Best lenses for the RED Komodo 6K camera
I recently tested a batch of lenses with our RED Komodo 6K. Some I own and some I rented. All lenses were tested at 6K 17:9 using the full Komodo sensor. These are my thoughts on each lens.
These lenses are either RF mount, or mounted to the RED Komodo using the standard Canon RF-EF adapter supplied by RED (1.33x crop factor), or a Canon EF-EOS R 0.71x adapter “speedbooster” (appx. 1:1 crop factor).
Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R 0.71x “speedbooster”
With this adapter, we were able to get a roughly 1:1 crop factor, meaning that a 25mm lens looks similar to 25mm lens on a full-frame (FF) camera sensor. It also increases the light performance by one stop. The adapter worked on our Komodo for the most part. It all depends on what lens you we tested it with. For example, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM lens retained sharpness and showed no chromatic aberration (CA) concerns. However, the Zeiss Classic 25mm f/2.0 EF and IRIX Cine 30mm T1.5 EF both exhibited sharpness and CA issues. My advice is to use this adapter only with modern Canon lenses, especially the lenses they officially support for the adapter. $600.00 USD.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM Lens (FF)
This is an exceptional full-frame stills zoom that works well on the RED Komodo using either adapter. I have used it also on Canon and Sony cameras with fantastic results. Sharp, beautiful images. $1,300.00.
Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM and Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM zooms (FF)
These two RF lenses are officially supported by RED for use on the Komodo. The footage we shot with them was beautiful and sharp. They also have internal stabilization, and autofocus which works well on the camera. The downsides are they aren’t parfocal, lack cine lens ergonomics, and feature a sloppy lens barrel when extended which wobbled in the wind when we tested them outdoors. These two lenses could make a good “run and gun” option with the Komodo. Thanks to Canon and Arlington Camera for letting us test them. $2,400.00 for the 24-70mm, $1,100.00 for the 24-105mm.
DZO Film 20-55 T2.9 Pictor cine zoom EF mount (Super 35)
We shot a full day with this lens. Pros: Parfocal once the proper combination of shims are added. Image circle covers the RED Komodo 6K sensor. Cons: Significant image degradation (softness and color fringing) around the edges at the larger apertures. Perhaps we got a bad copy? If you can get a good copy, the shim combination we used (with the standard Canon RF-EF adapter supplied by RED) is .5, .1, .02, .05. $2,500.00.
Fujinon 18-55mm T2.9 MK cine zoom RF mount from Duclos Lenses (Super 35)
I think this is the best all-around cine zoom option for the Komodo except for one thing. Vignetting. There is hard vignetting from 18-20mm, and soft vignetting/falloff from 20-40mm. Otherwise, it is impressively sharp, lightweight with very good ergonomics. $3.800.00.
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 zoom EF (stills version) (APS-C)
Possibly one of the most underrated lenses on the market. We already had one on the shelf, so naturally we tested it. It may be the best lens option for the Komodo. It is very bright for a zoom (f1.8), covers a useful focal length (23.98mm – 46.55mm FF equivalent at 6K on the Komodo), is lightweight, compact and inexpensive at less than $700.00. This lens would be sexier if it cost more. For that, get the cine version for $4,000.00. Same optics, different ergonomics.
IRIX Cine 15mm T2.6 RF mount and IRIX Cine 30mm T1.5 EF mount (FF)
IRIX makes affordable cine primes for about $1,200.00 each. The 15mm version features fully manual, smooth operating focus and aperture rings. There are some nice things we like about the IRIX lenses including ergonomics, speed, optical quality, weather sealing, and a magnetic filter mount which we utilized with an IRIX Edge magnetic ND filter.
We also tested the 30mm version of the IRIX cine prime line. It performed well overall. There were a couple issues worth noting though. This EF lens, like all the non-Canon lenses we tested, does not perform well with the Canon speedbooster. With the standard RED-supplied RF-EF adapter it performed generally well except that the two blue focus markers would not align when perfectly focused to infinity. When aligned, objects at infinity were slightly out of focus until about T5.6 on the aperture ring. My guess is the lens isn’t entirely agreeable with adapters. This is not uncommon. Bottom line, consider getting the RF mount version of the IRIX lenses for use with the RED Komodo.
Zeiss CP.3 25mm T2.1 EF mount (FF)
Carl Zeiss kindly sent me this lens to test. It works great with the Komodo, as one would expect from Zeiss. Excellent optics and ergonomics. We couldn’t find any issues with this lens. It just works. The CP.3 series is probably the ideal professional choice for a prime lens on the RED Komodo. $4,400.00.
Zeiss Classic 25mm f/2.0 Distagon ZE EF mount (FF)
If you cannot afford Zeiss CP.3 primes, then the Classic ZE (Canon EF mount) series, and the Milvus can do great things with your Komodo. They fall somewhere in between a stills lens and a cine lens in the way they operate. The 25mm copy we had didn’t do well with the Canon speedbooster but worked just fine with standard adapter. The CP.3 also worked well with the standard Canon RF-EF adapter on our Komodo. The Zeiss Classic 25mm f/2.0 Distagon ZE is about $600.00 used. The Zeiss Milvus ZE lenses run from about $1,000.00 to $2,300.00 new.
Autofocus on the Komodo
Autofocus operation on the RED Komodo isn’t as fast as our Sony a7 series cameras with Sony lenses, but it is respectable. There is a touch-focus option that works pretty well with the Komodo’s LED display. If AF is how you prefer to shoot, then the Canon lenses on the RED Komodo compatible lenses list is the way to go.
Canon Standard vs “Speedbooster” RF to EF adapter
I would use the Canon speedbooster RF-EF adapter only with the lenses Canon supports for that product. Otherwise, use the standard Canon adapter that comes with the Komodo. The potential downside to the standard adapter is your focal lengths will be 1.33x longer. The upside is you’ll be getting the prime “center cut” if you use it with a full-frame lens. Probably the best overall option is to use native RF lenses if the lens you like offers that mount type.
Test First
I suggest you first test lenses that you already own, then borrow or rent a few and see how you like them before purchasing. Because the RED Komodo features an RF mount, you can adapt many lenses to it. New, used or vintage.
The RED Komodo
The Komodo is a nifty little camera that can do a lot in the right hands. The pros of the camera are image quality, RED Raw workflow, compact size, and the exceptionally good RED customer service that comes with it.
Martin Lisius is a producer and director at Texas-based Prairie Pictures, and founder and lead cinematographer at Prairie Pictures’ StormStock, a collection of high-end weather and climate footage he created in 1993. StormStock shoots, produces and licenses content for award-winning TV commercials, feature films and docs worldwide.