Focus/Iris controller

Sweet, I've been building one of these myself, and then came across this site in hopes of looking for a way to incorporate Auto/Manual iris Toggle, which I can't seem to figure out... I've got it figured out for Auto/Manual Focus, just a matter of setting the camera to Autofocus, and closing the circuit that leads to the Focus pot (if that makes any sense, I know jack about electrical engineering, I'm just kinda flying by the seat of my pants here).

I deduced that I'd need a jack with 4 connectors (3 rings), soldered some wiring to it (USB cable whose ends I'd cut off) and thus far have been just testing to see which wire does what, with a 20K pot (though, I find it a little sensitive, really). Focus was easy enough to figure out, but I cannot figure out how to switch between Auto/Manual Iris, which would be frickin' great.

Any suggestions?
 
I have a couple questions, are the pots controlling power to the ports in the camera, or does the input to the camera flow power both ways and the pot is controlling the compleation of the current?

Jason
 
Jason,

When you plug in your controller you are completing a circuit where the camera is providing the power. The pot just varies resistance in the circuit.
 
Thanks Bob, so for example, the focus iris cable, its basicly a head phone cable, so the right ear bud pos and neg will go to one pot for one of the "focus/iris, and then the pos and neg of the left side ear bud wil go to the other pot?

This is great I'm going to build one with servo controlled pots, so I can make it part of my moco rig.

thanks
Jason
 
Thats basically it and since it is just a pot it is very easy to hook up a remote controlled servo to turn a pot and remotely adjust the focus and iris.
 
wow, I'm really shocked that these people charge 300 and up for a couple of pots and some headphone cables. i thought for sure there would be some micro computer involved.


so your 1w pot works fine? does it have much play?

I'mm be heading to my local radio shack this weeked.

Thanks
Jason
 
one more question, for the power loop for the record I'm assuming its a simple 1:0 at one is there enough power to also run a small red led?
 
I have to say I think this is one of the most worthwhile diy projects I've seen on this board, I think this should be a must for any hvx-dvxb user out there tac this in with a lanc controller and I think we have the most important sticky on the year.

Jason
 
I haven't looked at it to see if the circuit will support an LED. My first guess would be no however I will look at it. As for getting pots, Jameco.com, Mouser.com, etc. are the usual places.
 
I'm having a hell of a time finding a 20ko 1 watt pot, i'm finding a lot of 10ko, and or 25ko 3 watt pots, where did you find yours?
 
No 2 watt isn't too large. When I said they aren't the greatest I was referring more to their physical size and relative precision.
 
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