RED zoom lens...functions backwards?

[Jeff Tanner]

So I've been trying to figure out what accessories we should order with our RED cameras and after looking over the pictures of the zoom lenses, I made a startling discovery the I have not read about yet.

The zoom "ring" turns counter-clockwise for shorter focal lengths, and clockwise for longer focal lengths. This is different than any other motion picture lens or HD lens that I've used and I can't understand why the RED lenses are built this way. The focus ring turns correctly...clockwise for closer focus, but the zoom is backwards. Is there a reason for this design? I wish that I would have caught it sooner so that I could bring this up before the lenses were being produced.

I'm pretty bummed that what is second nature to me after 17 years of shooting will be backwards with a RED zoom :sad:

Respectfully,

Jeff

[Jannard]

What are you looking at? Our zoom ring goes the same way as a Cooke zoom and Ang. zoom.

Jim

[Jarred Land]

as do canon HD zooms etc. maybe you were looking at a photo that was inverted?

[PaulClements]

Yes they do go the same way. I was looking at both the Red lens and Cooke's yesterday and they are the same. Sometimes the distance marks on the focus rings appear upside down on lenses if that's what you are looking at. This is visible in the first two images beneath (Red Zoom & Cooke 15-40mm), but they still turn the same way it's literally that each number is upside down compared to one another, but with the red zoom it rotates completely so both sets of numbers can be seen at once. There is no right or wrong way, Cooke's 18-100mm (Picture 3) has the marks in the same way as Red's.

[Stephen Williams]

What are you looking at? Our zoom ring goes the same way as a Cooke zoom and Ang. zoom.

Jim

Hi Jim,

Just to confirm here is a picture of my Cooke 20-100.

BTW can I buy a RED rear lens cap?

[donatello b]

i believe the poster is referring to the photo of 50 -150 at the RED store ..

http://www.reduser.net/forum/uploaded/153_1189292038.jpg

[PaulClements]

Ah yeah, didn't think to look at that zoom. It does indeed look upside down, it is a proto though so if it's not already been noticed it might not be too late.

[Jarred Land]

I see, good eye... the 50-150 photo is from an old prototype... We are not shipping those yet.

The 18-50mm, 300mm etc. that we are shipping do have the right lens marks.

[Häakon]

Can I buy a RED rear lens cap?

Yes:

http://www.red.com/store/product_detail/69

[Stephen Williams]

Yes:

http://www.red.com/store/product_detail/69

Hi Häakon,

The reason I asked, I think accessories will ship at the same time as a camera.

Stephen

[Stephen Williams]

Yes:

http://www.red.com/store/product_detail/69

Hi Häakon,

I asked because I thought accessories will ship at the same time as the camera, I have not ordered a camera yet!

Stephen

[chuck colburn]

I see, good eye... the 50-150 photo is from an old prototype... We are not shipping those yet.

The 18-50mm, 300mm etc. that we are shipping do have the right lens marks.

Sorry Jarred, saw this picture of the 50-150 lens and thougth it was the lens you were selling.

http://www.red.com/store/product_detail/33

[Brook Willard]

Man, if it hasn't been said yet... that 50-150mm is one sexy looking piece of glass.

[Jeff Tanner]

I see, good eye... the 50-150 photo is from an old prototype... We are not shipping those yet.

The 18-50mm, 300mm etc. that we are shipping do have the right lens marks.

Thanks for the replies...

This was the lens that I was looking at (50-150) in the RED store. I'm relieved that this was just a prototype lens. So it's safe to assume that the 50-150 zoom will operate like the 18-50, Cooke, Angenieux, Zeiss lenses?

Respectfully,

Jeff