C300: Adding servo zoom to non-servo lenses

[Eric Coughlin]

So say the Canon 15.5-47 and Canon 30-105, how would you go about adding servo zoom to them? Would it be putting a wireless follow focus device (like a Preston) which has motorized zoom control as well? Are those motorized zoom controls as good and featured (perhaps aside from ergonomics for a solo operator) as a dedicated servo lens (like the 17-120) has? Or are there other options too?

 

[mizzar]

So say the Canon 15.5-47 and Canon 30-105, how would you go about adding servo zoom to them? Would it be putting a wireless follow focus device (like a Preston) which has motorized zoom control as well? Are those motorized zoom controls as good and featured (perhaps aside from ergonomics for a solo operator) as a dedicated servo lens (like the 17-120) has? Or are there other options too?

I'll me able to let you know in a month or so. I'm currently waiting on delivery of the Title Nucleus M which comes with two motors, one for focus and one for zoom. I'm hoping it will be smooth enough to zoom during a shot. I'll report back once I get it.

https://www.cinema5d.com/tilta-nucleusm-complete-wireless-lens-control-system-1200/

 

[Eric Coughlin]

Yeah, I remember seeing that on Newsshooter. Looks pretty nice.

I've been thinking of getting the DJI wireless follow focus; I don't think it has a good option for motorized zoom control, though. The RTmotion has a zoom controller on the controller piece, but costs around $6,000.

The Tilta Nucleus-M is only $1200, and comes with those handle controllers, and two motors. At that price it sounds too good to be true, so guess we'll see if it is or not. Let us know once you get it.

 

[Run&Gun]

If you're fine with adding external motors, it can be done, but it's not gonna be streamlined and ergonomic, for sure. One way to do it would be to put a motor on and use a Preston MicroForce as a pistol grip. I have seen pics of an add-on ENG style grip, but it was specifically for some of the new Angie zooms. And I think Zeiss was/is working on one too. But again, specifically for some of their lenses.

If servo zoom is something that you're going to need on a regular basis, one of the purpose built lenses will be better in the long run. I'd seriously consider selling your 30-105 and putting that money towards the 17-120, in that case. They are only a few $K apart price wise.

 

[DLD]

What about having the rocker on the camera body itself? (assuming the same manufacturer of the lens and the body)

 

[klk]

Yeah, I remember seeing that on Newsshooter. Looks pretty nice.

I've been thinking of getting the DJI wireless follow focus; I don't think it has a good option for motorized zoom control, though. The RTmotion has a zoom controller on the controller piece, but costs around $6,000.

The Tilta Nucleus-M is only $1200, and comes with those handle controllers, and two motors. At that price it sounds too good to be true, so guess we'll see if it is or not. Let us know once you get it.

That Tilta unit looks about as close as you're gonna get- this summer. Looks like you can mount those grips on rods- maybe those rosettes are Arri standard-
don't know. The traditional Microforce goes on the pan handle. It's fine, but it's a lot of wires and gak. The Tilta is wireless all around looks like. Too good to be true? Tilta had an earlier FIZ effort and it seems to have fizzled out, so this "looks" to be a very interesting evolution.

If it works it solves a lot of problems at an unbelievable price point.

 

[Eric Coughlin]

How do big budget shoots do servo lens control? Are Hollywood movies using lenses like the Cabrio and the Canon 17-120? I don't feel like I see those lenses in use on Hollywood movies. So are they using Angenieux, Arri, etc., zoom lenses, and putting a Preston motor on them?

If you're fine with adding external motors, it can be done, but it's not gonna be streamlined and ergonomic, for sure. One way to do it would be to put a motor on and use a Preston MicroForce as a pistol grip. I have seen pics of an add-on ENG style grip, but it was specifically for some of the new Angie zooms. And I think Zeiss was/is working on one too. But again, specifically for some of their lenses.

If servo zoom is something that you're going to need on a regular basis, one of the purpose built lenses will be better in the long run. I'd seriously consider selling your 30-105 and putting that money towards the 17-120, in that case. They are only a few $K apart price wise.

The 30-105 and 15.5-47 are more suited for narrative and commercial work with an AC pulling focus. They have a 300 degree focus rotation which is easier for an AC pulling focus, better iris and zoom gears, smaller, lighter, and they are said to have better optics than the 17-120, along with a constant T/2.8 up to 105mm (while the 17-120 is T/2.8 up to I believe 90mm).

The 17-120 is more designed for ENG, run n gun, solo operator, etc. It has a shorter focus throw making solo operator focusing easier, is bigger and heavier, has a larger and nice zoom range in one lens, and has servo.

Since I do both types of work I really feel the need to own both, but the 17-120 isn't in the budget quite yet; I figure I'll get an Amira and the 17-120 would be the next big purchase after that.

 

[Run&Gun]

How do big budget shoots do servo lens control? Are Hollywood movies using lenses like the Cabrio and the Canon 17-120? I don't feel like I see those lenses in use on Hollywood movies. So are they using Angenieux, Arri, etc., zoom lenses, and putting a Preston motor on them?




The 30-105 and 15.5-47 are more suited for narrative and commercial work with an AC pulling focus. They have a 300 degree focus rotation which is easier for an AC pulling focus, better iris and zoom gears, smaller, lighter, and they are said to have better optics than the 17-120, along with a constant T/2.8 up to 105mm (while the 17-120 is T/2.8 up to I believe 90mm).

The 17-120 is more designed for ENG, run n gun, solo operator, etc. It has a shorter focus throw making solo operator focusing easier, is bigger and heavier, has a larger and nice zoom range in one lens, and has servo.

Since I do both types of work I really feel the need to own both, but the 17-120 isn't in the budget quite yet; I figure I'll get an Amira and the 17-120 would be the next big purchase after that.

Yeah, if you look at a lot of "big Hollywood" set-ups, if they're shooting with a zoom, they'll have external motors on the focus, iris and zoom rings. The last Steadicam class I did, we had someone puling focus and iris for us(we had a big exposure change going from a "lit set" to a dark "backstage set". The newer Alexa's, going back to at least the SXT, actually have ports in the body for the cables for the FIZ motors. The new Alexa SXT W is designed for a completely wireless camera with wireless video, camera control and wireless lens control.
http://www.arri.com/camera/alexa/cameras/camera_details/alexa-sxt-w/

 

[Eric Coughlin]

The newer Alexa's, going back to at least the SXT, actually have ports in the body for the cables for the FIZ motors.

I thought the Alexa's FIZ power ports only powered the Arri WCU-4 wireless. Do they power Preston too? Preston still seems to be the industry standard as far as I know.

Unfortunate that the Amira doesn't have those power ports.

I use wireless focus with Steadicam fairly often. The rest of the time it's the C-series auto-focus on Steadicam, for smaller shoots.