Better Nikon Mount Solutions Anyone?

[richard peterson]

...I like the ability to use a manual follow focus on them. The 17-35 and 70-200 and the like aren't too practical for proper manual focus pulls.

Why isn't the 70-200 good for manual focus pulls; I have zf prime lenses but I was looking at getting this zoom... Is the 80-200 any better. What about Nikon's new 24-70/2.8, could you use if for manual focus pulls with the Arri MFF-1.. Any info would be of great help

thanks, richard

 

[Vance Colvig]

Richard,
I have the 17-35mm, 24-70mm and the 70-200mm. I geared the focus and the zoom with 32 pitch gears (cine) and they work great, although I don't know about the Arri MFF-1 interface. I control the iris of the 24-70 and 70-200 (as well as a Tokina 11-16mm) with a Red Nikon mount that I modified, and it is controlled with another 32 pitch gear ring attached to the mount itself. I have been aware of the Nikon mount failings for over 30 years, and am very interested in a better locking system. The "G" lenses mentioned above are optically so good, that I would be unwilling to trade off loss of iris control for a better mount, however. Ideally, some kind of iris control can be incorporated into this mount.

 

[richard peterson]

I control the iris of the 24-70 and 70-200 (as well as a Tokina 11-16mm) with a Red Nikon mount that I modified, and it is controlled with another 32 pitch gear ring attached to the mount itself.

What... How dose this work ? Any pictures or more info... Did you modify the mount yourself ?

Who should I buy the pitch gear ring from ?

The "G" lenses mentioned above are optically so good, that I would be unwilling to trade off loss of iris control for a better mount, however. Ideally, some kind of iris control can be incorporated into this mount.

Totally agree the new glass from Nikon is awesome... I shoot with the 14-24 on a D3 and I can't wait to get this baby on the red... But I hear nothing but great things from Tokina 11-16mm.

 

[Tim Naylor]

I find the focus draw on the 17-35 as well as the 70-200 too tight for precise focus cues (the 17-35 goes something like 1,3,5,7 in less than an inch and to infinity in the next 1/2 inch) in dramatic work. Wildlife, event, doc and some narrative work they're fine. The ZF's and Voightlander 55mm have considerably longer focus draws. Not quite up to cine lenses but long enough for accurate focus ques.

I use the zooms alot for doc work especially but on narrative expecially hand held the accuracy leaves much to be desired. Also the dampening/mechanics isn't the stuff for moviemaking. I wish someone made a re-housed Nikon zoom set at a decent price. Anyone?

Back on topic:

The mount is still going through design stages. It will happen and we've decided to create a better iris control (hence the delays). Jacek is confident though all will work beautifully.

Interested? Contact me at cinetim@mac.com. I don't check my PM's here too much.

 

[Tim Morten]

My 70-200 breathes quite a bit; are others seeing the same with theirs? The 17-35 isn't so bad, but I've been treating the 70-200 more like a variable prime.

Cheers,
Tim

 

[Vance Colvig]

Richard and Tim,
I will try to get down to OptiTek this next week with my camera to see if my mod to the Red mount can be incorporated with their "Vistavision" type mount. Yes, I did the machining myself on my modded Red mount. I did the mod out of despiration waiting for the Birger Nikon mount (although I think Erik is a brilliant engineer and innovator, and I am still looking forward to getting his mount on my Red 1 before I upgrade to Epic FF35 or 645). My gear rings are 3 1/2 inches which are pretty big in diameter, so I can use the gear ratio from a small focus pulling spur gear to provide a little more gear reduction. Duclos in Canoga Park, California provided the gearing (what nice people they are, too). At Duclos I saw a Zeiss ZF, and was impressed with the build, but they were quite heavy compared to the Nikons. I didn't look too closly at the focus throw, but being the lens whore that I am, I almost slipped on my drool as I went out the door. Must admit, sort of weird seeing a Zeiss lens with "made in Japan" on it, though.

Back to the mount. Email me toward the end of next week about the iris control and the OptiTek mount, or contact them to find out their thoughts after they have seen it. I will try to make it over there by Thursday the 19th.

All the best,
Vance
vance@airpix.tv

 

[Mike N]

Any news on this ?

I've sent you an e-mail Tim. I'm very interested in this !

 

[Vance Colvig]

Went by OptiTek yesterday and showed Jacek my modified RED Nikon mount incorporating iris control. He mentioned that he has plans to provide iris control on his "snug mount". More than likely I will buy one of his when available because of his superior lens mounting solution.

All the best,

Vance

 

[Tim Naylor]

Just got the 1st rendering of the Nikon "Snug" mount. It'll set the standard for still mounts without a doubt. Everything on rotating rings from lock down to iris control. No pesky brass knobs or jiggly spring loaded mounts. Jacek really did an outstanding design in terms of fitting all the design demands into such small parameters.

If you haven't received an update or are on my Nikon mount email list, please email me at cinetim@mac.com. Make sure to write "Nikon Mount Updates" in the subject heading.

This is all about to happen.

 

[Al Massad]

Nikon mount not fitting the new red.

Nikon mount not fitting the new red.

I had my new Red camera last week, I try to install the Nikon adapter as it shown on youtube, but I notice extra ( 4 electronic spin at white plastic pice ) and make it impassible to fit. i really wonder why Red ship it to me if its not working.

any tips?

many thanks f


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