Working on EX series focus assist system
 

HI all, I am new to the site but have owned my EX1 since June 09. I am both a commercial videographer and an emerging independent film maker. Aside from that I have always been interested in problem solving and inventing new methods and tools that make things work better.
Lately I have been working very capable but low cost focus pull system for the EX 1/3 cameras. So far I have built some prototypes and have tested them on a couple of projects. The design is not complete yet but is very close to being finalized. I would like to know what you think about a product like this and if you would find it useful.

Here is a quick description

1. it's light weight but durable
2. it can be mounted on either side of the camera
3. it does not require rods or any other bulky mounting gear (nothing more to buy)
4. It can be left on the camera when it's put back into your case and ready to go next time you pick it up.
5. in most cases it won't interfere with any other camera attachments.

Here is what it does.

6. It can be operated by either the CO or the CA
7. It can be operated by the CO while he is using the camera hand held or on sticks.
8. You can set a number of predetermined stops that will allow precise focusing with or without visual contact. In other words you can be looking in the cup or at the monitor and precisely hit multiple focus points without having to divert your eyes to the camera.
9. It makes focusing easier when the camera is mounted on a jib, steadicam, or track and by setting the marker clips at predetermined or known distances, a CO can estimate focus points while on the run much more accurately.


Who would benifit from using it?

10. I believe it will be a great asset for run and gun videography, news gathering, weddings, live event coverage where you can preset multiple focus points, and move from one to the next and back with full confidence and precision. (podium to stage right to guest speaker etc.)

11. Independent filmmakers will be able to pull focus accurately with or without a CA allowing them to use an open iris more often with more confidence giving better DOF control.

Best of all it looks like it will be available for under $180.USD. I am still working on the details so price is not locked yet.

Would you be interested in something like this, assuming that once you have seen it in action it lives up to the description?
I have two preproduction units, one for myself and one person to test. I am now working on some minor changes before I post any video or pics but I anticipate that I will have the new version done by the end of next week. I look forward to your first impressions and questions.

Larry Kelly

Hi Larry,

I shoot movies as well as other productions and would be very interested in a $180 focus pulling system, especially if it can be operated by the CO or a CA. Once you have further details I'd love to see some pictures and videos of it in action. Also, if you have need for further testing let me know. Actually, I've got a movie that I'm DP on that begins principle photography on January 30th. If you have a preproduction model or a test unit I'd love to give it one test run. Let me know if that would be possible.

You can email me directly if you want at:

Garrett@GlowMediaProductions.com

Thanks,
Garrett

Thanks for the response Garrett. It would be great to hear what someone else thinks about the product. I would like to have a final production model complete before the end on the month but if I can get one in your hands prior to your shoot I would apreciate any input you have and I think it would add to the quality of your film. I will send you an email when I have something to send you.

larry

Thanks Larry,

We'll be shooting starting at the end of the month and continuing on various dates through February. I also do live stage events, in fact I've got one to shoot tomorrow, so you're focus assist device would be of great help.

For the live shows I usually break the stage into regions and pre-measure focus distances. If your device has a number of stops I could preset for the various regions it would be great.

Keep me posted,
Garrett

I too would be interested in a focus assist at that price, especially if a pair could be operated together for my 3D rigs.

Now that's a challenge! I will think about that and see if there is any way to make something that can be made to work one a one off basis. I don't see much demand in the short term for this but I like a challenge and if I can make it work I will build it.

Larry

I spent a full day working on the focus assist system yesterday but had slow progress as it's very dificult to find hardware in this city. Everything is special order and two to three weeks away. I was able to get the latest shape changes of the unit into CAD so it's ready to go for next week.


Alister, I have come up with an idea that should work for you. If you are seriously interested in this I will make it for you. I will need all of the details around your camera setup and a picture of the two cameras mounted together as well as what type of shooting you are doing. Are the cameras mounted at a fixed distance apart with no variation from shot to shot? What is the distance between the cameras measured from the centre of one camera to the centre of the other? Do you use full manual focus exclusively or is there any situation where you would use auto focus or use the shot transition for focus adjustments?

