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Optitek Nikon Pro Lock Mount

T

Tim Naylor

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I will have the first proto of the Optitek's Nikon Pro Lock mount to test this weekend (secret place, secret camera). Based on the video Jacek sent me, it's built like a real lens mount - not a flimsy metal coaster with a 20 dollar nikon click mount.

The iris control is simple genius. It has a small knob that allows you to lock the ring into the lowest aperture. Once done, the mount's iris ring works like a real iris ring. Twist it and watch your stops change. It also can be geared. T stop pulls on DX lenses! This is rugged machined stuff.

The lens mount lock is basically a PL mount. Turn and it presses the lens into the mount. No twist, click and jiggle of other mounts.

Anyway, I'll be testing it with a host lenses from AI to DX and all in between. Once done, I'll make my recommendations to Jacek. After that I sign off on the production model. This is quite exciting to finally have a pro level Nikon mount.

Will post demo video of the production model in the coming week or so.

If you're interested in more, contact me at cinetim@mac.com
 
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Whatever's on you tube is only the proto. I did not post that link as I'd rather people see the production model. But if you found the link, I must say, it's pretty damn cool. Based on my tests, Jacek will make some minor changes and then we'll unveil the real deal.

I forgot to mention, T stop pulls on DX lenses will be super smooth. How's that! I just did a steadicam shot from the sky to the subject going from T11 to 4.0 - to be able to do this on DX lenses is something to cheer about.
 
Tim,

Saw the video. Any chance you'll have a working model of it available to view at the Reduser meet in Vegas?
 
work related slowdown

work related slowdown

Don't worry guys,
We are getting close. Tim is working long hours hence the slower progress.
Will pick up today.
Jacek Zakowicz, OptiTek
 
Update. Got proto. The lock mechanism is quite good. You insert lens, turn it left (no friction or click) and then turn pressure lock ring (PL) and it pressed the lens firmly into mount.

Jacek is still working out a few other features and minor issues I discovered in the proto. It's taken longer than anticipated but it's quite a challenge to create a PL Nikon, fit an iris ring and get it all into the small tolerances of a Nikon mount and be rock solid.

I'm confident after the next revision it should be there.
 
charlesN said:
Can you elaborate on this, Evin...?
Click to expand...

As far as we have been told by red the front lens mount will be a simple square bolt on design. The Backfocus adjustment will be done at the sensor.
This is a much different design then the one found on the Red one. That does not meant hat a very similar design couldn't be made for the DSMCs but the R! mount will not be interchangeable.
EpicMount.jpg
 
One thought here - primarily for Jacek, of course:

Is it (still) possible to design the mount so that it can be fairly easily engineered to fit other systems? I'm sure that increased sales volume is something that everybody wants, and there are a lot of Nikon mount users out there who aren't shooting on a Red...

35mm lens adapters are probably the biggest market - add together the total users of the Redrock M2, Letus35, Cinemek G35, P+S Mini & Micro 35's, SGPro's, etc etc and you've got a LOT of users - 90% of which are shooting with Nikon mount lenses. Then add future users of S35 and (particularly) FF35 Epics and Scarlets (the Scarlet market will be HUGE for stills glass) and you've got tons of potential clients...

Now, that's a lot of different mount designs, but by (a) choosing perhaps only the bigger selling systems and (b) designing the mount so as to be moderately easy to alter the rear attachment of, you could up your potential client base by a very large percentage, and improve the lot of many, many indie shooters to boot - plus everyone gets a cheaper mount!!

Might be too late by now, but sounds like a good deal if it's possible!

I, for instance, probably won't buy one to replace our Nikon mount for the R1, but will definitely want one for the Epic, preferably as soon as it is released...

Cheers,
Dom.
 
I like your style, Dom

I like your style, Dom

Dominic Jones said:
One thought here - primarily for Jacek, of course:

Is it (still) possible to design the mount so that it can be fairly easily engineered to fit other systems? I'm sure that increased sales volume is something that everybody wants, and there are a lot of Nikon mount users out there who aren't shooting on a Red...

35mm lens adapters are probably the biggest market - add together the total users of the Redrock M2, Letus35, Cinemek G35, P+S Mini & Micro 35's, SGPro's, etc etc and you've got a LOT of users - 90% of which are shooting with Nikon mount lenses. Then add future users of S35 and (particularly) FF35 Epics and Scarlets (the Scarlet market will be HUGE for stills glass) and you've got tons of potential clients...

Now, that's a lot of different mount designs, but by (a) choosing perhaps only the bigger selling systems and (b) designing the mount so as to be moderately easy to alter the rear attachment of, you could up your potential client base by a very large percentage, and improve the lot of many, many indie shooters to boot - plus everyone gets a cheaper mount!!

Might be too late by now, but sounds like a good deal if it's possible!

I, for instance, probably won't buy one to replace our Nikon mount for the R1, but will definitely want one for the Epic, preferably as soon as it is released...

Cheers,
Dom.
Click to expand...

Hi Guys,
I thought I'd chime in here:
Nikon ProLock is already very low profile so it can be attached, just like the Red Nikon mount, to the focusing unit on the camera. I don't see any problem with using adapter plates designed for specific application(be it Pro35, Epic, Scarlet, etc.) to mount it on your camera of choice. From Evin's (Red's) renderings it looks like there will be plenty of room in the Red's new modular system. And you get G lens iris control and, down the road electronic controller for focus and iris as well. Once the mechanical design is proven in the field we will offer those upgrades.
BTW, I'm confirmed now for a demo at the LA Reduser Meeting next Saturday.
I will demo the Nikon ProLock, Clip-on finder, and another "serious" Red related device-come and you won't be disappointed.:thumbsup:
Jacek Zakowicz, optitek.org
 
Sounds good Jacek - the G-lens iris control would be a very welcome addition indeed. You just might force me to buy one before the Epic ships at this rate!

Especially if the mount could be modified to fit on the Epic once it comes out. An "immediate" pro Nikon solution for the FF35 will sell very, very well, I would guess.

Colour me extremely interested...

Cheers,
Dom.
 
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