I have a C400 that I’ve been working with for around two weeks. I absolutely love it. I’ve shot with Komodo before and while the image is absolutely stunning, the lack of usability was quite aggravating. Red will always have the edge when it comes to grading. However, autofocus, internal ND, great ISO performance and custom buttons make the C400 a much more practical camera. Image is king but it’s only king if you can actually capture the image in the first place.
All valid arguments for the C400. I guess I'm a bit reluctant to the C400 as I've been shooting on Red for the last 8 years and it makes me a bit nervous to switch systems.
Do you have any opinions on good older cameras that would still be worth buying in 2024/2025 for someone who is getting more into the doc style work? I used to be deep into photo gear when I had a good amount of work pre pandy, but have transition more into video work for my youtube channel and freelance work. Im trying to get some better gear in the next few months but dont want to, and cant afford to hop on the new gear hype train lol. Thanks! Those humming birds are beautiful! Such a cool setup:)
I've had great success using the Canon Focal Reducer on my KOMODO X, the extra stop of light comes in handy but I have zero experience shooting wildlife. I have also had a terrific experience with my RED V-RAPTOR X shooting in dark scenes it does such a superb job at retaining color information and the blacks stay black which is important to me.
Great Work on video and I just have a few points 1. 16bit vs 12bit is over discussed as Arri Raw is 12bit and still holds image title over Red Raw 16bit, 2. The c400 at $8K is better value than every other camera mentioned with DR, ND’s, Triple Base, AFii and RF mount considered. 3. No such thing as perfect camera so it’s about finding perfect tool for job and based on you’re needs c400 is clear winner but you mentioned brand recognition and if your shooting narratives I understand RED premium name but wildlife which is closer to Docs, well c300’s being crushing at Sundance for years in that category and last year continued that trend and if Garrett Edward’s shot $100mil creator on fx3 for Dual base ISO I think you can justify c400 for Triple base. Finally I was you added a comparison checklist as it would have be very clear what camera you should get because DMS2 boot up times and Red Balancing, media types and serviceability should be last camera to consider among the bunch for uncontrolled environments. Thanks for content
I gotta say it’s really great that someone so deep in the wildlife filmmaking industry is making videos like this! There was definitely a lack of this genre of content so thank you so much James for providing aspiring members of the industry like myself with the content we all want to see. I think the c400 is probably my dream camera but maybe that’s my bias talking because I already have a bunch of canon RF gear haha
Thanks!! I'm going to start leaning more into RUclips now that the industry is a bit slow, so feel free to ask any questions you want. I'm an open book. BTW the DSMC 3 is all RF mount 😉
I still prefer DSMC2 reds over DSMC3, and would really consider a Gemini for the low light ability. Would also be really curious to see how that image compares to the V-raptor or C400, especially in low light.
@@TJA86 I've been shooting on the Gemini for years and it's a workhorse. The only thing that worries me about the DSMC2 system is the severability of the camera. Does Red still service those cameras?
@jamesfrystak that's a good point. I believe red still will service them if they have parts, but they're no longer manufacturing parts for them... I've also heard there's a bit of third party repair support for them still, but haven't looked into it.
RED komodo x with the latest price drop is really a no brainer if you is ready to work with RAW and dont need run and gun with ND and all that. If you are more all around the c400 is the clear winner. The Z-cam is super awesome and the new E6 pro with V mount is crazy cool. The komodo X is the winner because its so "cheap" and have the almost same color as the expensive raptor.
@@jamesfrystak I do the classic corpo interviews. But what I would struggle with having the RED Komodo X is all the sports events and the construction video work in sites where the situation is changing from one second to another with lighting both inside and outside. Right now im shooting on Two C70 cameras for interviews and an R5C and a R3 for photos and its awesome. But the autofocus is not the best. Im thinking of getting the c400 and the R1 + RF 24-105 F2.8 and the RF 70-200 F2.8 and sell the other cameras here in the beginning of the new year.
@ Nice!! We are so fortunate to have all these incredible systems. Camera gear is so damn good these days and it seems that we are fussing at the smallest things. The C400 would be an amazing addition to your kit.
amature here but I do film wildlife with my Sony A7siii (low light beast) But man the zcam for roughly $2500 vs canon 400 $11,000 vs red rap.$75,000....It funny how industry insist on more expensive camera where most people are watching stuff on TV and it's only now that people are getting 4k tv's....I don't know. For me I love the image of the zcam and the price.
@@andyarts8382 I shot an entire wildlife sequence for CBC/PBS on the A7siii at 104,000 iso and sold a pile of footage to a Netflix series on my Z Cam. Its not the camera, it’s all about the story.
