Remote start/stop for Sony F3

[Erwin van Dijck]

Question: does anybody know of a remote start/stop controller (with cable) for the Sony F3?

Would be great if it also has a button for expanded focus.

When using the F3 handheld on a shoulder rig with hand-grips, you can usually use your left hand for the focus and with right you want to start/stop the recording.

Something along the lines of a Bebob Zoe for example. Have been Googling on this one for a while but nothing useful came up so far. Anyone found a solution for this yet?

regards,
Erwin

[Andrew Stone]

A couple of threads already started on the topic here as far back as March and some Steadicam Operators on a Steadicam forum have been trying to figure this out as well.

Here are the threads to date on DVinfo:

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/sony-xdc...-run-stop.html

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/converge...nanoflash.html

We need someone well placed with Sony to ask some of the engineers on this how it can be done. These kind of cables are essential on a film set. Pro cameras are expected to have ports for run/stop cables as well. ARRI, Panavision & RED come to mind as cameras that have dedicated run/stop connection ports.

[Dan Keaton]

Dear Friends,

I have researched this subject.

A simple cable and switch will not work.

The F3 requires serial protocol commands to be sent to it to start and stop.

This requires a more sophisticated contoller, such as one with a microcomputer.

[Barry Nolan]

The manual for the F3 Camera says that the control connector will interface with the Sony RMB-750 ($5000) external CCU. I believe the external controller can do just about everything in the camera's menu and control all external buttons on the camera as well. I also believe the controller uses Sony’s Camera Command Network Protocol. I have searched for a long time for any documentation about this system and the controlling commands without any luck. If one knew Commands, the serial i/o, on the connector, could be interfaced with a USB Port and all the controls could handled by a laptop or a simple microcontroller with just a few switches on it. In the past I designed similar control devices for Nikon and Canon Cameras using there SDKs (Software Development Kits). Canon was pretty free with their SDK but Nikon drug in there feet for many years before making it available. I have a feeling Sony is the same.

[Robert Schiebel]

Dear Friends,
A special cable from Przisionsentwicklung Denz - Camera Accessories - Manufacturing solve this problem. In the past, our company has worked for Denz. The new product is an active cabel with an microcontroller "Lemo >>> Hirose (Sony PMW-F3)" or
"Hirose >>> open end (Sony PMW-F3)".

Robert Schiebel

[Peter Corbett]

Hi Robert,

I can't find this cable on your website. can you please post a direct link?

[Robert Schiebel]

Hi,
under "Universal Handle System"
Przisionsentwicklung Denz - Camera Accessories - Manufacturing

Robert

[Erwin van Dijck]

Thanks for the link Robert.

You also planning on making a cable for Epic/Scarlet?

[Robert Schiebel]

Hi, i don'n know, please ask Mr. Denz.
Robert

[Andrew Stone]

Robert have you set up the start/stop cable for the F3, the one with the Lemo jack so it will simply "work" when used with a Bartech (BFD) receiver?

Run/stop or start/stop cables are common items for focus pullers/camera assistants, jib/crane operators and steadicam operators. This is where your big market will be with this kind of cable.

http://bartechengineering.com/

[Chong Pak]

yes please, the run/stop cable for the bartech!

[Dennis Dillon]

Robert,
Perhaps the Preston analog products might work as well??

[Robert Schiebel]

Hi, there are three wires, ground and two signal inputs.
One wire connect to GND will toggle the record function.
The other wire has a pseudo static function, means:
- a falling edge (connect to GND) for explicit record
- a rising edge (release from GND) for explicit pause
For more details to the Lemo connector or accessory manufactured by DENZ, please contact they directly.

Robert