RED CEO Jarred Land provided an update to Komodo's projected delivery date. In a social media post, the hat-wearing Canadian took advantage of the Gram's 2,200 characters to suggest production of the camera's Stormtrooper version could begin at the start of July.

Earlier this month, RED started releasing custom colors for Komodo, a 6K Super 35 camera that's expected to have integrated autofocus. Footage shot by the camera has started circulating, but since these are pre-production models, the final specs of the camera have yet to be released. With RED starting production on Stormtroopers, that is expected to change soon. 

You might already know RED starts to sell new cameras in a white version dubbed Stormtrooper. It's an opportunity for shooters to get a hold of an early production model in a custom color, but it also allows RED to slowly ramp up production before the black model is released to the masses. The short supply of "Grossman Gold," "Siqfüti Yellow," and "Bye Bye Blue" (which might not make it to production) of the Komodo was a way for RED to start releasing the camera to a select few while its factory was shut down because of the pandemic. 

Land said, "Right now with the guidance of the government we have the first week of July for the next COVID phase for a larger reopening of our factory, which means if we make that “start the presses” call next week we will take the last few days of June and the first week of July to prep and ramp up, the following 2 weeks to build an army of stormtroopers and once engineering and manufacturing gives the "ship em" approval, ALL of you on the list will be part of it."

So for those anticipating a custom color, you will most likely receive the white Stormtrooper and be pushed to the top of the list when the company can start production. Any owner of the now-defunct Hydrogen cell phone will still receive a discount, but that applies only to the black RED Komodo that will come after Stormtrooper. 

A lot has been discussed about what the camera can and cannot do. And right now, it's only in the hands of a few people. Tim Daust released the footage above this morning, and it the best test No Film School has seen of the camera of late. Daust shot 17:9 R3D MQ at 40fps at ISO 800.  He paired the Komodo with the Sigma ART 18-35mm, a 50mm, as well as a Helios 44-2 58mm. He added a Tokina IRND filter at 4 stops. 

The skin tones are pleasing. Not overly saturated (at least not on my screen). The highlights on the skin are not too blown out which is encouraging to see with pre-production firmware. Daust is using firmware v1.1.0rc3. But what do you think? 

Here's what we do know about Komodo.

Komodo Specs

  • 6K Super 35 27.03 x 14.25mm (6144 x 3240)
  • Global Shutter 
  • Full-sensor up to 6K 40 fps
  • 6K WS at 50 fps
  • 4K at 60 fps
  • 120 fps at 2K
  • 12G-SDI output with 2160p at 60 fps
  • R3D files (REDCODE RAW)
  • 3.5mm microphone/headphone
  • No XLR  
  • CFast cards, not dual 
  • Wireless video module 
  • Touchscreen Display 
  • Phase Detection Autofocus
  • Canon RF mount
  • Size: 4″ x 4″ (10.16 cm x 10.16 cm)
  • Weight: 2lbs (900g) approx.

Any thoughts on Komodo? Let us know in the comments below. 

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Cinematography & Cameras