Manfrotto 521PFI

[GoREELa Films]

Hey all;

I'm wondering if anyone has had success using the Manfrotto 521PFI focus/iris controller.

I've looked at a hardware review posted here on DVXuser, as well as a variety of other threads, but I haven't seen any detailed responses that confirm:

A) It's compatibility with the HPX170

B) Funcitionality with the HPX170 (does it work without issues, etc.)

If anyone is able to help by providing specific details for the HPX170, that would be fantastic.

Thanks!

 

[ggrantly]

I have the 521PFI and use it with both a HPX170 and HMC40. Don't kid yourself, the focus on one of these isn't as good as your hand on the lens. For what it is, it works pretty well. You can do a sort of rack focus with it using the limit switches which is very handy. The limit switches can keep you within a focus range, so if all your focusing is in between say 80-95 then you won't overshoot when spinning the dial which would be easy to do otherwise. Caution: there is a setting on the HPX to speed up the focus response. Make sure that is OFF, otherwise you will get a pretty wild response. I can't remember the menu item, but it is there in the menus. The iris function works ok too. What I like least about it is the clamp.

Grant