New PL Mount Finished

[Blair S. Paulsen]

Don't Worry, Be Happy

Don't Worry, Be Happy

1) Relax. I am pretty sure the Red Team has created a mount that can go for extended periods without adjustment. The cool thing is that when the occasional adjustment is required the process sounds much easier. Obviously we won't know exactly how things will go until the new mounts are out in the field for awhile, but, I am hopeful that full calibration will be a once a year event.

2) Give these guys some credit. While some of their attempts to build a better mousetrap have not worked out as well as hoped for, I have been impressed with their willingness to acknowledge the faults and make things right. Those of you getting cameras 101 on will benefit from multiple improvements.

 

[Jaime Vallés]

This sounds great! I look forward to the improved design. Any idea if it will make changing mounts (from PL to Birger EOS) a little easier?

Thanks for the effort, team Red!

 

[chuck colburn]

So if it needs to be made adjustable I take it that means so it will work (collimate) on any given camera. Which also means then any other mount (Nikon etc.) also needs to be adjustable to work on any given camera. So it's kinda back where it started except for the fact that it might be more stout and more accuret in the sense that the locking ear problem has been resolved. Once again not a truly interchangeable mount system. Unless I'm missing something here.

 

[jbeale]

So if it needs to be made adjustable I take it that means so it will work (collimate) on any given camera. Which also means then any other mount (Nikon etc.) also needs to be adjustable to work on any given camera. So it's kinda back where it started except for the fact that it might be more stout and more accuret in the sense that the locking ear problem has been resolved. Once again not a truly interchangeable mount system. Unless I'm missing something here.

Just for reference, is there any lens mount that works with all lenses and never needs adjustment?

 

[Stephen Williams]

Just for reference, is there any lens mount that works with all lenses and never needs adjustment?

Hi,

I have known PL mounted cameras that did not need to be adjusted over 10 years.

There may well be an opportunity for a 3rd party hard mount that cant be adjusted. Rather useful on a rental camera I think.

Out of interest can the mount be adjusted top to bottom & left to fight or just in 1 plane?

Stephen

 

[chuck colburn]

Most cameras do not have interchangable lens mounts. Those cameras are built to accept a given type of lens mount and is made so that it is spot on. So if there is a back focus problem it is within the lens itself. With a camera that has interchangable mounts you either make the camera front to a given depth so that it will accept different mounts that are made to a specific length to allow swapping out without back focus issues or you make the mounts adjustable to accomadate differences in individual camera bodies.

 

[Stephen Williams]

Most cameras do not have interchangable lens mounts. Those cameras are built to accept a given type of lens mount and is made so that it is spot on. So if there is a back focus problem it is within the lens itself. With a camera that has interchangable mounts you either make the camera front to a given depth so that it will accept different mounts that are made to a specific length to allow swapping out without back focus issues or you make the mounts adjustable to accomadate differences in individual camera bodies.

Hi Chuck,

Red only ships with PL mounts, the others are not available yet so I don't understand what the problem is with a mount that is shimmed.

Stephen

 

[chuck colburn]

Hi Chuck,

Red only ships with PL mounts, the others are not available yet so I don't understand what the problem is with a mount that is shimmed.

Stephen

Stephen,

I'm not saying there is a problem with using shims on an individual mount, what I am saying is, if you have to adjust (collimate) a particular mount to a particular camera then in all likelyhood it is not going to be interchangable on a different camera body without adjusting it to that camera body. Or to put it another way you can't do what Eclair did on the ACL.
See below...


http://cgi.ebay.com/Eclair-ACL-adap...oryZ4691QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Let me just add this, I don't know what RED has done with their new mounting system. For all I know they could have gone to a zeroed out front camera body system and they are making the PL mount adjustable to correct for slight errors in the manufacturing of the mount itself. Although I see no reason to do such. But as I say I don't know.

 

[Billy Summers]

It's also the sexiest mount around.

And Adjustable!

For all RED user's different sizes!

