Remote follow focus for £150/$300
- Thread starter hoarp001
- Start date
hoarp001
Veteran
Well there are photos of the transmitter. No receiver as of yet. Infact I should be sorting that out now, whilst Im sitting on my arse reading the forum.
Back in a bit....
DavidChia
Well-known member
Focus focus, just focus on getting the product out. This wait is sure long... The name can come later. The product must first come out.
This feels like the redrock wireless micro focus. All news but no show....
I guess i'm not the only one waiting...
How long has it been? 6 months since the first post?
This feels like the redrock wireless micro focus. All news but no show....
I guess i'm not the only one waiting...
How long has it been? 6 months since the first post?
hoarp001
Veteran
Its not like redrock, because I havnt taken any money of anyone yet.
I want to take the time to make sure I produce a product that works. The finished unit is going to be stress tested to a million cycles, its going to be rolled down the stairs afew hundred times, and im sending it off to the desert for extreme environment testing.
I know its taking longer than everyone would like, but the last thing I want is people complaining saying that their HoFo is broken.
I want to take the time to make sure I produce a product that works. The finished unit is going to be stress tested to a million cycles, its going to be rolled down the stairs afew hundred times, and im sending it off to the desert for extreme environment testing.
I know its taking longer than everyone would like, but the last thing I want is people complaining saying that their HoFo is broken.
hoarp001
Veteran
Oh I see, i thought you ment the mattebox thats had so much publicity recently.
Well we are close. The electronics are working on the breadboard now, just got to cut out the first few boards and check it works, then we can put the orders in with the pcb production companies...
I hope it's okay to post this in your thread but since you're going totally wireless with your system, I thought you'd be okay with it. If not, PM me and I can remove this.
Just wondering if anyone was still interested in a wired remote follow focus. I've got a functionally working prototype but wanted to gauge interest before I went further into development.
I've started a thread here about what I have so far.
Just wondering if anyone was still interested in a wired remote follow focus. I've got a functionally working prototype but wanted to gauge interest before I went further into development.
I've started a thread here about what I have so far.
hoarp001
Veteran
Hi Peter
I see your using a T-Maxx spur gear as your drive gear. My first prototype worked like that.
I am going entirely wireless with my system.
Now seems a good-a-time as any to make this announcment then.
Drumroll
I have secured some extra cash to develop the HoFo.
Should see some good changes and its still going to be cheap.
I see your using a T-Maxx spur gear as your drive gear. My first prototype worked like that.
I am going entirely wireless with my system.
Now seems a good-a-time as any to make this announcment then.
Drumroll
I have secured some extra cash to develop the HoFo.
Should see some good changes and its still going to be cheap.
Ted Spencer
Veteran
I'm very excited about your product and will patiently await its eventual, thoroughly tested release.
So...will I get a free one for having such a good attitude?
: )
So...will I get a free one for having such a good attitude?
: )
Hehe. I think it's good that you take the time needed to design and test the product to ensure that it works properly.
You guys who are getting impatient probably don't know how much effort Pete has put into this. It's a lot of work, and I think he's doing great! I have a close dialog with Pete about the HoFo development and so I know that this will be a great product! So let's all just be patient
You guys who are getting impatient probably don't know how much effort Pete has put into this. It's a lot of work, and I think he's doing great! I have a close dialog with Pete about the HoFo development and so I know that this will be a great product! So let's all just be patient
hoarp001
Veteran
Just a quick update:
Ive made the first prototype receiver and im not too happy with it, the battery is too bulky and theres not much space inside it for essential gubbins, so in my constant quest for a good quality product, ive thrown it away and gone back to the 3D simulation software, and ive got a better layout drawn up now. Il get that built in the next few days, and hopefully it will all be ok.
I have also added a 1/4-20 female screw thread to the case so it is easy to mount, and I am planning an optional rail mount, solid aluminium and anodized of course.
The motor mount is at the machine shop, and I am getting the first prototype delivered this week, and im very proud of the design. Its cut out of 15mm thick aluminium plate, anodized black, with a clamp lever. You can lift the lever up to disengage it so you can twist it round, out of teh way.
