Hack a DVX-100A for remote focus?

G

GregorySinger

Member
I've been getting more into doing my own mods on my personal equipment. I've gone so far as to remove the lens from my HDR-FX1 to use my 35mm still lenses directly on the camera (like what they did here http://www.eidomedia.com/hdve/index.php) and possibly as a way to integrate a 35mm gg adapter almost directly on the CCD imager (with flipping lens), bypassing the stock lens assembly.

I was curious if anybody had opened up their DVX100B and noticed how the remote focus/iris was wired. Hopefully, nothing special was done in the electronics other than wiring an external connector to the proper circuits. Basically, the point to be that I could wire my own DVX-100A for a remote focus/iris without using an external remote focus assembly.

If necessary, I suppose I could wire into the actual manual iris knob to "extend" it to a handheld location, but that seems inelegant. Also, the real point of this would be to get remote focus cheaply.

If there isn't a simple circuit to patch into, I suppose I could tap directly into the control servos, but that would involve alot more electronics than I'd like.
 
GregorySinger said:
I've been getting more into doing my own mods on my personal equipment. I've gone so far as to remove the lens from my HDR-FX1 to use my 35mm still lenses directly on the camera (like what they did here http://www.eidomedia.com/hdve/index.php) and possibly as a way to integrate a 35mm gg adapter almost directly on the CCD imager (with flipping lens), bypassing the stock lens assembly.

I was curious if anybody had opened up their DVX100B and noticed how the remote focus/iris was wired. Hopefully, nothing special was done in the electronics other than wiring an external connector to the proper circuits. Basically, the point to be that I could wire my own DVX-100A for a remote focus/iris without using an external remote focus assembly.

If necessary, I suppose I could wire into the actual manual iris knob to "extend" it to a handheld location, but that seems inelegant. Also, the real point of this would be to get remote focus cheaply.

If there isn't a simple circuit to patch into, I suppose I could tap directly into the control servos, but that would involve alot more electronics than I'd like.
Click to expand...

Question.
Have you opened up your DVX and taken a look?
 
Not yet. Just wanted to see if anybody had already done something like this before or was aware of how the basic circuits were located. I don't really use my FX1 so it is no problem to remove the lens. The DVX I use daily so I don't want to screw something up unintentionally. Knowledge is power!
 
Hey c'mon...

I read every post in every thread in this forum and found nada. I did a search through all forums and couldn't find anything.
 
Thanks for the links, however that isn't what I was asking.

I already have a remote zoom and record button.

I was asking if it were possible to wire a REMOTE FOCUS for the DVX100A, something which the 100B is capable of. I have the suspicion that there isn't really that much difference in those circuits between a 100A and a 100B.

Has nobody looked into this in the past 5 years? Am I the only one? I've had my100A for almost 6 years and I still find it annoying shooting with my shoulder rig that I can't use both handles when following the talent around, that I have to use my left hand to hold the lens, keeping the rig unsteadier that I wish. Annoying when I have two handles that are 1.5' apart, and when I don't have to manually focus I can get amazingly steady shots.

Some ask why worry about a 6 year old camera? Well, I still prefer it to my FX1's and Z1U's which I am selling. I use HDX-900's and 2/3" cameras all the time, but those are production cameras and not my personal equipment. Also, I like the thought of "doing it myself with a custom design".

Thanks for any info, it's appreciated.
 
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