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Nikon Mount Issues

T

Tim Naylor

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Just assembled my RED and we seem to be having issues with the Nikon mount. Can't seem to get it to click in. Anyone have this problem? Any solution? Is mine just defective?

Tim Naylor - NYC-DP
 
I would bet that it's just tight, being brand new. After you mount lenses a few more times, the pads under the springs will bed themselves in, and you will be able to turn the lens a bit farther, and you'll hear the click. So, don't force it, just let it work itself in.
 
Douglas Underdahl said:
I would bet that it's just tight, being brand new. After you mount lenses a few more times, the pads under the springs will bed themselves in, and you will be able to turn the lens a bit farther, and you'll hear the click. So, don't force it, just let it work itself in.
Click to expand...

Agreed...
 
I had exactly the same problem. I had to remove the rubber bushings to mount my nikons. I have older mechanical nikons and they seem to be quite a tight fit on the mount. It works fine without the rubber bushings.

Rob
 
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Is it me or am I the only one who thinks 500.00 bucks for something you need to tinker with to get it working right doesn't smell right? Considering there are no alternatives that RED approves of, this is a bit of a disappointment. It should work right out of the box or should have instructions/parts to do so.
 
I'll admit that $500 seems like a lot for what it is construction-wise (especially compared to what's all involved inside a $500 autofocus lens), but oh, boy, consider the alternatives! Thank God, Doug makes that mount.

I have his upgraded DX mount on one RED and it's a great thing to consider, as well. . . especially if you want to use that glorious Tokina 11-16mm.

Stephen
 
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So I tried the on/off method to loosen things up. After doing that about 50 times, no dice, still would not lock in place. Then I tried the remove the bushings method. Now it clicks but it has play - not much, but too much for long lenses. Called RED and they said try removing one bushing at a time. Good advice - but considering my bushings are toast after taking them out, they're sending me some new ones.

All told the whole ordeal seems rather bootleg for pro camera and a 500 dollar mount. I bought 150.00 mounts for my 35mm adaptor that are in a whole different league in terms of build and performance - literally run circles around it.

I understand there are no alternatives which is surprising. Everyone seems to be jumping on 3rd party accessories for everything else but only one choice for a lens mount. C'mon ET and everyone else, let's get a more competitive mount on the market. I hope the PS drama didn't scare away contenders.

I guess I got spoiled with my 35mm adaptor's Nikon mount (SG and Letus) and also using PS Technik Nikon mount. For 500 I was expecting something better machined than those cheaper mounts.

What can I say, this is disappointing. Am I the only one who finds this mount less then?

Does anyone know of the best way to adjust this lens mount? Or alternatives on the horizon?
 
No, Tim, you are probably not the only one. I agree that the construction is not what it should be. I was expecting a nice solid nikon mount as well. However, It does not bother me that much - the camera as a whole is just so great to use that I you just overlook the minor issues.

Rob
 
Tim,

The new mount is solid, although not everyone may be into the thumbscrew aperture adjust that allows you to use G and DX lenses. Personally, I dig it. But I screwed myself one day. You have to be careful and make sure the thumbscrew is not set at an extreme position when attaching lenses. I was rushing around one day and forgot to check it. Got one of my lenses stuck on there pretty good. Took a lot of careful maneuvering to get it off without snapping anything. The irony is that prior to that snaffu, my Nikon mount was working as well as the PL. No play, snug on all lenses, and a perfect solution. Now, it's not so snug, but still works. At some point I might send it back in to get that same snugness back, but in this case it was my fault for what happened. Otherwise, that new mount was rocking.

Check in with Doug. He's a good guy. He'll take care of you if you have a defective mount.
 
Rob Castiglione said:
No, Tim, you are probably not the only one. I agree that the construction is not what it should be. I was expecting a nice solid nikon mount as well. However, It does not bother me that much - the camera as a whole is just so great to use that I you just overlook the minor issues.

Rob
Click to expand...

I guess I'm a stickler for anything I use that attaches a lens. It needs to be rock solid and easy to use. And I've had much better experiences with other Nikon mounts.

I think I have the latest mount as I received my camera about a month ago. Is anyone out there developing a more positive locking better built mount? I'll contact Doug, perhaps he has some ideas.
 
I have not had any issue with actual play in the mount because I am only using older AI lenses (much longer throw on them). It would certainly concern me if the lens did not fit snugly.

Rob
 
I just bought another AI lens and tried it in a Nikon D90. The mount locked, clicked and had absolutely no play. No feeling of badly finished aluminum scratching against your mount like the RED mount. Why can't someone design a Nikon mount for the RED of Nikon quality? Not to beat a dead horse - but the RED mount is poorly made. The more I think that it ran 500.00, the more I feel a mild sense of outrage.

Rubber shims -seriously? How much can you rely on that under extreme weather conditions? What is the big technical hurdle (that Nikon has seemed to solve as well as a few low cost 35mm adaptor makers) that RED cant leap? Can anyone honestly say this mount is "pro" quality gear. I bought it knowing it was 3rd party but figured the RED imprimatur was an assurance of quality (you know, like with the ET products).

I'm sure folks will come keyboards a swinging to defend this piece of ....gear... but just ask yourself this simple question: is this acceptable for 500.00? Or some will say what do you expect for shooting still lenses? I expect at least as good a mount as the ones on the cameras they were made for. Can and should RED commission a better one?
 
We're having the same no clicking issue over here, with the red nikon mount, of course.
As english is not my mother tongue, I'm not sure what do people here mean by "the taking oout bushings" solution. Does anyone have pictures of that? Is that just like little rubber thing in the nikon mount?

Thanks in advance.
Regards.
 
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