Birger Lens Mount Reservations

[Mark Thorpe]

Mike,
I basically use Canon DSLR's so I wanted to use one set of lenses for both cameras. The expense of going with Nikon for RED and Canon for stills would have been, and will be in the long run, too much. That said, and reading all of the shocking stories of zero service thus far shown to most who have actually sent money to Birger, is a bit disconcerting. I may well end up getting their product should it eventually materialize. I am however very short fused when it comes to getting dicked around financially.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Thom Steinhoff]

I Haven't been billed or contacted either, but I'm not sweating it--he'll work it out.

Like Camdiver I, too, bought a 18-50. I just couldn't stand having a brick with no hope in sight--and the thought of putting it on hold was just too much to bear.

 

[Jason Ing]

it would have been much more interesting thread if he charged everyone and then kept silent for a long time. as long as i'm in line, i don't mind my paperwork sitting in his files and not being charged.

and i can't believe this thread is up to page 71... david mullen's fantastic thread is in its 80s.

 

[Jason Ing]

by the way, i have a question regarding focus and the birger mount. can someone explain what this entails... i know i'm misunderstanding something... it's not going to replace a follow focus because it has automatic focusing?

 

[Michael Hastings]

Mike,
I basically use Canon DSLR's so I wanted to use one set of lenses for both cameras. The expense of going with Nikon for RED and Canon for stills would have been, and will be in the long run, too much. That said, and reading all of the shocking stories of zero service thus far shown to most who have actually sent money to Birger, is a bit disconcerting. I may well end up getting their product should it eventually materialize. I am however very short fused when it comes to getting dicked around financially.

Cheers,
Mark

I hear you on the Canon DSLR. I used to have a 20D, sold it and bought a 40D in December plus the 10-22 EF-S; 70-200 2.8L Zoom, and 17-55 2.8 EF-S, so I'm pretty committed too.

I just meant the Nikon would have been the low cost interim solution - and would be easy to resell and get most of the money back as opposed to the PL that might not be so easy to move. I'm hoping this will all be a non issue in a couple weeks and we can start talking about making great pictures again.

by the way, i have a question regarding focus and the birger mount. can someone explain what this entails... i know i'm misunderstanding something... it's not going to replace a follow focus because it has automatic focusing?

Jing: it doesn't do autofocus, but it uses the motors that are normally used to do autofocus. Since there are thousands of steps on those motors you can spread it out on the follow focus knob that comes with it so that you have a more precise, smoother focus than you could with the manual focus. The manual focus on most still lenses usually just take a very small turn and are harder to be smooth and precise during a motion shot.

 

[MikeHedge]

yay! thanks Erik. can you email us when you have billed us? thanks. any info about the bluetooth/wireless control?

 

[David Nardini]

Mike,
I basically use Canon DSLR's so I wanted to use one set of lenses for both cameras. The expense of going with Nikon for RED and Canon for stills would have been, and will be in the long run, too much. That said, and reading all of the shocking stories of zero service thus far shown to most who have actually sent money to Birger, is a bit disconcerting. I may well end up getting their product should it eventually materialize. I am however very short fused when it comes to getting dicked around financially.
Cheers,
Mark

Hi Mark ... like you (and others) the level of frustration on the issue of non-PL mounts non-availability is HIGH. I've been trying to get a Canon FD mount, a Nikkor mount as interim measures or the RED Nikon mount ... but they are ALL NOT AVAILABLE YET ! None are able to give firm delivery dates ... so impossible to plan.
The Birger is clearly the best solution, but ...

The fact that RED spent approx 2-to-4 weeks to correct the PL mount and then take 2 months to release the simpler Nikon mount (which re-uses the back of the PL-mount) is incredible to me.
Yes, as we all know they have their list of priorities, but given the simplicity of the item, this is very disappointing.

Aqua/Mike's point about Nikon glass is very valid ...
Excluding the esoteric PL wides (IMHO, for u/w way overpriced) ... Nikon make the finest wide angle glass on the planet (for example, see the latest 14-242.8); Canon do have one or two gems.
I have decided to go with Canon because I use it on my stills cameras, but I do still run Nikon wide lenses via adapters on my 1Ds's. For the RED, I will be keeping manual Nikon glass as a fall back position (in case the electronics of the Birger give problems in the field or to run the Nikon 10.5 fisheye).
What remains untapped is a smart way to drive (manually) the lever that sticks out of Nikon lenses ... this lever exists in the DX and G lenses ... this is something I'm considering getting built; early days, need to get my RED to my machinist first :sarcasm:

As Mike said, investing in Canon + Nikon as backup is still way short of PL lens $$$. Nikon to get going, Canon ASAP (PLEASE BIRGER !) :matrix:

Like you (and others), I'm running the risk of having a nice door stop for a while ... fingers crossed that mounts starts shipping before the end of March.

