What features the IDEAL Wireless Follow Focus should have ?

[mahouny]

Hi everyone,
I read forum a lot, but never posted any comment
So please don't take this thread for a spam or adverting as I'm not selling anything here...

I'm currently developing (W.I.P)) an affordable professional wireless follow focus for indie filmmakers and wonder which feature you guys think the "IDEAL" follow focus should have ?
Or, if you already have one, which additional features you would like to add to it ?



The very first prototype that I've developed in 2015 (NOT the one on the picture) was made for a friend, who is independent filmmaker (using DSLR) and couldn't afford to buy such expensive gear as a professional wireless follow focus.
Renting for more that 5 month of shooting, wasn't an option, either.

It was good for the production, while it produced some noise because I build the driver with servo motor.
It was OK for my friend, because he used external micro, so the noise was not an issue for him.

However, as I wanted create really professional Follow Focus, which will be as good as the market leaders products, and even better, I continued development.

This is why, I would like to hear from you guys, what do you think should the "ideal" follow focus be like ? Which features it should have ? Which feature or what you don't like on your follow focus that you've tried.

In the mean time I will give you a description of current prototype.

At this moment, the latest prototype is 2 channels (Focus + Zoom) and consist of:

• Wireless Remote Controller
• Main Unit
• Focus and Zoom Motors Drivers
• Thumb Controller

and it have following features:

Wireless Remote Controller (0.08° precision) 12.5x6x3cm

• +350m , 10channels 433/915mHz wireless encrypted transmission
• OLED display for easy setup and configuration
• Membrane switch keypad (water splash proof)
• Removable Focus marking ring
• Backlight (buttons and knobs marking ring)
• Automatic (lens) limits configuration
• Manual (lens) limits configuration
• Automatic mode with 4 focus points which could be saved / called by user
• Manual mode (Focus and Zoom) knobs
• Channel switching (with automatic encryption key change) this may be useful in crowded areas with lot of RF signals
• Speed adjustment
• Motors spin direction flip (Clock wise / Counter Clock Wise)
• Sleep mode
• Battery level indicator
• Controller us powered by rechargeable (trough USB port) 1000mAh Li-Po battery which is can run for 3-4 shooting days from one charge, without the backlight and 14-18 hours with enabled backlight.
• Focus knob uses 12bit magnetic angle sensor with 0.08° angle precision, for extremely smooth control.

I'm planning to add REC button to start/stop recording on RED cameras (and all other possible brands)

Main Unit 9x6x2.8cm:

• OLED display for easy setup and configuration
• +350m , 10channels 433/915mHz wireless encrypted transmission
• LEMO type professional high quality connectors
• (will have) Membrane switch keypad (water splash proof)
• Main Unit is powered trough D-TAP to LEMO power cable (12-30V) .

Thumb Controller (wired) 3x3x6cm:

• (will have) Membrane switch keypad (water splash proof) with Focus Points and REC button to start/stop recording on RED cameras (and all other possible brands)
• Main Unit is powered trough D-TAP to LEMO power cable (12-30V) .
• 12bit magnetic angle sensor with 0.08° angle precision, for extremely smooth control.
• Final version will have Aircraft grade aluminum body with military Type III anodizing finish.

the actual prototype have only one thumb controller for Focus, but I'm planning to add another controller for Zoom (or Iris)

Motor Drivers 9x6x2.2cm:

• Aircraft grade aluminum body with military Type III black anodizing finish.
• LEMO type professional high quality connector
• 12bit magnetic angle sensor with 0.08° angle precision, for extremely smooth control.
• High power and extremely silent Faulhaber motor
• Custom made gears (SS+Brass) delivering 1.8Nm torque
• Interchangeable lens gears (0.8, 0.6 pitch...)

Motor driver is extremely silent and very powerful.

Here are some concept images and actual prototype pictures for your reference



Regards,
Khamzat

 

[mahouny]

Here is one more picture of new remote control prototype with better focus knob and removable marking ring.
Your suggestions, commnts will be highly appreciated.

 

[Batutta]

What I always wanted was an electronic focus device that used tiny, button sized wireless sensors you could place on an actor, and have the focus automatically track them. You could also have multiple trackers and switch between the different focus points.

 

[Run&Gun]

What I always wanted was an electronic focus device that used tiny, button sized wireless sensors you could place on an actor, and have the focus automatically track them. You could also have multiple trackers and switch between the different focus points.

I saw that at NAB in '14. But the name of the company escapes me right now. And I don't know if it ever made it into full blown production. I was honestly surprised at just how well it worked, too. Spot on, even on the eyes.

