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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 :)

Birger Lens Mount Reservations

Did I understand right that there is a PC version of the software as well? I'm not being able to find it (but then again, that's likely to be just me...)
 
and for the others non-reservation holders.. how much is the price?..

is there any chance for all this stuff to be compatible w/ epic?..

and about the autofocus feature?
I'm wondering too:

I just got off the phone with Curt at ViewFactor Studios... the Impero is just too well executed for me to consider coming out with a competing product. So, I am pleased to announce, Imperos for everybody. All of our reservation holders (active reservation as of 7PM EST today, not cancelled) will receive an Impero (with no radio, a single marking disk, and a rail mount) for the price of a knob. For those that qualify for a free remote control, we will provide a plug in radio for the Impero that will talk directly to our mount.

Curt already has the Impero working wired with the mount, and in production. We (Birger) are slated to start receiving Impero for development in the coming days/week, and for delivery to our customers in early december. The remaining tasks for Curt are some minor software development that we will support, and for Birger, packaging the Radio that we already use, to plug in to the Impero.

These Imperos will be upgradeable (through ViewFactor) to use their longer range radio and receiver, as well as to control their motors. (i.e. ZOOM! your SLR lenses).

A screen capture for the Mac application is attached. Note the distance readout... also Ken wants you all to know that the Mac app is better than the PC right now. The next version of the PC app will be released soon. Griffin PowerMate knobs offer a great control surface for use with either application. Full documentation of our comm protocol has been prepared, and will be released once a last few edits have been finished. This will allow for integration into custom moco systems. Version 18 of our lens library will be released at that time as well. All of this should be available for download from our website in the coming days.

The problems with collimation unfortunately require new mechanical parts, as it appears once all tolerances are accounted for, we are just slightly off acheiving collimation with about 10% of cameras. We have about 400 sets of mechanical parts running through the machine shop with the changes. We will start receiving these around 1 December.

Sticking pins, 85mm f/1.8 camera reboots, 85mm f/1.2 manual focus, are all either understood and incorporated into a manufacturing and test procedures, or accounted for in our latest library release.

Most mount deliveries will be delayed until the first week in december. We do expect to ship out more mounts over the next couple of days. If you have not received a shipping notice, you will not receive one until 3 December. If you have received a shipping notice, we are working hard to get your mount out in the next few days.

All those customers that already have mounts, or receive mounts this week, will receive a replacement camera adapter, that will fix the potential collimation problems, and have a few other enhancements.

There are some repairs that we need to get out the door, a few tracking numbers are attached to packages that aren't yet ready to go out the door. and some customer communication to get caught up on. We are working hard, and I hope from this post it is clear that we have accomplished some rather substantial feats these past few weeks.

The ViewFactor Impero really is a fantastic product. I am quite pleased that I will be able to focus on lens mounts, rather than trying to develop an accessory that might only be as good as something that is already on the market and very reasonably priced.

More details in the next few days.
 
Setting up bluetooth control

Setting up bluetooth control

Just got back from the studio where I’ve been testing the Birger Mount’s wireless functionality – fantastic! It is the great piece of kit we all hoped it would be.

It is actually very simple to get it working.

I tried it out on two difference Macs with slightly different results.

On my MacBook BEI Device Interface opened with v17 installed so I had to update.

My MacPro opened BEI Device Interface with v18 already installed.

Macbook is rock solid but BEI Device Interface is crashing on the MacPro.

On v17

Birger Device Interface came with V17 installed – iris control was perfect but focus didn’t work properly - whenever I touched the slider the lens remapped and stopped.
I read Muffinny’s post and realised I had to update the software.

Downloading Library - Safari problem

Upgrading to v18 from v17 was complicated by the fact that Safari wasn’t able to down load the updated Library. When I tried to download I got a page of gobbledegook – code?

Successfully Downloaded with Firefox.

Insturctions

Some of my instructions may contradict earlier posts but this worked for me.

1) Enable the Bluetooth Device in System Preferences – Click Bluetooth - follow the setup instructions.

When asked for a Passkey use you Birger No Birgero04***

Device is now paired

2) Open application BEI Device Interface

3) Click Find BEI Device

You’re home if it loads v18

If your are on v17

4 ) Immediately update to v18 (Firefox)

5) “Update Firmware” Navigate to the v18 and open.

V18 installed.

Everything works flawlessly.

Distance Stops enabled the distance calculator – located above of the focus slider.

5) Optional: In the preferences you can check

Automatically search for device when programme is starts.

Collimate Lens is greyed out.

Miscellaneous.

I don’t know what these settings control. I tried switching them until on switching PORT RAD to HIGH I got a “ CONFIGURATION FAULT” on the RED screen.

As to why the BEI Device Interface is crashing on my MacPro I have no idea. I didn’t have time run many test.
 
ET EVF Mount wt Birger wifi

ET EVF Mount wt Birger wifi

I notice that I can't use the Birger antenna with the ET EVF mount. Does anyone know of a way to configure that allows me to use both at the same time?
 
I notice that I can't use the Birger antenna with the ET EVF mount. Does anyone know of a way to configure that allows me to use both at the same time?

We need a right angle connector for the antenna but I do not know the exact name for that part.
 
We need a right angle connector for the antenna but I do not know the exact name for that part.

I think erik said at one point that you could do without the antenna if your controller was close.
 
Birger, Impero and Action Products Steady Cam

Birger, Impero and Action Products Steady Cam

Kurt and Erik you guys rock!!! This is an ideal situation for use with any steady cam rig. We have been shooting all week using our action products steady cam unit, but focus and iris always seem to hold us back. The Impero and Birger will finally allow the lens control we need.
 
BIRGER ANNOUNCEMENTS DEDICATED THREAD ... please ?

BIRGER ANNOUNCEMENTS DEDICATED THREAD ... please ?

It's been posted by Birger on #4352 and #4360, you can download it now.

Hello all ... been out of the loop for a while and completely missed the s/w release news !

Erik : please set up a thread just for the announcements ... so that we do not have to wade through this epic thread to locate the important links (and the IMPORTANT follow ups) ... ? Or you can email the folk you have shipped the mount to :)

Cheers ...

EDIT : connected, upgraded firmware and all seems to be fine ;-)
 
I think erik said at one point that you could do without the antenna if your controller was close.

You can also go ice skating naked but you might get cold, SMILE,
Walkie-talkies also work without antenna but you shorten their range
so why cripple a tool ?
Aquavideo, I read you from day one and admire most of what I read
but not this time, sorry, let's find a solution, are you depressed ?

We don't work with a RED to be satisfied with mediocre solutions !
 
4 days without any post, this must be the new record for Birger thread abstinence :)

Anyway, December 4th is closing in, Erik said he'd ship more mounts then. Jim is to make some crazy (in a positive way) announcements on the 3rd, and Alesniak is supposed to ship the first (non-RED-certified) dumb Canon EOS mounts.
 
I've been off shooting for the last few months (with my Nikon mount) and have completely lost the latest stuff. Can someone update me so i don't have to go through the torture of reading the two months..
 
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