The circuitry now works wirelessly and is currently going through final PCB layout creation, give it a few days and we should have that done. A week should see the first properly working Hocus Focus Prototype, transmitter, receiver and motor.
The receiver also has a signal strength lamp, and is powered by a normal 4pin XLR power input. It also has a backup 9v battery drawer, in cacse your vlock batteries run out, or in case you dont have any vlock batteries. Battery life on the transmitter is expected to be about 20 hours constant use (thats one 9v battery), and the receiver is about 10, since it has to power the motor. Obviously we cant test these in practice until we have them setup and ready to test. The primary power source for the receiver should be 12v accessory power off the camera or vlock plate, as the extra current available with a bigger battery allows faster motor movement and better signal strength.
The diagrams for the cases are at the CNC shop, and the artwork will be screenprinted on, as engraving was not financially viable, as the logo is too complicated. Dont worry though, the screen printing is very durable and the receiver has a matt black powder coat, and is strong enough to drive over in a family car (ive tried it)
Im very excited about the Hocus Focus, and Im more than confident that every buyer will be more than happy with their new remote focusing solution.
Ive made the first prototype receiver and im not too happy with it, the battery is too bulky and theres not much space inside it for essential gubbins, so in my constant quest for a good quality product, ive thrown it away and gone back to the 3D simulation software, and ive got a better layout drawn up now. Il get that built in the next few days, and hopefully it will all be ok.
I have also added a 1/4-20 female screw thread to the case so it is easy to mount, and I am planning an optional rail mount, solid aluminium and anodized of course.
The motor mount is at the machine shop, and I am getting the first prototype delivered this week, and im very proud of the design. Its cut out of 15mm thick aluminium plate, anodized black, with a clamp lever. You can lift the lever up to disengage it so you can twist it round, out of teh way.
The circuitry now works wirelessly and is currently going through final PCB layout creation, give it a few days and we should have that done. A week should see the first properly working Hocus Focus Prototype, transmitter, receiver and motor.
The receiver also has a signal strength lamp, and is powered by a normal 4pin XLR power input. It also has a backup 9v battery drawer, in cacse your vlock batteries run out, or in case you dont have any vlock batteries. Battery life on the transmitter is expected to be about 20 hours constant use (thats one 9v battery), and the receiver is about 10, since it has to power the motor. Obviously we cant test these in practice until we have them setup and ready to test. The primary power source for the receiver should be 12v accessory power off the camera or vlock plate, as the extra current available with a bigger battery allows faster motor movement and better signal strength.
The diagrams for the cases are at the CNC shop, and the artwork will be screenprinted on, as engraving was not financially viable, as the logo is too complicated. Dont worry though, the screen printing is very durable and the receiver has a matt black powder coat, and is strong enough to drive over in a family car (ive tried it)
Im very excited about the Hocus Focus, and Im more than confident that every buyer will be more than happy with their new remote focusing solution.
Moojangles
Well-known member
nice update. Sounds like it'll be a great product. I'm trying to wait patiently.
hoarp001
Veteran
Im also currently working on the motor movement problem. As mentioned, the current system will move the lens approx 180 degrees, enough for most lenses, but leaves some lenses in the shade.
Im working on a fix for this that will be available as an upgrade for your current motor.
It would help a great deal if you could list the degrees throw on the focus ring of your longest lense (or your lens that has the longest lens throw)
Thanks.
Im working on a fix for this that will be available as an upgrade for your current motor.
It would help a great deal if you could list the degrees throw on the focus ring of your longest lense (or your lens that has the longest lens throw)
Thanks.
btownproductions
Well-known member
I haven't measured the exact amount, but I'd say there's around 190 degrees of movement on my nikon 1.4
Tomas Riuka
Well-known member
Please use smaller pitch gear than T-max's... cause i suppose T max has 48 pitch gear and it will have pretty big free movement due to big teeth... post some photos btw, what servos are you using? RC cars ? as i'm good at RC, i can suggest you veeery good servos, expensive, but strong, ultra fast and precise.
btw, what servos are you using? RC cars ? as i'm good at RC, i can suggest you veeery good servos, expensive, but strong, ultra fast and precise.