REV Modular Wireless Follow Focus System

RTMotion

RTMotion

Member
Hi there,

We've been developing a wireless follow-focus system for quite a while, and we're ready to go public with the specs and timescale. We're UK-based filmmakers with an electronics background, and the product has grown from a unit that we developed for our own use. Many many hours of R&D time later, we have prototypes that we're very excited about, and we're looking to make initial units available within the next month ish. The design is very modern- all elements are modular and communicate digitally over a bus network. Key stats- automated lens calibration, unlimited lens rotation, 2.4ghz wireless (worldwide), lightweight, sub-£1000 for a wireless setup, less if you just need wired.

There's more detailed information at- www.rtmotion.com

We'd love to hear any thoughts or ideas people have- any features we might have missed, any aspects of specific importance to you, that kinda thing.

kind regards,

Kris
& Jamie
 
Pics and videos demonstrating performance will be approx 2 weeks- we're finalising how the motor is encased. We'll have 3D renders of the design sooner than that, so you can get a handle on how it will look.

Kris
 
Hi Ted!

Our 'general purpose' focus motor is currently similar to popular pro follow-focus units in terms of noise level. We're working on getting it as quiet as possible.

We're thinking of offering about 3 motor models- a general purpose model with our best balance of speed/torque/price/noise, an ultra low-noise model, and a low-cost model. Physics is about compromises, it seems!

Kris
 
It's not yet formally announced, but we've decided that the first 20 units will be sold at a reduced price of GBP£799. The price beyond that is TBC.

Kris

RT Motion Systems www.rtmotion.com
 
Looking at your render, I suggest not allowing the motor to pivot on that tightening knob. Stiff lenses, strong motor movement, or one of many other forces can lead to that whole unit disengaging. You want maximum grip to those lens teeth. If you notice, most lens motors adjust perpendicular to the lens axis.
 
Hi Avenger! That is changing in the final version, although our current physical prototypes are constructed like the render and we've actually had no problem at all, even with stiff and uneven lenses. The final version will have a much nicer design for that pivot, just to be safe!

We shot a couple quick test videos to keep people in the loop-- http://www.rtmotion.com/rev-follow-focus-videos/

Hardware is nearly finalised now, will get up some renders of the final design shortly, followed by lots more videos demonstrating performance, pulls seen 'through the lens', that kinda stuff.

Kris
 
Hi Ryan, Emre,

Price-point is still on target.

System latency is practically undetectable, in practice it depends on the seeking-mode selected.

The "fast/twitchy" mode mirrors your hand-movements accurately, with very low-latency.

The "smooth/quiet" mode will give you much smoother focus moves than you could do manually, but 'feels' less responsive to quick moves. This isn't technically latency, though.

In practice we prefer the smooth mode for drama, it makes nice pulls much easier. As far as I know, we're the only system that will offer various seek modes in this way. There will be a couple other (new) unique features demoed in videos in a few days too!

Kris
 
price is great... hope you'll have them enough in stock when you start selling them, without such a long leadtime
 
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