Titanium vs Aluminum Nikon Mount?

[Alexander Mitchell]

As a current owner/op of (2) Epics with Ti PL/Canon mounts, I am really wondering the difference of titanium mount vs aluminum for working with still lenses.

PL mount- titanium all the way, no question. But honestly, for Canon/Nikon mount- I can't see why an aluminum mount wouldn't be equal? Still glass- specifically zoom lenses are not designed to hold focus throughout there zoom range. So why spend twice as much on a mount that won't solve my problem of continually having to focus the shot relative to focal length? I understand temperature and quality of metal, but worst case scenario, if back focus changes slightly due to environmental conditions, I probably wouldn't notice since I'm not working with PL lenses where back focus is critical. Make sense? Primes are primes and not an issue.

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the difference between the Ti and AL mounts? Love to hear another opinion before making my Nikon mount purchase.

Thanks,

Alex

 

[Ketch Rossi]

The reason why you would choose a Titanium mount vs. an Aluminum one, is to have a much stronger Mount, to use with Bigger heavier longer Telephoto and Super Telephoto Still glass, also Ti vs. Al insures that there is no flex in the mount when shooting in extreme cold to very hot environment, as Ti does not expand nor retract as Al mounts do.

If you use those Big lenses it gives a piece of mind, even if you never shoot in extreme conditions.

 

[Troy Bakewell]

Plus the Titanium mount is just cool! LOL

Just a bit overkill probably and not the best value in comparison, but way cool for sure!

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Plus the Titanium mount is just cool! LOL

Just a bit overkill probably and not the best value in comparison, but way cool for sure!

To be bonest I asked Jarred if I could have it in Black as I don't like it at all in its original color, especially on an all Black camera...

too bad that the Micron sensitivity has been manufactured so precise on the Ti mount that does not allow for Anodizing.

 

[Kennan Ward]

The reason why you would choose a Titanium mount vs. an Aluminum one, is to have a much stronger Mount, to use with Bigger heavier longer Telephoto and Super Telephoto Still glass, also Ti vs. Al insures that there is no flex in the mount when shooting in extreme cold to very hot environment, as Ti does not expand nor retract as Al mounts do.

If you use those Big lenses it gives a piece of mind, even if you never shoot in extreme conditions.

Ketch,

You are so sopt on!

I second this TI vs AL and finally decided on TI. I have to change glass a lot so TI works for me under extream weather!

Especially if you use a Sigma 300-800 for wildlife!

Thanks,

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Great shots Ken, a bit jelous kf all the clean air you get to enjoy...

 

[Alexander Mitchell]

The reason why you would choose a Titanium mount vs. an Aluminum one, is to have a much stronger Mount, to use with Bigger heavier longer Telephoto and Super Telephoto Still glass, also Ti vs. Al insures that there is no flex in the mount when shooting in extreme cold to very hot environment, as Ti does not expand nor retract as Al mounts do.

If you use those Big lenses it gives a piece of mind, even if you never shoot in extreme conditions.

Thanks Ketch, I could see weight of the physical lens being an issue. However, I can't see myself shooting without some type of base support for anything heavier/longer than a 70-200mm which should eliminate flex. I do my share of shooting in extreme heat (110F +), but again, for shooting still glass I can't believe that the aluminum mount would have that much movement/expansion to cause a problem.

Any aluminum Canon/Nikon mount users here that could chime in on there experiences?

Alex

 

[Kennan Ward]

Great shots Ken, a bit jelous kf all the clean air you get to enjoy...

Ketch,

I want to trade, a couple weeks with you in Big Sur for a couple weeks filming Italy and wine country!

I think you will find some similar weather?

Best,

Kennan & Karen Ward

 

[Uli Plank]

We have one Ti PL_Mount, one Canon Ti and one Al. I second your thoughts: todays photographic lenses with their AF constructions, which allow much more play than MF ones, don't really offer the precision that justifies a Ti mount. I don' allow our folks to use the Canon 70-200 without support on the Al mount, but that's the heaviest we have in that mount.

The only reason to have a Ti mount for anything else than PL are very high quality manual lenses, like ZF glass, IMHO.

 

[Ketch Rossi]

Ketch,

I want to trade, a couple weeks with you in Big Sur for a couple weeks filming Italy and wine country!

I think you will find some similar weather?

Best,

Kennan & Karen Ward

...

 

[Alexander Mitchell]

We have one Ti PL_Mount, one Canon Ti and one Al. I second your thoughts: todays photographic lenses with their AF constructions, which allow much more play than MF ones, don't really offer the precision that justifies a Ti mount. I don' allow our folks to use the Canon 70-200 without support on the Al mount, but that's the heaviest we have in that mount.

