RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X gain Nikon Z-Mount options

One of the biggest tangible signs yet of Nikon's RED ownership comes with the addition of Z-Mount options for the RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems and thus the launch of the new Z Cinema line.

You would imagine that this is something that has been firmly on the roadmap since before the ink was dried on the acquisition deal, but coming up to a year after Nikon bought RED we have the first Z-Mount options available for RED cameras.

“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.”

Nikon, of course, amps up the advantages of its own mounting system, saying that with a shallower flange depth and a wider diameter, Z-Mount enables lens designs with higher sharpness and superior aberration control. As a result they deliver excellent low-light performance and edge-to-edge detail, with the company also claiming unrivalled autofocus performance on both the V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras.

The RED V-RAPTOR [X] Z MOUNT is available for a suggested retail price of $29,995, while the RED KOMODO-X Z MOUNT is available for a suggested retail price of $6995. Both reflect the price of the existing RF-Mount models and are the first in what we presume will be an expanding line up of the newly christened Z Cinema series.

Nikon is being careful to position this as offering more choice for RED owners. As such the Canon RF-Mount models aren't going anywhere yet, and there is also an option to transition RF-Mount to Z-Mount. This costs $1695 for the V-RAPTOR [X] and $1595 for the KOMODO-X. 

For those worried about being backed into a corner as far as lens choice is concerned there are also new Z to PL Adapter Packs on offer. Plus, of course, Z-Mount to Sony E-Mount adaptors are already well established.

The RED Z models (it sounds better in British English) are available as of now. Head to red.com for more details. The company has also added another route for existing owners that want to get in on the action with the return of the RED trade-in program, now available for the latest generation of RED cameras, including the Z-Mount models.

tl;dr

• Nikon has introduced Z-Mount options for the RED V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X cameras, marking the launch of the new Z Cinema line one year after acquiring RED.
• RED Digital Cinema CEO Keiji Oishi emphasized that integrating the Z Mount provides filmmakers with greater lens choices, enhancing artistic flexibility through access to Nikon's Z lineup, PL options, F Mount glass, and vintage lenses.
• Both the V-RAPTOR [X] Z MOUNT and RED KOMODO-X Z MOUNT models are priced at $29,995 and $6,995, respectively, along with options to convert existing RF-Mount to Z-Mount for an additional fee.
• New Z to PL Adapter Packs are available, and a trade-in program for existing RED camera owners has been reintroduced.