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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Tilta Nano

Björn Benckert

Björn Benckert

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Anyone else using these?

https://tilta.com/shop/nucleus-nano-wireless-lens-control-system-open-box/?aff=43

I bought 3 of them as we need some small FF´s for a production. I offcourse managed to over voltage one of the focus nobs the first thing I did by feeding it the 12v dTap to usb cable, a smell of fried electronics and it was dead. So yes, will try not to do that with the other ones and talked to Tilta about it and it sounds like they Will send a replacement.

Also waiting for the start stop cable for both DSMC2 and the komodo, anyone using that cable together with the VAXIS TX500 and vertical battery? seams tight, no?

https://tilta.com/shop/nucleus-nano-run-stop-cables/aff=43

As we will be traveling I figure check here if there is any known issues except for feeding the focus knobs with 12V that I should know about? Trying to test them here at the office and they seam more than strong enough if they run of the Dtap and the range feels really good, callibrates fast etc and absolutely no lag or play in the focus gear. Batteries seams to last quite long etc.
All tips and hits are welcome.

Untitled by Björn Benckert, on Flickr
 
I actually really dig the Nano; it's hard to criticize such a complete wireless focus kit that's only ~$229 USD. Very simple/quick/easy to operate and surprisingly capable when you feed the motor 12v with more than adequate range.

I have mine paired with the NPF version of the Titla Focus Handle (with ARRI Rosette). I think it's 8v out of the handle's USB (so not the full 12v), but for still/modern cine lenses it's perfect. Definitely an incredibly tight little set-up that allows for three solid points of contact when going handheld (both hands on handles, and then on the shoulder or cradled in the arm... sometimes use an EVF for a fourth point).

My only knocks against the handle are that it's not strong enough alone to hold heavier rigs and its side-specific mounting. Ironically, you can flip the Rosette mount to the other side, but the USB port used to control the focus motor gets covered by your hand/grip. It would be such an easy thing to fix/design around, but I think it's a bit of a cash grab for Tilta (as you end up having to buy Left and Right handles if you want either side). OH, I also dislike that the mounting point is on the bottom of the handle, but that's a bit subjective.

...I'll try to get a pic to post.
 
I quite like the Tilta Nano-- though it only became a good solution for me once I was able to get a d-tap cable for the motor. But the control unit batteries indeed last a long time, it's generally easy to calibrate, and the small size is perfect. Most of my complaints are about non-standard mounting points, so that you can to frankenstein something together to put the control knob where you want it-- but that's usually not an issue since it's usually handed off to an AC and not mounted on the camera. (Still, would be nice if it could easily be attached to a lanyard so that it could hang around one's neck or on a stand.) I also wish it had a "lock" button.

There have been occasions where it just totally stops working for mysterious reasons, and a reboot doesn't fix the problem, so I always bring along a manual follow focus (an Arri FF-2 with a whip) as well. I'd say it's 90% reliable.
 
This :emote_headwall:

There have been occasions where it just totally stops working for mysterious reasons, and a reboot doesn't fix the problem, so I always bring along a manual follow focus (an Arri FF-2 with a whip) as well. I'd say it's 90% reliable.[/QUOTE]
 
Not exactly the same, but I owned 2 Tilta Nucleus units. Had to sell them cause they were unreliable on more than a handful of occasions. Mostly disconnect issues even with AC in the same room, but also some weird bugs in the system, slow response etc. Maybe the Nano doesn't have the same issues, maybe a firmware update fixed this with Tilta, but that was a no go for me.
 
All the weird little bugs and glitches seem to show up as my battery in the hand unit drains. I don't use my nano a whole lot, mainly as a back up or super low budget productions, but when I do, I just make sure I have 8 fully charged batteries to swap out throughout the day. It's funny because the hand unit can last nearly a whole day on just a couple batteries... but popping in a fresh battery always takes care of the bugs for me..... hah.
 
Cameron Currier said:
All the weird little bugs and glitches seem to show up as my battery in the hand unit drains. I don't use my nano a whole lot, mainly as a back up or super low budget productions, but when I do, I just make sure I have 8 fully charged batteries to swap out throughout the day. It's funny because the hand unit can last nearly a whole day on just a couple batteries... but popping in a fresh battery always takes care of the bugs for me..... hah.
Click to expand...

Thats good to know.

As I fried the first hand unit by feeding it I think too much power through the 5v USB port. I contacted tilta that said they will send me a new unit. But they also said the USB port on the hand unit was not for charging or powering, but only for grading the firmware... Which sounds odd. I mean it say 5.0v next to the port and yes if you feed it usb power without a battery it runs...

