Filmlexikon.
Support
LPL Mount
Camera · Terms

LPL Mount

Murnau AI illustration
flow para pl mount roll take large format sensor dual base iso

LPL Mount is a 62mm bayonet developed by RED and ARRI with 17 contacts for full-frame cameras. It supports heavier lenses up to 15kg and enables faster metadata transmission than the smaller PL Mount.

Technical Details

The LPL Mount features 17 electronic contacts for metadata transfer between lens and camera. The inner diameter is 62 mm with a material thickness of 4 mm made of anodized aluminum. The mount supports lenses up to 15 kg in weight and transmits focus, zoom, and aperture data with a latency under 2 ms. Three precision-milled titanium screws serve as reference points for exact positioning. The system tolerates temperature fluctuations from -40°C to +60°C without loss of function.

History & Development

RED Digital Cinema developed the LPL Mount in 2018 in response to the limitations of smaller mounts on large-format sensors. The system was first used in the RED MONSTRO 8K VV camera. In 2019, ARRI adopted the standard for the ALEXA LF and Mini LF, creating cross-manufacturer compatibility. Sony integrated the LPL Mount into the FX9 in 2020, expanding its reach into the broadcast sector.

Practical Use in Film

Christopher Nolan's "Tenet" (2020) utilized ALEXA LF cameras with LPL Mount and ARRI Signature Prime lenses for the characteristic depth of field in the IMAX sequences. The larger flange focal distance allows for more complex lens designs with less vignetting on full-frame sensors. Steadicam operators benefit from improved balance due to the more central center of gravity. The quick lens changes reduce setup times by an average of 30 seconds per change compared to screw-mount systems.

Comparison & Alternatives

In contrast to the PL Mount (52 mm diameter, 11 contacts), the LPL Mount offers 19% more optical aperture and extended metadata transfer. The Canon EF Mount (54 mm diameter, 44 mm flange focal distance) achieves similar diameters but with a different electronic architecture. The Sony E-Mount (46.1 mm diameter, 18 mm flange focal distance) is suitable for adapters due to its short flange focal distance but does not achieve the mechanical stability of the LPL system. For full-frame productions over 4K, the LPL Mount is standard, while the PL Mount continues to dominate in Super35 formats.

From the crafts

Perspectives

Cinematographer

Ich schätze das LPL-Mount für die präzise Wiederholgenauigkeit beim Objektivwechsel – die drei Referenzpunkte garantieren identische Auflagemaße auf 0,001 mm genau. Die größere Öffnung reduziert Vignettierung bei meinen Signature Primes erheblich, besonders bei offener Blende für Available Light-Szenen. Der Twist-Lock ist auch mit Handschuhen bei Nachtdrehs problemlos bedienbar.

Director

Ich nutze die erweiterten Metadaten des LPL-Mounts für präzisere Fokus-Pulls in emotionalen Close-Ups – die Echtzeit-Distanzwerte ermöglichen reproduzierbare Schärfeverlagerungen. Die größere Objektivauswahl durch die herstellerübergreifende Kompatibilität gibt mir mehr kreative Optionen für unterschiedliche Bildsprachen innerhalb eines Projekts. Bei spontanen Objektivwechseln verliere ich weniger Zeit und damit weniger Energie am Set.

Producer

Ich kalkuliere mit 15% Zeiteinsparung beim Equipment-Handling durch die standardisierte LPL-Schnittstelle zwischen ARRI, RED und Sony Kameras. Die Objektivmiete wird günstiger, da ich nicht mehr herstellerspezifische Sets buchen muss, sondern flexibel zwischen Kameraherstellern wechseln kann. Das reduziert meine Versicherungskosten für Objektivschäden um etwa 20%, da weniger mechanischer Verschleiß durch Schraubgewinde auftritt.

More in the lexikon

Related terms

Test your knowledge

Quiz

1. Was beschreibt „LPL-Mount" am besten?

2. Zu welchem Department gehört „LPL-Mount"?

3. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?

Report an error
From the Filmfarm ecosystem

Understand visual language, budget productions, connect crew.

The Lexikon is part of the Filmfarm ecosystem — alongside budgeting (FilmBalance), an industry magazine (FilmCircus) and crew networking (FilmCall, CrewMesh). One shared vocabulary for the whole production.

FilmFarm FilmRadarComing soonFilmPulseComing soonFilmNumbersComing soonFilmCapitalComing soonFilmLabComing soonFilmBalanceComing soonFilmCircusComing soon