[Corrected] BMCC MFT and Hot Rod Camera PL adapter notes

Please see Illya's response below for the corrections to my original post: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9077#p57943

For anyone who has purchased a Hot Rod Camera MFT to PL adapter a while back in anticipation of a December ship date like I had, be warned that the older revision of the adapter will not physically rotate and lock on the MFT BMCC.

I just made this unpleasant discovery yesterday after unboxing my BMCC MFT and attempting to mount the adapter. After speaking with Illya of Hot Rod Cameras, awesome dude, he informed me that the BMCC's MFT flange is thicker than spec in an attempt to "beef it up" but causes compatibility issues with items that follow the spec to tight tolerances.

BMD was made aware of the problem but chose not to pursue a solution. Hot Rod Cameras redesigned their MFT adapter to accommodate the out of spec mount but it does mean having to buy a replacement.

If you purchased the adapter through HRC or a dealer, they can help out with a discount on the replacement.

Hopefully others won't get bit by this like I was.

One might ask, why there are defined specificiations for lens mounts...

One might ask, why there are defined specificiations for lens mounts...

So they fit nicely one would assume.

That and so other companies could make use of the mount system.

...Hot Rod Cameras redesigned their MFT [to PL lens] adapter to accommodate the out of spec mount...

Hopefully others won't get bit by this like I was.

Thanks and sorry you had to be on the bleeding edge!

Rick Lang
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Discount, not a replacement is bad business.

Discount, not a replacement is bad business.

+1

One might ask, why there are defined specificiations for lens mounts...

So they fit nicely one would assume. That and so other companies could make use of the mount system.

I meant to be ironic...

Discount, not a replacement is bad business.

I understand where they are coming from though. Their product works with every other MFT camera out there, it's just the BMCC MFT that is out of spec.

On a similar note to the Hot Rod adapter issue, my SLR Magic Hyperprimes are uncomfortably difficult to mount on my MFT body as well. Anybody else experiencing this?

The 12mm isn't so awful bad, but the 25mm is such a tight fit I'm afraid to force it it for fear of damaging the mount.

Oddly enough, my relatively cheap Fotodiox EOS-MFT adapter (w/ iris adjustment) works flawlessly, and my Rokinon 7.5mm mFT Fisheye is just right too. Fotodiox Minolta MD-to-MFT adapter is a little tight, but not as bad as the SLR Magic primes, and definitely workable.

Not sure if this is just a case of SLR Magic and BMD's tolerance being a little too far in opposite directions, but either way it's a real bummer for me.

This is kinda blowing my mind a little bit - BMD "beefed up" the MFT mount? WTF! If that's the case then it isn't an MFT mount. It's a BMD-MFT mount.

I have a pocket cam on order, I'm guessing now we'll have to refer to a "BMD MFT adapter and lens compatibility list" before we buy anything?

This just posted by John Brawley in the BMC user forum

"I have both SLRs and two HOT ROD PL adapters which all fit fine on the PROUCTION LINE MFT cameras I have.

JB. "

Cine glass and cameras are pretty snug, but all still lenses and cameras always have some slack build in.
Now the adapter makers are confronted with users, asking for a tighter fit and less wobble. I noticed a tendency, that even cheap china stuff is tighter since the last year. Combine that with a beefier mount, and there you have it.

Got a "Kiwi" brand Nikon-MFT adapter and a PL from Cicero and they work both just fine.
But the first noname China Nik-MFT adapter I had was too tight too.

An update post from BMD; before shipping, to explain this new beefed up MFT mount would have been very helpful to customers.

An update post from BMD; before shipping, to explain this new beefed up MFT mount would have been very helpful to customers.

Goodness me.

All we've heard is second hand information about the mft mount being *beefed* up whatever that means.

We haven't heard from BMCC, nor have we heard from HOT ROD cameras.

BTW, I have two production line mft BMCCs, and both of them work GREAT with the TWO HOT ROD PL adaptors AND the HOTROD PV MOUNT adaptor I have as well. Not only that, but both my SLR magic 12mm and 25mm fit perfectly.

So the *beefed* up mount doesn't ring true to me.

jb

Well, Mr. Brawley says otherwise. What's going on, maybe Mr. Hunter and a few others don't know what they're talking about. Maybe you guys should get with, JB for help.

Well, Mr. Brawley says otherwise. What's going on, maybe Mr. Hunter and a few others don't know what they're talking about. Maybe you guys should get with, JB for help.

I'm not saying it isn't true. But we haven't heard it first hand from those who know...HOT ROD or BMD. What I know is that I have the same items that are in question and have no issue.

JB.

Well, Mr. Brawley says otherwise. What's going on, maybe Mr. Hunter and a few others don't know what they're talking about. Maybe you guys should get with, JB for help.

I'm not saying it isn't true. But we haven't heard it first hand from those who know...HOT ROD or BMD. What I know is that I have the same items that are in question and have no issue.

JB.

For my part, I tested a little further, and while the stiffness is definitely still there on the 25mm SLR Magic, I was still able to mount and dismount the lens several times with no visible scratching of the mount. It took what felt like unusual force, but all in all, I can't say "it doesn't mount". As long as my mount doesn't get damaged, I'd rather it be a really solid connection anyway. And I spoke to SLR Magic and they confirmed that they would service the lens down the line should the problem persist. I will report back if I have more issues. SLR Magic also confirmed that feedback from other users (such as JB) in the early stages had been good, so if there is a problem, it must be related to final release models. It's definitely something I can live with for now though.

