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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

Joel Kaye said:
This is a repeat from another thread - but it's the same issue so:

I can verify the 17-55 F/2.8 EF-S lens focused fine using the original ViewFactor Firmware on the Impero. It is jumpy using Birger firmware v1.8. The 70-200 IS behaves the same. It's OK under the old firmware and jumpy with the latest version. They'll get it figured out at some point.

The Canon 85mm 1.8 can do a slow smooth rack but is jumpy on faster racks on both versions of the firmware.
Click to expand...

OK thanks ... :
a) so what verison is the 'original' Imperio firmware you talk of (and yes, you are right the 70-200/2.8 IS used to work, cannot comment for the 17-55/2.8 IS as I did not have it back then); only 2 quoted on http://www.birger.us/downloads.htm (v1.5 and v1.4).
b) how can I revert to a prior version of Imperio firmware (working from memory the Mac Application takes you to the latest version); ie: what are the steps to install a specific Imerio firmware via the BEI Device Interface ?

PS : I upgraded to v1.8 as the camera when into record mode every time I mounted the 70-200/2.8 IS & get tethered support; however, I have since disconnected the iData cable (since I cannot get lens data) and perhaps going to a prior firmware will help ?

All very messy ...
 
Joel Kaye said:
I can verify the 17-55 F/2.8 EF-S lens focused fine using the original ViewFactor Firmware on the Impero. It is jumpy using Birger firmware v1.8. The 70-200 IS behaves the same. It's OK under the old firmware and jumpy with the latest version.
Click to expand...

Same experience here. Can't use 17-55 with Impero after upgrading to v1.8. I submitted reports a while back and received a reply that they were working on it.
 
Helloooooooo ... anybody at Birger ?

Helloooooooo ... anybody at Birger ?

So, a number of us have reported this ... ANY NEWS on a fix ?

Would be good to know what (?) is happening ... as the BEI Interface application has no facility to restore back to a prior Imperio firmware version ... or at least I cant find where it is ...

Thanks ...
 
David Nardini said:
All very messy ...
Click to expand...

A lot of things related to a RED have been messy for a long time LOL! Everything but the image quality. Try Impero 1.5 and see what happens. You should be able to use the BEI app to change firmware (or not... hell I've never tried - it would be under update). Also there are instructions for a manual firmware update using a terminal application. That will get you to and from any firmware.

Welcome to the bleeding edge.
 
Joel Kaye said:
You should be able to use the BEI app to change firmware
Click to expand...

HOW ?

I can see how to update to a specific lens library, but for the Imperio firmware it's the latest or nothing ... (ie: downloaded 'Impero Controller Application v1.5.ebin' but cannot see a way of pointing to it)
 
I believe where it says update firmware on the bei software, you can point to the impero 1.5 update if you have it. The update firmware button applies to impero or birger updates. You might already know this, but if you didn't just wanted to let you know.
 
M Hsu said:
I believe where it says update firmware on the bei software, you can point to the impero 1.5 update if you have it. The update firmware button applies to impero or birger updates. You might already know this, but if you didn't just wanted to let you know.
Click to expand...

That button (update firmware) is for the mounts Lens Library update, not the Imperio firmware (why is the button label not changed accordingly ... hell knows).

The Imperios firmware can only be updated via the menu item 'Help > Check for updates ...' (assuming you have the Imperio cabled up and powered up while keeping AUTO_1 and AUTO_2 pressed; this puts the Imperio into a state ready for firmware updates). Problem is the BEI Interface app only takes the latest and I cannot see how to point to a prior version (roll back).
Imperio continues to gather dust / paper weight ... very frustrating ...

As soon as Epic lands ... will not be repeting this mistake ...
 
David Nardini said:
No thanks :blink: ... tried that before and could not get passed one of the steps ... and then Birger updated the BEI Interface to keep things simple ... but sadly only one way updates (no going back from a pick list or pointing to an earlier [.ebin]
Click to expand...

M Hsu is right. Click the "Update Firmware" button in the Functions box (main display) and choose the Impero firmware. I just did it and switched my firmware to v1.5.

1.5 appears to smoother on both lenses but aggressive movements can cause jumpiness. It is not as smooth as whatever the original Impero firmware from Kurt was. That could be 1.4, but I don't know.


You owe both of us a beer. :beer:
 
I think actually, david needs the beer... it certainly can be very frustrating trying to figure all this out under a production deadline. I almost started screaming when I changed the batteries on my impero and it came back with a single yellow light on and no response. I had to figure out that it needed it's firmware re installed... we should maybe all be more diligent about posting what we've learned so we can save everyone else the frustrations...paul has a good thread, maybe we should sticky it?
 
M Hsu said:
I changed the batteries on my impero and it came back with a single yellow light on and no response.
Click to expand...

I had that happen for the first time a couple days ago. Thank God I was just testing around the house. Of course I have a manual follow focus I throw on a lot too. I thought "maybe I put the batteries in backwards and fried it". Actually that light appears to indicate the Impero is in bootloader mode... which you need to be in to get from 1.5 back to 1.8 (depress "auto 1" and "auto 2" while plugging into the lemo).

