Will You Purchase Komodo Mk2?

[Han Vogen]

It would seem likely that Red will produce a updated version of Komodo. It also seems likely that this updated version will have several, yet to be determined improvements over the current model.

So now to the question: With key features like continuous AF still in beta, would you have confidence in Red to follow through on delivering a “complete” camera should a Komodo Mk2 show up prior to promised key Komodo features making it out of beta?

 

[Brian Timmons]

A new Komodo model (Mk2, XL, the sequel, part deux, whatever) would be a good logical step but I do hope RED continues to push the hardware on the existing Komodo.
Have no idea of the scope of RED's autofocus plans but would be good if Komodo can get whatever improvements the hardware can handle.

Other specific improvement requests for Komodo:
* slower shutter speeds beyond 1/24
* Horizon level
* Gyroscope support (hopefully if it's actually in there)
* frame summing/averaging modes
* 3K modes with slow motion
* speed ramping
* 5K 16:9 modes
* GIO Scope
* HDRX
* wireless streaming performance and stability enhancements
* enhanced sensor performance in lower light (i.e managing some of the color shift issues when pushing the image)
* feature updates seen in the latest V-Raptor updates like Low Voltage Warning, QR code for Wifi among others, persistent timecode.

These are some off the top of my head.

ELQ is already confirmed for Komodo which (upon seeing the quality) should hopefully help keep data rates a little more manageable for certain shoots.

The IQ and adaptable physicality seen in Komodo make it one of the more inspiring cameras to work with.

Many of these requests were originally in earlier REDs with the older DSMC OS and did not yet make the transition to the latest DSMC 3 OS so hopefully these won't be considered impossible features to implement.

Brian Timmons
BRITIM/MEDIA

 

[Christoffer Glans]

They should finish Komodo before making a second version.

But, a realistic set of features that would make a second Komodo viable would be:

Camera body
- Same price point or lower
- Gyroscope (it's in shitty consumer cameras) for post stabilization (BlackMagic have now done what I've been talking about for years)
- Backfocus adjustment (seriously)
- RF locking
- Internally powered monitor that can be used with a Red arm (enough has been written about how many people have problems with their SDIs, just do it, if not powered by the camera, a battery-powered monitor that can connect without SDI, but we need a proper monitoring option other than SDI)
- V-lock or other types of big battery support INSTEAD of Canon batteries (would help keep the body small, then just make batteries as small as how two canon batteries would be to keep the rigged size low)
- A red made follow focus motor (that could be used with the internal AF to control cine-lenses)
- Dual slot memory card
- Better type media support (current card types are not even standards anymore and AngelBird cards have proven to be unreliable)
- Better wireless system for video, if not WiFi, use radio (that includes video transfer ONLY and a much more stable transfer similar to how well DJI's systems work)
- Internal NDs, if spacially possible.
- Better mounting options with a better Komodo-sized mounting plate for tripods.

Internal
- Custom framerates (like on other Red cameras, not just presets and should be fixed on the current Komodo)
- AF with face-tracking and programmable face detection
- GIO scope (why are the best features from other Red's missing in the current Komodo when there's no processing limitation of something like this?)
- 6K 60p (standard framerates on other cameras on the market
- 14 stops (true stops that don't lose color at the top two highlight stops, don't cheat)
- HDRx

Red Control
- If internal face tracking AF doesn't work, put it in here (modern smartphones can use face tracking in applications, it should be easy to implement such a feature even for the current Komodo)
- Alternative app that only receives a video feed. (I don't want clients on set to fiddle around with settings.
- Better wireless stability

 

[Christoffer Glans]

* enhanced sensor performance in lower light (i.e managing some of the color shift issues when pushing the image)

I already fixed this by making my own neutral LUT. Had a whole thread on how badly Komodo performs with the IPP2 standard transforms, but creating your own LUT from LOG3G10 helps battle these issues, especially the blotchy behaviors of shadows in the image.

 

[Bruce Allen]

How about an actual EVF? It's kinda astounding this still hasn't been released.

Was there ever an official word from RED what the holdup was?

Not expecting Alexa quality but at least they could use one of the excellent EVFs that DSLRs that Sony / Panasonic / Canon / Leica / Blackmagic etc are using.

Unless they pissed all the EVF component manufacturers off with their patent shenanigans? That can't be possible, it's a huge industry especially once you consider the micro screens being made for VR headsets etc too. They can't have upset ALL of the suppliers!

It'd be hilarious if Sony had some sort of dumb "we patented the idea of an electric viewfinder that displays color at more than 720p resolution at more than 23fps" patent, and they are using it to fight RED's dumb "we patented raw video at more than 2k at more then 23fps" patent. Well, not so hilarious for us filmmakers...

Bruce Allen
www.bruceallen.tv

 

[Karim D. Ghantous]

Instead of AF motors, why not bypass lens focusing altogether and make the sensor do the focusing? This will work for lenses up to maybe 100mm or a bit longer. See the Contax AX for reference. If you can do this with film, you can do it with digital.

 

[Phil Holland]

Instead of AF motors, why not bypass lens focusing altogether and make the sensor do the focusing? This will work for lenses up to maybe 100mm or a bit longer. See the Contax AX for reference. If you can do this with film, you can do it with digital.

No. Anamorphic won't ever work this way. Best optical performance will also not work this way.

 

[Zack Birlew]

8K 60P or at least 6K 60P with 8K 24P at top, Nikon Z mount version (grabs the E mount crowd two-in-one), CFExpress upgrade, Gyroscope, Internal ND, the return of HDRx at least at 8K 24P, and keep it at the same price point. That would make Komodo Mk2 a very interesting beast compared to the competition, otherwise the Z9 and other 8K options go unchallenged with the URSA 12K sitting on top.

 

[Karim D. Ghantous]

No. Anamorphic won't ever work this way. Best optical performance will also not work this way.

For lenses with internal focusing, or floating elements, you will be right. At least two Leica M lenses I know of have floating elements.

But for many lenses, particularly cheap vintage SLR photography lenses, that is not the case, The whole element set moves in tandem while focusing. There is no difference between focusing the lens barrel and moving the image plane to and fro. No difference at all.

I do not own any anamorphic lenses and I cannot say anything about those.

 

[Alex Zeder]

Why would I want a mechanism in my camera that only works okayish with cheap vintage SLR lenses? It just adds a bit more electronics, weight and gears that can decalibrate or break without being useful for anyone who uses 'better' lenses.

 

[Karim D. Ghantous]

Why would I want a mechanism in my camera that only works okayish with cheap vintage SLR lenses? It just adds a bit more electronics, weight and gears that can decalibrate or break without being useful for anyone who uses 'better' lenses.

A lot of people use either old SLR lenses or old cinema lenses. And it won't "only" work with cheap vintage lenses. You can use this mechanism to add close focus capability to any lens, if you have no other solution.

 

[Alex Zeder]

You're right, there are probably a few scenarios where moving the sensor plane would be useful. Close focus, semi-automatic backfocus adjustment, maybe even a little bit of tilt/shift. But for most of that, the moving range needs to be up to an inch, or even more. That takes extra space in the small Komodo house, needs calibration electronics, eats from the battery, and I wonder whether this is worth effort if most folks won't have a need and use for it. If it could at the same time be used for IBIS, I'll eventually change my mind

 

[Luka Sanader]

Komodo has really nice image and if they would just upgrade a 60fps, locking mount, internal ND and CFexpress it would be far better product.