Red's adding Z-mount to its most powerful cinema cameras

Image: Red Red Digital Cinema is bringing Nikon's Z-mount to its Komodo-X and V-Raptor X cinema cameras. Originally, the cameras launched with Canon's RF mount, which will still be available as an option, but now that Nikon owns Red, it's not a surprise to see its mirrorless mount making its way onto the company's cameras. The mount has one major difference compared to the one found on Nikon's mirrorless cameras: it features a positive locking mechanism, which is generally standard for these types of cameras. Besides the new mount, the cameras are the same as their RF counterparts. The Z-mount provides access not only to a range of native glass – including the new video-focused Nikkor 28-135mm F4 PZ – but to an ecosystem of adapters as well. The mount's shallow flange distance gives it compatibility with a wide range of lens types, from older Nikon F lenses to Sony E lenses and more. Image: Red As it does for the RF mount versions of its cameras, Red plans to sell PL adapters for its new Z-mount cameras, which will let you use a wide array of professional cinema lenses. The Z to PL pack, which includes an adapter and support brackets, will cost $1500, or $3500 for a version with a built-in electronic ND filter. Based on the packs available for RF mount, the filter will provide 2-7EV of light reduction, controllable in 1/4, 1/3, or full-stop increments. The PL adapter packs for each camera will ship in "spring 2025." While cameras like the Nikon Z8 and Z9 are very capable at shooting video, especially as the company continues to add video features via firmware updates, the Red cameras are designed for the most demanding use cases. Both feature global shutters and a range of professional I/O, such as SDI, V-Lock battery interfaces and Timecode ports. The Komodo-X can shoot at up to 6K at 80fps, while the V-Raptor X can produce 8K footage at up to 150fps. They're also adorned with several threaded mounting points for attaching all sorts of accessories, such as monitors, EVFs and more. The Z-mount versions of the cameras will cost the same as their RF-mount counterparts, with the Komodo-X Z mount coming in at $6995 and the V-Raptor X Z mount costing $29,995. Both are available immediately. If you currently own an RF Komodo or Raptor, you can send it to Red for a Z-mount conversion, which will cost $1595 or $1695, respectively. RED DIGITAL CINEMA’S V-RAPTOR [X] AND KOMODO-X CAMERA SYSTEMS EXPAND CAPABILITIES WITH POWERFUL NIKON Z MOUNT FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2025 at 8p.m. PACIFIC TIME)—RED DIGITAL CINEMA® announced today that its groundbreaking V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems will also now be available with Nikon’s premier Z Mount, providing filmmakers with ultimate flexibility in lens choice and a complete capture solution from lens to sensor to codec. “This marks the beginning of RED and Nikon's collaborative products and it is the exciting first step in a new Z Cinema Series,” said RED Digital Cinema CEO Keiji Oishi. “By integrating the Z Mount, RED is providing more lens choices than ever before, empowering filmmakers with greater artistic flexibility. This development grants filmmakers the versatility of Nikon’s innovative Z lineup and PL options, as well as access to F Mount glass and many popular vintage lenses.” With a shallower flange depth and a wider diameter, the Nikon Z Mount enables lens designs with higher sharpness and superior aberration control. The Z lenses can deliver unrivaled low-light performance and edge-to-edge detail as well as autofocus performance on both the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras. Key Features, Pricing and Availability RED’s V-RAPTOR [X] Z MOUNT, recognized for its unmatched low-light performance, dynamic range, resolution, high frame rates, and industry-leading 8K VV global shutter large format sensor, is available for a suggested retail price of $29,995. RED’s KOMODO-X Z MOUNT features a 6K S35 global shutter sensor and frame rates at 6K 80P and 4K 120P, all in a form factor measuring only 4x4x5 inches and 2.6 lbs. The KOMODO-X Z MOUNT is available for a suggested retail price of $6,995.RED is also announcing all-new Z to PL Adapter Packs, which provide a robust PL mount solution and added flexibility for V-RAPTOR [X] Z MOUNT and KOMODO-X Z MOUNT shooters. Currently, there are four different Z to PL Adapter Pack options available, with shipments starting in spring 2025: Z to PL Adapter Pack Options Suggested Retail Price RED V-RAPTOR Z to PL Adapter Pack $1,500 RED V-RAPTOR Z to PL with Electronic ND Adapter Pack $3,500 RED KOMODO Z to PL Adapter Pack $1,500 RED KOMODO Z to PL with Electronic ND Adapter Pack $3,500 Both the RF and the all-new Z mount versions of the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras, and Z to PL adapter packs are available now on RED.com or through RED Premium Dealers. RF Mount Transition Filmmakers now also have the option to convert their RF mount versions of the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras

Feb 13, 2025 - 05:18
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Red's adding Z-mount to its most powerful cinema cameras
Red-V-Raptor-and-Komodo-x-with-z-mount
Image: Red

Red Digital Cinema is bringing Nikon's Z-mount to its Komodo-X and V-Raptor X cinema cameras. Originally, the cameras launched with Canon's RF mount, which will still be available as an option, but now that Nikon owns Red, it's not a surprise to see its mirrorless mount making its way onto the company's cameras.

The mount has one major difference compared to the one found on Nikon's mirrorless cameras: it features a positive locking mechanism, which is generally standard for these types of cameras. Besides the new mount, the cameras are the same as their RF counterparts.

