Birger Lens Mount Reservations

[Frazier Nivens]

New Information on our mounts

New Information on our mounts

There are not going to be any more mounts shipped out until Thursday 4 December. We will have mechanical parts that ensure collimation on all cameras at that time. I am in the process of winding down my week, before the holiday, and by saturday afternoon do expect to have a customer email out to give a full update on status. Lauri, I do appologize to you, and about six others, that received tracking numbers, but will not receive their mounts just yet.

Hello and Good Morning,

Erik,

Hope that you had a great holiday, can you please give us a update on if you think you will ship out the mounts for those that received FEDEX tracking numbers by Dec. 4th?? Will that tracking number still be used or will you issue another??

I didn't get an email from you by that Sat. afternoon regarding the status on what was happening with shipment.

Thanks in advance for keeping us up to date.

Best,
Frazier Nivens, Ocean Imaging

 

[Martin Weiss]

Andy just said that he won´t be shipping mounts yet. Sigh.

And I didn´t get that Saturday e-mail either. Wisely, I had even forgotten about it until Frazier mentioned that.

Well, well, back to the old routine... Nikon while Contax is gathering more dust...

 

[Martin Weiss]

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..

Nothing much has happened in delivery terms.

But - good progress on the knob front. And a first version of the focus software for the Mac has been releasesd. Have a look at the Alternative mount overview sticky. I'll post important developments there.

 

[Erik Widding]

Back from the thanksgiving holiday. Thank you for allowing me this time to refresh.

I spoke with the machine shop today, and 150 camera adapters, that fix the collimation problem, are currently in process. They are running a three machine cell, so these parts start rolling off the line, soon after they start. The first unplated part should be here tomorrow, and plated parts by Friday.

I last spoke with Curt at ViewFactor yesterday. They are scheduled to send a production Impero with Beta Birger software for arrival tomorrow. The missing part of that software is the radio pairing, which has already been architected, and is about one day of work. The current software works tethered to the mount. Software updates to the Impero and the mount will be done over bluetooth from the PC and MAC apps, with the two units tethered.

Ken thinks the PC app will be every bit as cool (functional) as the MAC app shortly. He said Monday is a good target for a Beta candidate, and maybe a release.

We should start shipping on Monday, with volume growing through the week. We have a large number of lens mounts ready to go, but will need to assemble and test the camera adapters before we can ship them out.

 

[LEON]

Welcome back !

 

[Gregory Leno]

Thanks Eric,

It really does help to know what is going on. Not just for our psyche, but for planning as well.

Greg

 

[Paolo Tinari]

Planning?

 

[David Nardini]

Back from the thanksgiving holiday. Thank you for allowing me this time to refresh.

I spoke with the machine shop today, and 150 camera adapters, that fix the collimation problem, are currently in process. They are running a three machine cell, so these parts start rolling off the line, soon after they start. The first unplated part should be here tomorrow, and plated parts by Friday.

I last spoke with Curt at ViewFactor yesterday. They are scheduled to send a production Impero with Beta Birger software for arrival tomorrow. The missing part of that software is the radio pairing, which has already been architected, and is about one day of work. The current software works tethered to the mount. Software updates to the Impero and the mount will be done over bluetooth from the PC and MAC apps, with the two units tethered.

Ken thinks the PC app will be every bit as cool (functional) as the MAC app shortly. He said Monday is a good target for a Beta candidate, and maybe a release.

We should start shipping on Monday, with volume growing through the week. We have a large number of lens mounts ready to go, but will need to assemble and test the camera adapters before we can ship them out.

Will Mk1 units that have shipped & with customers get upgraded ? Will you be advising of the process ?
The screen grab (Mk2) seems to suggest the rear contact surface of the mount to have a much wider 'base' ... is the collimation 'thread' round the front now ? Looking forward to a few close up pictures of the finished article :usd:

With Viewfactor doing the controls now, what's happened about the pot-only-controls (Aqua ?) ? Erik ?

Cheers ...

 

[Gregory Leno]

Planning?

Your messing with my fantasy. Stop it! :sarcasm:

 

[Erik Widding]

Will Mk1 units that have shipped & with customers get upgraded ? Will you be advising of the process ?

Yes to the upgrade, and it will probably happen either when that customer's Impero is available, or faster than that if there is a collimation problem.

The screen grab (Mk2) seems to suggest the rear contact surface of the mount to have a much wider 'base' ... is the collimation 'thread' round the front now ?

The part is remarkably similar to the old one. Screen cap only shows one of two parts, and the thread is "cosmetic" rather than an actual helix in the solid model. From the outside, the part has an extra groove, so as not to interfere with a feature on the camera, and it is 0.5mm thinner to ensure that there is no further issue with collimation. It is nice to be able to go too far with the collimation adjustment, just to be sure that a best setting has really been achieved.

With Viewfactor doing the controls now, what's happened about the pot-only-controls (Aqua ?) ? Erik ?

Aqua is on top of this.

 

[Stephen Pruitt]

Okay. . . I'm suddenly confused. Has Birger abandoned producing a wireless knob controller? That is, are they planning on using only the View Factor unit?

