Current KX/R5C owner here. I love seeing builds and the thought process of problem solving. But you couldn’t pay me to go back to an OG Komodo. Pre-amps, I/O, image quality, frame rates, locking mount, and the same media as my R5C are all reasons why I upgraded. Throw in a RODE wireless pro with AI voice in Resolve and my build is smaller than my Komodo without the extra gac. Great video!
Hey Chris! I couldn't agree more!! I wish I had the budget at the moment to upgrade to the KX for all of the reasons you listed. Until then I'll keep searching for a few ways to try and get closer. Thanks for commenting!
I can get a second hand OG Komodo (full package : 100 hours, Small HD Focus Pro , side & top handle, 1x512gb + CFast reader, V-lock Plate with 2 V-Mount Batteries) for 6k (€), so literally twice cheaper than the body of the Komodo X (6000€ cheaper and I have all the accessories). And I can still use a Zoom F3 for audio btw. To be honest I would love the KX and was ready to get this bad boy (it looks like the perfect camera to me), but I can get two OG Komodo for the price of a Komodo X, and more (because I would need to buy accessories for the KX)😅. If I go with the OG, I could invest in another camera or lenses, lights, tripod,... I rented the Komodo once for a music video and I really loved it! Sure the KX would be better but come on, you can still make incredible videos with the OG ;-) Edit: Do you really find the image quality much better? Because if yes it could change my mind 😆 (that's the reason I'm selling my FX3 & FX6, because since day one, I never been a fan of the look..still don't know why I switched to Sony 🤐 I had a Pocket 6k Pro and R5 before..)
@@JS_Leger I wouldn’t say the IQ is worth the upgrade, although I appreciate the bump in lowlight. Having usable pre-amps and shareable media are huge for me and worth the upgrade
Current Red Komodo and Komodo X owner here... Both cameras are great and neither is perfect. If you need that extra 1/2 stop and frequently shoot in low light, you also desire PL mount with built in ND filters, want the upgraded XLR pres, and want the RED 7" cable-free top mount monitor, then get the X. All-in that will cost around $17k. Now you're getting close to V-Raptor Super 35 Starter Pack territory. Otherwise get a used Komodo OG for around $5k, Small HD monitor, external XLR or Zoom recorder, and a decent matte box with ND filters and you're good to go. There are tons of used Komodo OGs out there with very low hours.
Literally the video I need to see right now as I'm in the market for a RED and the Komodo vs Komodo X decision has been a hot debate in my head, awesome video my man, new sub
Yeah exactly. Feel like a lot of creators these days just leave their camera on 4K 60, lol. Once they understand that higher frame rates are for B roll, then you can start using the camera as intended.
@@dustinschmidtphoto Also with software like Topaz Labz Video AI you can show down your footage to essentially still images 😂 why even buy an HS camera unless you specialize in that type of work?
Really the only people who don’t use them are those doing interviews. Music videos, sporting events, commercials, virtual productions and narrative all use different frame rates to tell the story and enhance the final edit.
I couldn't agree more. I'm just curious how often everyone is digging into frame rates over 48-60 fps on a regular basis to do all the things you've described. That's where the big benefit is in going to the Komodo X in my opinion. I think you can go all the way up to 60 fps on the original Komodo and the impact on the picture quality and the crop factor aren't that huge of a hindrance.
Happy with my OG Komodo MQ and HQ R3D are fantastic and my sound devices mix pre. I don’t shoot slow motion dream sequences or sports so not missing frame rates.. to each their own i suppose.
Totally agree. It's hard to get better picture quality than Red raw in MQ/HQ and then combining that with the sound out of a Mixpre. You could spend tens of thousands more to try and improve on that combo and not too many people would really see the difference honestly.
@@dustinschmidtphotoyes! I have been loving my Komodo image quality paired with the sound devices and great mic choices. There is no way I would rely on the pre amps of any of the cameras out there as a voice over Artist I have a fetish for good sound. Funny that people talk about xlr access but then the preamps are still not worth the price difference of the Komodo x and OG. With proper exposure and lighting and any knowledge of davinci. No one would be able to tell the difference. Especially if you leverage the true difference in most output which is the choice of glass in front of the cameras. Photography lenses yield overly sharp output and cine lenses like Cooke and arri ultra etc even Arles will yield more pleasing images. /end rant hehehe
@@anthonyrock5039 All good points. Aside from a very small number of the top, top cinema cameras, we are at a plateau in terms of dynamic range for everything below those (Arri, Venice 2, etc.). Just get a good, quality camera and sound solution and start making stuff.
Left out the frame rate differences. A Komodo x with a vmount is not that much bigger than the og Komodo . I see what you’re saying with your specific use case. But if all your doing is interviews than a Komodo is over kill anyways.
Yep, I forgot to mention frame rates. X has way better options there. But I'm curious out of the many people who buy the X, who is regularly using the higher frame rates? Maybe if you're a tabletop or product person? Sports? But you'd probably be better served with a Raptor if you're truly doing that kind of work.