Whew. I wish they gave Ph.D's in this stuff.

When average people ask me if they should buy a RED... I'm like, do you know what you're getting into? If you're not a pro go buy a 7D. No really.

You're right. I'm going to lunch and getting a beer.
 
Joel Kaye said:
M Hsu is right. Click the "Update Firmware" button in the Functions box (main display) and choose the Impero firmware. I just did it and switched my firmware to v1.5.

1.5 appears to smoother on both lenses but aggressive movements can cause jumpiness. It is not as smooth as whatever the original Impero firmware from Kurt was. That could be 1.4, but I don't know.


You owe both of us a beer. :beer:
Click to expand...

OK OK ... I get it (slow on the uptake !) :

- if the Imperios is connected to the mount (wired) and in bootloader mode, the button DOES upload firmware to the Imperio
- if the Imperios is not connected, then one can upate the Lens Library to the mount

Sheshhhh ... nothing like making things effing clear eh ...

OK ... now v1.5 back in the Imperio and time to see if I can re-gain some sanity (one does loose wired mode .. so back to eating AAA batteries eh ! (and calibration is just the one CAL button hit)).

Hmmm :
EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS is not smooth
EF 70-200/2.8 IS is not smooth

RAPIDLY getting more annoyed ... (and a beer is not going to fix things)
 
David Nardini said:
Hmmm :
EF-S 17-55/2.8 IS is not smooth
EF 70-200/2.8 IS is not smooth

RAPIDLY getting more annoyed ... (and a beer is not going to fix things)
Click to expand...

Right. I do believe you lose cable control. My v1.5 control didn't seem as bad but maybe I'm wrong and they were the same. I have no idea what v1.4 would do.

I finally broke down and bought the 50mm F/1.2 since everyone says it works perfectly and I'm guessing support for my Sigma F/1.4 isn't a priority.

Right now no one else is offering anything close to what we've got right now. I don't think RED is going to offer it in EPIC unless they surprise us with it. So I don't think EPIC is going to solve anything by itself. The only announced RED lenses that have AF are a few full frame zooms that are 2.8. And that's assuming that system isn't buggy - which is not an assumption I'm prepared to make.

Really the only other wireless option is put some gears on your SLR lenses or buy PL lenses and get a Bartech. Or use a manual FF. At least none of MY Canon's suffer from image shift like a number of my Nikon lenses did.
 
Epic will have support (electronic) for both Nikon and Canon (and others)...
 
Craig Schober said:
so i'm a week out from shooting a feature using the birger mount and the impero on my red. it has worked fine for a few months now until tonight's camera test.

nothing works.

i cannot sync to impero. i cannot control any lens from the mount. wired or wirelessly. i cannot connect via bluetooth from laptop (no bei device found. error #16-resource busy) i know the mount is getting power because the focus quickly racks when i switch between manual and auto. but the buttons on the side of the mount do nothing.

i've tried resetting camera, fresh batteries, checking s4i, gpi output and lens data prefs. resetting power to mount. (all of these things have worked at one time or another when little bugs arose).

the impero will not sync to mount and cannot be synced by holding down "i" button. it really seems like the mount has gone south.


any thing left to try?

erik???
Click to expand...
i just wanted to follow up on my post for help from last week. it's so easy to cry for help and then move onto the next project once you get the help without thanking someone, revealing remedies that others need to hear or simply posting the outcome...so here it is.

i submitted a support ticket on the birger website soon after my initial post. honestly i thought i was wasting my time as the website doesn't seem up to date and has a lot of dead links but erik immediately responded. he actually called me 1 minute after i clicked submit. i think it was some kind of coincidence but it was great to hear from the inventor himself. we troubleshooted over the phone for a few minutes until he seemed to reach the same conclusion that i did-the mount wasn't working.

since they now stock these mounts, i immediately ordered a new one and received it 2 working days later. happy to report that so far the new mount is working great. it seems even more responsive. that could be due to the fact that it shipped with newer firmware. not sure but i am afraid to mess with a working system at this point so no updates unless something goes wrong again.

now on to test each lens to verify full functionality...
 
David Nardini said:
So, a number of us have reported this ... ANY NEWS on a fix ?
Click to expand...

Didn't have to look very far...

in the public forums:

Erik Widding said:
We do understand the problem. Any customer having an issue needs to test the lens with the Impero, and then the Mac app. In the mac app send a lens report, and tell us about the behavior with the Impero and with the Mac, in the comments field. Do this with all of your lenses. We will then follow up with you on next steps.
Click to expand...

and acknowledged by you in a private email a month earlier (our last communication from you on August 13):

Once I'm back from my shoot, I'll send the Imperio back to you folk for checking.
Click to expand...

David, so when may we expect your package will arrive?
 
Felix Knöchel said:
And Scarlet?
Click to expand...

The Scarlet has the interchangeable mount system as well... please Jim, don't leave out the electronics!!!

The way I see it, the people who will best make use of the Canon and Nikon mounts won't be those with $30,000 to spend on a brain. Those guys'll have cinema glass. It'll be the rest of us, the budget filmmakers making use of what we can.
 
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