Scarlet-X and Nikon G Lenses

[Bob Gundu]

I would confidently say that it's the best solution for Nikon lenses at the moment.

 

[Steve Wake]

Thank you, David. That's all extremely helpful info.

The weathersealing issue has to do with the Novoflex EOS adapter (and possibly others) that require removal of the O-ring on the lens mount.

I'm sold on this as the best current solution (over using adapters or Leitax + Canon mount).

Between now and whenever I receive my Scarlet, and when I have to use it for a specific job (Fall 2012), I'm just doing research. Lots of interesting hardware, firmware updates and software in the pipeline from RED and third parties. I'm glad I can wait a bit for the situation to mature.

 

[rod bradley]

As per an earlier comment, G lenses is a vague identity -- G has come to mean only "gelded" -- as having no manual iris control. There are professional quality G lenses and prosumer ones. And there are good copies and bad copies of even very good lenses. But in general, from personal experience, the latest generation of Nikon glass in both prime and the more professional zooms (mostly the 2.8 across the zoom range) are outstanding. And until you go Leica still, pretty much as good as it gets in the reasonable budget range.

And yes, to second Jacek's Optitek Nikon mount -- it is excellent and very solid and has the best iris control for G lenses.

 

[Mark Deeble]

Questions about iris control on the Optitek.

1. Is the control geared or levered to increase the throw? Average throw on an AIS lens is about 45 degrees; is it more on the OptiTek?
2. Is it damped and how well does it stay in place once set?
3. Do you set it by feel/look or is there a way to put marks on it?
4. Can you use the large gear control that comes with the mount to control aperture on AIS lenses?

1. No it's considerably less, ( c 15 deg) but perfectly functional.

2. I find it does tend to drift and the iris slowly closes - early on, it caught me out a few times, but once I realised what was happening, it wasn't a problem. When using AIS lenses - I just set the aperture on the lens to a value I didn't want to exceed and it stopped there.

3. It is marked up but the marks are tight - I use the camera's histogram to set exposure.

4. Yes - see 2 above. I've not tried it with G series lenses

It is a great mount - well machined and solid and the PL is great - anyone who buys it won't be disappointed.

 

[D Fuller]

2. I find it does tend to drift and the iris slowly closes - early on, it caught me out a few times, but once I realised what was happening, it wasn't a problem. When using AIS lenses - I just set the aperture on the lens to a value I didn't want to exceed and it stopped there.

If the iris is drifting, contact Jacek at Optitek. I had a very early (one of the first production run) Epic mount that did drift; I sent it back for Jacek to look at and it's been perfect ever since. (I suspect he has changed the grease he is using.) I also have the Red One version and it never has drifted a bit.

 

[Steve Wake]

Thanks, Mark and David. Great info!

BTW, any opinions on the 50-300 f/4.5 ED ? Off topic, but I have a feeling one or both of you may have tried this on Red One or Epic.

 

[Mark Deeble]

If the iris is drifting, contact Jacek at Optitek. I had a very early (one of the first production run) Epic mount that did drift; I sent it back for Jacek to look at and it's been perfect ever since. (I suspect he has changed the grease he is using.) I also have the Red One version and it never has drifted a bit.

Thanks David - that might well be the case as I am using it in temps of 30-40 Celsius, and mine was also an early one.

 

[D Fuller]

Thanks, Mark and David. Great info!

BTW, any opinions on the 50-300 f/4.5 ED ? Off topic, but I have a feeling one or both of you may have tried this on Red One or Epic.

I've never used that lens. I always thought it would be a nice travel lens, but never have picked it up.

 

[Mark Deeble]

Thanks, Mark and David. Great info!

BTW, any opinions on the 50-300 f/4.5 ED ? Off topic, but I have a feeling one or both of you may have tried this on Red One or Epic.

Steve, when I tested it looked very good which surprised me. I'd had one converted to Optex universal/PL mount a few years back, for use with S16. I'd never been very impressed though using that format, especially at f4.5 and 300mm and tended to stick with my Canon 300 2.8s. On the Epic at 5K though I thought it looked great - almost as good as the Nikkor 300 2.8 and as good as the Canons I have.
At the moment though I am split between the PL and Nikon mount glass and as my Nikon glass covers 15 - 500mm I find that I rarely remove the Optitek mount, as I am operating in a windy, dusty environment. Shame, as I have a Tokina 11-16 PL mounted, which never gets to come out of its case .

 

[Steve Wake]

Steve, when I tested it looked very good which surprised me. I'd had one converted to Optex universal/PL mount a few years back, for use with S16. I'd never been very impressed though using that format, especially at f4.5 and 300mm and tended to stick with my Canon 300 2.8s. On the Epic at 5K though I thought it looked great - almost as good as the Nikkor 300 2.8 and as good as the Canons I have.

Even beyond what I was expecting to hear! Confirms Bjorn Roslett's "5" rating on D2x. Too bad you can't use your PL much. I just grabbed one rated EX from KEH.