The low light debate is kinda of a very complex one. I found the Komodo X to be a killer camera in low light. Much superior than anything under 10k on the market. The amount of details that’s camera capture at 400iso in the shadows it’s staggering and an FX3 for example can’t even come close to it.Because people think the that double or triple base ISO of a camera is important but in a professional setting they aren’t really because those image at those super high Iso don’t look good, they are mushy and will never make the cut in a professional looking doc/film. The super high iso base will give you the chance to capture an image that another camera won’t display that well, but often the image is compromised anyway , just because it looks like it’s exposed right , doesn’t mean it looks right. You can use those cameras like the FX3 or c 400 for low profile gigs ( weddings, events) where the client isn’t gonna look at that image in a professional setting and doesn’t have the eye to tell the loss in quality that shooting with those high iso comes with
C400 owner here: I love RED images but your opinion is very harsh. The FX3/6 opened the possibility to shoot wildlife documentaries at night. Arri DoPs shoot on high ISOs to get a more filmic look. Base ISOs between 3200 and 4000 are great to have in some scenarios, even on big productions. The C400 is a cash cow, it can do everything you could imagine at a high level. The V-Raptor has the edge in some aspects for sure, but you need to have the time and budget to make them work. But if you just wanna hate on everything, let’s talk about low light shooting on DSMC2 cameras
@ I'm not hating. I simply know my craft and I believe my eyes more than others opinion. I own an FX 3, lol, when you shoot at 12800 iso you sacrifice so much of the image, but you need to know where to watch to see it. I use it sometimes but honestly if you really care about having a solid image those high iso modes are a gimmick and they don't deliver images that are good enough for high end applications, yes you can get great footage for a wedding or an event or music video... but the moment you make a film or a doc that shows in theater or Netflix, you'll see the all the flaws, and that footage will show its weakness compared to the regular iso one. You can boost iso, but there's no replacement for actual light hitting the sensor quite yet. All I'm saying is the c400 can do many things, for sure, super versatile. But when you have the budget to use lights and you strive for optimal performance, you're not picking up a c400. You're picking up a Red or an Alexa. The c400 is more versatile yes, but that's about it.
@ I am with you with most of your comments for sure. But filming a doc on a RED is kinda hell with those file sizes and especially with the booting times, you will miss a lot of the moments. And audio on those sucks anyway. And you forgot to mention the Venice:) But yes, C400 and many systems are a bit of a compromise regarding to other systems.
Hi James. Thank you for posting. I use the Canon speed booster. It works well on my Komodo. I focus manually so not sure how the speed booster performs with AF. But, optically, I don’t see any issues. Canon has a list of EF lenses they recommend with their speed booster.
Great review, James. FWIW, the C400 is Netflix approved. Of course that's not the sole reason for making a purchase decision as there are a lot more variables going into the mix. I went with the C400 due to the triple native ISO and also because of the built in features such as ND filters. And given the features vs price, it made the decision quite a bit easier. Now to be honest, that Raptor is still calling my name but so far, no regrets going with the C400.
I own the Komodo X with both Metabones PL > RF snd EF > RF Speedboosters. They are the heavy duty Cine versions. They work great and lock the lens tight. I use Canon CN-E, Sigma Art, and DZO Vespid with no issues. When I need two cams I use the V-Raptor + KX with a speedbooster and it’s a beautiful setup. I strongly encourage you stay in the DSMC3 ecosystem at this point. Quieter cameras, better audio, smaller footprint, and the iOS app is super convenient for some shoots. C400 also looks great for low light or doc work. Price is amazing. If you were considering budgeting for V-Raptor then maybe go for C400 and KX instead. Best of both worlds.
I think the raptor is competing w the alexa mini lf.. in price and the mini lf beats the shit out of it, the komodo x is the best deal for the form factor , red raw, weight and image quality ratio. The c400 is great, it has some use cases, iv tried it before against the komodo X , but i wasnt blown away by it , i can see the triple base ISO being useful sometimes , but not as useful to loose R3D raw because of it.
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
I have a C400 that I’ve been working with for around two weeks. I absolutely love it. I’ve shot with Komodo before and while the image is absolutely stunning, the lack of usability was quite aggravating. Red will always have the edge when it comes to grading. However, autofocus, internal ND, great ISO performance and custom buttons make the C400 a much more practical camera. Image is king but it’s only king if you can actually capture the image in the first place.
All valid arguments for the C400. I guess I'm a bit reluctant to the C400 as I've been shooting on Red for the last 8 years and it makes me a bit nervous to switch systems.
