Nikon’s Red redemption
Posted on May 22, 2025 by Pro Moviemaker
The first hardware collaboration could be cinema salvation for the Japanese brand
Fitting the latest Nikon Z lens mount to Red’s Komodo-X and V-Raptor X cameras is not just the first joint hardware tie-up between the two companies, but could prove to be a lifeline for Nikon as a brand with a future in professional video.
That’s because the 55mm Z mount is the largest of the modern mirrorless-style mounts, with the shortest flange distance of 16mm. This means that, with suitable adapters, it can accept lenses from all other manufacturers’ mirrorless, DSLR or cinema ranges. Crucially, it opens the Red ecosystem up to filmmakers who own Sony E-mount glass – the most popular choice after the demise of Canon’s EF optics.
With a very slim adapter, it means the new Red Super 35 Komodo-X and full-frame V-Raptor X cameras can not only accept Sony E lenses, but also use them in autofocus mode. For manual focus, there are more customisation options through Red’s own interface to alter the response of Sony lenses. The Nikon-mount Reds can also work with lenses to fit Leica L, Canon RF and Arri PL and LPL, with suitable adapters. That’s in addition to the fast-growing range of native Nikon Z mount lenses as well as legacy Nikkor F mount optics with an adapter that also maintains autofocus. The Z mount used on the new Reds is also a locking-style version to give precise fit, especially with heavier lenses.
Although the current RF-fit Reds will still be available, the new Z mount versions allow filmmakers to use existing lenses on the latest Red cameras and take advantage of the brand’s legendary colour science and high-performance image-compression technology for incredible Raw files.
The V-Raptor X is recognised for its low-light performance, huge dynamic range of around 20 stops, high frame rates and 8K VV global shutter sensor to eliminate rolling shutter image skewing. The Komodo-X boasts a 6K Super 35 global shutter sensor with a wide dynamic range and high-speed performance in a compact form factor. It offers 6K recording at up to 80fps and 4K recording at up to 120fps.
To use either of the Red Z cameras with PL lenses, there are two PL adapter packs; a standard version and a second that includes an electronic ND filter.
Although it has now been a year since Nikon bought Californian cinema brand Red, this is their first joint hardware project. Red CEO Keiji Oishi says it’s the first of a series of digital cinema cameras that combine Nikon and Red technologies.
This is great news for Nikon, which was trailing behind Canon, Sony and Panasonic for serious filmmaking, as these brands produce a range of cinema cameras and camcorders. Although its full-frame Z 8 and Z 9 mirrorless offer great video spec, these new cine cams are Nikon’s first that offer serious spec with global shutter sensors, Red colour science and Raw video capabilities. Red’s Komodo-X with a Z mount costs £6744/$6995 for body only, while the 8K VV large format V-Raptor X is £28,830/$29,995 – the same as the RF-fit versions. Red is also offering a paid-for service to convert RF versions of the V-Raptor X and Komodo-X cameras to Z fit, and there’s a trade-in programme for owners of older-generation Red cameras.
This article was first published in the May/June 2025 issue of Pro Moviemaker
