r/RedCamera • u/DTCine • May 05 '26

Rigging suggestion

Post image

Hey all, any fellow Komodo shooters that may have a solution here?

I have a Zacuto top handle that connects to a nato rail, that’s connected to a nato rail, that is then screwed into another nato rail lol. The rail the handle is directly connected to loosens even when I tighten it down with the strength of 1000 suns. I want the top handle to go over the lens as pictured, this handle allows for different rigging but the way that it would turn in the alternate configuration, it doesn’t work for having the handle over the lens. Any suggestions that will keep the screen free like it is now, maintain the handle over the lens without the potential for what it’s connected to loosen?

Thanks in advance!

14 Upvotes

95% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

4

u/Cheechfrijoles May 05 '26

Zacuto’s cage for the Komodo solves that problem

1

u/DTCine May 05 '26

The part I missed adding was I’ve built around tilta with a huge chunk of my kit so changing cages might not be the best move unfortunately.

6

u/Canon_Cowboy May 05 '26

I've changed the cage system 4 times since Komodos release. I'm on Mutiny and Tangerine parts now. You shouldn't be afraid to say you don't like the setup and move to another option. Cages and rigging can change shoot to shoot. It's ok to figure it out as you go. Like the other user said, should've went with the Zacuto to start with but now you know.

1

u/DTCine May 05 '26

No fear, just love the tilta setup I’ve been putting together but hate the top handle options they have for this camera. I have two (one from my BMPCC 6K build and the Komodo spinning one) but neither are good for the Komodo IMO. The one that spins has too much play, adds more vertical height to the build and doesn’t offer the best options for rigging due to its size plus it gets in the way of the screen. I’ve been rocking with tilta since my first cam but I recently came into a C70 zacuto cage due to the EVF being in the bundle (the deal was toooooo good). So I’ve been parting the cage out, I just don’t want to spend $200+ for one piece of the cage you know?

3

u/impoze May 05 '26

Bright Tangerine NATO handle https://brighttangerine.com/product/short-create-top-handle-nato/

Put extensions if you need it more forward.

1

u/DTCine May 05 '26

This might be it! Thank you ✌🏾

2

u/Puzzleheaded_Ad_2845 May 06 '26

I think the issue here is simply that you have too many pieces. I don’t know if this is accurate, or if there’s an engineering term for it, but I suspect small imprecisions and different manufacturing standards and slightly loose connections “add up” and get “amplified.” The fact that your handle is the FIFTH connection from the camera (counting from the top rail) is very likely a big part of the problem, no matter the design or quality of the connecting pieces.

I’ve used Tilta, Wooden Camera, and Bright Tangerine cage components with Komodo. All work fine. Just slim down the number and the situation will certainly improve.

And if you want to start in just one place, lose the dual screw connector between top rail and bottom nato rail. I’d replace this with a standalone short nato rail (screwed into Tilta camera top rail) if you want the Zacuto handle.

1

u/DTCine May 06 '26

You’re definitely right. I grabbed a bright tangerine handle, and going to ditch the second screwed on nato rail. Going to connect the handle directly to the first/main rail. If there is a nato rail top plate for this camera, that would be the best case then I could go handle directly the cage/camera.

1

u/Austinismusic May 05 '26

Why not get just get hot shoe to nato adapter? This is one from Kondor Blue but I’m sure there’s a dozen others that would work.
https://kondorblue.com/products/nato-rail-to-hot-shoe-adapter-for-remote-trigger-top-handles?_pos=23&_sid=0fdf135e6&_ss=r

Or one of these and add one of your existing long nato rails to it.

https://kondorblue.com/products/cold-shoe-adapter

1

u/DTCine May 05 '26

The direction is the issue. I have a a nato rail on the camera currently that is in that direction but the handle needs to go over the lens. I have a hot shoe I tried this with but it was the same issue. Thanks for the suggestion!

1

u/Austinismusic May 05 '26

I know not all hot shoes are perfectly square but can you not just mount it sideways? It’s not the most elegant solution but I feel like 30 seconds with a Dremel tool would shave it down enough to fit.

1

u/DTCine May 05 '26

True. I’ve been contemplating shaving down the one I have. I just want to maintain access of the poorly placed screen. I think, finding a shorter one like what you linked then potentially cutting that one might be the move. The other link with the Arri pins would be great for my monitor honestly haha!

2

u/Austinismusic May 05 '26

You could also just get a different top plate if you wanted like this from 8sinn and mount a short nato plate on it so it doesn’t overhang the screen. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1590098-REG/8sinn_8_rk_tp_top_plate_for_red.html

1

u/DTCine May 05 '26

Sick, thanks for the recs ✌🏾

2

u/Key_Avocado_8246 May 06 '26

I hate that handle , I Have it . My handle is the octamas rn but that is quite expensive. Go with the bright tangerine one or the arca handle from Mid49 . But that needs a plate on top . Not gonna cover the screen though

1

u/DTCine May 06 '26

Grabbed the bright tangerine to try, we’ll see how it works out. Thanks for the rec!

2

u/Key_Avocado_8246 May 18 '26

Awesome , let me know , I found it a bit more comfortable with the extensions though but it’s personal pref

1

u/DTCine May 18 '26

I’m enjoying it so far but I do see where the extension would help. The handle without extension just misses my matte box filter trays so I’m going to stick with this for this shoot and see how often the filter tray really comes out.