Flat locating pin on PL Mount

[Ben Speir]

Hey Guys,

The locating pin on the RED Shimmed PL Mount that came with my Ranger Gemini has recently been pushed flush with the mount itself. I took apart the mount, which was easy enough; I just had to remove some screws, but the pin didn't seem to budge. I've uploaded some photos here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KCsdztp9Q661n38Bwa01YdzXkEZv_Aq6?usp=sharing

Has anyone had and resoled this issue? I recently used the camera with some Cooke Anamorphic's and had to spend a LOT of care making sure the lens was mounted correctly to prevent distorting the image. As you can imagine, without a locating pin, the lens shifts a degree or two clockwise as you secure the PL mount.

Thanks for your help!

Cheers,
Ben

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Ben if you remove the PL flange where the pin is pressed held by the 8 socket screws can you see the pin from the back side? You should then be able to push it back out from the back side...It is pressed in so you may need a tool like a pin punch and a hammer...

 

[Ben Speir]

Thank you for the response, Jacek. I assumed the same thing, but when I took apart the mount, it doesn't seem to have easy access to the back of the pin. I've added some more photo's to show what I mean:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rW1eiIVPi1KpB-zAuMKP7XGrOQ5J4alg/view?usp=sharing

In the photo with the red arrow, you can see a small screw hole (used to secure the circuit board to the back of the mount). I attempted to insert a small pin in that hole to push on the back of the pin, but the hole is too small and I can only fit a thin paperclip, and can't apply enough force to push the pin back out. I don't have a pin punch handy, but I'm not confident they make one that small. I attempted to gently pull the pin out with a pair of vice grips, but it doesn't seem to budge. I'm afraid of damaging the pin or the mount itself.

At this point, I think it might simply be a design flaw, or perhaps a manufacturing error. I've only had the camera for a year.

Thanks again for your help! Any additional advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I see. Maybe grab the pin with a chuck and try prying the mount away from the chuck carefully so you don't mark the mount? The pin should be hardened steel- not easily damaged. Even if damaged it is cheap to replace. Make sure you don't damage the hole for the pin in the mount- that's the expensive part.

 

[Ben Speir]

Copy that, thanks for the help, Jacek. I think I need to grab a pair of vise grips as the needle-nose pliers don't seem to be working. I've also opened a ticket with RED Support incase they have other thoughts on the matter.

Thanks again!!

 

[kevinjbond]

Hi Ben! Did you ever resolve the issue with the flat locating pin? I have the same issue.

 

[Neil Abeynayake]

I used good ol' WD40 to unhinge the offender and cleaned the excess after the fact. It worked like a charm. Oxidization is your nemesis.