Recommended Slow Zoom Lense Control for RED?

[Greg Voevodsky]

What are your favorite and affordable zoom controllers that will work with RED's zoom and Nikon Zooms?

Also, if you have any weblinks and prices that would be great. I assume it will easily mount to the red rail.

[Brook Willard]

EFP/ENG [rocker switch] or cine style?

[Greg Voevodsky]

Either, as long as it works. I didn't know there was a eng style since I thought most ENG zoom lenses come with powered zooms.

[Andrew M.]

Brook, most of the lenses control I have seen, are modular and you mount them to the rails going right under the lenses. Then, some controls/rocker switches are wireless and some cable attached with the handle look alike.
I presume you can somehow install this handle instead of RED front handle?
Also do we have handles that can control two? Three actuators/motors on one handle?
Would be nice to install right handle that can control zoom/focus/aperture.
If not then if there is double control handle we could install the right one that controls zoom and focus and left (the single control one) that controls aperture.

Is that correct understanding?

Also if someone could come up (if it is not already there) with the mount around the lenses that will allow to install all three or two actuators directly on the lenses itself with some convenient horizontal handle where you could put your hand in to.

This gizmo will convert any medium size 35mm zoom lenses in to the ENG type of setup. Otherwise we are stuck with B4 type of broadcast lenses covering only tiny sensor size of ~9x5mm or we have to use pair of rods (rails) all the way under the lenses.

[donatello b]

microforce zoom controller with hyden motor for cine lenses

[Anders Holck]

Well, there is of course the Preston Microforce package.

Jim bartell has the BUZ.
Basically a small box that interfaces between a normal broadcast zoom grip and a zoom servo like the Heden M26T or the SPF ZMG-6.
Price is $1050, which includes the main box, all cables and a small Varizoom VZ grip. The servo is extra though.

[Andrew M.]

I can’t find SPF website for zoom motor
Controller is here.
http://webpages.charter.net/bartech/buz.html
And how do you mount this one if we want to mount right on the lenses?
http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=10923&cat=0&page=1
There is any adjustable ring/clamp out there?

Is this the one?
http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=10752&cat=303&page=1

[Andrew M.]

Let’s say we want to motorize this lenses without using the rails support of RED going all the way to the front of the lenses. Just long enough rails to hold batteries/RED DISK and main body of the camera with on shoulder support only.
http://www.cookeoptics.com/cooke.nsf/secondary/cxxzoom
Now if we can clamp around some zoom/focus motors holder in the mid section of this lenses (two motors assemblies pointing gears backward and one forward) we could have some nice tight small motorizing solution for this lenses.
PL mount is strong enough to hold 20lb lenses so it will be strong enough to have our hand supporting the whole front of the camera there I think.
Like in the standard ENG lenses where there is the camera handle with zoom rocker switch on it, attached to the lenses itself.
Some zoom lenses will lend itself more or less for such a solution.
In general some lenses with mid or back section that do not turn and is connected directly to the PL mount will be the best.

[Andrew M.]

I found it!!
And it is how zoom motor looks like, mounted directly on the lenses.
I presume we can mount all three motors like this.
We don't need the carry handle, this one comes with RED.

http://web.mac.com/mattyquinn/iWeb/DuclosLenses/Optimo%20Acc..html
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/466240/3193
http://www.maniosoptical.com/OptimoBrochure.pdf
http://www.smsprod.com/products/lenses/preston.html
Almost off the shelf ENG lenses with PL mount and 35mm format.

[Brainstorm]

I found it!!
And it is how zoom motor looks like, mounted directly on the lenses.
I presume we can mount all three motors like this.
We don't need the carry handle, this one comes with RED.

http://web.mac.com/mattyquinn/iWeb/DuclosLenses/Optimo%20Acc..html
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/466240/3193
Almost off the shelf ENG lenses with PL mount and 35mm format.

Excellent find Andrew!

[Andrew M.]

I was looking for it since some time.
Guys were telling me that it is not a big deal to do it this way.
I guess some guys did see a lot out there.
This opens the ENG and broadcast market for RED on full S35 sensor size before the RED will come up with some ENG lenses supporting full 4K Misterium format.