Alister;
I have been looking into shooting some 3D stuff with me and a friend's EX1s, do you have pictures of your rig anywhere that I could take a look at along with any advice you might be able to offer?

Larry;
I am VERY interested in this. Mostly due to not needing any rails or anything extra to mount it... I'd love to see some shots of it if you get a chance! I'm assuming the $180 would be cost without shipping?

Yes no rails and the fact that you can put it on a naked camera and not even notice any weight change as well as being able to put it back in the bag without taking it off means that you may rarely ever remove it.

I would like to get some pics up but I am not going to post anything until I have the production model finished or at least until it is very close to complete. I have one preproduction version on my camera and one I am carrying around with me as I work on the next version but first impressions are perminent so I don't want to put it out there until it is where I want it to be.

Larry

Larry, I too will be very interested in this product and look forward to hearing about its development.

Geoff

Also interested to see if this would fit my needs. Thanks for keeping us informed.

Not wanting to hijack this thread there is lots of information in the Stereoscopic forum 3D Stereoscopic Production & Delivery Forum at DVinfo.net

or information on my 3D shooting within my blog. XDCAM-USER.com 3d

To shoot 3D you really need an EX3 + EX1 as you need genlock to sync the cameras.

Larry, the camera spacing varies a lot depending on the shot and camera rig being used.

That's quite alright Alister, this 3D world is fascinating. After reading your blog and doing some research I see it is not so straight forward to achieve a sync'ed focus between two cam's that are changing locations in relation to eachother but with some thought and some time to work through the challenges I will be able to put something together for you. What do you think about this rig which seems to stay at a fixed distance and only changes convergence or is it? I wonder whether they use an ultrasonic distance finder to auomatically change convergence? That's what I would do. I guess James Cameron's rig would be the holy grail at this stage?

Is this focus system mechanical or electronic?

This is a mechanical system, simple yet it works and is precision cnc machined.

I would be interested as well if it can be remote mounted on a tripod arm or on used with a steadicam.

Would these be for both for EX1R and EX3 with standard or WA lens?

Or adaptable to Nikon lenses?

This device is only going to work on original Sony ex series lens although modifications could be made to adapt to other lenses and situations. I worked late last night on the focus stop assembly and managed to work out the kinks in it. Now if I can get my engineer friend to input the data I can get a couple of test units cnc'ed this week.


Larry

Me Too
 

Larry it sounds good.

I too would be iterested in one. Please keep me informed

professionalvideo@gmail.com

Thanks

Greg

Definitely keep it simple. There are plenty of high-priced options. Your idea of a simple, inexpensive unit has a lot of appeal.

Pete

I would be interested.

Thanks for the interest everyone, yes I am trying to keep it as simple as possible although the last two days has been spent working on an element that does complicate manufacturing a bit. The aspect that I added is the ability to have multiple focus point tabs which can either be hit or passed over depending on whether you want to stop at that point or not by just a slight pressure on your index finger on the way by. This allows full tactile control for more than two focus points.

Yes - very interested.

larry
If that last mod is driving the price up, skip it. maybe consider it as an extra cost option to be added later

Actually I think it is necessary for the proper and complete function of the unit, it is just that Edmonton Alberta has to be one of the worst places to find hardware. It seems to be all special order, one to two weeks out which would be fine if I could just get one or two of them so I can take measurements and finish the design while the rest is being shipped.
Besides, I hate it when I buy something and two months later they come out with an improved version at a lower price. Not that I'm bitter here with my EX1 which a few months later became the old model and was almost 1,000.00 more than the new and much improved model;)

my feeling is that the extra feature isn't needed. might be nice for some but I've managed just fine for 20+ years without that feature. it's likely to drive up the cost and complexity.