 

[Robert Frank]

it would have been much more interesting thread if he charged everyone and then kept silent for a long time. as long as i'm in line, i don't mind my paperwork sitting in his files and not being charged.

But how do you know if your actually in line or not?

I don't want to come across as completely negative, after all I am impressed with this system and still want to buy it.

And yes... thank you Erik for the update, and the cool feature set!

 

[Jay A. Kelley]

I have a question, I have a reservation, I have been confirmed and billed, but I am increasing concerned about the switching out of mounts from Birger back to RED. I am thinking I would like to hold off on my order until Birger's own PL mount is ready also. This was I can be assured of a simple mount switching process.

Would this be ok?

Jay

 

[Andrew M.]

I have a question, I have a reservation, I have been confirmed and billed, but I am increasing concerned about the switching out of mounts from Birger back to RED. I am thinking I would like to hold off on my order until Birger's own PL mount is ready also. This was I can be assured of a simple mount switching process.

Would this be ok?

Jay

Jay, don’t think that PL mount for this Canon mount will be as good as original RED PL mount.
First of all I don’t think it will come with its own shimming in addition to the Canon mount shimmed base. In such a case the PL mount for this Canon will be fixed at the distance equal the theoretical difference between Canon and PL mount FL.
Now some lenses from the rental shops are worn out or simply made bit out towards the extreme edge of tolerance. Your Canon lenses could be made out towards the other extreme edge of tolerance.
If you are lucky you get both nailed down perfectly in the middle.
Otherwise you have to adjust the base Canon mount shimming each time you rent the PL lenses.
If you owe all your lenses then it is a different story. You will know how much to tight the screws or loose it slightly on the Canon shimming ring, blindly, when you change from Canon to PL and vice versa.
I don’t think Canon mount will come with 2.5 micron shims so fine adjustment have to be made with the pressure you apply to the mounting screws. Correct me if I am wrong here.

More I think about it more I am leaning to buy a second RED camera body, only 1/2 price of Master Primes.

First, it is a backup

Second, it is the second camera if I need.

Third, Canon mount with all the new Canon lenses specially made for 1Ds Mk3 are as sharp as MPs

Forth, the precision of electronic focus on Canon L lenses is as good as MP focus ring, aperture or zoom precision is not so crucial but electronic one will be as good as on MPs.

Now imagine the Canon 14mm new II L lens made specially for 21MP 1Ds Mk3 is as good as the new 16mm MP.

I have Canon 14mm here and I have seen tests results of 16mm MP. I tested 18mmMP myself and I was not impressed with amount of CA and sharpness. Maybe MPs are the sharpest on the market but it is the true for year 2007.

Yes color consistency on Zeiss is undeniable, but what is this all nice super precise color grading for.

For those who want to go even wider down to Canon 10mm and 8mm whatever brand, I see the plugins for CA correction popping out here and there, maybe there is one already for FCP and Premiere.
SCRATCH has one so this will go down the food chain soon.

 

[Andrew M.]

I just watched Douglas clip about changing the Nicon mount.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhmolBMtDzg&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRicc1HU44c&feature=related


I know that Canon FL distance is shorter, but is there a way to modify the original BFL adjustment part or make the new shorter one? Then we will not have to have shimming thing on the Canon mount.

We will use the adjustment base?

 

[Joel Kaye]

Guys, Birger said he changed the design and it's NOT going to use shims, it'll be adjustable. So everything in the past couple posts that presumes shims is irrelevant.

It'll be adjustable similar to RED. I'm not sure what the process is from changing from one mount to another, but even if you just used RED's stuff it's still a bit of work. I'm skeptical people will do it in the field very often. I think you're going to pick a mount and stick with it for the day. Well, at least that my plan.

 

[Roberto B]

Guys, Birger said he changed the design and it's NOT going to use shims, it'll be adjustable. So everything in the past couple posts that presumes shims is irrelevant.

ehehehe.. good one.. phoenix rocks old chap..

 

[Michael Hastings]

Couple things about this thread.

Couple things about this thread.

Guys, Birger said he changed the design and it's NOT going to use shims, it'll be adjustable. So everything in the past couple posts that presumes shims is irrelevant.

It'll be adjustable similar to RED. I'm not sure what the process is from changing from one mount to another, but even if you just used RED's stuff it's still a bit of work. I'm skeptical people will do it in the field very often. I think you're going to pick a mount and stick with it for the day. Well, at least that my plan.

Since I've become sort of a defacto moderator here let me make a suggestion:

Since this thread is called "Birger Lens Mount Reservations" all of the no confirmation, etc. posts are completely reasonable, but this thread has also been the source of a lot of the information about the mount and at 72 pages is one of the longest threads on REDUSER, and when the reservation posts add in it is hard for people to find the info like the above post that Erik announced going to a shimless adjustment setup, new ship dates, etc.