Agreed. I do wish it wasn't a separate thing to worry about, but it's also why I like the tascam over other options that may be more complicated. You can always get AA batteries anywhere.
Hi dustin, I see that at the back of your mutiny plate there is a 2 pin DC input. I also have this plate, but mine dont have it neither o mutiny website the photos show it. Did it came with yours or you bought as an add on?
Hi there, yes my plate currently has a 2 pin DC input. When I originally purchased my mutiny plate it did not have the 2 pin DC input however, same as you. Mutiny recently came out with an updated design and the ability to purchase just the updated part as an add on, so that's what I did. The part is available on their website.
Yep, everything changed a bit really after they did the price adjustment. Although now you can get OG Komodo’s for even cheaper! But just depends on your needs.
Dustin... Oh man! I understand that you want more than 422 10bit... But god damn, just get a fx6 or fx9 and use your awesome glass :) All this rigging seems nuts to me! I personally own an fx9, fx6 and fs7 and image quality has never been a painpoint for my customers.
Those are great cameras for sure! The rigging depends on whats needed for the shoot. If I don’t need high quality audio then I can, and do, throw a tiny 3.5mm mic on the komodo. I can use all my ef lenses and lose the follow focus. If there’s no client review needed then I can get rid of wireless transmission, or go with a simple screw on variable nd, etc. Every camera can rig up or down depending on what the job calls for! But you also have to rig the same Sony cameras you mentioned with some of the same stuff depending on the requirements of the job. I’m just glad we all have so many great cameras available.
Current KX/R5C owner here. I love seeing builds and the thought process of problem solving. But you couldn’t pay me to go back to an OG Komodo.
Pre-amps, I/O, image quality, frame rates, locking mount, and the same media as my R5C are all reasons why I upgraded. Throw in a RODE wireless pro with AI voice in Resolve and my build is smaller than my Komodo without the extra gac. Great video!
Hey Chris! I couldn't agree more!! I wish I had the budget at the moment to upgrade to the KX for all of the reasons you listed. Until then I'll keep searching for a few ways to try and get closer. Thanks for commenting!
@@dustinschmidtphoto the budget is probably a bigger factor even over ROI. I totally understand and respect you know your needs
I can get a second hand OG Komodo (full package : 100 hours, Small HD Focus Pro , side & top handle, 1x512gb + CFast reader, V-lock Plate with 2 V-Mount Batteries) for 6k (€), so literally twice cheaper than the body of the Komodo X (6000€ cheaper and I have all the accessories). And I can still use a Zoom F3 for audio btw.
To be honest I would love the KX and was ready to get this bad boy (it looks like the perfect camera to me), but I can get two OG Komodo for the price of a Komodo X, and more (because I would need to buy accessories for the KX)😅. If I go with the OG, I could invest in another camera or lenses, lights, tripod,... I rented the Komodo once for a music video and I really loved it! Sure the KX would be better but come on, you can still make incredible videos with the OG ;-)
Edit: Do you really find the image quality much better? Because if yes it could change my mind 😆 (that's the reason I'm selling my FX3 & FX6, because since day one, I never been a fan of the look..still don't know why I switched to Sony 🤐 I had a Pocket 6k Pro and R5 before..)
@@JS_Leger I wouldn’t say the IQ is worth the upgrade, although I appreciate the bump in lowlight. Having usable pre-amps and shareable media are huge for me and worth the upgrade
Current Red Komodo and Komodo X owner here... Both cameras are great and neither is perfect. If you need that extra 1/2 stop and frequently shoot in low light, you also desire PL mount with built in ND filters, want the upgraded XLR pres, and want the RED 7" cable-free top mount monitor, then get the X. All-in that will cost around $17k. Now you're getting close to V-Raptor Super 35 Starter Pack territory. Otherwise get a used Komodo OG for around $5k, Small HD monitor, external XLR or Zoom recorder, and a decent matte box with ND filters and you're good to go. There are tons of used Komodo OGs out there with very low hours.
That's a pretty great breakdown and good advice. Thanks for the comment!
You can even buy the RED PL mount with the electronic ND filter for the OG Komodo.
Literally the video I need to see right now as I'm in the market for a RED and the Komodo vs Komodo X decision has been a hot debate in my head, awesome video my man, new sub
Glad it was helpful!
I enjoyed that you provided just enough info for each part without going too deep.
Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful.
If you rarely need anything outside of 23.976, no need for x
Having the extra frame rates of the X would be great, no doubt. The question to ask yourself is “how much high speed am I REALLY shooting?”
Yeah exactly. Feel like a lot of creators these days just leave their camera on 4K 60, lol. Once they understand that higher frame rates are for B roll, then you can start using the camera as intended.
@@dustinschmidtphoto Also with software like Topaz Labz Video AI you can show down your footage to essentially still images 😂 why even buy an HS camera unless you specialize in that type of work?
@@brettalexander.studio That's interesting, I've never used Topaz Video AI. I'll have to check it out.
