Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

Viewfactor Studios refund info, and a review of the Impero/Inclino

I said exactly what I saw, nothing more, nothing less. Then I said I'd be hesitant to give to a 1st AC. Interpret it as you will. You and Miltos feel that way because I picked up my check that day, so you feel it's a parting shot. I would have written a more detailed review back in May, except when I made an arrangement to test the device and drove up to Valencia, Curt had "just left" for a BBQ.

Kind of like the way Curt said that I said it takes 10 seconds to calibrate a BFD, when in fact I said 20, he tends to exaggerate a bit.
 
"Kind of like the way Curt said that I said it takes 10 seconds to calibrate a BFD, when in fact I said 20, he tends to exaggerate a bit."

I forgot to finish my thought... I was referring to how I was with the device for far more than the 1 minute Curt says I was.
 
I have an Impero/Birger combo on my Red, and I love it. It's not perfect, but I don't expect perfect from cottage industry tools at these price points. It allows me to run prime lenses that I can afford to own, and it allowed me to use a first time focus puller on my feature shoot with great results.

Those who have never built anything for the marketplace really do not appreciate how difficult it is. I built a prototype lens controller for the Birger ef-232 back when it was just a manufacturing industry product. It consisted of a Basic Stamp computer, rotary encoder, a few op-amps, a 4x40 display, and a whole lot of time. The Impero is a lot simpler and is a packaged solution that's ready to go.

On top of actually making something and bringing it to market you have to run a business. You have to do the market research, create the business plan, raise the capital, sign the contracts, balance the various accounts, etc., etc... It is one thing to be a cog in someone else's machine, its another to be the person who puts the machine together.

BTW: I've never conversed with Curt, but I have with Luis, and I can say that Dominic's POV is way off base.

Bob
 
Alex Kornreich said:
"Kind of like the way Curt said that I said it takes 10 seconds to calibrate a BFD, when in fact I said 20, he tends to exaggerate a bit."

I forgot to finish my thought... I was referring to how I was with the device for far more than the 1 minute Curt says I was.
Click to expand...

Then I suppose we can all agree to disagree.. Like THAT never happens...

:001_rolleyes:

It's not THAT serious of an issue.. But I'm glad I was able to air my complaints.

Thanks for listening / reading everyone!

Jay
 
Jay, your point is well taken.

At least I admitted Curt is 15 times as smart as I am!
 
I have both systems.

The Bartech is obviously tried and true, but students and 1st time AC's have issues with remembering to reset the lens limits when swapping lenses, so often times the receiver is flipped on and the motor engages, spinning the lens into its hard stops, leaving potential for damage. Regarding reliability though, I have used the system in freezing cold temperatures, blasting winds, inside of airplanes, and over one hundred feet away flawlessly.

The Bartech may lack the features of the Impero, but true AC's will tell you that their job is tremendously dependent on instinctually judging feel, distance, and speed. The Bartech controller's hard stops are crucial for those precise moments because they allow the AC to remain conscious of where they lie on the lens with respect their wheel (or controller). The Bartech is like a point and shoot solution; you turn it on and it goes. I can set it up in seconds, and it did not take me days of experience. Maybe one or two lens swaps to memorize. They are trying to offer a solid solution to a manual follow focus.

As for the VF, Curt has decided to create a device with the advanced feature sets of Arri, C-Motion, or Preston into an affordable package (a tremendous feat within itself). The Impero is a very impressive device. For rentals or students, it is a system that guarantees no physical damage due to misuse or inexperience with calibration. Turn the unit on. Align your wheel with a pre-made mark (your zeroed value). Hold the CAL button. Wait 10 seconds. Then mark your End points.

Curt has unfortunately dealt with the hardships of having a beta product. My unit originally had sync issues, poor lens control, and lacked all of the additional features that were advertised with the package (and present on the controller). However, with every firmware update, the system has come significantly closer to being a real performer. I have used the system with aerials (hardwired and briefly wireless), as well as a few smaller productions. Hearing about the new features in the latest firmware is also great. When I first received the system though, I had to spend a few hours just uploading firmware (part of which was for the Birger mount), and making sure that I was conducting the proper updates. This would be a major put-off for certain users. It should also be noted that the 3 axis Impero is really more of a control for electronic lenses settings rather than an actual 3 axis system for field use. Basically, you can't use the Impero mid-take for Iris, Zoom, and Focus control. You can only pick one because the wheel's existing position for one axis will instantly affect one of the other axis' once selected. I hope that makes sense.

The VF system can be a real game changer for AC's willing to work with the package. The Canon lens advantage is obvious to those users. My steadicam work now allows for a motor-less remote system with lenses weighing a fraction of what my PL glass does. Even the zooms are quite manageable (breathing is another story). As the lens library grows, that too will be a major option for EF owners.

I think that the best approach is to rent or borrow the system to see if it fits you. Users need to approach it with the mind set that it was built for a certain market. Likewise, staunch supporters need to be realistic in the fact that there are particular crowds that may have issues with using the VF products in high dollar feature films and critical productions. Those are users that are familiar with the tried and true systems that saw their Beta stages during R&D. That is not to say that firmware may make the VF a more viable option, but currently it is not quite there. I am sure that Curt will put the time and money into improving the system, which appears to be namely awaiting software tuning.
 
Let me restate that I have nothing against VF products. Abel sells the Origo and expects to sell the other devices once they are finished and Curt gets through his backorders. There were a couple of comments made about other products that Abel also sells. I felt these were inaccurate and it is my job to make sure that the accurate information gets out there. Nothing negative was stated about VF and none was ever intended.
 
It's all good Mitch.. Personally I think Jarred should point to this thread (At least so far) as a good example of people who have a disagreement, air their opinions, and all the while keep enough respect and civility to keep things under control

Then rather than going on and on beating a dead horse, everyone kind of says "Ok we've talked this out, let's move on" and that's it....

It's how I WISH the internet would be.

Jay
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top