 

[Stephen Williams]

Stephen,

I'm not saying there is a problem with using shims on an individual mount, what I am saying is, if you have to adjust (collimate) a particular mount to a particular camera then in all likelyhood it is not going to be interchangable on a different camera body without adjusting it to that camera body. Or to put it another way you can't do what Eclair did on the ACL.
See below...


http://cgi.ebay.com/Eclair-ACL-adap...oryZ4691QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Hi Chuck,

I think you misunderstood me, there must have been some problem with the original mount or there would not be a 'new improved adjustable version'.
Unless of course the mount needs to be adjusted throughout the day like many HD Video cameras.

Stephen

 

[chuck colburn]

Hi Chuck,

I think you misunderstood me, there must have been some problem with the original mount or there would not be a 'new improved adjustable version'.
Unless of course the mount needs to be adjusted throughout the day like many HD Video cameras.

Stephen

Ahhh that might be it. I did not know that video cameras do not maintain a consistent backfocus as they are used. I still think the adustability of the lens mount is to compensate for manufacturing variances of the camera body. But as I said above, I don't know this for a fact.

 

[Stephen Williams]

Ahhh that might be it. I did not know that video cameras do not maintain a consistent backfocus as they are used. I still think the adustability of the lens mount is to compensate for manufacturing variances of the camera body. But as I said above, I don't know this for a fact.

Hi Chuck,

I find with many HD Video cameras, as they heat up the back focus changes. It's very important to keep checking throughout the day.

Stephen

 

[chuck colburn]

Hi Chuck,

I find with many HD Video cameras, as they heat up the back focus changes. It's very important to keep checking throughout the day.

Stephen

Then an adjustable mount with a fine pitch adjustment and a secure locking mechanisim might be just the ticket. Keep those test charts nearby. lol
Better yet buy a collimator.

 

[Jannard]

1st AC on Soderbergh's movies set back focus before the shoot began and checked back focus every day on both cameras and never had to change it.

BUT... it does take a long time to shim at the factory before it leaves. And if there are problems (for whatever reason), it takes a trained professional to bring a mount back in. Back focus can move on any camera. That is why it is checked at every rental house before it goes out the door. Our new mount just takes the pain out of the process in the event it needs to be adjusted.

Jim

 

[Rob Lohman]

This thing is bad ass...

 

[Antoine Fabi]

Jim,

Now the new mount is ready, what are the realistic release dates for Nikon and Canon mounts ?

thanks

 

[chuck colburn]

This thing is bad ass...

Rob,

Got any photos of it? Front, rear and in pieces would be nice. lol

 

[Damien Molineaux]

1st AC on Soderbergh's movies set back focus before the shoot began and checked back focus every day on both cameras and never had to change it.

BUT... it does take a long time to shim at the factory before it leaves. And if there are problems (for whatever reason), it takes a trained professional to bring a mount back in. Back focus can move on any camera. That is why it is checked at every rental house before it goes out the door. Our new mount just takes the pain out of the process in the event it needs to be adjusted.

Jim

nice to hear

This thing is bad ass...

ok... you guys just love to tease us, don't you !

Anyhow, it all sounds great. I hope it lives up to the reputation you're giving it and that it hasn't delayed deliveries too much, any chance for an update?

Thanks for your hard work Red team.

Cheers,
Damien

 

[chuck colburn]

Does the body have to be modified to accept the new mount?

 

[Mitch Gross]

1st AC on Soderbergh's movies set back focus before the shoot began and checked back focus every day on both cameras and never had to change it.

BUT... it does take a long time to shim at the factory before it leaves. And if there are problems (for whatever reason), it takes a trained professional to bring a mount back in. Back focus can move on any camera. That is why it is checked at every rental house before it goes out the door. Our new mount just takes the pain out of the process in the event it needs to be adjusted.

Jim

So Red is still considering this an "in shop" operation as opposed to an "in field" operation? I think that is an EXCELLENT thing. Users adjusting the mounts in the field with no really way of measuring the effect will result in a lot of out of focus imagery. Better to set it before the job and check periodically in a proper environment. That it is quicker and easier to do now is a lovely thing. We deal with shims every day, and anything to speed up the process is always welcome. But it has to be precise and locking. Very interested to see the design.

Mitch Gross
Abel Cine Tech