding this sweet newborn to the family!!!


Edit*
Already set on audio solution.
MixPre-3 II
A few Wooden Cam A boxes.

For your drop-in filter needs: Breakthrough Photography has a drop-in filter system, as well as the drop-in filters coming out soon. I have them pre-ordered. On that note, they are going to release a PL to RF adapter that can use the same filters as the EF to RF adapter. Two birds w/ one stone... Just something to check out (and I'm pretty certain the Breakthrough drop-in filters will work in the Canon EF to RF mount).

 

[Jamil Stubbs]

For your drop-in filter needs: Breakthrough Photography has a drop-in filter system, as well as the drop-in filters coming out soon. I have them pre-ordered. On that note, they are going to release a PL to RF adapter that can use the same filters as the EF to RF adapter. Two birds w/ one stone... Just something to check out (and I'm pretty certain the Breakthrough drop-in filters will work in the Canon EF to RF mount).

I'm really interested in this filter/adapter combo. I would like to see how well the locking mechanism works to ensure a stable lock and some data on the filters. Looks very promising. Seems RED will be shipping the Komodo's in 4 to 6 weeks so we have a little time.

Already received the ProGrade cards.
Been reviewing the cages and ribs. Hopefully will have so more options really quick here.

 

[Jamil Stubbs]

Kinda glad its taking a while for the Komodo to ship. Gives me time for the accessory buying frenzy!!

So far I have the 2 256 ProGrade cards (will be buying 2 more)
and the Tilta Cage - The Rosette's got me.

I'm still in need of the mount adapters. Really liking the Breakthrough Photography adapters. Just haven't heard much yet on them.

 

[Mason Day]

I'm really interested in this filter/adapter combo. I would like to see how well the locking mechanism works to ensure a stable lock and some data on the filters. Looks very promising. Seems RED will be shipping the Komodo's in 4 to 6 weeks so we have a little time.

Already received the ProGrade cards.
Been reviewing the cages and ribs. Hopefully will have so more options really quick here.

Have Komodo, but still haven't received the Drop-in filters. My only concern is on the PL version, and whether or not certain lenses with longer flange distances will be too deep to use with filters or not, but I think they'll be solid!

 

[Jamil Stubbs]

Have Komodo, but still haven't received the Drop-in filters. My only concern is on the PL version, and whether or not certain lenses with longer flange distances will be too deep to use with filters or not, but I think they'll be solid!

I'm on the same train. I have RPP's and zoom's. I wonder if they fit?

 

[Mason Day]

I'm on the same train. I have RPP's and zoom's. I wonder if they fit?

My guess is they will, but it's hard to say with certainty. All comes down to how far back the filters are in the adapter - though it seems they leave a good bit of room.

 

[Lars Wikstrom]

For your drop-in filter needs: Breakthrough Photography has a drop-in filter system, as well as the drop-in filters coming out soon. I have them pre-ordered. On that note, they are going to release a PL to RF adapter that can use the same filters as the EF to RF adapter. Two birds w/ one stone... Just something to check out (and I'm pretty certain the Breakthrough drop-in filters will work in the Canon EF to RF mount).

I emailed them last week about the drop in filters with the mount. They responded pretty quick but could not give me any ETA, just first come first serve. Because of Tilta's massive delays I have become hesitant about these pre-orders with no projected delivery time tables. I have had my ST Komodo for 2 1/2 months now and I am still waiting on parts to build it up so I can use it.

 

[Mason Day]

I emailed them last week about the drop in filters with the mount. They responded pretty quick but could not give me any ETA, just first come first serve. Because of Tilta's massive delays I have become hesitant about these pre-orders with no projected delivery time tables. I have had my ST Komodo for 2 1/2 months now and I am still waiting on parts to build it up so I can use it.

Yea, I've had my production black Komodo for a week now, and I've only been able to power it on via the AC adapter. Otherwise, it has sat in its box since. Luckily the adapter isn't a NEED as Komodo came with the EF to RF Canon adapter, BUT some batteries would be nice... Still waiting on my Blueshape BP 975 order - estimated mid-November production run when I reached out and asked.

 

[Anthony Howard-Crow]

B&H has Watson BP-915's in stock. They aren't ideal since they will prob get you about 40 mins per battery, but they are cheap and a handful of them could get you running in the mean time.

 

[Mason Day]

B&H has Watson BP-915's in stock. They aren't ideal since they will prob get you about 40 mins per battery, but they are cheap and a handful of them could get you running in the mean time.

Thank you! I will check these out!

 

[Anthony Howard-Crow]

No problem! I just started charging mine and they are being kinda funky. The charger is just blinking charging and charged lights. We will see, might be a no go with this charger at least.

 

[Anthony Howard-Crow]

Thank you! I will check these out!

I'm going to have to take back the Watson recommendation. I just tried 4 of them and every time you hit record it makes the Komodo restart. And it also corrupted the video files that I shot with Canon BP 975s earlier today. Can't 100% say it was because of those batteries, but I watched it back in camera right before trying them out so... Either way all I can do with them is turn the camera on, and watch it endlessly restart itself. I'll be sending mine back.