Stephen

 

[Vince Arvidson]

Image Stabilization

Image Stabilization

Wondering if anyone with a mount has tried a lens with image stabilization and what the results have been?

I'm looking at the 70-200 L and wondering if its worth the extra money for the IS version, or conversely if the IS causes problems with video and should be avoided?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Vince

 

[Jim Hoffman]

Wondering if anyone with a mount has tried a lens with image stabilization and what the results have been?

I'm looking at the 70-200 L and wondering if its worth the extra money for the IS version, or conversely if the IS causes problems with video and should be avoided?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Vince

As a side note if you have a Canon DSLR you're using the lens with, or plan to, the IS is well worth the $$$ - and there is a switch to deactivate it on the lens so while I haven't tested it I can't image that being an issue. Anybody?

 

[Ivan Cortazar]

Okay. . . I'm suddenly confused. Has Birger abandoned producing a wireless knob controller? That is, are they planning on using only the View Factor unit?

Stephen

You can't leave the Birger forum without checking for a while... then you miss important news! Just kidding. :w00t:

Birger announced I think a week ago that he will be delivering the View Factor knob at no extra cost and focus on the mounts instead of trying to compete with an already great product. But this is my broken english interpretation... you can find his exact words going through this endless forum..

 

[Gregory Leno]

Okay. . . I'm suddenly confused. Has Birger abandoned producing a wireless knob controller? That is, are they planning on using only the View Factor unit?

Stephen

And here's Eric...

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.

 

[Michael Hastings]

Image stabilization works and can be useful.

Image stabilization works and can be useful.

Wondering if anyone with a mount has tried a lens with image stabilization and what the results have been?

I'm looking at the 70-200 L and wondering if its worth the extra money for the IS version, or conversely if the IS causes problems with video and should be avoided?

Any advice would be appreciated.

Vince

I would go ahead and get it. I did some minimal testing a while back and it seemed to work pretty well.

As said before, it can be turned off.

Also, it does make a big difference with still photos as you can usually handhold at 2 to 3 stops slower shutter speeds. I have the EF-S 17-55 IS f2.8 which is basically built to L specs and works very well. I bought it rather than the 24-70 specifically because it has IS and works with the RED sensor size which is about identical to APS-C.

70-200 IS is a great lens.

 

[MikeHedge]

Here shooting in China and now in Thailand.... we are shooting on all Canon glass. the 17-55 f 2.8 IS is genius. works great love it. the 70-300 4.5-5-6 IS is genius works great.

you hit the middle button on the birger. then the top and bottom together. bam the IS is on. works great!.... copying the behind the scenes photos from China right now...

We tested the 85 f 1.8 no luck. but my new 50 f 1.2 and 24 f1.4 L lenses are so awesome.

 

[Vincent Thomas]

Mike have you shoot with Nikon lens before or Zeiss ZF lens, how will you compare?

Is th Bigger mount easy and smooth to use?
Sorry if it's has been asked before but is the issue with lens like the 85mm 1.2 are going to be fixed?

Merci

vincent*

 

[lonny dill]

Canon EF 85mm F/1.2L II and Zacuto Donut

Canon EF 85mm F/1.2L II and Zacuto Donut

The Canon EF 85mm F/1.2L II is an amazing lens. If your considering getting one, here are a few things to think about. Manual focus on the lens cannot be adjusted on the lens itself, the focus ring spins freely and does nothing. Until the knobs start shipping, focus and iris may only be controlled via the Birger software. I recommend that everyone try shooting tethered at least once to experience how it allows a separate operator to pull focus and ride iris as necessary while your camera operator can concentrate on framing. IMORTANT: Please take care to choose your matte box wisely. As the Birger software powers up the lens, the internal motors drive the lens longer and shorter. If your matte box is fixed and stacked with filters, the lens may push into the filter and jam. We came up with a great solution which puts minimal strain on the lens by using a Crozeil box and a fabric reducer ring(donut) manufactured by zacuto. This donut works great for any lens. The canon lenses come in many different diameters, some of the L-series are 72mm dia and some are 77mm. The donut lets you switch lenses quick and safe without having to mess around with different size reducer rings.
Happy Shooting

http://store.zacuto.com/universal-donut.html

 

[MikeHedge]

the birger is like shooting with any Canon DSLR on manual focus... (til the Impero follow focus launches)

I have used a D70 a couple times. I know people who shoot professionally on the Nikon D3 and like.... never really liked the lenses on Nikons turning the wrong way than I´m used to... Zeiss on a still camera? no. Zeiss on the Nikon mount? ask Clay Haskell. He has some. but he did not bring them out to BM....

Zeiss master speeds and ultra speeds Macgregor has at redlab in Madrid. We shot the stuff in the Nevada dust flats with them....

I love my Canon glass and the Birger has let me shoot with the full/same set I have been shooting with for all my still photo work.... I now have a full set of NDs and the very important IR cut filters.

love to everyone.
anyone have some PL glass and some comparable canon glass with there Birger? anyone want to shoot a comparison? I will hopefully be in bangkok in a few days...