RED’s Adoption of the Nikon Z Mount Is a Smart, Forward-Thinking Move by Alec C. Cohen

RED Digital Cinema’s newest transfer to undertake the Nikon Z Mount has sparked heated debates on-line. Some say it’s the start of the top for RED, a model that has constructed its status on cutting-edge cinema cameras. Others see it as a daring and strategic resolution that would increase RED’s person base and lens compatibility in vital methods.

We fall into the latter camp—and right here’s why.

The Nikon Acquisition and the Path to Z Mount

The RED x Nikon connection didn’t come out of nowhere. When Nikon acquired RED Digital Cinema in April 2023, it was clear that there can be main shifts in RED’s lens ecosystem. Now, ten months later, we’re seeing the primary main affect of that deal: the integration of the Z Mount into RED’s Komodo-X and V-RAPTOR X cameras.

For these unfamiliar with the Nikon Z Mount, this may appear to be an pointless shake-up. But in actuality, the Z Mount is without doubt one of the most adaptable mounts within the trade.

Z Mount: The Most Adaptable Commercial Lens Mount?

So, why is the Nikon Z Mount such a giant deal? It comes right down to engineering and flexibility.

Largest Diameter: At 55mm, the Z Mount has the largest diameter of any full-frame mirrorless lens mount. This means higher gentle transmission and optical efficiency, particularly for fast-aperture and wide-angle lenses.
Shortest Flange Distance: The 16mm flange focal distance is the shortest amongst main industrial mounts. This is a large benefit as a result of it permits nearly any lens to be tailored to a Z Mount digicam.
Superior Adaptability: The mixture of a giant diameter and quick flange distance makes it one of the vital adaptable mounts ever commercially patented. That means RED customers will quickly have the ability to mount lenses they by no means may earlier than—together with Sony E-mount glass, which was beforehand incompatible with RED cameras.

What About RF? RED Isn’t Abandoning It

A significant concern amongst RED customers is whether or not RF mount assist will disappear. The reply? Not in any respect.

RED has RF mount licensing in perpetuity, that means it would proceed to assist Canon RF lenses. If you’ve already invested in RF glass, you’re not being left behind. Instead, the Z Mount provides extra choices reasonably than changing something. They’ll proceed to fabricate native PL mount as properly.

Nikon’s $160 Million Lens Investment and What It Means for Filmmakers

RED’s transfer to Z Mount isn’t nearly adaptability—it’s additionally about future lens assist.

Nikon has been making critical strikes within the cinema lens house. The firm not too long ago introduced a $160 million funding into its lens growth, signaling a serious enlargement into high-end video manufacturing.

This isn’t simply hypothesis. Nikon has already begun rolling out cinema-friendly lenses, together with the NIKKOR Z 28-135mm f/4 energy zoom. This lens alone is a large leap ahead, providing:

Internal zoom mechanics (eliminates focus shift)
Constant f/4 aperture
Power zoom management

With Nikon actively investing in lenses for video manufacturing, it’s clear that the Z Mount will solely develop into extra enticing to skilled filmmakers within the coming years.