RF to PL... with /i data support?

[Glen Powell]

Not sure if this has been covered in the numerous threads - I couldn't seem to find anything.

Is there an RF to PL lens mount adapter, that can transfer (Cooke) /i data to the Komodo body? Is it even possible? It's not a dealbreaker for me; I've already got a 'dumb' RF/PL adapter and a Komodo on order.

But if it was possible I'd buy a smart RF/PL adapter that passed along /i in a heartbeat! I have a bunch of /i lenses and really like the lens info on screen when shooting, and being able to call it up in post from the meta data. So any electronic lens tech wizards out there willing to tackle this?


G.

[John Marchant]

We’ve got a design for this in CAD- but it’s meaningless unless Red can re-purpose the RF pins in camera firmware to speak the right protocol. We did ask about this early on, but obviously there are higher priorities, regardless of whether there are any roadblocks in the hardware or not. Not conceptually impossible, at least on the lens adapter side.

[Glen Powell]

Thanks John!

The 'dumb' RF/PL mount that I bought... is the KipperTie version, and I'm about to order a second. So if the firmware grows to allow communication; put me down for two!

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I don't think Red will re purpose the RF pins- that would nullify the RF lens communication. The proper way to do that would be electronics inside the adapter that will "translate" the i-data to the Canon protocol. I don't think the market size warrants the investment. I could be wrong...

[Tommaso Alvisi]

Canon is finalizing their version of the PL to RF adapter with Cooke /i Tech pins for their C70 and future CXX/CXXX RF-mount based cameras...

RED could just add fw support for it...

And then someone (John! Jacek! Krzysztof!) should make a bracket to lock it in place on the Komodo ;-)

On their cameras it will use the 4 locking screws like the Canon EF to RF SpeedBooster on the C70 to help supporting the weight and stop rotation.

[Jacek Zakowicz]

That's a good point Tommaso, Canon is in the Cine game and for them it is a walk in the park to do that. That is great news!!!!

[Glen Powell]

Canon is finalizing their version of the PL to RF adapter with Cooke /i Tech pins for their C70 and future CXX/CXXX RF-mount based cameras...

RED could just add fw support for it...

And then someone (John! Jacek! Krzysztof!) should make a bracket to lock it in place on the Komodo ;-)

On their cameras it will use the 4 locking screws like the Canon EF to RF SpeedBooster on the C70 to help supporting the weight and stop rotation.

Thanks for the info - I'll keep my eyes open for that.

[Michael Hastings]

I don't think Red will re purpose the RF pins- that would nullify the RF lens communication. The proper way to do that would be electronics inside the adapter that will "translate" the i-data to the Canon protocol. ..........

Even if the translation is inside the adapter - wouldn't this require RED to reverse engineer the camera side protocol?

Given that RED so far does not support RF lenses and as far as I can tell no timeline or OFFICIAL statement that it definitely will be supported in some relatively near time frame - that might not be so easy.

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Even if the translation is inside the adapter - wouldn't this require RED to reverse engineer the camera side protocol?

Given that RED so far does not support RF lenses and as far as I can tell no timeline or OFFICIAL statement that it definitely will be supported in some relatively near time frame - that might not be so easy.

They cracked the EF they will crack the RF. I have no doubt

[Michael Hastings]

They cracked the EF they will crack the RF. I have no doubt

But when? Would like to see some OFFICIAL announcement or timeline from RED.

Might have had some help on EF .

EF was around for over 20 years before and was cracked by multiple others already well before RED and was presumably beyond patent and may not have been encrypted or protected.

Has anyone cracked RF on the camera side?
Might it be better protected?
Would there be a patent issue?
Is there enough water on the moon?

There might be more reason for Canon to protect the protocol and/or enforce related patents/trade secrets since they now have their own Cinema cameras that use the mount and that could be a differentiating feature.