[Andrew Benz]

I found it!!
And it is how zoom motor looks like, mounted directly on the lenses.
I presume we can mount all three motors like this.
We don't need the carry handle, this one comes with RED.

http://web.mac.com/mattyquinn/iWeb/DuclosLenses/Optimo%20Acc..html
http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/466240/3193
http://www.maniosoptical.com/OptimoBrochure.pdf
http://www.smsprod.com/products/lenses/preston.html
Almost off the shelf ENG lenses with PL mount and 35mm format.

Hey Andrew although I have not checked these out yet, thanks for coming up with more options.

[Anders Holck]

No, I don't know who makes them. Haven't used them either.
Mk-v in the UK sells them though:
http://mk-v.co.uk/images/focus/focus_motor01_640.jpg
It's £1,325.

[Brook Willard]

Don't forget that Curt [CVB] is supposedly introducing a focus device at NAB...

[Andrew M.]

No, I don't know who makes them. Haven't used them either.
Mk-v in the UK sells them though:

It's £1,325.

Thanks! Anders.

[steevo435]

That is a sweet motor kit. I looked on thier site and it looks like that $1325 euro is just for one motor.
As far as the Angenieux Optimo goes, the motor bracket comes seperate from the lens. Kish makes one, so does Oppenheimer. The Heden motor shown is about the same price as the MK-V.
The 15-40 was designed for HH use, the 17-80 is not. You really don't want to dangle 11 lbs off the front of any camera without using support rods and a lens support cross member...if it's well supported and you have a good shoulder pad, grips and a strong back, then go for it!

[steevo435]

Also, swings arms if you have to use rods...

http://www.prestoncinema.com/products_FIZ-HU3_b.html

[Andrew M.]

That is a sweet motor kit. I looked on thier site and it looks like that $1325 euro is just for one motor.
As far as the Angenieux Optimo goes, the motor bracket comes seperate from the lens. Kish makes one, so does Oppenheimer. The Heden motor shown is about the same price as the MK-V.
The 15-40 was designed for HH use, the 17-80 is not. You really don't want to dangle 11 lbs off the front of any camera without using support rods and a lens support cross member...if it's well supported and you have a good shoulder pad, grips and a strong back, then go for it!

Yes, 15-40 is 4lbs looks good but it is also expensive.
And for 4K wide angle format it is not very wide as well.

What is RED ZOOM weight? Any idea?

[Priyesh P.]

Hey CvB,

anything new to share with us about your inclino LCS ?

[CVB]

More info at NAB.. Just remember, never buy toys for yourself before Christmas :)

[steevo435]

Yes, 15-40 is 4lbs looks good but it is also expensive.
And for 4K wide angle format it is not very wide as well.

What is RED ZOOM weight? Any idea?

Any wider and you'll have to go primes. The widest in S35 format (roughly same size as RED's 28mm diagonal) is the Zeiss Ultra 8R...

http://www.arri.com/infodown/cam/broch/up_8r.pdf

[Andrew M.]

More info at NAB.. Just remember, never buy toys for yourself before Christmas :)

Curt, but at minimum is this on the lenses or off the lenses support?
Or it has nothing to do with mechanics of driving the lenses?

You posted the picture on DVX can you post it here as well?

[steevo435]

More info at NAB.. Just remember, never buy toys for yourself before Christmas :)
Curt-
Wow, that is one badazz lookin' rig, man. Wish I'd thought of it first.:turned:

[CVB]

Thanks Steevo. Its 4 years in the making and its finally something that we are very proud of. We are planning on making a whole line of affordable equipment, including tripods and lighting etc. We figured that if we tackle the most complicated and difficult products first :)

Andrew.. the design that I posted on DVX used matte box rails for support. We will give you guys plenty of info and pics in a couple weeks.

-Curt

[Andrew M.]

Andrew.. the design that I posted on DVX used matte box rails for support. We will give you guys plenty of info and pics in a couple weeks.

-Curt

Thanks! Curt.

I am giving up on independent (of RED) run&gun configuration.
I guess I will go to the gym more often and all will be OK.
Are you taking early prepaid reservations for low serial numbers?

Just so we can visualize see below……….

[Curran Giddens]

That is my dream setup on the right. Put that on the VF Mirus MoCo head with VF sticks on a VF MoCo dolly.

[Andrew M.]