 

[Batutta]

Took me a while to find it but I think it's this. Pretty cool. Doesn't look very cheap though, and still only for pre-order -- http://andra.com

 

[Greg_E]

It must work smoothly, it must hit repeatable marks, it must not lose connection between remote and motor within say 20 feet. It must not have any hesitation or delay between turning the control and having the motor move. It must not induce any vibration. It must not hunt or seek when it comes to a resting place (on the mark of chosen focus). It must have user replaceable batteries, they should be a very common type of battery (rechargeable is good).

Bonus features to have an A/B stop programmed, and allow for a pre-programmed rack focus between those points (with a speed adjustment), as well as manual control between those points. It should have a wired mode where the motor gets power from the remote as well as the control signals. If it can use standardized cables, it should (e.g. 4 pin 12 volt power XLR), might as well make it so it can be seriveced easily if at all possible.

Throwing too many more features at it may make it too expensive, this covers a lot of ground.

 

[mahouny]

Hi,
this indeed could be a good feature, while unfortunately it will make the price more expensive than the price range in which I'm planning to offer my Wireless Follow Focus.

 

[mahouny]

Hi Greg,
thank you for your reply and suggestions.

I would like to say that english is not my native language, while I'm trying my best, there could be some language issues

The follow focus that I'm developing has 0.08° angle precision. Right now I'm working on new PID software programming to get even more torque and stability.
It has +350m wireless range. I've made multiple tests in "line of sight" in full center of my city, with, each time, lot of buildings, people, cars...
Previously I used 2.4MHz transmission, but that band it to "crowded" by wifi, microwaves... , so after many tests I've selected 433/915mHz bands for transmission, because of much better range and stability.
But it could be wired to the thumbnail controller(s) and used , for example, on shoulder rig.

I'm using highest quality DC motors (with rare earth magnets) available on market, made by German company Faulhaber (very high quality and very expensive)
They are silent, powerful and have perfect torque/current draw ratio.

Motor drivers integrates custom "self blocking" worm gear inside, so the gear wheel stays in place if control know is not moved, and very responsive, without any delay between the knob movement by operator and motor gear rotation.
So it mimics any , even smallest movement made by operator.

Also there is no vibration, however any follow focus will cause the vibration if camera is fixed on shaky gear or if the rig's rods are kinda "flexible" and moving.

This wireless follow focus already have : A - B limits set (to limit min-max range) plus 4 programmable focus points.
I'm planning to add the "synchro" mode, so Focus position and Zoom position can be saved under "1, 2, 3, 4" points, and when called back , zoom and focus motors will move simultaneously to bring the lens to previously saved position.

It will use a cable with standard T-Tap connector to power the main unit.
Controller us powered by rechargeable (trough USB port) 1000mAh Li-Po battery which is can run for 3-4 shooting days from one charge, without the backlight and 14-18 hours with enabled backlight. So there is away plenty of time to recharge the battery by any USB source of power.

I'm want to make light weigh and relatively compact controller.
The use of the standard batteries will make controller much bigger and heavier.
For example it will need at least 3 x AA batteries to deliver the same voltage/current as the actual 3.7V Li-Po battery.

 

[David W. Jones]

It would also be nice if it used standard protocol so the motors which are already available {like Heden for example} can be used.

 

[Greg_E]

I would replace the internal battery in the handheld remote, and use a known quality compact camera battery. With the regulations changing about lithium batteries on airplanes, having a battery that says Fujifilm or Nikon or Sony might get a user out of trouble. There are so many good batteries for compact cameras, all you need to do is design the compartment and contacts to work with that battery. It can still be USB charged when internal, but can also be user replaced if it gets depleted during a production. Something like the little NP-45s battery from my Fuji point and shoot camera would power you transmitter for many hours, I think it is rated at 3.7 volts and 1000ma.

http://www.amazon.com/Wasabi-Power-Fujifilm-Z1000EXR-Z1010EXR/dp/B004THA3PW

 

[mahouny]

Hi David, thank you for the suggestion, but unfortunately, I'm afraid that's not possible, because I'm using 12bit magnetic angle sensors over I2C protocol.

 

[mahouny]

I would replace the internal battery in the handheld remote, and use a known quality compact camera battery...

Hi Greg,
this indeed is a very good suggestion. I'll definitively will consider that.
The internal charger IC, that I'm using, is good for 3.7V Li-Po and Li-ion batteries, so as you said, I'll just need to design battery compartment.