The Z-mount provides access not only to a range of native glass – including the new video-focused Nikkor 28-135mm F4 PZ – but to an ecosystem of adapters as well. The mount's shallow flange distance gives it compatibility with a wide range of lens types, from older Nikon F lenses to Sony E lenses and more.

V-RAPTOR X Z Mount
Image: Red

As it does for the RF mount versions of its cameras, Red plans to sell PL adapters for its new Z-mount cameras, which will let you use a wide array of professional cinema lenses. The Z to PL pack, which includes an adapter and support brackets, will cost $1500, or $3500 for a version with a built-in electronic ND filter. Based on the packs available for RF mount, the filter will provide 2-7EV of light reduction, controllable in 1/4, 1/3, or full-stop increments. The PL adapter packs for each camera will ship in "spring 2025."

While cameras like the Nikon Z8 and Z9 are very capable at shooting video, especially as the company continues to add video features via firmware updates, the Red cameras are designed for the most demanding use cases. Both feature global shutters and a range of professional I/O, such as SDI, V-Lock battery interfaces and Timecode ports. The Komodo-X can shoot at up to 6K at 80fps, while the V-Raptor X can produce 8K footage at up to 150fps. They're also adorned with several threaded mounting points for attaching all sorts of accessories, such as monitors, EVFs and more.

The Z-mount versions of the cameras will cost the same as their RF-mount counterparts, with the Komodo-X Z mount coming in at $6995 and the V-Raptor X Z mount costing $29,995. Both are available immediately. If you currently own an RF Komodo or Raptor, you can send it to Red for a Z-mount conversion, which will cost $1595 or $1695, respectively.

RED DIGITAL CINEMA’S V-RAPTOR [X] AND KOMODO-X CAMERA SYSTEMS EXPAND CAPABILITIES WITH POWERFUL NIKON Z MOUNT

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2025 at 8p.m. PACIFIC TIME)—RED DIGITAL CINEMA® announced today that its groundbreaking V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems will also now be available with Nikon’s premier Z Mount, providing filmmakers with ultimate flexibility in lens choice and a complete capture solution from lens to sensor to codec.

“This marks the beginning of RED and Nikon's collaborative products and it is the exciting first step in a new Z Cinema Series,” said RED Digital Cinema CEO Keiji Oishi. “By integrating the Z Mount, RED is providing more lens choices than ever before, empowering filmmakers with greater artistic flexibility. This development grants filmmakers the versatility of Nikon’s innovative Z lineup and PL options, as well as access to F Mount glass and many popular vintage lenses.”

With a shallower flange depth and a wider diameter, the Nikon Z Mount enables lens designs with higher sharpness and superior aberration control. The Z lenses can deliver unrivaled low-light performance and edge-to-edge detail as well as autofocus performance on both the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras.

Key Features, Pricing and Availability

RED’s V-RAPTOR [X] Z MOUNT, recognized for its unmatched low-light performance, dynamic range, resolution, high frame rates, and industry-leading 8K VV global shutter large format sensor, is available for a suggested retail price of $29,995.

RED’s KOMODO-X Z MOUNT features a 6K S35 global shutter sensor and frame rates at 6K 80P and 4K 120P, all in a form factor measuring only 4x4x5 inches and 2.6 lbs. The KOMODO-X Z MOUNT is available for a suggested retail price of $6,995.RED is also announcing all-new Z to PL Adapter Packs, which provide a robust PL mount solution and added flexibility for V-RAPTOR [X] Z MOUNT and KOMODO-X Z MOUNT shooters. Currently, there are four different Z to PL Adapter Pack options available, with shipments starting in spring 2025:

Z to PL Adapter Pack Options Suggested Retail Price
RED V-RAPTOR Z to PL Adapter Pack $1,500
RED V-RAPTOR Z to PL with Electronic ND Adapter Pack $3,500
RED KOMODO Z to PL Adapter Pack

$1,500

RED KOMODO Z to PL with Electronic ND Adapter Pack $3,500

Both the RF and the all-new Z mount versions of the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras, and Z to PL adapter packs are available now on RED.com or through RED Premium Dealers.

RF Mount Transition

Filmmakers now also have the option to convert their RF mount versions of the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras to the all-new Z Mount systems. This transition costs $1,695 for the V-RAPTOR [X] and $1,595 for the KOMODO-X.

Trade-In Program

RED is excited to announce the return of its trade-in program, now available for the latest generation of RED cameras, including the new Z Mount models. Customers can trade in their existing RED DSMC, RAVEN, SCARLET-W, DSMC2, or RANGER cameras and receive a credit towards the purchase of a new, eligible RED V-RAPTOR XL [X] Pack or RED V-RAPTOR Pack [X] Pack with either the new Z Mount or RF Mount. For more information on the trade-in process and eligibility, please visit RED.com.

“We are committed to providing filmmakers with limitless possibilities for realizing their desired vision, and the fusion of RED and Nikon’s robust technologies and expertise will generate even more advanced tools, enhancing our filmmaking community’s creative capabilities,” added Oishi.

For more information on the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X Z MOUNT camera systems, visit RED.com or RED Premium Dealers. Filmmakers can also visit the RED Studios Hollywood store location or any one of the RED Premium Dealers across the globe to schedule a demo and learn more about the products.

To learn more about the latest RED technologies, visit www.RED.com or follow RED on Instagram (@REDdigitalcinema) or X (@RED_Cinema).