Z Mount Lensing

Product Management

January 30, 2025 19:28

The introduction of the Z Mount to V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera bodies opens an even larger world of lensing options to users. RED customers now have access to the latest optical innovations found in the growing NIKKOR Z lens ecosystem. In addition, due to the Z mount’s shallower flange focal distance, entire new lens systems are compatible with the RED ecosystem for the first time.

This article is designed to discuss the latest in lensing now available to RED users.

NIKKOR Z Lens Features

NIKKOR Z lenses are now natively with RED’s Z mount cameras, allowing users to leverage not only their optical excellence, but their incredibly customizable user interface.

The following NIKKOR Z lens features are supported by RED’s Z mount cameras (some features may be lens specific):
• Assignable Control Ring
• Control Ring Rotational Response
• Reversible Direction Focus and Control Rings
• Non-linear and Linear Focus Control
• Power Zoom Ring Response
• Swappable Control Ring and Focus Ring Positions
• Smooth Iris Control
• Power Zoom Switches and Speed
• Assignable Lens Function Buttons
• Built-in Teleconverters
• Lens VR
• Retractable lenses

The following features are either partially supported or not supported as of the current firmware version 2.0:
• Lens Display LCD supports Focal Length and Metric Focus Distance
• Focus Range Switches not supported
• Focus Memory Set and Recall Rings are not supported
• Lens Correction (Vignette, Distortion, and Chromatic Aberration) are not supported

NIKKOR Z Lens Compatibility

Generally, all Z lenses are compatible with RED’s Z mount camera bodies. Choosing a lens is a highly subjective process, and the use case will heavily influence what lens may be ideal.

V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV’s sensor is over 10% wider than the traditional 36x24mm Full Frame sensor found in Nikon’s Z bodies. For this reason, some lenses may exhibit greater than normal light fall off and distortion on the wider RED VV sensor. Most NIKKOR Z lenses will cover the 8K 16:9 (7680 x 4320) portion of the V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV sensor, although the acceptable level of vignetting will be subjective. V-RAPTOR [X] 8K VV’s sensor can always be cropped into 7K if required. We recommend users review the NIKKOR Z lens coverage section of the RED Tools webpage to view coverage when paired with RED sensors.

Adapting from Z Mount

Due to the shallow flange focal distance of Z mount, it is highly adaptable. Some of the new lens mounts available to RED users through adapting from Nikon Z include digitally controlled Nikon F mount, Sony E, and mechanical Fujifilm X. This all while maintaining compatibility with digitally controlled Canon EF, PL, and mechanical Leica M, LPL and many more.

The Nikon FTZ II unlocks the suite of legacy Nikon glass while providing aperture control, lens VR, and even auto focus on more modern G series F mount lenses.

The RED Z to PL Adapter maintains the full /i compatibility found in the original V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X, but adds additional power capability through the lens interface to expand the number of lenses the camera can provide power to, such as Fujinon Servo Zooms.

Compatible Smart Adapters

First-Party Adapters:

RED Z to PL Adapter and RED Z to PL Adapter w/ Electronic ND Filter
• Supports /i communication
• Supports power for many Cinema Servo lenses

Nikon FTZ II
• Supports Manual Focus and Auto Focus
• Supports Iris Control
• Supports Lens VR

Third Party Adapters (Lens to Lens Performance may vary):

Sony E Mount – Megadap ETZ21 Pro
• Supports Manual Focus and Auto Focus
• Supports Iris Control
• Supports Lens Buttons
• Supports Lens VR
• Does not support control rings

Canon EF Mount – Fringer EF-NZ II*
• Supports Manual Focus and Auto Focus
• Supports Iris Control
• Supports Lens VR
*Lens recognition requires adapter to be attached to lens before attaching to camera