But does anyone charge it that way or just use the battery charge / does it take charge in that port at all?
 
I've seen several people power their unit through the USB on the internet, and I think it works until it doesn't. Do it at your own risk, and Tilta is frequently reminding everyone not to.
 
Cameron Currier said:
I've seen several people power their unit through the USB on the internet, and I think it works until it doesn't. Do it at your own risk, and Tilta is frequently reminding everyone not to.
Click to expand...

Thanks, yes will not power with usb then.

Got the trigger cable for both komodo and dscm2 now. If nothing else the nano is a pretty low cost wireless trigger in comparison, and yes it also comes with a little focus motor and hand wheel. :)
https://vimeo.com/646190548
 
Anyone that actually have their nano triggering DSMC2 or Komodo and know the settings needed in camera, mine worked before now I cant make em work.
 
DSMC2, check..... both REC and focus work fine. Komodo, you can REC and no focus or focus and no REC depending on which cable you use. I also have the advanced side handle same deal.....I'm waiting on the next build.......
 
Mestizo Devon said:
DSMC2, check..... both REC and focus work fine. Komodo, you can REC and no focus or focus and no REC depending on which cable you use. I also have the advanced side handle same deal.....I'm waiting on the next build.......
Click to expand...

What do you mean "no focus"? Focus does not have anything to do with the control cable going from the motor to camera. Focus works as long as the motor and hand wheel is powered.

I know I got the right cable for komodo, or atleast it worked before, then I think after an update the function just ended to work. So then I looked in the Komodo menu, as I remember there was a setting that needed to be changed, that setting is not around any more as I understand. Please oorrect me if I´m wrong.
 
Björn Benckert said:
What do you mean "no focus"? Focus does not have anything to do with the control cable going from the motor to camera. Focus works as long as the motor and hand wheel is powered.

I know I got the right cable for komodo, or atleast it worked before, then I think after an update the function just ended to work. So then I looked in the Komodo menu, as I remember there was a setting that needed to be changed, that setting is not around any more as I understand. Please oorrect me if I´m wrong.
Click to expand...

Correct, focus is controlled differently... The settings are different, yet RED has stated nothing changed..... Still waiting to see if firmware makes a difference....
 
Björn, I know it won't help much fixing the problem for you but the Komodo doesn't need any special setting for this triggering REC through the ext port. I'm using the same cable since the first Komodo firmware version (1.3) and just right now used it again with firmware 1.6 and it starts/stops rec just fine.
The only time where it didn't work properly for me was with the PortKeys BM5 III WR monitor connected but that was solved with an update from PortKeys.

FWIW, there was no menu taken away since the first firmware, only things added or name-changed. Changes from 1.3 to 1.6:

PROJECT SETTINGS:
Added Timelapse, Frame Limit

MONITORING:
LCD: added Magnify, Prism Finder Mode

MEDIA:
Media Info: added Status, Model Number, Serial Number, Firmware Version, Capacity, Available, Time Remaining

COMMUNICATION:
Replaced "Link" with "komodo Link Adaptor", added FTPS

SYSTEM SETTINGS:
Indicators: added Enable Sound, Rec Start Sound, Rec Stop Sound
Added "GPO Function"
 
Alex Zeder said:
Björn, I know it won't help much fixing the problem for you but the Komodo doesn't need any special setting for this triggering REC through the ext port. I'm using the same cable since the first Komodo firmware version (1.3) and just right now used it again with firmware 1.6 and it starts/stops rec just fine.
The only time where it didn't work properly for me was with the PortKeys BM5 III WR monitor connected but that was solved with an update from PortKeys.

FWIW, there was no menu taken away since the first firmware, only things added or name-changed. Changes from 1.3 to 1.6:

PROJECT SETTINGS:
Added Timelapse, Frame Limit

MONITORING:
LCD: added Magnify, Prism Finder Mode

MEDIA:
Media Info: added Status, Model Number, Serial Number, Firmware Version, Capacity, Available, Time Remaining

COMMUNICATION:
Replaced "Link" with "komodo Link Adaptor", added FTPS

SYSTEM SETTINGS:
Indicators: added Enable Sound, Rec Start Sound, Rec Stop Sound
Added "GPO Function"
Click to expand...

Odd.
I got two nanos and none of them work, not on monstro or komodo in the sense of rec triggering. And I must been daydreaming then as I clearly remember going into a menu on komodo and change something like GPIO or such and it started to work. Then after upgrading the camera I cant make it work any more but yes, must be some odd coincident.
 
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