Nikon Mount Issues

[Tim Naylor]

Just assembled my RED and we seem to be having issues with the Nikon mount. Can't seem to get it to click in. Anyone have this problem? Any solution? Is mine just defective?

Tim Naylor - NYC-DP

[Martin Weiss]

Get in touch with red and they will send you 2 bushings with which you can fix this yourself.

[Douglas Underdahl]

I would bet that it's just tight, being brand new. After you mount lenses a few more times, the pads under the springs will bed themselves in, and you will be able to turn the lens a bit farther, and you'll hear the click. So, don't force it, just let it work itself in.

[Kwan Khan]

I would bet that it's just tight, being brand new. After you mount lenses a few more times, the pads under the springs will bed themselves in, and you will be able to turn the lens a bit farther, and you'll hear the click. So, don't force it, just let it work itself in.

Agreed...

[Rob Castiglione]

I had exactly the same problem. I had to remove the rubber bushings to mount my nikons. I have older mechanical nikons and they seem to be quite a tight fit on the mount. It works fine without the rubber bushings.

Rob

[Tim Naylor]

Is it me or am I the only one who thinks 500.00 bucks for something you need to tinker with to get it working right doesn't smell right? Considering there are no alternatives that RED approves of, this is a bit of a disappointment. It should work right out of the box or should have instructions/parts to do so.

[Stephen Pruitt]

I'll admit that $500 seems like a lot for what it is construction-wise (especially compared to what's all involved inside a $500 autofocus lens), but oh, boy, consider the alternatives! Thank God, Doug makes that mount.

I have his upgraded DX mount on one RED and it's a great thing to consider, as well. . . especially if you want to use that glorious Tokina 11-16mm.

Stephen

[Tim Naylor]

So I tried the on/off method to loosen things up. After doing that about 50 times, no dice, still would not lock in place. Then I tried the remove the bushings method. Now it clicks but it has play - not much, but too much for long lenses. Called RED and they said try removing one bushing at a time. Good advice - but considering my bushings are toast after taking them out, they're sending me some new ones.

All told the whole ordeal seems rather bootleg for pro camera and a 500 dollar mount. I bought 150.00 mounts for my 35mm adaptor that are in a whole different league in terms of build and performance - literally run circles around it.

I understand there are no alternatives which is surprising. Everyone seems to be jumping on 3rd party accessories for everything else but only one choice for a lens mount. C'mon ET and everyone else, let's get a more competitive mount on the market. I hope the PS drama didn't scare away contenders.

I guess I got spoiled with my 35mm adaptor's Nikon mount (SG and Letus) and also using PS Technik Nikon mount. For 500 I was expecting something better machined than those cheaper mounts.

What can I say, this is disappointing. Am I the only one who finds this mount less then?

Does anyone know of the best way to adjust this lens mount? Or alternatives on the horizon?

[Rob Castiglione]

No, Tim, you are probably not the only one. I agree that the construction is not what it should be. I was expecting a nice solid nikon mount as well. However, It does not bother me that much - the camera as a whole is just so great to use that I you just overlook the minor issues.

Rob

[Steve Sherrick]

Tim,

The new mount is solid, although not everyone may be into the thumbscrew aperture adjust that allows you to use G and DX lenses. Personally, I dig it. But I screwed myself one day. You have to be careful and make sure the thumbscrew is not set at an extreme position when attaching lenses. I was rushing around one day and forgot to check it. Got one of my lenses stuck on there pretty good. Took a lot of careful maneuvering to get it off without snapping anything. The irony is that prior to that snaffu, my Nikon mount was working as well as the PL. No play, snug on all lenses, and a perfect solution. Now, it's not so snug, but still works. At some point I might send it back in to get that same snugness back, but in this case it was my fault for what happened. Otherwise, that new mount was rocking.

Check in with Doug. He's a good guy. He'll take care of you if you have a defective mount.