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Greetings! Since there were no reviews out, and noone seemed to have tried the Manfrotto 521PFI, and since I was so disappointed with all the other units I've tried, I bit the bullet and bought the Bogen. (Sorry, had to alliterate)
The 521PFI is an electronic Focus/Iris controller for the DVX100B, HVX200, and I assume the forthcoming HPX170 and HMC-150. Information about it is scarce on the web... though I found one thorough online Word document (look in there for some nice diagrams and descriptions). According to the info available, it seemed to have all the features of the VariZoom unit I've been using, in a better form factor, and with the extra ability to set the minimum and maximum points of the focal range - in effect, the ability to set two points for rack focus (or to cut out the "slack" at both ends of the HVX's focal range... the useless play past infinity!)
The first surprise I found when it arrived was that it is HUGE. The focus wheel has a diameter of about 2.5 inches, and is about half an inch thick. This jumbo size, combined with a very smooth and nicely damped action, makes this far more precise and useful than any other controller I've tried. Ditto for the iris knob! Also, unlike the VariZoom, there's no chance of jostling one when trying to operate the other.
The unit has switches for Auto/Manual Focus, Auto/Manual Iris, to reverse the direction of the Focus and Iris (independently), and, perhaps most importantly, a switch to change between normal and "custom" operation.
"Custom" mode allows you to specify the minimum and maximum focal range. This has three benefits:
1) To set to fixed focal distances that you can switch between quickly, easily, and reliably
2) To set "hard stops" so that, while focusing, you don't go beyond certain limits. This is useful for complex long shots (as in live events) where you can set, say, the limits of the stage area. It also helps get rid of the useless "slack" at both ends of the HVX's focal range.. so that you can, eg, easily reach the REAL infinity focus without going beyond. This is something I would have loved to have when shooting flying hawks for a certain project!
3) The focal range you set always seems to use the whole travel of the focus wheel... so, in effect, a limited focal range gives you more precise control within that focal range.
So, does it all work? Certainly it works well, and as I've said better than anything else I've tried. But there are certain limitations.
To set the focal range, you must first set the minimum end of the focal range, then the maximum. This is because they're not independent - the minimum setting will affect the range of possibilities of the maximum setting.
The minimum focal distance is also limited to be between the camera's minimum (the bottom of "MF MACRO") and ~8.5 feet. (This discussion relates to my testing on an HVX100P. The exact ranges will likely vary on other cameras).
The maximum focal distance setting varies depending on the minimum setting. Here's a brief table to give you a rough idea:
Minimum at MF MACRO: Max range is MF MACRO to 13.5 feet
Minimum at 1.97 feet: Max range is 3 feet to infinity
Minimum at 4.99 feet: Max range is 8.5 feet to infinity
Minimum at 8.53 feet: Max range is 14.7 feet to infinity
So, it's not possible to set up a rack focus for every situation... but it can be done for most. The minimum setting is likely not extremely useful in many live-event settings... though when shooting on the long end of the lens, with the iris not completely open, I've found that often focus at 8.53 feet will work for 50 feet... but I wouldn't count on it.
Finally, the auto/manual focus switch, combined with the focal range limits in manual mode, gives you more possibilities... you can leave the camera in autofocus and easily switch to a fixed focal point when necessary with the auto/manual switch, etc. I think you can also, in some situations, set up a rack focus with a "close" focus outside the range of the "minimum" by setting things up carefully and using the Normal/Custom switch to switch between two points... but I'm still investigating how useful that will be...
The iris knob does its job simply and well, especially compared to the tiny, twitchy knob on the VariZoom.
The Focus wheel also has a nice are for marking with a grease pencil, and (most importantly, especially compared to the VariZoom) has a very precise arrow mark next to the focus wheel for lining up these marks precisely. Especially at the long end of the lens, precision is key.
The Iris dial has a nice logo in the center which allows it to be precisely located as well. There's a lighter patch on the top of the controller where grease pencil marks might be made for the iris as well.
Build quality is excellent, like the other Manfrotto remotes; it feels sturdy and long-lasting. It's a passive device (no batteries). The one physical gripe I have is that the included cable is a bit short.. but it plugs in at both ends, so is thus easily replaceable. There's a nice strain-relief device where the cable plugs int the controller - a nice touch.
Overall, I give this device my highest rating! I've tried a lot of controllers, and built some of my own... but this is the one I've been hoping for. I highly recommend that anyone looking for an electronic remote (rather than a physical follow-focus rig) check the 521PFI out.
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