A huge selling point of the RED KOMODO 6K is that it promised to be ready to shoot and relatively affordable. This is very different from regular RED cameras which need a ton of pricey accessories before you can even hit record. Still, being ready to shoot doesn’t mean that it is perfect or even that it can’t be improved.
An early owner of a KOMODO is NOBA TECH, aka Jerry Lan, who has a nice looking compact setup for the camera. They run through their top 10 accessories to get and create a minimal rig if you are going to pick up your own RED KOMODO in the future.
1. RED KOMODO Outrigger Handle
The KOMODO is small and boxy, which is fine if you just want to leave it on a tripod all day, but terrible if you want to pick it up at all. The KOMODO Outrigger Handle made by RED is practically an essential accessory.
It can be moved up and down as needed, leaves room for other accessories, and has a record button. Not much more to add to it, but it is a little expensive.
2. Extra Batteries
Unless the camera is going to live in a studio, you’ll need more than the AC adapter to keep the KOMODO running. Luckily, RED opted to use standard Canon batteries.
There are actually two battery mounts on the camera, meaning extra-long runtimes and the ability to hot swap, so you should definitely pick a few up. As always, it’s recommended to get the official Canon batteries for guaranteed performance, especially with it still being early days for the KOMODO.
The two Canon offerings are the 4900 mAh BP-955 and the 7350 mAh BP-975. The BP-955 makes a bit more sense for size concerns. They will even be charged by plugging in the RED KOMODO. That’s convenient.
3. Dedicated SDI Monitor
While the KOMODO comes stock with a touchscreen monitor, so you don’t need a separate display to do your job. But, it isn’t always convenient and it’s never going to be as good as a dedicated option. Their pick is the SmallHD 502 Bright which has SDI and HDMI inputs.
You can also use RED’s mobile app along with a smartphone for monitoring, in which case you’ll want to pick up a phone mount for the top of the camera.
4. Monitor Mount
Just as important as having a good monitor is having a solid mount for it. Ball heads are the way to go and the Ulanzi U-30P Mini Ball Head seems to be a great combination of strength and size.
It also has a 1/4”-20 screw mount which will attach directly to the Outrigger Handle. Then it is easy to use and adjust position as needed, a major advantage over the built-in display.
5. Lenses and Adapters
The KOMODO interestingly features the Canon RF mount found on mirrorless cameras. However, at launch it doesn’t actually support native RF lenses. Early models will come with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R, enabling the use of tons of EF glass. You actually might want to consider these adapters because the KOMODO has autofocus with this setup.
What I think you’ll want to look into (and hope has easy support) is the new Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x, which is a Speed Booster designed for use with the C70.
Now you’ll be able to maintain that full-frame look even on the KOMODO’s Super 35mm sensor. Or, for built-in variable ND get the Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter.
Lenses are a personal choice and the sky is the limit when it comes to the EF mount. If you want some quick recommendations there is the Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM or the EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM.
6. Filters
All good video shooters know they need some filters. For the KOMODO, since you don’t have built-in NDs, you’ll want to get a variable ND. But first, they talk about getting some good UV filters for protection.
In this case, they use ZEISS UV Filters. I’m personally not a huge fan of them, but if you want or need to use them make sure to get the good ones. For the real filter you’ll need the variable ND, and the ProMaster is a good option. It even has hard stops.
Another thought is if you opt for the drop-in filter mount adapter and ever don’t want to use the ND filter, you’ll need a UV filter to swap in there to avoid leaving a gap in the adapter.
7. Memory Cards
You’ll definitely need memory, and considering the massive size and data rates of RED’s 6K footage you’ll want to go with RED’s approved options. It takes the fast CFast 2.0 cards and there are plenty of reliable options, just make sure you get enough, like 512GB ones. SanDisk has the Extreme PRO line and Angelbird has some AV Pro CF cards. Or you could just stick with the RED branded CFast 2.0 cards.
8. Memory Card Reader
Going along with the CFast 2.0 cards is a memory card reader. Angelbird makes a good one and RED has rebranded one for their own. Not much to read into here as you will need one and theses are good and fast with USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-C for 10 Gb/s transfer speeds.