I see now that John mentions his cameras are production line models too, so I guess the production line theory has no weight either.

Hi Andrew,

For anyone who has purchased a Hot Rod Camera MFT to PL adapter a while back in anticipation of a December ship date like I had, be warned that the older revision of the adapter will not physically rotate and lock on the MFT BMCC.

I just made this unpleasant discovery yesterday after unboxing my BMCC MFT and attempting to mount the adapter. After speaking with Illya of Hot Rod Cameras, awesome dude, he informed me that the BMCC's MFT flange is thicker than spec in an attempt to "beef it up" but causes compatibility issues with items that follow the spec to tight tolerances.

I probably used the word "beefy", but I was talking about the robustness of the mount, not it's dimensions and specs. I have not measured the Blackmagic MFT camera mount, but I can tell you the Blackmagic MFT camera uses the single most robust MFT mount I've ever seen, this thing is strong! Far stronger than any other MFT camera I've come across.

BMD was made aware of the problem but chose not to pursue a solution.

Hot Rod Cameras did not make BMD aware, if they were notified it wasn't from us. We only just learned of this as a potential problem in the last few days. We need to get hold of a camera and mount exhibiting these problems to see what's going on for ourselves. Then we can determine what's going on.

Hot Rod Cameras redesigned their MFT adapter to accommodate the out of spec mount but it does mean having to buy a replacement.

To be clear, we didn't redesign or build something new because of Blackmagic's super-robust MFT mount.

Our mount hasn't changed in any significant way other than color since 2010. In 2010 we made a slight dimensional change because of the inconsistencies of the Panasonic AF100 MFT mount. We have tested more than dozen of our "new" gunmetal-grey mounts with Blackmagic MFT and Pocket Cinema cameras, they all work flawlessly.

All of our MFT cameras are shipping straight out to clients, so we don't have one in house at the moment for testing. HRC builds some of the highest tolerance parts in the industry, and anything outside of our spec it is recycled rather than sold.

If you purchased the adapter through HRC or a dealer, they can help out with a discount on the replacement.

While we don't have to support re-sold/used products that could be as much as 2-3-years out of warranty, we always try to offer help to our customers whenever possible. I also want to thank Andrew for helping to bring this to our attention.

Anyone who purchased a Hot Rod PL mount from an authorized dealer after September 30, 2012 will be eligible for a major discount on the latest Blackmagic PL mount (or PL Mount w/support kit). You will need to contact email@hotrodcameras.com for details, you'll have to send in your mount and original invoice.

Hopefully others won't get bit by this like I was.

I don't know if you tried the mount you have on another camera, but since it was used, it's entirely possible you received a mount that was damaged. We have had customers break our products due to negligence and mistreatment. You can send it to us and we can determine if the Hot Rod PL has been mistreated pretty easily.

If anyone purchases an old Hot Rod PL mount from ebay or a private party, it's no longer under warranty. However, if it is out of spec it MAY be possible for us to repair the mount. Well have to see it.

Should anyone else experience anything like this, please contact us at 323-230-3589 or email at our general mailbox email@hotrodcameras.com and someone will get right back to you.

Illya Friedman
President
Hot Rod Cameras
www.hotrodcameras.com
Hollywood, California

To be clear, we didn't redesign or build something new because of Blackmagic's super-robust MFT mount.

Our mount hasn't changed in any significant way other than color since 2010. In 2010 we made a slight dimensional change because of the inconsistencies of the Panasonic AF100 MFT mount. We have tested more than dozen of our "new" gunmetal-grey mounts with Blackmagic MFT and Pocket Cinema cameras, they all work flawlessly.

Thank you Illya for weighing in and clarifying.

jb

We have tested more than dozen of our "new" gunmetal-grey mounts with Blackmagic MFT and Pocket Cinema cameras, they all work flawlessly.

Glad to hear that there obviously are a number of Pocket CCs at the relevant places, so we'll not only see a number of specialised accessories when they start shipping, but we also know that the cameras are indeed ready - at least physically - for mass production.

I can't wait to see a PocketCam with PL glass on it! My GH2 looks borderline hilarious.

I just picked up my Blackmagic MFT today, and I'm having the same issues.

My slrmagic 12mm T1.6 fits perfectly, but my 25mm, is way to tight. I managed to get it on, but it takes too much force for me to want to keep trying.

I can tell though, that it's probably with the lens. Looking at the mount of the 12mm lens and the 25mm lens, you can see that the three tabs of the mount are slightly fatter than the 12mm.

I'm going to contact SLR magic and see what they say

On a similar note...

I recently received a replacement BMCC MFT after the first one I had was returned due to an extreme amount of stuck pixels. On the faulty camera all of my various adapters fit perfectly, but on the new replacement camera they all fit very tight to the point where one of them can't turn more than ~10mm.

On a similar note...

I recently received a replacement BMCC MFT after the first one I had was returned due to an extreme amount of stuck pixels. On the faulty camera all of my various adapters fit perfectly, but on the new replacement camera they all fit very tight to the point where one of them can't turn more than ~10mm.

Out of curiosity what adaptors are you using? I have an issue with that I also think is a tight mount, where my SLR magic 25 mm is too tight, but my 12mm is just fine, and a new fotdiox m42 to m43 adaptor also fits just right. I have another fotdiox nikon to m43 adaptor coming in, in the next couple of days.