- Nikon broadcasts Z-mount variations of the RED V-Raptor and RED Komodo
- The Nikkor Z 28-135mm F/4 PZ cine lens was launched concurrently
- Since Nikon’s RED takeover, we have seen everlasting worth drops for choose RED cameras
Nikon’s RED takeover is in full impact, following the launch of two RED cinema cameras with Nikon’s Z-mount; the RED V-Raptor and RED Komodo. The Z-mount variations have been launched alongside Nikon’s personal new cinema lens too, the Nikkor Z 28-135mm F/4 PZ.
Nikon immediately turned a serious participant in cinema cameras when it acquired RED Digital Cameras in March 2024, and it is taken lower than a yr for us to see the fruit of the takeover, with Z-mount variations of two tremendous fashionable RED cine cameras within the filmmaking business.
It is a sucker punch to Canon – the RED Komodo 6K was beforehand solely out there with Canon’s RF-mount, however its future is now firmly in camp Nikon. There will probably be varied lens mount adaptors out there, together with Nikon Z to Nikon F and Nikon Z to PL, however RED’s future is shifting away from Canon lenses.
What’s extra, the Nikon impact has prolonged to RED digicam pricing, the cine digicam maker’s identify, plus Nikon’s personal cameras are benefitting from RED tech. Let’s check out what’s been occurring.
The Nikon impact is in full swing, and I anticipate extra is to come back
In and of itself, there’s little that is new within the Z-mount variations of the RED V-Raptor and Komodo, apart from the lens mount and what Nikon says is improved autofocus capabilities. The largest affect is direct compatibility with Nikon Z-mount lenses, of which there are various, and which now consists of the Nikkor Z 28-135mm F/4 PZ – a flexible and gimbal-friendly zoom with cine options that prices $2,596.95 /£2499 and has an April 2025 gross sales begin date (Australia worth and availability TBC).
What’s much more thrilling, particularly to indie filmmakers, is Nikon slashing the costs of RED Komodo 6K bundles. In September 2024, we noticed everlasting worth reductions of as a lot as $3,000 off – for instance, the Komodo 6K Digital camera Manufacturing Pack now prices $11,995 (was $14,995). Nonetheless not low-cost by any means, however extra inexpensive for professionals. Costs for the RED Komodo 6K with Z-mount begin at $6,995 (round £5,600), whereas the RED V-Raptor 8K prices $29,995 (round £24,000 – transformed from USD).
Nikon has additionally formally stripped again its subsidiary’s identify too, from RED Digital Cameras to easily RED, which is what most individuals name it anyway.
Within the different route, Nikon cameras are benefitting from RED tech. Again in September 2024, 4 RED LUTs coloration profiles have been made out there to Nikon’s present mirrorless cameras, together with the Nikon Z6 III, Nikon Z8, and Nikon Zf, and even sure DSLRs just like the D780. Nikon’s N-Log video footage can now be stylized into Rec.709 coloration utilizing any certainly one of RED’s Movie Bias, Movie Bias Bleach Bypass, Movie Bias Offset, and Achromic – coloration profiles co-developed with cinema colorist Eric Weidt.
I do not anticipate the Nikon impact to cease right here both. What do you assume – what are probably the most thrilling developments we are able to hope for from Nikon’s RED takeover? Higher video options in Nikon’s mirrorless cameras? Extra Z-mount cine lenses? Let me know within the feedback beneath.