Do you have any opinions on good older cameras that would still be worth buying in 2024/2025 for someone who is getting more into the doc style work? I used to be deep into photo gear when I had a good amount of work pre pandy, but have transition more into video work for my youtube channel and freelance work. Im trying to get some better gear in the next few months but dont want to, and cant afford to hop on the new gear hype train lol. Thanks! Those humming birds are beautiful! Such a cool setup:)
I've had great success using the Canon Focal Reducer on my KOMODO X, the extra stop of light comes in handy but I have zero experience shooting wildlife. I have also had a terrific experience with my RED V-RAPTOR X shooting in dark scenes it does such a superb job at retaining color information and the blacks stay black which is important to me.
The Raptor excels in almost every category.
Great Work on video and I just have a few points 1. 16bit vs 12bit is over discussed as Arri Raw is 12bit and still holds image title over Red Raw 16bit, 2. The c400 at $8K is better value than every other camera mentioned with DR, ND’s, Triple Base, AFii and RF mount considered. 3. No such thing as perfect camera so it’s about finding perfect tool for job and based on you’re needs c400 is clear winner but you mentioned brand recognition and if your shooting narratives I understand RED premium name but wildlife which is closer to Docs, well c300’s being crushing at Sundance for years in that category and last year continued that trend and if Garrett Edward’s shot $100mil creator on fx3 for Dual base ISO I think you can justify c400 for Triple base. Finally I was you added a comparison checklist as it would have be very clear what camera you should get because DMS2 boot up times and Red Balancing, media types and serviceability should be last camera to consider among the bunch for uncontrolled environments. Thanks for content
Thanks for all your insights. Im leaning towards the C400.
I gotta say it’s really great that someone so deep in the wildlife filmmaking industry is making videos like this! There was definitely a lack of this genre of content so thank you so much James for providing aspiring members of the industry like myself with the content we all want to see. I think the c400 is probably my dream camera but maybe that’s my bias talking because I already have a bunch of canon RF gear haha
Thanks!! I'm going to start leaning more into RUclips now that the industry is a bit slow, so feel free to ask any questions you want. I'm an open book. BTW the DSMC 3 is all RF mount 😉
I still prefer DSMC2 reds over DSMC3, and would really consider a Gemini for the low light ability. Would also be really curious to see how that image compares to the V-raptor or C400, especially in low light.
@@TJA86 I've been shooting on the Gemini for years and it's a workhorse. The only thing that worries me about the DSMC2 system is the severability of the camera. Does Red still service those cameras?
@jamesfrystak that's a good point. I believe red still will service them if they have parts, but they're no longer manufacturing parts for them... I've also heard there's a bit of third party repair support for them still, but haven't looked into it.
RED komodo x with the latest price drop is really a no brainer if you is ready to work with RAW and dont need run and gun with ND and all that.
If you are more all around the c400 is the clear winner.
The Z-cam is super awesome and the new E6 pro with V mount is crazy cool. The komodo X is the winner because its so "cheap" and have the almost same color as the expensive raptor.
Agreed!! I would get a Revolva or something similar as I’d be adapting the glass regardless.
@@jamesfrystak The KipperTie Revolva ND is super cool. If my work wasnt so much run and gun I would get that camera.
@ what type of work are you doing? I'm super curious about what other people are working on.
@@jamesfrystak I do the classic corpo interviews. But what I would struggle with having the RED Komodo X is all the sports events and the construction video work in sites where the situation is changing from one second to another with lighting both inside and outside.
Right now im shooting on Two C70 cameras for interviews and an R5C and a R3 for photos and its awesome. But the autofocus is not the best.
Im thinking of getting the c400 and the R1 + RF 24-105 F2.8 and the RF 70-200 F2.8 and sell the other cameras here in the beginning of the new year.
@ Nice!! We are so fortunate to have all these incredible systems. Camera gear is so damn good these days and it seems that we are fussing at the smallest things. The C400 would be an amazing addition to your kit.
Great review - and nice to know that there are options at different price-points!
amature here but I do film wildlife with my Sony A7siii (low light beast) But man the zcam for roughly $2500 vs canon 400 $11,000 vs red rap.$75,000....It funny how industry insist on more expensive camera where most people are watching stuff on TV and it's only now that people are getting 4k tv's....I don't know. For me I love the image of the zcam and the price.
@@andyarts8382 I shot an entire wildlife sequence for CBC/PBS on the A7siii at 104,000 iso and sold a pile of footage to a Netflix series on my Z Cam. Its not the camera, it’s all about the story.
The low light debate is kinda of a very complex one. I found the Komodo X to be a killer camera in low light. Much superior than anything under 10k on the market. The amount of details that’s camera capture at 400iso in the shadows it’s staggering and an FX3 for example can’t even come close to it.Because people think the that double or triple base ISO of a camera is important but in a professional setting they aren’t really because those image at those super high Iso don’t look good, they are mushy and will never make the cut in a professional looking doc/film. The super high iso base will give you the chance to capture an image that another camera won’t display that well, but often the image is compromised anyway , just because it looks like it’s exposed right , doesn’t mean it looks right. You can use those cameras like the FX3 or c 400 for low profile gigs ( weddings, events) where the client isn’t gonna look at that image in a professional setting and doesn’t have the eye to tell the loss in quality that shooting with those high iso comes with
C400 owner here: I love RED images but your opinion is very harsh. The FX3/6 opened the possibility to shoot wildlife documentaries at night.
