A New Toy

Re: A New Toy

Took a look at changing things around for the remote setup, and the cost involved isn't worth it. I will work on the setup i have already and keep the hardware to a minimum. The remote will work the same way, but without the traditional focus wheel knob. Ditto for the wireless, just too pricey to put in, 1 more cable won't hurt anyone. Just trying to keep the price down and not add to it.Got a 1 minute vid of operation tonite, will post it on web site tomorrow.
If anyone wants to get a "cheaper focus gear ring" for their dvx, just go to your local gear supplier, get a 4 inch spur gear in steel or delrin if they have it( someone will have to find out the standard gear pitch---teeth per inch and pressure angle they use for follow focus), then take it to a machine shop and have them put it on a lathe and cut a 3.570 inch piece out of the center of the gear. you will have a focus gear ring that that just goes on with a slight pressure fit. Cost me about 60 bucks to have mine made.
 
Re: A New Toy

I have a small 1 min. capture off the video monitor so you can see the MF status of the viewfinder while it is operating. This is just a basic example to show the repeatability of it. 1 is about a foot, 2 is aournd 2 feet, 3 about 5 feet, and 4 about 10 feet. I'm just randomly going to each mark, not very exciting, but will show you it does work. This is unedited and lighting not too good, but you will get the idea. You will notice in marks 2 and 3 that the odd time the MF status will show a value off by 1, this is not the motor as it always returns to the same position and it is still the same focus point. I think there is a tiny little play in the camera focus mechanism and those marks are on the borderline between the 2 values. Not really a concern because the focus ring is still returning to the same position. Put up 2 shots, one in quicktime and one in windows media player.

http://www.dvpromotion.com/focus.htm
 
Re: A New Toy

Thank you , at least i have got one persons interest here. I know i have entered possibly a taboo situation here with the thought of the bad word "automation" , which coincides with people losing their jobs, and taking away the manual aspects of filming, and only trust their eye, etc. This really isn't what it's all about. It's called having a creative advantage. For those who don't see it, there is nothing i can do to explain it. Maybe because i've had a long time to think about the possibilities of it's use since i started on this, i have a vision many people can't relate to, and may be too much to expect. I'm sure this type of thing exsists already and probably will surface more as more and more "automation" hits the film industry, it's only a matter of time. In the same perspective, there is still a lot of hardcore beta users out there that still refuse to believe the digital format is going to make beta obsolete, but the change is coming, and coming fast. Maybe the same with film, i quess we'll see soon. I just looked at this as being a tool that did the job for you, so you could concentrate on other aspects, such as getting a smooth pan and zoom, without having to worry if you could hit the focus point. And i suppose the idea of having to "program" something probably scares people too, but using any program on your computer requires a little bit of programming, as you still have to adjust and save things . I can't wait to get this finished, as i have some planned scenes to try that would be virtually impossible to do by manual pulling, and my son is a run and gun guy, and has some good ideas too. I see iamloser has a dyi going for a manual focus puller, and that's cool, i really hope it works out. Unfortunately for mine, i couldn't expect anyone to write the software to be able to use it. And also, i think if Zoe releases something like this, and even charge major bucks for it, it will be big news, and everyone will want one, but that's the way things work. Well, enough whining, back to work.
And the weather really sucks here .
 
Re: A New Toy

Kelly, any chance this would have a simple thumb rocker switch? For those times you don't have control where people are going to be. Shooting on the run lets say 8)
 
Re: A New Toy

I don't check the Cinematography section for a few days and this is what I miss?!

Awsome stuff!

I would say, as long as there's the programming of multiple marks (while 8 isn't necessary, it couldn't hurt), the ability to set the time it takes to hit a mark, and hopefully some sort of 'manual' control of the focus (perhaps kinda like the zoom controller on a varizoom), I think you've got a winner here.

Keep it up!  This is a product that I would be very interested in using.
 
Re: A New Toy

Gave it some serious thought, and it's a done deal. I am upgrading the manual/remote for this. Won't be a rocker because i think they are hard to use for any precision control. But i came up with something really neat that will also combine the programming part of it, and give great control over variable movement. Once it is up and running, i'll let you know ( can't give everything away here ).
Looks like this is an important issue for people, so might as well go all the way.
 