9. Cage
This might not be necessary, especially for a minimal rig. But you can’t deny that cages can be invaluable. Many of the cages that are out there are small enough to not add much bulk to the KOMODO when attached. Though I’m sure many will do just fine with the Outrigger Handle and not need much else. One brand that does make good cages is Tilta and they have a full cage coming soon.
10. Gimbal
Being small is a huge perk of the KOMODO, which makes it a great option for use on a handheld gimbal. You’ll have to take off a lot of the accessories we just talked about, but when you need to use a gimbal the KOMODO is perfect.
There are almost too many to choose from out there. DJI has the Ronin-S and FeiyuTech made the AK4500, for a mechanical stabilizer a good pick is the Glidecam Devin Graham Signature Series. See? Plenty of options and not really much can go wrong with your pick.
BONUS 11. On-Camera LED Light
Not part of the core list of ten accessories, Lan thought he would throw in an on-camera LED light as a bonus. Never hurts to have when it starts getting dark out. Aputure has been killing it here and has three great options if you need one.
The Amaran AL-M9 is extremely small and light and affordable. An upgrade from that is the Amaran AL-MX, a brighter bi-color option. Finally, there is the Amaran MC, which offers full RGB color control in a similarly small package.
Going back to the other end, for ultra-cheap and light there is the Godox LEDM32 Mini LED. Though if you do want to go Godox I would put my money into the M1 Mini Creative RGB LED Light.
DOUBLE BONUS 12. On-Camera Mic
Getting better audio on location is important for many, so you’ll want to consider a decent mic for mounting to the camera. The in-camera setup is always going to be lacking. I don’t think anyone would argue too much with the recommendation of the Rode VideoMic Pro+. You’ll want an arm to mount it too, like this one from SmallRig.
That’s it! It’s a lot, and many of you likely have some of the pieces already. It is a good checklist if you are building out a new kit though.
[source: NOBA TECH]
Order Links:
- RED KOMODO Outrigger Handle (B&H)
- Canon BP-955 Intelligent Li-Ion Battery Pack (B&H, Amazon)
- Canon BP-975 Intelligent Li-Ion Battery Pack (B&H, Amazon)
- SmallHD 502 Bright On-Camera Monitor (B&H, Amazon)
- Manfrotto Pro Universal Smartphone Clamp (Amazon)
- Ulanzi U-30P Mini Ball Head (B&H, Amazon)
- Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R (B&H, Amazon)
- Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x (B&H)
- Canon Drop-In Filter Mount Adapter EF-EOS R with Variable ND Filter (B&H)
- Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM Lens (B&H, Amazon)
- Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L II USM Lens (B&H, Amazon)
- ZEISS 77mm Carl ZEISS T* UV Filter (B&H, Amazon)
- ProMaster 77mm Variable ND Filter (Amazon)
- SanDisk 512GB Extreme PRO CFast 2.0 Memory Card (B&H, Amazon)
- Angelbird 512GB AV Pro CF CFast 2.0 Memory Card (B&H, Amazon)
- RED PRO 512GB CFast 2.0 Memory Card (B&H)
- Angelbird CFast 2.0 Memory Card Reader (B&H, Amazon)
- RED CFast 2,0 Memory Card Reader (B&H)
- Tilta Full Camera Cage for RED KOMODO (B&H)
- DJI Ronin-S Essentials Kit (B&H, Amazon)
- FeiyuTech AK4500 (B&H, Amazon)
- Glidecam Devin Graham Signature Series Handheld Stabilizer (B&H, Amazon)
- Aputure Amaran AL-M9 Daylight LED Light (B&H, Amazon)
- Aputure Amaran AL-MX Bi-Color LED Light (B&H, Amazon)
- Aputure Amaran MC RGBWW LED Light (B&H, Amazon)
- Godox LEDM32 Mini LED Light (B&H, Amazon)
- Godox M1 Mini Creative RGB LED Light (B&H, Amazon)
- Rode VideoMic Pro+ On-Camera Microphone (B&H, Amazon)
- SmallRig 2065 Articulating Arm (B&H, Amazon)
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate partner and participant in B&H and Adorama Affiliate programmes, we earn a small comission from each purchase made through the affiliate links listed above at no additional cost to you.
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