Arri DoPs shoot on high ISOs to get a more filmic look. Base ISOs between 3200 and 4000 are great to have in some scenarios, even on big productions. The C400 is a cash cow, it can do everything you could imagine at a high level. The V-Raptor has the edge in some aspects for sure, but you need to have the time and budget to make them work.
But if you just wanna hate on everything, let’s talk about low light shooting on DSMC2 cameras
@ I'm not hating. I simply know my craft and I believe my eyes more than others opinion. I own an FX 3, lol, when you shoot at 12800 iso you sacrifice so much of the image, but you need to know where to watch to see it. I use it sometimes but honestly if you really care about having a solid image those high iso modes are a gimmick and they don't deliver images that are good enough for high end applications, yes you can get great footage for a wedding or an event or music video... but the moment you make a film or a doc that shows in theater or Netflix, you'll see the all the flaws, and that footage will show its weakness compared to the regular iso one. You can boost iso, but there's no replacement for actual light hitting the sensor quite yet. All I'm saying is the c400 can do many things, for sure, super versatile. But when you have the budget to use lights and you strive for optimal performance, you're not picking up a c400.
You're picking up a Red or an Alexa. The c400 is more versatile yes, but that's about it.
@ I am with you with most of your comments for sure. But filming a doc on a RED is kinda hell with those file sizes and especially with the booting times, you will miss a lot of the moments. And audio on those sucks anyway.
And you forgot to mention the Venice:)
But yes, C400 and many systems are a bit of a compromise regarding to other systems.
Great video, very insightful.
PS: Great audio as well. Even better with „hide the mic“ next time :)
Haha!! Will do.
whats with the blacks on C400?
I'm waiting to see what Nikon/RED announce in 2025. Hopefully something spectacular.
Same here. I've always been a Nikon fan and with them now owning Red, I'm sure they will create something great.
C400. What the RED offers in slight image performance the C400 makes up for in nearly all other aspects.
Very good point.
Hi James. Thank you for posting. I use the Canon speed booster. It works well on my Komodo. I focus manually so not sure how the speed booster performs with AF. But, optically, I don’t see any issues. Canon has a list of EF lenses they recommend with their speed booster.
Awesome!! I only use manual focus as well. I tried using AF with the C400 on the hummingbirds but it didn't do so well.
Great review, James. FWIW, the C400 is Netflix approved. Of course that's not the sole reason for making a purchase decision as there are a lot more variables going into the mix. I went with the C400 due to the triple native ISO and also because of the built in features such as ND filters. And given the features vs price, it made the decision quite a bit easier. Now to be honest, that Raptor is still calling my name but so far, no regrets going with the C400.
I did have a lot of fun with your C400!! Thanks again for letting me borrow it for this test.
@@jamesfrystak Anytime (almost). 😁
I own the Komodo X with both Metabones PL > RF snd EF > RF Speedboosters. They are the heavy duty Cine versions. They work great and lock the lens tight. I use Canon CN-E, Sigma Art, and DZO Vespid with no issues. When I need two cams I use the V-Raptor + KX with a speedbooster and it’s a beautiful setup. I strongly encourage you stay in the DSMC3 ecosystem at this point. Quieter cameras, better audio, smaller footprint, and the iOS app is super convenient for some shoots. C400 also looks great for low light or doc work. Price is amazing. If you were considering budgeting for V-Raptor then maybe go for C400 and KX instead. Best of both worlds.
Z cam f6 just can’t beat it for the price and the image it produce. I’ll say just keep the z cam and add other tools too your arsenal
@@McarthurBeard I'm starting to lean in that direction. It has to be the most underrated camera out there.
@ I’m buying one in two weeks
I think the raptor is competing w the alexa mini lf.. in price and the mini lf beats the shit out of it, the komodo x is the best deal for the form factor , red raw, weight and image quality ratio. The c400 is great, it has some use cases, iv tried it before against the komodo X , but i wasnt blown away by it , i can see the triple base ISO being useful sometimes , but not as useful to loose R3D raw because of it.
Gotta love that R3D Raw.
#zcam family! RUclips randomly recommended me your video and great to see more ZCam shooters...
It’s the most unrated camera system out there.
@jamesfrystak Agreed...shooting S6 right now. Waiting for full specs release on these Mk2 models.
@ I'm super stoked about that release
Canon C400 резче
Canon really the most overpriced cams there are
Hahaha. 💸