Re: A New Toy

Sound GREAT! Maybe like a standard follow focus. Keep up the good work. Hey your like Panasonic and are listening to the end users.Glad to be a part of your R&D 8)
 
Re: A New Toy

Elvis
This also will be really awesome and useful for guy like us that are running Glidecam V8 and Magiqcams to have an assistant pulling focus for us remotely...if it is wireless...
 
Re: A New Toy

Taylor, I don't think he's going to do wireless. Are you Kelly? But still this thing would work great when flying the DVX around 8)
 
Re: A New Toy

I see you guys plan on keeping me busy for a while. I spent a lot of time researching the wireless operation a while ago, and though i know it is big in the pro circles, i thought it wasn't a cost effective thing to do. It can be done no problem, and there is a lot of new wireless technology out there that is high tech stuff, and runs at frequencies that don't require a license. Plus it interefaces to my hardware with no problem. But it is more cost, and how much is someone willing to pay? True, with small modifications, this could be used for any camera, or used in a pan/tilt unit, or you could even use it for a machining operation. But it is designed to work with a $3000. camera, so hopefully you will understand why i was trying to keep it fairly basic, but would still do the job. I guess it would be great to have a system that was a wireless remote/video setup, and you could run it from a laptop or a pda, or just off the keypad . Maybe i'll just make 2 different models, one wth the option of wireless. Got other mountains to climb first, wireless is only useful with things that work. Thanks again for the input.
 
Re: A New Toy

A quick update. For those who wanted the manual control, you have that and more. I have implemented a optical wheel for manual control of the motor. If you have ever used a nle with a shuttle wheel, this is what it is about. Instant movement from one increment to full speed, and anything inbetween. It gives you precision control over the movement, hopefully will help with the new hard to focus lenses coming out on the market. I also designed a "resistance" control for the wheel, depending on your application. This will also allow users to manually pull to the programmed marks at the desired speed or time. The encoder is a tough unit, guaranteed for 10 years, and can handle extreme temps. This whole thing is taking longer than expected, but keep running into "setbacks", which is expected, but highly friggin' undesireable. Looking for a release date maybe around May, so don't go throwing away a ton of cash on a manual, if you can wait. Want to get this finished so i can start on the next one, a 3 axis pan/tilt/elevation unit for the tripod or crane. It will be a lot easier because i won't have to deal with certain capabilities of a camera. Next step is the wireless control, 1000 ft. good for you?
 
Re: A New Toy

well,was just getting stressed out here and thought i'd do a lil update for a break. got a new vid of the encoder wheel working on the cam. just a frontal shot of the cam, showing the gear setup and mount with moi playing with the wheel, showing how smooth and responsive it is. Notice the cushioning aroung the rods to minimize any vibration from the motor, and to deal with any variance of the gear mesh. Really helps the overall operation and noise generation. Pretty basic, but it works. This is my test setup as thus far, and i am still working through the software
crap as of this moment. Man, those guys don't get paid enough !
I will be upgrading the whole hardware thing once it is all complete, to make it more visually appealing, and to be compatible with other hardware that would fit with the rods. Vid is a take from my ZR65, so it's not great, but kept it pretty HQ at around 20 meg, so you can actually see it work. and only a wmv. file, too lazy to do the QT thing. Sorry.
http://www.dvpromotion.com/images/enc.wmv
 
Re: A New Toy

Kelly, I can't wait looks great! How much noise does it make? Dou you have some side shots so we can see the rest of it. Was that the manual one? As far as manual does it attach to the pan arm of a tripod. Or is it like a follow focus right up there by the lens? 8)
 
Re: A New Toy

Kelly-
If your going to produce these I might recommend you keep the guys that are using the professional and homemade Mini35 adapters in mind. After all they are dealing with FILM DOF on the DVX100 and will need it that much more.

If you decide to it should work with a standard 15mm rail system and have gears that can be mounted to 35mm still photo lenses. I recommend a wide nylon/plastic band that can be cut and wrapped around to fit any given lens. The band would have the gear teeth on the outside.

-Brett Erskine
 
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