Bebob Foxi Impressions

bena said:
Opcode, is there any chance you could open up your foxy and take some pics? I would really like to know how it works so us DIY guys can make ourselves one. ;')

Thanks
Ben
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I think this post should be removed.
 
Tom McKay said:
Opcode,

This is Tom from VariZoom. With all due respect you really need to do some more investigating. I wish you would before you say anymore about VariZoom especially since you have not yet used the VariZoom.

It is "a significant step up" I think you would need to actually compare the two products to make that statement.

You said the $465. Fox is a low cost alternative. My VariZoom PFI is $199.
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I can do that, having used both. Yes, the Foxi is a SIGNIFICANT step up, but then it costs more than twice as much. Definitely two different offerings. The smaller wheels on the Varizoom do not provide the same tactile feel or level of control. For some the Foxi will be their choice... for others the Varizoom. At $199, the Varizoom is quite a bargain.
 
JesterJJZ said:
As a user of both Varizoom and Bebob products, it's easy for me to say that the Zoe and Foxi are far far superior to their Varizoom counterparts. Varizoom makes some great stuff for their "pro" line, but their Pannasonic offerings fall short IMHO.
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I'd have to agree...
 
I've used all three now, and it breaks down like this:

For precise manual focusing, I prefer using the HVX's ring directly. Yes it takes longer to move the ring, but that's what gives you the precision.

As a budget "electronic follow focus", the Foxi does very well. Considering most physical follow focus devices cost around $1500, the Foxi at $465 is an appealing alternative. And it does something the physical follow focus doesn't do -- you can run an extension cable and operate it remotely. You can't do that with a physical follow focus.

Is it a complete replacement for the "real" follow focus? No, because if you want to use it with a mini35/M2/Cinemek/Letus type adapter, and want to use a follow focus on the 35mm lens, the Foxi has no applicability for that job. Only a manual follow focus could be used in that circumstance.

How about vs. the VariZoom? I've got the VariZoom PZFI, and ... well, the bigger ring of the Foxi is better, but you have to consider price and features in the equation. The VariZoom costs $259, and it gives you focus and iris and zoom and start/stop. The Foxi is only focus/iris; if you want zoom and start/stop you'll have to also get the Bebob Zoe, and that unit alone costs more than the whole Varizoom rig. So $465+$265 = $730 for the Foxi/Zoe, vs. $259 for the Varizoom. The Varizoom is 1/3 the price. Is the Foxi better? Yes, I think so. Is it worth 3x as much as the Varizoom? Well... that's a choice each end user will have to make. If I hadn't bought one yet, I'd probably go the Foxi/Zoe route, but I got the VariZoom first, and now I don't know that I'd use it enough to justify taking the loss in selling it just to upgrade to the Bebob. But if you live & die by focusing, the Foxi does have its advantages, that's for sure.

I prefer the iris control on the Varizoom. I prefer the focus control on the Foxi, and the markable wheel is nice. I think the connectors on both of 'em are unsatisfactory; I'd rather see a molded plastic block that snaps in rather than trying to wrangle two 90-degree plugs into a space that's not really big enough for just one.

It will be most interesting to see the new Varizoom with the larger wheel that Tom discussed.
 
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Mr. Blonde said:
After using the Foxi for a shoot, both my AC and I love it!. I swear to you that unless using a 35 adapter with the HVX, all you'd need for focus pulling is the Bebob Foxi, forget a mechanical follow focus unit. On a recent music video we used the Foxi for multiple stationary and steadicam rack shots and the Foxi was spot on in every shot!
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Nice to hear... we had the same experience.


Mr. Blonde said:
My only complaint about the Foxi is the lack of a record button and the Iris belt is a bit too stiff.

While the focus is controlled via the nice and large 270 degree knob, the iris is controlled by a belt system that feels too stiff. So if you plan on iris pulling, it may be a bit difficult to do so.
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I discovered that by placing my thumb and forefinger on the two ends (wheels), I could get unbelievably smooth controlled iris changes. Not stiff at all, and probably better than with the iris ring on a broadcast lens. If you're trying to slide the pointer, it probably is too stiff...
 
Barry_Green said:
Don't know that I'm too impressed with the iris conveyer-belt design, but the focus system on the shipping unit was very pleasant.
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Try my suggestion in a previous post (using thumb and forefinger)... I think you'll hate iris-ing by any other method when you do.

Pierre, please don't change it!
 
darwinandpaine said:
However, I agree with Barry about the iris "treadmill/conveyor belt." It feels really funky when you have to go from full open all the way to the f16. I don't know how often anyone needs to do that, but it kinda felt cheezy. If I weren't set on getting an M2, I'd buy one in a second, but it would be useless with a 35mm adapter.
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Try my method...
 
Barry_Green said:
Is it a complete replacement for the "real" follow focus? No, because if you want to use it with a mini35/M2/Cinemek/Letus type adapter, and want to use a follow focus on the 35mm lens, the Foxi has no applicability for that job. Only a manual follow focus could be used in that circumstance.
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True enough... not much use with 35mm lenses.


Barry_Green said:
I prefer the iris control on the Varizoom. I prefer the focus control on the Foxi, and the markable wheel is nice. I think the connectors on both of 'em are unsatisfactory; I'd rather see a molded plastic block that snaps in rather than trying to wrangle two 90-degree plugs into a space that's not really big enough for just one.
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I really can't believe that Barry. I too have tried both. The Varizoom isn't smooth at all. I've now used three Foxi's and I have done some of the smoothest iris work I've ever done with any camera. Of course, it could be my method for using it? Meet me at the 16x9 booth at NAB and I'll demonstrate it. I think you may change your mind then...
 
I don't know that Panasonic is going to "talk" to me since I am not a 3rd party manufacture. If they will great.

Im not interested in ripping off your's or others designs.

What I need to know is what the HVX is expecting for a signal. If Panasonic will not tell me, what choices do I have to find this information out?

If you are willing to share in a broad sense what the signal is, it would be most appreciated, but if we DIY guys figure it out or learn it, I understand your fear that we will lower your potential sales.


For some of us $200-500 is way too much for something that has $20 worth of parts.

My guess is the Panny is expecting a pulsed signal like a R/C servo. But thats only a guess.

I will see if Jan can point me in the right direction to find this information out.


Pierre co bebob said:
Hello,

as you see in the account name, we are the manufacturer of Foxi. I guess that you enjoy that different manufacturers put efforts, money and time in developping innovative products. They will do it only as long as they can hope to come back on their investment.

I respect that you would like to make such a controller on your own.

Don´t you think it would be a much better way to ask panasonic about the informations you need, than trying to copy what other people made?

Regards,

pierre
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bena said:
My guess is the Panny is expecting a pulsed signal like a R/C servo. But thats only a guess.

I will see if Jan can point me in the right direction to find this information out.
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Search the old articles, somebody (maybe even Jarred?) made their own zoom controller and published the pieces.

The focus control isn't going to be pulsed, it's completely repeatable so I'd expect that it's some sort of fixed voltage per position or something...
 
does anyone know if the bebob foxi will work with the DVX100A? the bebob site says its for the 100B [in addition to the hvx], but just making sure its only for the B... or if the A is included.

thank you
ttt
 
Anyone care to report on the varizoom with the bigger wheel in place? I'd like the foxi and would get it if I had a gig that required that... but for the most part I am shooting a lot of talking heads at a podium and would like to get something more similar to a studio rig.... I know the focus and zoe would be idea.. but quite a difference in price and I'd rather get the varizoom now... and another toy instead of just the foxi/zoe. Hmmmm.. love the toys/
 
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