Breaking: Nikon Acquires Cinema Camera Maker RED

Nikon Z 6 Mark Iii Full Frame Mirrorless Camera Nikon Rumors
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Nikon press release:

Nikon to Acquire US Cinema Camera Manufacturer RED.com, LLC

Accelerating Expansion in Professional Digital Cinema Camera Market

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation (Nikon) hereby announces its entry into an agreement to acquire 100% of the outstanding membership interests of RED.com, LLC (RED) whereby RED will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Nikon, pursuant to a Membership Interest Purchase Agreement with Mr. James Jannard, its founder, and Mr. Jarred Land, its current President, subject to the satisfaction of certain closing conditions thereunder.

Since its establishment in 2005, RED has been at the forefront of digital cinema cameras, introducing industry-defining products such as the original RED ONE 4K to the cutting-edge V-RAPTOR [X] with its proprietary RAW compression technology. RED’s contributions to the film industry have not only earned it an Academy Award but have also made it the camera of choice for numerous Hollywood productions, celebrated by directors and cinematographers worldwide for its commitment to innovation and image quality optimized for the highest levels of filmmaking and video production.

This agreement was reached as a result of the mutual desires of Nikon and RED to meet the customers’ needs and offer exceptional user experiences that exceed expectations, merging the strengths of both companies. Nikon’s expertise in product development, exceptional reliability, and know-how in image processing, as well as optical technology and user interface along with RED’s knowledge in cinema cameras, including unique image compression technology and color science, will enable the development of distinctive products in the professional digital cinema camera market.

Nikon will leverage this acquisition to expand the fast-growing professional digital cinema camera market, building on both companies’ business foundations and networks, promising an exciting future of product development that will continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in film and video production.

A Videocamera With RF Mount Might Be On Its Way, And Not Made By Canon (RED Komodo)

Red Komodo
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Well this is interesting. RED about to release a videocamera with Canon’s RF mount (EOS R system)?

That’s what NewsShooter reports after having spotted a teaser for a RED camera named “Komodo”. And while it is just speculation for the time being, the folks at NewsShooter has a good point. If you compare the three images below, and look at the contacts on the mount of the RED Komodo, it seems the Komodo is featuring a Canon RF mount. At least the EF mount image (on the right) has a different array of contacts.

  • RED Komodo mount
  • Canon RF mount
  • Canon EF mount

Looks like an RF mount doesn’t it?

So far RED’s President Jarred Land has only revealed what the RED Komodo is not:

  • It is not DSMC3
  • It is not a replacement for DSMC2
  • It is not 8k VV
  • It is not a Dragon or a Helium or a Gemini or a Monstro Sensor
  • It does not have an HDMI port
  • It does not use proprietary media
  • It is not a “module” 
  • It is not under $5k, unless you own a Hydrogen. 
  • It has no XLR ports
  • It does not have a fixed lens
  • It’s body does not weight more than 2 pounds.
  • It is not larger than 4 inches in any dimension.

An RF mount wouldn’t be a bad thing for a RED videocamera anyway. It would allow to use a plethora of lenses, both Canon EF lenses as well as others (mounted via adapter). So, at least from this point of view it looks plausible.

What do you think, is it possible that RED will release a videocamera with Canon RF mount? Sound off in the comment section.

[via NewsShooter]