The only reason to have a Ti mount for anything else than PL are very high quality manual lenses, like ZF glass, IMHO.

Thanks for the feedback Uli. Since you have both mounts do you notice a big difference in weight capacity/flex when using the 70-200mm lens? You mentioned not using that lens without a support- but is this just precautionary move or do you actually see some deflection in the mount at that size/weight with the AL mount?

Alex

 

[Thomas Pohl]

Any aluminum Canon/Nikon mount users here that could chime in on there experiences?

Alex

Hi Alex,

I have the Al mount since 2 weeks now and asked myself the same question as you do. My Conclusion: The Al mount is the most solid Nikon Mount I ever used. It even feels a little better than the optitek mount I used before. In my opinion the 80-200 Zoom is absolutly no problem without support. I even put the "Bigma" on without support which is 500 g heavier.

Cheers
Thomas.

 

[Evin Grant]

The weak link with all stills glass is going to be the bayonet on the lens it's self, good news is that most of the heavier and longer lenses are pro caliber and designed to support a DSLR body, I would not however hang my beloved 300mm 2.8 AFS-VR II from any Nikon mount, titanium, aluminum or otherwise like I do my Red 300mm 2.8 PL mount. PL mount is just a much more rigid design.

I would feel fine hanging a stripped down Epic with Al Nikon mount from the lens though.

 

[Nathaniel Kramer]

I bought the Ti mount so i can hang my epic from from my nikkor 300 f2.0 and my 200 f 2.0. Even with lens support from rods, I can see flex in the lens mount. If i Hang the epic from the lens, its much more stable, but we have to strip down the epic to just brain, side module, and monitor.. For shorter lenses, 135 f2.0, 105 1.8,85 1.4, 58 1.2, the optitek mpint is adequate

 

[Uli Plank]

Being an electronic lens, the 70-200 seems to have about as much flex in itself as the mount might contribute. So, it's hard to tell for me. Not hanging it on the Al without support is just precautionary,

 

[James McLellan]

In extreme cold conditions I found the PL mount on the Red One could jam on the lenses after having contracted. This does not happen with the titanium pl mount. I do wonder wether this would be an issue with stills glass and the aluminum mounts. I have the Ti ef mount so no problems so far with anything.

 

[Alexander Mitchell]

Thanks for all the great comments everyone, really helps. Evin and Uli your right- I've noticed more flex in the lens mount on still glass then flex in the camera mount. Still glass just not made with as tight of tolerance as PL. Good point. Thomas- thanks for the first hand feedback! Makes my decision even easier...

I'm going to give the Aluminum Nikon mount a try. I own (2) Epics and want a Nikon mount for both cams, so this definitely helps the wallet. I'll order 1 at a time to make sure. I will be able to compare the Nikon AL mount with the Canon Ti mount I already own, figure the 80-200 Nikon vs the 70-200 Canon will be pretty close in weight for comparison. I'll be using a lens support for anything heavier than these lenses anyway... so I think the AL mount will be perfect. Thanks RED for making the options!

Evin, sat next to you during the NAB2012 pre-party earlier this year... your a good dude. Keep it up.

I'll post a follow up after I get some time to compare. Maybe this thread will help someone else down the line...

Alex

 

[Denis Buhot]

aluminium mount

aluminium mount

Thanks for all the great comments everyone, really helps. Evin and Uli your right- I've noticed more flex in the lens mount on still glass then flex in the camera mount. Still glass just not made with as tight of tolerance as PL. Good point. Thomas- thanks for the first hand feedback! Makes my decision even easier...

I'm going to give the Aluminum Nikon mount a try. I own (2) Epics and want a Nikon mount for both cams, so this definitely helps the wallet. I'll order 1 at a time to make sure. I will be able to compare the Nikon AL mount with the Canon Ti mount I already own, figure the 80-200 Nikon vs the 70-200 Canon will be pretty close in weight for comparison. I'll be using a lens support for anything heavier than these lenses anyway... so I think the AL mount will be perfect. Thanks RED for making the options!

Evin, sat next to you during the NAB2012 pre-party earlier this year... your a good dude. Keep it up.

I'll post a follow up after I get some time to compare. Maybe this thread will help someone else down the line...

Alex

Hi all, I'm using a sigma 300-800 and all kind of intermediate zoom lenses... All with nikon posilock aluminium mount. Absolutely no problem... given adequate support, naturally. Hope that helps.

 

[Douglas Underdahl]

Thanks for the nice words on the PosiLock, Denis. It's made from a single aluminum billet, no screws, etc holding it together, and along with the stainless cam lock ring, I think it is exceptionally rigid.

 

[Lee Saxon]

I thought the point of the Ti version was increased strength for heavier lenses.

What does it have to do with focus?