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Nikon Mount for Red EPIC (Zess ZF)

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Ryan Lalonde

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Hey guys,

I've been looking around for a Red Epic Nikon mount - optitek looks like a great choice.

But since the ZF's already have an iris ring that mount is actually over kill - right?

What else is out there? Should I go with the Optitek mount? (doesn't seem to be any info on his website)


*Longtime canon user so I don't know anything about nikon besides the fact you can't get a pl to nikon adapter :(
 
Thanks Keith, that cine camera mods looks like the correct one. I'll check with RED and see what they say.
 
Ryan Lalonde said:
But since the ZF's already have an iris ring that mount is actually over kill - right?
Click to expand...
the biggest benefit on the optitek mount is not the iris ring but the lock mechanism in my opinion!
it holds your lens very very tight, even with bigger lenses.

we just received our Optitek Nikon mount a few days ago and all I can say is that we're very happy with it (especially in comparison to our original RED One Nikon mount). We're using Zeiss ZF Primes (not modified) and Nikon Zooms (also not modified) right now -> totally no problem and rock solid… you need a few minutes to get used to the iris ring (learning/understanding how it works) but after that it's really nice and I'd call that system a benefit (the original iris ring of the lens sits very close to the mount and can be hard to handle - also with Optitek you basically get your optics de-clikced for free).

So I'd go for the Optitek…
(E-mail)Support is very fast and friendly and shipping-time should be reasonable right now.

Just in case: I don't have any real-worls comparison with the Mounts posted by Keith_D,
maybe someone else has - would be good if these people can chime in (it's an interesting topic)…
 
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Thanks Peter, glad to hear the ZF primes work well with it. Does the 11-16 work the the optitek mount?
 
You are welcome Ryan. I agreed with Peter, I'd love to hear from others regarding their real-world experiences with these mounts.
As I understand it, one of the benefits of the Allstar A-mount is that it is a locking mount. And you can switch between PL lenses and still lenses (using adapters) without having to change the camera mount.
I have a large set of older Nikkor primes I'd like to use at times.
 
@Ryan: sorry, can't answer that - we've only got a very "small" Zeiss set with 85 / 50 / 35 and no Zoom -> they all work fine…
as for wide lenses we use a Nikon 14mm, and also a Nikon 17-85 Zoom… as for Tele a Nikon 80-400 Zoom. And various other Nikons from our DP.
I'm not at the company right now so I can't tell you the correct part numbers - if needed I can do that tomorrow.

Of course with the Zooms (Nikon) you have the breathing you'd expect from Still-Zoom glass in that price range but that has nothing to do with the mount - just to mention. And the focus is always critical with high Resolution and the small focus-range of Still-Glass (Zeiss also) but that also more to do with Still-Glass itself and adopting your workflow and proper monitoring/focusing (focus-assist stuff can help) - that's general basics of working with 4K & upwards…

I'd base a decision like that on the main use and the stock of lenses…
Changing the mount is pretty easy with DSMC (only 4 screws), can't comment on possible backfocus issues right now through (waiting for our Canon mount, got the TI PL mount but no PL Glass in house)…
 
I have used the Opitek mount with my ZFs on my Red One for many years and I am more than happy. Solid, reliable and does the job. I have also used it on the Epic and seems even better. You can't go wrong and the ability to use G lenses is very handy as I use Nikon 14-24 zoom to supplement the ZFs
 
If you have a DSMC Canon lens mount currently, Nikon to EOS mount adapters will work Zeiss ZF lenses, since they do have a manual iris ring. But as other posters have noted, you'll need a Nikon mount with some form of iris control to take advantage of all the Nikon lenses available.

If you do end up getting Nikon to EOS adapters, I'd recommend getting a complete set of them for your lenses. Majority of adapters are fine if you put them on and leave them on, but they often have less than rugged levers/tabs to disengage them from a lens. I don't believe they'd hold up well if you took them on and off day in and day out. And don't forget to get EOS lens back caps...
 
About 90% sure that I'll dump my RED canon mount for a optitek mount. The only things holding me back are

-Does the 11-16 work with this mount?
-How the heck do I reverse the focus direction with my O focus dm for the Duclos Zeiss ZF's? Is that even possible?
hmm

.
 
Rob Castiglione said:
Hi Tom. In what way is the Optitek mount better on the Epic? Cheers
Click to expand...

Two ways:

  • The iris gear doesn't seem to get in the way of your fingers, so there is less-frequent unintentional moving of the aperture.
  • It has an engraved f-stop scale rather that the sticker that was used on the earlier one.
  • And for a bonus reason: the whole physical design of the camera works better with smaller lenses like the Nikons than the R1.
  • Second bonus reason: it's really quick and easy to change back to the PL.
 
I have to agree with Peter. The Optitek Nikon Pro-lock is a superior mounting system and is the best feature in my opinion. 70-200mm Nikon f/2.8 , no support, no problem.
 
Thanks David. That is helpful. I will be needing a nikon mount very soon when my epic comes (cannot wait!) and I think this mount is the way to go.
 
D Fuller said:
Two ways:

  • Second bonus reason: it's really quick and easy to change back to the PL.
Click to expand...

I THINK I MANAGED A SWITCH BETWEEN OPTITEK NIKON AND RED CANON MOUNTS IN UNDER 45 SECONDS LAST WEEKEND IN KEY WEST - SHOT THE SUNSET WITH NIKON 300 AND THEN A JUGGLING UNICYCLIST WITH THE CANON.
 
I'm worried about the Optitek mount not letting me access my lenses' iris ring, and that the iris ring on the mount will be more complication than needed. I only use manual lenses (mostly ZFs from Duclos) and happy with their operation, just want a secure mount without play.

Hope someone can assure me.
 
Since I've gotten so many good replies so far I'll throw another question in

Is the breathing comparable between cine modified ZF's and the CP2's?
 
Hi Nils. I agree with you. That was one of my concerns about the design of the original Optitek mount for the Red which I have. But from pictures I have seen of the new mount on the epic this issue has been addressed and it is not so recessed. Can someone who has it confirm this?
 
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