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 :)

Arri Wireless focus

J

jonnycom

Banned
Joined
Oct 1, 2008
Messages
438
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I just picked up the new Arri wireless lens control system from Able in LA and it did not come with any cable to start stop the camera. At NAB you were able to run the camera with the remote. Mitch does it come with that cable or do I need to get one? And what one is it? The people at Able LA had no idea as it's so new.

thanks

It's 2:44 Pac time......
 
jonnycom said:
I just picked up the new Arri wireless lens control system from Able in LA and it did not come with any cable to start stop the camera. At NAB you were able to run the camera with the remote. Mitch does it come with that cable or do I need to get one? And what one is it? The people at Able LA had no idea as it's so new.

thanks

It's 2:44 Pac time......
Click to expand...

Yes- the very second one! Send me a PM and i'll take care of the cable.

ARRI
UMC-3A
CLM-3
WCU-3
 
Eric beat me to it. Have fun with your new toy! It's really great.
 
  • Thread starter
  • Banned
  • #5
Eric I sent you a PM.

I love this thing, it saved the day this week when our cranes built in focus system failed.

My only concern is:
Is it OK that after you calibrate it it whips back to it's first position at hypersonic speed, that can't be good for apertures and zooms especially on older lens. A couple of times it whipped back so fast it popped off the focus gears.

Can that be slowed down? Maybe I should read the manual.
 
jonnycom said:
Eric I sent you a PM.

I love this thing, it saved the day this week when our cranes built in focus system failed.

My only concern is:
Is it OK that after you calibrate it it whips back to it's first position at hypersonic speed, that can't be good for apertures and zooms especially on older lens. A couple of times it whipped back so fast it popped off the focus gears.

Can that be slowed down? Maybe I should read the manual.
Click to expand...

Even though this was meant to be a very intuitive system reading the manual may not be such a bad idea :thumbsup:

On the bottom right corner of the WCU-3 handset is a jog wheel. Push this in and it will bring up the first menu screen. Navigate using the jog wheel to the torque adjustment setting for Focus, Iris, and Zoom. 1 is the least powerful and 4 is the highest.

Problem Solved!
 
There have been a few questions about this system on a different thread. I think it appropriate to consolidate the Arri system to this thread, if only for clarity's sake. Let's put questions here and I and (even better) Eric will do our best to answer.
 
Mitch Gross said:
There have been a few questions about this system on a different thread. I think it appropriate to consolidate the Arri system to this thread, if only for clarity's sake. Let's put questions here and I and (even better) Eric will do our best to answer.
Click to expand...

Yes I have a question. Can you with the WCU-3 manually put in lens data? I'm wondering since the RED camera has no LDS system? Reason for me asking is because I initially ordered that system and then was advised to go for WRC-2 + WFU-3, ZMU-3 and so on, since I wanted the possibility to save lens data.

Edit: I mean store lens data for frequent use
 
Not currently, but it is planned in a firmware update. Probably sometime later this year.
 
How does this system compare to the Preston HU3/motors? I've been looking at a Preston for a while now, and for whatever reason, no one seems to talk about the Arri system on the Steadicam board I lurk on...

So, Arri vs Preston? Anyone here use the Arri on a Steadicam?
 
LA is a very Preston-centric town, and there is a very large contingent on the Steadicam Forum from LA. Also the Arri system is brand new so no one knows it yet.

The new Arri motors are the strongest in the business, bar none. One can lower their torque power if they are afraid they are too strong by a simple adjustment using the jog wheel to go through the menu (all navigated via a small LCD display). Very strong, very fast, very easy to use.

Arri decided that if they were really going to compete in this arena then they had to develop a new product that was better than the rest in key features (strength, speed, ease of use) and less expensive than the competition.
 
I like the system very much. It does exactly what it is supposed to do. Be a simple, reliable affordable remote follow focus system with a small footprint.
 
Haven't had the chance to play with the Arri system yet.

Mitch, do you know if the claim about the strength of the Arri motors is still true after the introduction of the DM-1X from Preston (twice the speed and power of the DM-1)?
 
Mitch, that's very encouraging, thank you for the information. I'm looking forward to purchasing my first wireless system this summer, and had been leaning heavily towards the Preston. Now I need to consider the Arri!

I thought I saw someone mention a price for this, but I can't seem to find it now. Anyone?
 
Charles Papert said:
Haven't had the chance to play with the Arri system yet.

Mitch, do you know if the claim about the strength of the Arri motors is still true after the introduction of the DM-1X from Preston (twice the speed and power of the DM-1)?
Click to expand...

Yes, it is true. The Arri motors are the strongest available, bar none.

I've asked Arri to prepare some details in a presentable way. But the specs are the specs.
 
Ryan S said:
Mitch, that's very encouraging, thank you for the information. I'm looking forward to purchasing my first wireless system this summer, and had been leaning heavily towards the Preston. Now I need to consider the Arri!

I thought I saw someone mention a price for this, but I can't seem to find it now. Anyone?
Click to expand...

The two channel system for the RED (including cables and mounting for the RED) was an NAB Special introductory price at around $15,000 from Abel. We still have an excellent price on the system but I'm not sure exactly where it lands. We'll have a price on the three channel system (adding the Zoom to the Focus and Iris) very soon, and I can tell you that it is a killer deal.

One neat feature is that the wireless zoom controller (which looks a lot like a Microforce unit) can be used mounted to the two channel controller or separated from the others. This is a great way to stick the zoom control on the pan arm for the operator or to hand it to the director or DP while the AC remains in control of the focus and iris. And of course one can assign any of the controllers to any part of the lens, so you can give the DP an Iris control to dial up and down on a semi-cloudy day. It is incredibly well thought out and executed. They even designed it to power off inexpensive Sony camcorder batteries. It will start/stop the RED and with future firmware updates will program lens data as well as other nice features. And it works and is available today.
 
I love this thing, we used it on stedicam today with no problems.... When can I get the 3rd channel zoom part? And how much?
 
I think it was Jerrod who handled your sale, correct? Call or email him; we'll have the info shortly.
 
So far we've had it out on 4 gigs and everyone loves it, even the talent in the pic below was interested. Looking forward to getting the zoom part when it's out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top