Since it is obvious that Erik is overwhelmed and hasn't finished the paperwork side of things, and there is no way he's going to be able to sort through 72 pages - and since I'd like to make it a little easier to keep up - I started a new thread specifically for those that sent in an order but HAVEN'T been billed OR confirmed - the (Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread") thread . That way you will have a public record that you ordered it and I imagine Erik will honor the free bluetooth deal for you even if he doesn't have your fax or email. And he will have an easy way to find those since obviously he might not have paperwork or email on his end. And if you want to cancel or postpone, then I would suggest sending him an email AND posting on the (Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread") thread. Please don't put the gripes or other questions over there. I'm not trying to stifle anyone's expression - just think those might as well stay here. But this might make it a little easier to keep up on this thread too.

 

[planet e]

maybe they need to make you a moderator...seems appropriate...

 

[Jason Ing]

Thanks Aqua. So I'm getting a follow focus solution with my birger mount? If so, sweet. Obviously, I don't know much about the mount other then I can put my 24-70L and 70-200L lenses on it and save $6k+ or renting.

Jing: it doesn't do autofocus, but it uses the motors that are normally used to do autofocus. Since there are thousands of steps on those motors you can spread it out on the follow focus knob that comes with it so that you have a more precise, smoother focus than you could with the manual focus. The manual focus on most still lenses usually just take a very small turn and are harder to be smooth and precise during a motion shot.

 

[Steve Sherrick]

My offer still stands to help Erik out with paperwork, phone calls, etc. I'm in testing mode, so I can free up a bit of time to help and he's right around the corner from me, well within short driving distance. I'm here to help if it alleviates the stress. And I'll do it out of the interest of the community, not for money.

 

[Michael Hastings]

Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread"

Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread"

Just a bump for people that may not have seen it.

We created a thread (now a sticky) specifically for those that sent in an order but HAVEN'T been billed OR confirmed - the (Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread") thread. That way you will have a public record that you ordered it and I imagine Erik will honor the free bluetooth deal for you even if he doesn't have your fax or email. And he will have an easy way to find those since obviously he might not have paperwork or email on his end. And if you want to cancel or postpone, then I would suggest sending him an email AND posting on the (Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread") thread. Please don't put the gripes or other questions over there. I'm not trying to stifle anyone's expression - just think those might as well stay here. But this might make it a little easier to keep up on this thread too.

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=9532

PS there are now 4 pages so it seems to be working.

Thanks Aqua. So I'm getting a follow focus solution with my birger mount? If so, sweet. Obviously, I don't know much about the mount other then I can put my 24-70L and 70-200L lenses on it and save $6k+ or renting.

That's one of the beauties of this thing - you can almost offset the cost just because it is a follow focus setup too, and wireless soon to boot. BTW if you haven't ordered yet I would seriously consider doing ASAP as Erik probably would still honor the free wireless but not much incentive to do that once it ships.

Hopefully in a week or so!!!

 

[Joe Vinson]

Today's the 29th, but I'm guessing shipping won't actually start for another two weeks or so based on these comments:

PCBs and mechanical parts for the mounts are presently being fabricated. … first 50 units should be rolling off the production line next week. Knobs might not be available until the following week.

Is that a reasonable expectation? Erik (if you're reading this), any idea how long it will take to fulfill all the reservations?

 

[Gordon Prince]

Since I've become sort of a defacto moderator here let me make a suggestion:

Since this thread is called "Birger Lens Mount Reservations" all of the no confirmation, etc. posts are completely reasonable, but this thread has also been the source of a lot of the information about the mount and at 72 pages is one of the longest threads on REDUSER, and when the reservation posts add in it is hard for people to find the info like the above post that Erik announced going to a shimless adjustment setup, new ship dates, etc.

Since it is obvious that Erik is overwhelmed and hasn't finished the paperwork side of things, and there is no way he's going to be able to sort through 72 pages - and since I'd like to make it a little easier to keep up - I started a new thread specifically for those that sent in an order but HAVEN'T been billed OR confirmed - the (Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread") thread . That way you will have a public record that you ordered it and I imagine Erik will honor the free bluetooth deal for you even if he doesn't have your fax or email. And he will have an easy way to find those since obviously he might not have paperwork or email on his end. And if you want to cancel or postpone, then I would suggest sending him an email AND posting on the (Birger "I didn't get a confirmation for my order yet thread") thread. Please don't put the gripes or other questions over there. I'm not trying to stifle anyone's expression - just think those might as well stay here. But this might make it a little easier to keep up on this thread too.

And here's a poll already running...

http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=3516