Hi Larry,
Count me in I am interested in a focus assist .

Me too, Larry!

Well I think I have thumb screws that will work being air shipped and should arrive by Monday or Tuesday. Production version of the components are complete, now I just need to clean them all up, tap and drill, and assemble. Then I will need to generate a demonstration video.

Once completed, hopefully mid next week, I will ship out two or three units for testing. If tests go well I will manufacture the first 50 units and get them out to everyone who wants one. As soon as I have some video or pictures of the product I will post them.

Sounds good. I too am interested.

By the way, I lived in Edmonton for 20 plus years, before heading to warmer climes. I graduated from U of A.

From Canada hey? Then you can relate to my Sunday afternoon standing on a frozen lake freezing my butt off while cars with spiked tires race around me. I got some good footage but just missed the rollover that happened about 50m from where I was standing. My son got a bit of it in the background with his 5DMRKll but it's really small in the corner of the frame.

After using the focus assist for both the ice racing and the green screen tests, then on Monday putting it in the hands of a couple of cinematographers I find that I want to rework the focus clips before I send it out. It's been full time, 10 hours a day working on it and now more changes.

I have a few questions about the focus range of a typical focus pull.

1. Would anyone ever need to set stops at full focus range for any project? In other words would you ever set your close focus clip right up to 2.7 feet and the other one at 30 feet or more or would you be typically using only a portion of the focus range in any given shot?

2. Would you find it valuable to have calabrated notches set at regular intervals through the range of focus for reference visible from either the side or the rear of the camera? If so would you prefer it in feet or meters?

3. Would you find it valuable to have a whip attachment in the two and a half foot range?

I'm working as fast as I can and hope to have the focus assist ready to send out soon. I also have some other items coming soon that I think you may be interested in. Thanks again for you patience everyone.

Hi Larry,

Sounds like you had a fun weekend. As for your questions these are just my thoughts and what I think would work for my situation:

1. No need for full focus stops. I would probably be looking at about 1/4 to 1/2 the focus range difference in focal lengths.

2. Visible calibrated markings would be very helpful as I usually measure my focus distance and rely on that but, how hard would it be to first set the correct focal length when placing the device on the camera? Also, would it require constant recalibrating. If it would, I probably would not rely on it to a great extent.

3. I would find a whip attachment very valuable but would rather it be in the 1 1/2 foot range.

Those are just my two cents.

-Garrett

Definitely another interested customer. My request is KIS(S)

I am interested and keeping an eye on developments.

I would echo Garrett's comments.

Geoff

Thanks for the feedback.

As long as the spacing between the graduated focus points is the same on all cameras it should remain calibrated indefinately.
I timed how long it took to install the unit at about 1 minute. That includes setting the start point and calibrating it.
I don't find that I ever have to remove it from the camera, it just stays on it 24/7 and goes into my bag with ease.
I can make the whip just about any length up to about 3 feet so I may offer that to be custom ordered.
I am off to the shop to redesign the focus clips and with luck get something cut either today or tomorrow.

Thanks Larry,

Looking forward to seeing the product. I keep my camera in a Pelican 1620 hard case and if it fits I would probably never take the focus puller off as long as it doesn't hinder hand held usage. But if it only takes 1 minute to set up I don't think having to remove it would be an issue.

-Garrett

There seems to be plenty of interest...
is there a roll-out date yet?

I am working like a dog on it but it is still a week or so away. After the shooting I did on the weekend and the feedback I got from a couple of pro's I've decided to redesign the focus clips. My machinist has to clear his plate today and tomorrow so that he can get the clips built on Saturday. If that ends up to be the final version, I will be sending out some units to a couple of shooters next week. If all feedback is good, I will waste no time in getting the first batch built and out the door.

I have a second product that I am working on while I am waiting for the clips which I hope will be ready at the same time as the focus assist. More on that soon.

Larry

YES to Q #1,
No to Q #2,
Maybe to Q #3