F3 Group Buy for the ProLock....

It looks nothing like the Red version -- which says you need to put in screws on the video (yikes!) You remove the PL mount by turning the two ears at 12 and 3 counterclockwise and pull the PL straight off, then put the Prolock on with the lettering up and lock it in position with the same ears now turned clockwise to secure. I adjusted the f/ for my G lens to 2.8 and then locked that into position with the small round screw that lets it slide then lock where it indicates f stop. Then you need to line up the white dot on the Nikon lens with the red dot on the Prolock as you put on the Nikon lens and turn it counterclockwise once it is seated in the channel. It is not exactly like a PL lens in that you do need to rotate the lens but it moves very easily and then locks as opposed to having friction during rotation. The Nikon lens labeling will now be at the top (12 O'clock). You then push down on the red lever that is rounded with one longer end that locks the lens into position securely. On removal (I had to e-mail Jacek) it is important to pull the lens straight out after releasing the lock or it can get hung up and not come off easily, but once you get the hang of it this is not a problem. I am using a Genus Bravo follow focus with a Genus plastic gear on the focus ring which only had to be moved slightly from the position of the kit PL lenses. The only thing I do not like is that for the only lens I have tried (24-70) it is very touchy with the focus compared to the much larger movement range of the PL lens. I ordered the 17-35 and maybe that will have more range on the focus and it has a separate f/ setting (hard to see the one on the Prolock). The good news is the back focus is probably correct in that the images can be focused very sharply and are beautiful. I am very happy with the purchase.

UPDATE: With a lens like the Nikon 17-35 you can either use the aperture stops on the lens (by setting the Prolock at f/22 or use the Prolock to control aperture by locking the lens at 22 and then moving the Prolock knob down to the desired setting.
 
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Duke M. said:
I had an inquiry from another person wanting in on the group buy. Jacek said I could still squeeze them in.

If there is anyone else that wants in on the group buy this may be your last chance. PM me with your email address and shipping address.
Click to expand...
Possibly.. I know it's a little late but Im picking up my F3 in two days and might go the Prolock direction. If your not sure if Jacek is still offering a discount I'll contact them directly I guess. Thanks for putting this together.
 
Add me to the list of people who cannot unlock the ProLok. Can't figure out how to mount the lens. The videos have been removed from Optitek site for some reason. How hard could it be?
Too hard for me to figure out. Nice looking, though.
Bill
 
3hats said:
Add me to the list of people who cannot unlock the ProLok. Can't figure out how to mount the lens. The videos have been removed from Optitek site for some reason. How hard could it be?
Too hard for me to figure out. Nice looking, though.
Bill
Click to expand...


OK,
After a month of using the ProLock I perfected the mounting and dismounting. I admit, it was a bit "intriguing" at the beginning since mount came with no instructions, and online videos were not clear enough ( sorry Jacek)...
To mount the lens, first mount the ProLock on F3. I hope everybody figured out hot to do that(?).
Next, unlock the "main lock" on adapter (the rotating one with funny "ears" on the front) by rotating it up to the most upper position allowed.
Next, take your "G" lens and line up the mounting dot from the lens with red dot on the FRONT of the adapter (this would be kind of 2PM position of the lens to the adapter). This would allow you to loosely mount the lens flush on the adapter by still holding it in your hand.

Once you have a feel that lens "sits" properly on the mount, gently twist the lens contra clockwise until the lens mounting dot comes on "12 o'clock" or in most upright position (and line up with white dot on red rotating ring). Now, lens is secure it will not go off the adapter but it is still loose.

Next, tighten the "ears" by turning them clockwise (be gentle not to go too much! It is only a soft metal here!)...


Guess what? The lens is secured!

Now, calibrate your f-stop values by loosening the red screw on the lower part of the mount and sliding the whole scale until you line up the max aperture values of your lens with the white mark. Done!



Removing the lens:

Loosen up the "ears" first!
Next grab the lens firmly to feel that it's loose in the mount.

