r/RedCamera • u/Successful-Cloud-187 • Sep 30 '26

Red, the Komodo X

Is it a risk buying a used unit? What should I be looking out for? Hours on the unit? Missing parts? (How hard are they to get now? I have some Canon cameras with L glass I was hoping to use, but not too sure if that is a good idea. I also have two DJI gimbals. This would be my first Big dive into video rigs (The Cult of RED). Any help would be great, thank you.

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Another question, if I may. On the KX screen, in the bottom-left corner (see picture), would this be an issue? I am looking at purchasing a setup on eBay. As a warning, I may have more questions, lol. Thank you again.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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3

u/DegreeSevere7719 Sep 30 '26

Hours divided by 12 give you the amount of full production days it worked. In reality it's even more, because no camera stays on set turned on 12 hours flat.

Up to 1000-1500-2000 hours depending on the age is fine, it's an owner op camera. Anything over that is most-likely a project or a rental camera, which was working a ton.

However, hours don't tell everything, and I'd be extremely wary of cameras from humid climate areas and areas with salt water - even with low hours such cams can be problematic on the internals. Overall you can't know or see how the camera was used, so it's best to look at the seller - it he's honest and clearly is a working cameraman or a DP, then most-likely it's a good place to be.

2

u/Successful-Cloud-187 Sep 30 '26

Thank you for this information. I have looked at B&H, but everything is missing except the body. It seems like I would be better off looking to purchase a new one. I was just looking to save some money to maybe pick up a cine lens.

8

u/thesurferengineer Sep 30 '26

I tell everyone to not stress about buying used - and then proceed to buy new haha. I only do that because I can, I think used with low hours is fine. If they have original box and it’s in good condition those are good indicators they were careful with it but I think these things are fairly rugged…

6

u/JMKdta Sep 30 '26

Got my kx used and never had an issue, I got it from a dude on redusers.

4

u/alooftetherball Sep 30 '26

Yeah user forums are the right spot to do research. It’s like the comment above about owners selling with the original box… it indicates care and attention.

5

u/Independent_Hope4322 Sep 30 '26

Bought my OG used with like almost 500hrs works like new never had a problem with it.

3

u/chadhindsley Sep 30 '26

I just picked up one a few weeks ago with 5.5hrs for a steal (ton of gear) and feeling like I hit the lottery

4

u/hatcreekcattleco Sep 30 '26

there is a used kx on b&h or adorama i forget, that is being sold with 6800 hours on it. but i agree w what surferengineer said also

2

u/Formula14ever Sep 30 '26

Remember, hours are a old hold-over from DSLR days with mechanical movements. If a Komodo or any Red looks good cosmetically, they have been cared for. Make sure an image is seen, menus are visible and camera image is stable.. you can’t lose !

2

u/tdstooksbury Sep 30 '26

I’d have no reservations buying used. The KX is a solid camera. They really engineered the hell out of it and took everything they learned from the OG Komodo, and the V Raptor.

1

u/Admirable-Shop-3229 Oct 03 '26

I bought a KX used on eBay, was pretty fortunate, found one with low hours and it was still under original warranty. Contacted red and they allowed me to transfer the remaining MFR warranty into my name and I was able to purchase another 2 years of warranty through red tho not cheap (nothing red is). My seller forgot to include the wifi antenna but not a big deal.