VaricamLT: EF Mount with Wireless Follow Focus

K

Kurt Riddell

New member
Hi Everyone!

I'm interested if anyone has been using EF mount glass on the LT with a wireless follow focus? I'd be interested to hear about your experience and if you have noticed any issues, movement or play in the mount whilst doing so?

I almost pulled the trigger on an LT 3 months ago but am waiting to see how the EVA1 turns out (The small size is beneficial to the 50% of my work where I fly). I'd love PL mount but I could definitely make EF work if the mount itself is solid enough to take the brunt of a hard days work with a wireless focus motor.

Any thoughts or experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Kurt
 
... And I have just noticed that the LT EF mount lock is a postive lock that turns on the body and not by turning the lens, so the comparison is pointless.
 
Yeah the EF mount on the LT is almost as solid as a PL mount. I use wireless motors with them all the time and there's no play in the lens. And yes the EVA looks to be a more standard style canon mount. I've never found a standard canon mount that won't jump around when used with a wireless motor.
 
Thanks Milan O and BerkeCreative,

I've always run motors with PL glass as at that point I am not the one paying the bills! BerkeCreative did you find the jumping around an absolute nightmare? Could you notice the movement on the image itself or just the operation of the lens?

There is currently a cashback offer on the LT in Europe so I might just jump in the deep end, though you have to buy all the expensive Panna accessories to get it. I love the idea of the EVA and it seems perfect for gimbal use but without a solid mount it has its ceiling.

Cheers,
Kurt
 
Remember that batteries, P2 cards, tripod and such are more expensive than what they will be with the EVA1.
 
drive by wire follow focus

drive by wire follow focus

We do that on Sony, ARRI, and RED wit hour OptiTron2 unit. Drive by wire so no external torque is applied to the lens and the mount does not to be so rigid (although it is always better to have it) All Panasonic needs to do is provide some decent lens control external protocol- even via wifi would be adequate.
check this video out : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M656cfx_jww
Why can't Panasonic do it- it's not that difficult :happy:
They put fixed electronic ef mount on camera and don't enable the most important feature- puzzling:undecided
I'd understand that in 2007 but now?....
 
I agree that Panasonic should make this available. I have the RT Motion Latitude system which can control focus, iris and REC on Red cameras with EF-mount. Although some of the features are possible with the handgrip on the LT, it would be nice to be able to do so with the FF controller or thumbweel controller (which the RT Motion system has).
 
I don't think that thumbwheel or handgrip will make much difference in operating. still no precision or predictability of focus.
The focus wheel however would benefit greatly.....
 
It makes difference, at least it does for me. With a thumbwheel controller I can control focus more easy with the camera on my shoulder, or set focus when on a gimbal/steadicam, for those times when a focus puller isn't available. The depth of field doesn't have to be super shallow at all times.
 
Regarding the jumping. With longer lenses you can definitely see it in the image. Wider lenses are less of a problem. I did breath a sigh of relief when I saw the positive lock on the LT. I think for lightweight setups you're gonna be ok. I just recommend a bit of additional lens support.
 
Milan O - Yeah the P2 cards are a pain in the wallet but it is nice to have reliability. How many do you have and do you find that is enough for your shooting style? I have budgeted for 100ml bowl tripod, V Locks etc as I want the kit to be interchangeable with other cameras but thanks for the heads up because the cost difference can become pretty hefty.

Optitek - Really interesting gear and great for a lot of people but I try to only use cine lenses if production needs that level of control, so it doesn't bother me that they don't have it implemented. I also try to work that if people want that level of production then they can pay for a 1st AC so thumb wheels etc are not my thing. That being said the more they can make cameras modular and upgradable the better as everyone likes to create there own personal beast.

BerkeCreative - Everything should be positive lock in cinema! I thought everyone would see what happened with the fs7 mount and then Sony putting it on the mk2 and it becoming a no brainier for every camera from then on. I get the cost restrictions and totally understand that the best market for the EVA is EF but I would pay and extra grand for a postive lock mount. I'm checking out a C200 demo tomorrow, looks like they will be making PL mount versions of it so it is an interesting option.

Thanks for the feedback guys!
 
Hey Kurt,
I'm thinking that if you have a lens support on your rails, would it help support the wireless FF?

I put gears on my Sigma 50-100 Art zoom. If I do a quick turn it can make the lens dip or jump depending which direction I turn. It is very subtle movement, but with lens support there is no play at all.

Simple solution. Just an option, just a thought.

If I were you, I'd take advantage of the sale and get a LT! The EVA looks to be an interesting camera, but is not sporting a Varicam badge.
 
Alex Derrick said:
Hey Kurt,
I'm thinking that if you have a lens support on your rails, would it help support the wireless FF?

I put gears on my Sigma 50-100 Art zoom. If I do a quick turn it can make the lens dip or jump depending which direction I turn. It is very subtle movement, but with lens support there is no play at all.

Simple solution. Just an option, just a thought.

If I were you, I'd take advantage of the sale and get a LT! The EVA looks to be an interesting camera, but is not sporting a Varicam badge.
Click to expand...
Perfect example why drive by wire FF has advantage. you wouldn't need to worry about any of this ;-)
 
Kurt Riddell said:
Milan O - Yeah the P2 cards are a pain in the wallet but it is nice to have reliability. How many do you have and do you find that is enough for your shooting style? I have budgeted for 100ml bowl tripod, V Locks etc as I want the kit to be interchangeable with other cameras but thanks for the heads up because the cost difference can become pretty hefty.
Click to expand...

I have two 256 GB P2 cards and I rarely use both, but it's always good to have one extra. It depends a lot though on which sort of jobs you do. If you're covering a longer event in 4K (for some reason) then you'll need more than two cards (if you're not offloading the files at location). If you're shooting in HD 422, then two will probably get you through a day.

So far I've managed fine with a Sachtler FSB8 head, but I'm not using heavy glass, matte box, filters and such. I'm thinking about getting a cinezoom but will probably go for a lightweight one, so the FSB8 will probably still work. I like the FSB8 with tripod, since it's a very lightweight package. But, if you're using heavy glass and loads of other accessories you'll probably need a head that can handle more weight.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top