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Scarlet with Nikon DX lenses

Matt Bowden

Matt Bowden

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Hey, I've been searching but I haven't found the answer to my question. Can I use my Nikon DX (still image) lenses on the Scarlet? What mount would I need to do that?

I've dreamed of owning a RED camera for years but the finances are a HUGE stretch. I already own two Nikon DX lenses and if I could use them it would be one less thing I would need to buy immediately for my Scarlet package. I appreciate all help given.
 
Yep, the OptTek Nikon ProLock for Epic should work on the Scarlet given the mounts are interchangeable.

Allows you to control iris and is a positive lock, much better than the twist-style mounts.

I use it on my Epic and it's great.

http://optitek.org/nikon-prolock.php

Pictures are of a Red One but trust me, the Epic version exists, just email Jacek.
 
So I get the scarlet without a mount...then buy the one you linked? How is the quality of the footage with the still lenses? I eventually want to get one of the red zooms...but don't have the money to add to my package yet.
 
Matt Bowden said:
So I get the scarlet without a mount...then buy the one you linked? How is the quality of the footage with the still lenses? I eventually want to get one of the red zooms...but don't have the money to add to my package yet.
Click to expand...

That depends on the quality of the still lenses. The first shots in this spot were shot with a Nikkor 17-55mm f:2.8 DX, The other shots are all Cooke Speed Panchros and a Nikkor 300mm f:2.8 (on an Epic with the Optitek Prolock).

 
Matt Bowden said:
So I get the scarlet without a mount...then buy the one you linked? How is the quality of the footage with the still lenses? I eventually want to get one of the red zooms...but don't have the money to add to my package yet.
Click to expand...

Hi Matt,

Actually i don't believe you can get the brain w/o any mount. You'd have to get what's available. Then you simoly swap out the mount with the ProLock. As Jim mentioned, email Jack & he'll forward you pics & details.

M
 
I can't believe Optitek still hasn't updated their website to show/order the Epic mount. Is it in beta or something?
 
Ian B. Johnson said:
I can't believe Optitek still hasn't updated their website to show/order the Epic mount. Is it in beta or something?
Click to expand...

No, it's not in beta. It's a very solid, working product. It's been shipping since August. The website? That's another story. But the mount is the real deal.
 
D Fuller said:
No, it's not in beta. It's a very solid, working product. It's been shipping since August. The website? That's another story. But the mount is the real deal.
Click to expand...
That website doesn't look a day over 10 years old.

What's the price of the Epic/Scarlet mount?
 
Matt Bowden said:
With the cost of that mount, I could buy a nice canon lens to use with the Canon mount scarlet.
Click to expand...

Your choice.

But really, for the difference on the price of the Optitek and the Red Canon mount, you could buy only one not-so-special Canon lens. And you can get the Optitek mount today (well, maybe the end of the week with shipping). It's all about making the best you can with the resources you have available. None of these choices are bad.
 
D Fuller said:
No, it's not in beta. It's a very solid, working product. It's been shipping since August. The website? That's another story. But the mount is the real deal.
Click to expand...

I think he's selling them as fast as he can make them, even without the website -it's a great product.
 
In my case, I actually plan to sell my canon mount in order to purchase the Optitek mount. And I'm going with the latest crop of G lenses, 'cos I'm not that big on old Nikon glass either.
 
Matt Bowden said:
Can I buy a better Canon lens than the nikons I have for less than $700?
Click to expand...


I don't know the Canon lenses at all. And I haven't used the two you mention in your post above, but I have heard pretty positive things about the 55-300. If it were me, with what you have, I'd buy the Prolock mount, save a little money, and watch eBay for a used copy of the Nikkor 17-55 f:2.8. It's a really sweet lens on the Red MX sensor, and it's two stops faster than what you have now. In the mean time, what you have will work as well as they do on your Nikon.

The other thing I'd tell you is that if you can share lenses between your still camera and your Red, your lens budget will stretch a lot farther.
 
Just a note about coverage: All of the DX lenses don't cover 5K at all of their focal lengths. But they all will cover 4K. The 17-55, for example, vignettes at 17mm in 5K Full Sensor, but it's fine by 18mm or maybe 18.5mm. And it's all good at 4K (and 4.5K on R1).
 
Matt Bowden said:
With the cost of that mount, I could buy a nice canon lens to use with the Canon mount scarlet.
Click to expand...

I was thinking that same thing. As the mount costs $1000 you'd only do it to protect your investment in Nikon mount lenses. If you stay the Nikon route and when the time comes to expand, look at the Zeiss ZFs, they are fantastic! With the Duclos mod they rival cinema glass for optics, thought the mechanics are not quite as evolved plus you can't trust the focus markings, but if you're using them for your own projects these issues almost never come into play.

Of course there are the Canon mount equivelents, the ZEs. In their favor they focus the same direction as cine glass, but they do not have manual iris control, which the ZFs have and are a major plus.
 
Well, I'm not personally glued to Nikon lenses. I currently own a D5000 for a personal use. I spent $400 not to long ago on that 300mm lens and I REALLY want my Scarlet sooner than later. I eventually want to upgrade to red pro zoom lens but right now to save money Im trying to only buy what I need. i.e. a bunch of redvolts. If I can get a really nice multipurpose canon lens for less than what I'd spend for a nikon adapter that would be great.
 
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