DIY focus remote control

B

Bante

Active member
I thought I'd share with you guys a somewhat more advanced remote control /follow focus based on a PIC microcontroller and a digital potentionmeter.

You just hook it up to a panasonic camera and push the buttons on your focusmarks, then the PIC will rescale itself so you got your focusmark on the mechanical endstop of the knob.

I would love to share more info about it if you find this interesting.
 

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I wanted to make almost exactly this with a servo attached to my focus knob now. The version i wanted to make doesn't need to be wireless for any reason other than its complete awesomeness. I would love some more pics and if you have it a wiring diagram
 
I would love to see detailed plans and build pics/descriptions for this, as well as a part list/price estimate. Looks like a ton of fun.
 
Bante said:
I thought I'd share with you guys a somewhat more advanced remote control /follow focus based on a PIC microcontroller and a digital potentionmeter.

You just hook it up to a panasonic camera and push the buttons on your focusmarks, then the PIC will rescale itself so you got your focusmark on the mechanical endstop of the knob.

I would love to share more info about it if you find this interesting.
Click to expand...
Are you going to market a kit?
jungleham
 
There is no motor, I'm connecting the follow focus directly to my hmc150.

It will also work with dvx100 hvx200 and probably all other panasonic cameras with focus remote jack.

I'll see if I can find the schematics and hex code for the pic. I'll make a parts list as well!
 
Sorry I've been very busy lately but I promise I'll share some more info regarding parts and assembly soon!
 
Very nice job!
I also made compact remote system, well. is not that compact and cabled; based on the RCC servo. It easily runs my lenses. Fully manual it has just one programmable
limits. An extra sliding ring with thumb screw makes it work. Thin 5 meters long cable is enough to run it with my jib and good enough to run it with stabilizer.POCKET FF.jpg
Here is earlier prototype.
 
This FF system is based on standard RCC servo.

Most of RC servos has encoder, say: insert potentiometer, that gives report to
controller about geared motors axle position. So it made to repeat
the control knob motions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6vg1hgHkY0

There are 2 types of servo motors:
analogue - use less power, but they are less precise;
and digital - consuming more, but its accuracy is much higher.
Building a FF system needs to take in mind myriad of aspects,
But there are easier ways:

For this wired system, I used simple controller set:
http://www.mutr.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=1009480

add 4AA battery holder

My control box consist control board, Pot, LED indicator, rocker switch, external 4AA battery holder, and 3 pin mini xlr cable socket. Connection is shown on the boards fallowing paper. Low voltage indicator I found her:
http://cgi.ebay.com/RC-Receiver-bat...0409649503?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories
(set it to 6V mode)
To be precise, i used this very motor:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380213526929&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I purchased 2 gears for RC car, it was spur 72 tooth, 32p. Sort of:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Kimbrough-32-Pi...0504629410?pt=Radio_Control_Parts_Accessories
One of them was attached to servo motors hub. Another i turned to rack by cutting off the middle part , so it got C - shaped and it was
placed over optics focus ring. Active and passive gears are almost of similar size. So 180 degree journey fits good in my case.

My advises:
do not use cables with cores under 0,22 mm2,
do not change the battery polarization - the board will go banana. (I burned couple of them)
Follow instruction, that You´ll get with the board.
 
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