Question-are Nikon DSLR Lenses an Option?

[CK Olsen]

I'm sure this has been answered many times before, but I couldn't find the answer, so any help would be greatly appreciated... Will the RED Nikon Mount work with Nikon DSLR lenses? Or only with Nikon's traditional 35MM SLR lenses?
Thanks in advance,
Skitch

 

[Jeff Mustaman]

The mount works on Nikon SLR lenses.

 

[CK Olsen]

So then for Canon...

So then for Canon...

Does the Birger only fit the traditional SLR's as well??
See, I've got this great collection of Canon tradtional SLR Lenses, and Nikon DSLR Lenses... and I'd love to use 'em with RED.... Just need to better undersatnd the mounts.

 

[Gene Crucean]

Yes they will mount, but the newer (crappier) DX series Nikon glass won't work. It's designed with a small sensor in mind and won't project a big enough image.

 

[Rege]

Also, newer digital Nikon lenses don't have an iris ring.

 

[Steve Sanacore]

Does the Birger only fit the traditional SLR's as well??
See, I've got this great collection of Canon tradtional SLR Lenses, and Nikon DSLR Lenses... and I'd love to use 'em with RED.... Just need to better undersatnd the mounts.

Not sure what you mean by "traditional". The Birger mount works with Canon EOS lenses not the older Canon lenses (FD?)

Nikon always used the "F" bayonet mount. So all of them should work other than the new lenses with no F stop ring. (Unless Birger makes a Nikon mount like it is for Canon, which will work with electronic lenses too).

Hope that explains it.

 

[Justin McAleece]

Nikon DX and Canon EOS

Nikon DX and Canon EOS

It is my understanding that you definitely can use DX lenses and EF-S lenses on the RED with the help of a Birger mount. The problem is that these mounts are not shipping yet. Canon first (this month) then Nikon (who knows?) The size of the APS-C sensor is very similar to the size of the Mysterium chip and should not exhibit any portholing. I bought all canon Full size glass because the best options are full size and L series and with the fastest f stops. The smaller APS-C size lenses are generally not classed as high (at least not better) and might not have the quality feel or construction - much of this is changing though.

To clear all this up a little more look at the 'Lens Test' forum and Brook Willard's FAQ (page 2) to show you all the lens options and sensor sizes.

 

[Mark K.]

You can mount DX lenses, the DX-sized DSLR sensor they're designed for is almost exactly the same size as Red One's s35mm-sized sensor.

But as has been mentioned you won't have control of your iris (a particularly stupid 'g' lens cost-cutting design) however with a little chutzpah you can work around it (you're not going to know exactly what your iris setting is though).

 

[CK Olsen]

You can mount DX lenses, the DX-sized DSLR sensor they're designed for is almost exactly the same size as Red One's s35mm-sized sensor.

But as has been mentioned you won't have control of your iris (a particularly stupid 'g' lens cost-cutting design) however with a little chutzpah you can work around it (you're not going to know exactly what your iris setting is though).

Okay... so after reading the responses to date on this thread, it appears that, quality issues aside, I AM able to use a Nikon DX lens on the RED... I would just need an alternate Mount...

But, I am still confused as to which mount I would need.

SO.

I would be very grateful if someone would be so kind as to answer me these three questions:

#1 - What general lens type is the upcoming "Nikon mount" designed to fit?
(Like, is it for "traditional" Nikon 35mm still film lenses only??)
(Specific examples are worth bonus points... )

#2 - What general lens type is the upcoming "Birger mount" designed to fit?

#3 - Which Mount do I need in order to use the Nikon DX style Lenses on the RED?

Thanks in advance, (and thanks to the previous posters too!)

 

[Michael Hastings]

WRONG WRONG WRONG! - DX WILL work as RED sensor (S35) is virtually identical

WRONG WRONG WRONG! - DX WILL work as RED sensor (S35) is virtually identical

Yes they will mount, but the newer (crappier) DX series Nikon glass won't work. It's designed with a small sensor in mind and won't project a big enough image.

This is Wrong and people need to stop posting this!


DX lenses absolutely WILL work as RED sensor (S35) is virtually identical to the Nikon DX and the APS-C size sensors used in Canon DSLRs like the Digital REBELs, EOS20D 30D 40D etc.

 

[Steve Sanacore]

This is Wrong and people need to stop posting this!


DX lenses absolutely WILL work as RED sensor (S35) is virtually identical to the Nikon DX and the APS-C size sensors used in Canon DSLRs like the Digital REBELs, EOS20D 30D 40D etc.

Yes, I think many people here mistakenly think the super 35mm sensor in the RED is the same as a full size 35mm sensor in a DSLR. 35mm still cameras were invented to use 35mm movie film, but loaded the film sideways so the frame size was always much bigger. (note some numbers are rounded out)

35mm still camera - 24mm x 36mm (as is a full size 35mm DSLR)
Super 35mm movie camera - 14mm x 24mm (as in the RED).
Nikon DX - 23.6 x 15.8 mm.
Canon EFS mount -XTI, D40 etc - 22.2 x 14.8 mm

Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Mark K.]

This is Wrong and people need to stop posting this!

DX lenses absolutely WILL work as RED sensor (S35) is virtually identical to the Nikon DX and the APS-C size sensors used in Canon DSLRs like the Digital REBELs, EOS20D 30D 40D etc.

Just to clarify this again for people: yes DX lenses will cover the Red One's sensor, but they will be just about useless on a dumb mount (like the one Red is manufacturing).

No DX lenses have aperture rings, and without iris control a lens is pretty much useless to you. In a bind you could work around this using a bit of tape and the camera's histogram - but that would be a very awkward process on set.

So again, the only way people will be able to use DX lenses on the Red One with any degree of 'normalcy' will be with the Birger Nikon Mount (assuming the plans for that still support G lenses) when it eventually arrives.

 

[Dave Cooper]

Or you can use the DX lens constantly wide open or closed. Either way, it doesn't give you much to work with.