Next step is critical:

As there is a play between the lens and the mount in this position, try to "swing away" the (camera left) side of the lens from the mount. Sounds funny, but by doing this it will enable the Nikon mount pin in adapter side of the mount to release the lens to be rotated. So, with the lens slightly "tilted away" from the left side of the mount, ROTATE the lens clockwise until it comes to 2PM position that will allow it to be separated from the adapter. Done!


I hope I was clear enough (English is my second language:lipsrseal)

Tata
 
Time for another group buy F5/55 as well as the F3?

Time for another group buy F5/55 as well as the F3?

+1 on that one Tata. Thank you!!! Better late than never I guess (thanking you for the help). You should be writing manuals :)
Is it a good time to start another Group Buy since the F5/55 cameras are approaching?
These new kids should give your trusty F3 some additional boost as well.. After all they are siblings...
 
Okay I am new to this post but have a few questions.
1. Im guessing that this mount works with Nikon F-mount also?
2. Will it work with F5/F55?
3. Does this or any other mount do a 90% turn for the lens so the numbers can be read from the side?

Sorry this is all new to me.
 
Hi again Michelle

I am a ProLock owner and I will tell you that it is worth every penny. I took a big loss on my MTF to get rid of it in favor of the ProLock.

Yes. It works with Nikon F mount. It will work with F5/55 because the mounts are identical. You need to remove the Sony-supplied PL mount and then attach the Optitek. That's the same with any of the adapters; none of them attach to the PL mount.

Doesn't do 90 degree turn to read lens cine-style.

Don't be sorry. The only bad question is a question not asked.
 
Thanx again, you have been most helpful.

If this did the 90% turn it would have been PERFECT in my eyes but it is still a great piece of gear. Is there any system out there that does what this does PLUS the 90% turn?

So will there be a group buy any time soon?
 
Hi Jacek,

I'm down for a group buy, but for the smart mount version of the Nikon ProLock when it's ready - it's getting your remote FF unit for use with my Nikon zooms that's the big deal for me (i.e. saving $40k on some PL zooms).
 
I emailed Jacek, and asked if it could be mounted on a 90% rotation so that the numbers face the AC and this is what he said -

Thank you for the interest,
Yes we can certainly assemble the mount per your request- rotated 90 degrees so the index mark will be on the operator side. FYI this question has come up a few times. We never assembled it that way for a customer however.
One thing to keep in mind is that lenses with petal hood will have the hood rotated and possibly clipping the sides of the frame.
Best regards, Jacek

Hmm I did not think of the peddles but maybe there is a way to cut or twist the peddles on my 14mm and 14mm. I just tired of climbing to the top of the camera to view. although it would no longer be for an F-stop.

This is what he said on our second email -

​
Yes you can have the petal hoods removed but they are there to protect the front element- and they work!
Anyway-the mount is $995. We need to reach minimum ten hard orders for the discount to kick in ($100). The next threshold is 15 ($125) and 20 ($150)
I know there are enough interested owners there- just a matter of making them aware of this GB.
Best regards, Jacek

Im am heading to Abel next week to compare F55, F5 to maybe an Epic but to me it looks like Sony all the way.

Thoughts?
 
LONG TERM DURABILITY TEST:

This is for all those considering Optitek ProLock Nikon mount in near future (group buy). After using one from When literally it became available ( more than year ago...), I can say only good things about it. It is on my F3 most of the time as my lens collection in mainly Nikon mount (got rid of almost all EOS mount due to "broken dreams" about Birger fairy tale...), and I use the ProLock with "G" lenses as well as older Nikon mounts (no need to declick the lens, aperture becomes "smooth" once on the ProLock no mater what Nikon lens you mount).
Manufacturing quality is superb, no issues with mechanicals or any other (unlike mtf adapter, that got stuck few times on location...).
Once you get "in to the groove" on how to mount/dismount the lens on ProLock, you will be "sailing"...

Thumbs up, Jacek!
 
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