That is my dream setup on the right. Put that on the VF Mirus MoCo head with VF sticks on a VF MoCo dolly.

You mean this?
Same source as BMF F/I/Z control

[CVB]

The unit that we will be showing at NAB is like the pictures above.. here's a couple quick shots of what the production units will look like. We reduced overall height by .75" and the width by 1". The production units that we will be taking pre-orders for at NAB will have record and repeat as well as time lapse, stop motion and import/export of all moco data. I'll post a lot more info on everything when NAB rolls around, we're just a little busy here :)

http://viewfactorstudios.com/images/MIRUS_CLEAN_FRONT.jpg
http://viewfactorstudios.com/images/MIRUS_CLEAN_ISO.jpg

[Andrew M.]

The production units that we will be taking pre-orders for at NAB will have record and repeat as well as time lapse, stop motion and import/export of all moco data.

Curt, this is real kick ass solution. I did read last year threads posted during the creation of this product. Kind of mini RED process. Lots of customer input went in to it?

If you guys come up with something for RED ZOOM, light version of motors, rocker mount, it will be a dream.
Great job!

[steevo435]

I am giving up on independent (of RED) run&gun configuration.
I guess I will go to the gym more often and all will be OK.
Are you taking early prepaid reservations for low serial numbers?

Just so we can visualize see below……….

That pic on the left shows a pretty sweet config....I like it! The camera is only 8 lbs, for craps sake...at least half of a digibeta or f900. Man up and sling that thing on your shoulder! :clown2: Attach a Heden motor to a short zoom (the rods are already on there), and replace the right pistol grip with a Microforce and that's as ENG as you get with a camera like this.

[Brook Willard]

RED zoom weight goal is under 7lbs.

[Andrew M.]

RED zoom weight goal is under 7lbs.

Brook, do you think 7Lbs lenses are bit to heavy to leave it there without support from rails?
I think we do end up with 30Lbs minimum, for run&gun configuration.
Alternatively if Birger Engineering will come up with the control box for theirs Canon adapter that will interface with the off the shelf rocker Z/I/F switch, this will make it very light weight solution.
Canon is coming with a few new lenses for it’s Ds III 22MP camera to be released this year, so we can expect some new sharp good quality lenses from them.

[Brook Willard]

Nah, I don't expect it to require support. That 7lb figure may even have been born in my mind now that I think about it... I know they're classifying it as a lightweight zoom. What that means may still be up in the air.

But it will be suitable for handheld operation.

ENG/EFP use? Well... not my area of expertise.

[LighthouseMEdia]

Curt what is your booth #?
I'd like to interview you guys and your solutions at NAB for FreshDV.vom

[Finner]

Nah, I don't expect it to require support. That 7lb figure may even have been born in my mind now that I think about it... I know they're classifying it as a lightweight zoom. What that means may still be up in the air.

But it will be suitable for handheld operation.

ENG/EFP use? Well... not my area of expertise.

I think I remember something said around the 7lb range for the zoom brook so I dont think you are making it up yourself. I would want a bridge plate support for it though.

[Brook Willard]

Ok, good, I was getting nervous about myself.

As for the bridge plate support, I suppose that depends on just how "tank-like" the body ends up...

[CVB]

Curt what is your booth #?
I'd like to interview you guys and your solutions at NAB for FreshDV.vom

Kendal, we're at booth C8107. Come by anytime.

[Finner]

Ok, good, I was getting nervous about myself.

As for the bridge plate support, I suppose that depends on just how "tank-like" the body ends up...

Tank like body does not help with a mount. If a mount has pressure on it and goes out even a little you have problems on your hands, expensive problems. The 7lbs of weight is not that bad but if a dolly grip hits bottom a little hard or an eng guy runs you would want the support bracket.

[Andrew M.]

Actually the extra two rods do not weight much at all and what the difference between 25lbs or 26lbs, if you do not have everything integrated inside the lenses then you have to put rods and motors and controller on it anyway, and then you tend to use heavier lenses anyway.

[Brook Willard]

Tank like body does not help with a mount. If a mount has pressure on it and goes out even a little you have problems on your hands, expensive problems. The 7lbs of weight is not that bad but if a dolly grip hits bottom a little hard or an eng guy runs you would want the support bracket.

Of course, but you know what I was getting at.