Electronic follow-focus

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jooher

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Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 12:31 pm

EF-edition supports the lens AF feature, right? So it does implement the control over the focusing motor. But does it provide a possibility to control the focus motor manually - bypassing AF subsystem?
It would be a perfect built-in manual follow-focus, operated by touchscreen or simple external controller-wheel - instead of those ugly and atavistic on-lense rollers. And it would require virtually no changes in camera design.
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Cameron Mckinlay

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 3:03 pm

Cameron Mckinlay
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jooher

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 3:38 pm

i think that wheel controller mght be much more compact and portable, and could mount right on the camera side.
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adamroberts

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 7:59 pm

The EF BMCC does not auto focus. The mount only controls the aperture and enables IS. You have to manually focus the lens.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 8:08 pm

jooher wrote:EF-edition supports the lens AF feature, right? So it does implement the control over the focusing motor. But does it provide a possibility to control the focus motor manually - bypassing AF subsystem?
It would be a perfect built-in manual follow-focus, operated by touchscreen or simple external controller-wheel - instead of those ugly and atavistic on-lense rollers. And it would require virtually no changes in camera design.


The BMCC has a LANC Remote port, which can control focus of an EF lens. See page 7 in the BMCC user manual:

"... The remote port on your camera can be used to remotely control the following functions of your camera including starting and stoppping record, iris adjustments and also focus adjustments when using a compatible lens. The remote port can be found under its dust cap on the left face of the camera. The port is a 2.5 mm stereo jack which uses the standard Sony LANC protocol. ..."

The BMCC user manual can be downloaded from BMD's website:
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/support/
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Christian Schmeer

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 9:28 pm

Focusing via LANC on the BMCC is news to me, what remotes and lenses would be compatible?
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 9:53 pm

Christian Schmeer wrote:Focusing via LANC on the BMCC is news to me, what remotes and lenses would be compatible?


As noted in the BMCC user manual, Sony-type LANC controllers. These are widely available from a variety of companies. Theoretically, a EF lens that supports AF should be controllable (allow focus to be adjusted) via LANC.
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John Brawley

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 10:13 pm

LANC works, but it's dog slow, not repeatable and there's a lot of latency.

JB.
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostTue Dec 25, 2012 10:38 pm

John Brawley wrote:LANC works, but it's dog slow, not repeatable and there's a lot of latency. JB.


Understood. I've used LANC a lot in the past with DV camcorders. It's slow & sloppy. That's why I said "adjust" focus, not "follow" focus. Cheers.
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Cameron Mckinlay

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Dec 26, 2012 12:41 am

So then would the Micro-USB port on the BMCC work with one of the USB controllers posted above? Or does the Micro-USB port not even carry that function?
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Peter J. DeCrescenzo

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Dec 26, 2012 12:47 am

cmckinlay wrote:So then would the Micro-USB port on the BMCC work with one of the USB controllers posted above? Or does the Micro-USB port not even carry that function?


The BMCC's USB port supports firmware updates from BMD, and can be used charge the internally battery v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y via USB

That's its only function. Theoretically that could change in the future, but I wouldn't count on it.
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Cameron Mckinlay

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Dec 26, 2012 12:51 am

I hope the guys over at Magic lantern decide to get their hands on one and see how far they can push the technology inside that little box. Could be interesting...
Cameron Mckinlay
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John Brawley

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Dec 26, 2012 1:26 am

The USB is only for software updates. (It can also recharge the internal battery, thought its very slow. )

JB
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jooher

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Dec 26, 2012 8:32 am

adamroberts wrote:The EF BMCC does not auto focus. The mount only controls the aperture and enables IS. You have to manually focus the lens.


Then what is the FOCUS button for? On the right side from the screen
http://www.blackmagicdesign.com/media/3 ... tadata.jpg
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John Brawley

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Dec 26, 2012 8:35 am

It toggles focus peaking.

One day, it may activate AF.

JB.
John Brawley ACS
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Darryl Gregory

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostThu Dec 27, 2012 5:37 pm

Start/Stop-Focusing using LANC is best on a Jib, or any occasion you can not reach your camera nothing more really. But still nice we have it on the BMCC :D
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raadgie

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Jul 24, 2013 10:09 pm

What about this one?

Manfrotto MVR911ECCN
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Zack Wilson

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostWed Jul 24, 2013 10:38 pm

Rumor has it that the next firmware might have AF... if photos from beta testers on Twitter who are also involved in this thread are to be believed. ;)
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Margus Voll

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Re: Electronic follow-focus

PostThu Jul 25, 2013 6:55 am

I posted a link to the images earlier some time.

If what Grant said in some talks is true "fw will be universal to all camera bodies" then i see
the possibility to be super strong.

There was focus and accurate battery percentage number.

Hope ssd left would be also implemented in some point of time. Should be simple "ping" every time you stop the camera.
Margus Voll, CSI

http://www.iconstudios.eu
margus (at) iconstudios.eu
IG: margusvoll

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