Major progress in the development of RED’s new action cinema camera, the RED Komodo. After three batches of the colored versions, it’s time to release the Stormtrooper. Read on.

RED Komodo: Action cinema camera

A month after the first models have born and shipped to selected filmmakers, a lot of footage published, showing the Komodo’s capabilities, testing the global shutter and HFR, but most importantly, the cinematic look of the sensor. This “Baby Dragon” (code name) was created as a high-end alternative to GoPro action cameras, to be used as a crash-cam, on a drone, and on harsh production environments. Read more in the article: RED’s “Baby Dragon” (Komodo): An Action Cinema Camera.

Pre-production units

The first Komodo batches still considered pre-production units/models. There were three colors: “Grossman Gold” (orange), “Siqfüti Yellow” (yellow), and  “Bye Bye Blue” (blue). All of these were pre-production models with beta firmware on them, which has improved and sharpen on the fly by user’s feedback. Check out the article about the very first models, specs, and footage comparison (Helium – Komodo) by Philip Grossman: RED Komodo: More Specs Revealed and Real World Footage. Also, explore this new test-clip made by Tim Daust with the latest firmware installed. 

Tim also published a video demoing the menu. Check it out below: 

The Stormtroopers

This fourth model of the Komodo is titled as Stormtrooper, and the color will be (obviously) white. This model is also pre-production and the firmware is still beta. However, it’s an advanced and more mature pre-production unit compared to the colored units. If you’d like to order one, you have to email RED’s president, Jarred Land (there is a long waiting list), since the Stormtrooper is going to be officially shipped at a limited quantity. Jarred emphasizes that the Stormtroopers are being made with production electronics, sensors, and mechanicals (except the color) but they still will ship with beta software on them.  Autofocus and RF lens support will not be functional.  The price is $6995.

We will do a very limited run of white cameras for RED.com and some of our very special dealers to ship out through August. Then that is the end for the white cameras.

Jarred Land- RED President

Schedule: Might be changed due to COVID-19

This is the schedule as described in Jarred’s email. Note that the 5th is the first week that the RED factory reopens 100% since March.  (COVID phase 3 reopening). However, COVID-19 sets the rhythm.

• July 5th – July 13th: Stormtrooper cameras are all assembled.
• July 13th – July 21st: Shipping.
• July 21st – July 27th: According to Jarred, this is when the stormtrooper white cameras become “Official.”  “We will do a very limited run of white cameras for RED.com and some of our very special dealers to ship out through August. Then that is the end for the white cameras” Jarred says.

“Normal” (Black) Komodos

After the Storm of the Stormtroopers, the production of the blacks will begin. Those black (production) Komodos are planned to be assembled and shipped near the end of September. It all depends on the panic of the pandemic.

Would you buy one?