@@dustinschmidtphoto pretty cool. Hey have a free trial (has a watermark) but worth downloading and trying imo
Really the only people who don’t use them are those doing interviews. Music videos, sporting events, commercials, virtual productions and narrative all use different frame rates to tell the story and enhance the final edit.
I couldn't agree more. I'm just curious how often everyone is digging into frame rates over 48-60 fps on a regular basis to do all the things you've described. That's where the big benefit is in going to the Komodo X in my opinion. I think you can go all the way up to 60 fps on the original Komodo and the impact on the picture quality and the crop factor aren't that huge of a hindrance.
Happy with my OG Komodo MQ and HQ R3D are fantastic and my sound devices mix pre. I don’t shoot slow motion dream sequences or sports so not missing frame rates.. to each their own i suppose.
Totally agree. It's hard to get better picture quality than Red raw in MQ/HQ and then combining that with the sound out of a Mixpre. You could spend tens of thousands more to try and improve on that combo and not too many people would really see the difference honestly.
@@dustinschmidtphotoyes! I have been loving my Komodo image quality paired with the sound devices and great mic choices. There is no way I would rely on the pre amps of any of the cameras out there as a voice over Artist I have a fetish for good sound. Funny that people talk about xlr access but then the preamps are still not worth the price difference of the Komodo x and OG. With proper exposure and lighting and any knowledge of davinci. No one would be able to tell the difference. Especially if you leverage the true difference in most output which is the choice of glass in front of the cameras. Photography lenses yield overly sharp output and cine lenses like Cooke and arri ultra etc even Arles will yield more pleasing images. /end rant hehehe
@@anthonyrock5039 All good points. Aside from a very small number of the top, top cinema cameras, we are at a plateau in terms of dynamic range for everything below those (Arri, Venice 2, etc.). Just get a good, quality camera and sound solution and start making stuff.
Left out the frame rate differences. A Komodo x with a vmount is not that much bigger than the og Komodo . I see what you’re saying with your specific use case. But if all your doing is interviews than a Komodo is over kill anyways.
Yep, I forgot to mention frame rates. X has way better options there. But I'm curious out of the many people who buy the X, who is regularly using the higher frame rates? Maybe if you're a tabletop or product person? Sports? But you'd probably be better served with a Raptor if you're truly doing that kind of work.
That would be relevant for sport shooters.
if there was a way to run the tascam on dummy batteries, that'd be awesome
Agreed. I do wish it wasn't a separate thing to worry about, but it's also why I like the tascam over other options that may be more complicated. You can always get AA batteries anywhere.
Hi dustin, I see that at the back of your mutiny plate there is a 2 pin DC input. I also have this plate, but mine dont have it neither o mutiny website the photos show it. Did it came with yours or you bought as an add on?
Hi there, yes my plate currently has a 2 pin DC input. When I originally purchased my mutiny plate it did not have the 2 pin DC input however, same as you. Mutiny recently came out with an updated design and the ability to purchase just the updated part as an add on, so that's what I did. The part is available on their website.
Thank your for such useful video!
Thanks for watching. Hope it was useful or entertaining.
Thank you for this 🙏
Thanks for watching. Hope it was helpful or mildly informative.
after the price change buy Komodo X ! The frame rates alone are worth it.
Yep, everything changed a bit really after they did the price adjustment. Although now you can get OG Komodo’s for even cheaper! But just depends on your needs.
Dustin... Oh man! I understand that you want more than 422 10bit... But god damn, just get a fx6 or fx9 and use your awesome glass :) All this rigging seems nuts to me! I personally own an fx9, fx6 and fs7 and image quality has never been a painpoint for my customers.
Those are great cameras for sure! The rigging depends on whats needed for the shoot. If I don’t need high quality audio then I can, and do, throw a tiny 3.5mm mic on the komodo. I can use all my ef lenses and lose the follow focus. If there’s no client review needed then I can get rid of wireless transmission, or go with a simple screw on variable nd, etc. Every camera can rig up or down depending on what the job calls for! But you also have to rig the same Sony cameras you mentioned with some of the same stuff depending on the requirements of the job. I’m just glad we all have so many great cameras available.
Once you work with Red Raw in post you NEVER want to go back.
@@robertruffo2134 Yes! I shoot Raw for all my professional stills work, so having a cinema camera that can do the same is SO nice.
Yeah but don't forget, he wants a cinema camera, not a "video" camera,
Komodo x. Wild animal ok?
Komoso X = best for Low light
Yes, the X is better than the original Komodo, if you can afford it!
Nah Komodo x is better for sure
You're right!!! If you've got $10k, it's a great camera to get.
Hahaha I mean if you ignore money, yeah sure
@@mabitzz9484 Yup! I'd love to buy an Arri LF or Arri Alexa 35. Pesky stuff like "budget" gets in the way.
@@mabitzz9484just speaking facts ….. the OG Komodo is still a great camera.
@@dustinschmidtphotoyes, but 10K only for the brain!