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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 :)

my EOS "smart" mount...

LEON said:
and set the camera at 2K will magnify more the image so you get more precision
Click to expand...
Actually, 1:1 is 1:1 regardless whether it is 2k, or 4k.

It is a good idea though to have a big monitor hooked to your R1 during calibration. If you have a decent computer screen, you have a very valuable tool for this procedure.
 
Martin Weiss said:
Actually, 1:1 is 1:1 regardless whether it is 2k, or 4k.

It is a good idea though to have a big monitor hooked to your R1 during calibration. If you have a decent computer screen, you have a very valuable tool for this procedure.
Click to expand...

I have the feeling that when you set 2 K because magnification is bigger with the same lens, you could get more precision, only a feeling...
 
Thanks for the input, I really appreciate it. I have actually done all that you advise -- I always use manual focus, shoot still images and review them on a 24" HD rez screen, on the RED we use the 1:1 with a Panasonic 19" LCD HD monitor which is very sharp & easy to see the focus. We had a focus chart at 6 feet and were also looking out to infinity when adjusting the RED BF ring.

Like I said, I can get all 4 lenses to a point where they zoom and stay in focus, my confusion is why that is not the same place on the RED for all of them like it is on the DSLR. And I do not think it has anything to do with the mount. I'm getting sharp images when I shoot so I can make this mount work... this just seems "wrong" having multiple points for BF. If it was only 2 BF settings I would suspect a lens issue the 3 points seems odd to me.



OptiTek said:
Anyway, IMO the procedure that you are using is flawed and that is the reason for inconsistent results.
I assume you were in manual focus during the tests on your DSLR
First of all adjusting WA lenses at infinity (on camera without collimator)is about the least precise adjustment you can do. There is simply too much DOF. Try adjusting it at the shortest focusing distance after verifying that it's calibrated properly on your DSLR. Start with the widest lens and then compare the others. I've heard great opinions about the 16-35 lens so even if it's longer at the wide setting it may be a better lens to use for adjustment because is faster, sharper and more contrasty than the 10-22mm. It will make the proper focus easier to see.
Also looking through optical VF may not be the best way to judge the calibration. The split circle focusing screen may not be enough. You should take some pics and view them full res zoomed in to see the actual focus.
When you check them on the R1 you also should use the punch in 1:1 feature that is now available
Try adjusting R1 BF at the shortest focusing distance and verify the other lenses at various distances including infinity.

Jacek Zakowicz, OptiTek
Click to expand...
 
Next step

Next step

If you are absolutely sure about the procedure and and adjusted R1 BF at the shortest distance with the best lens while still getting variation I would look at the mechanical seating of lenses on the camera flange.
Before you do that verify without any doubt that the lenses are perfectly consistant on the Canon.(otherwise you are chasing shadows)
According to my calculations you are getting about .15-.2mm back focus variation- that's a lot. After you mount the lens that is the longest(requires moving the mount closest to the sensor in order to achieve focus) look from the side where the lens flange contacts the camera flange. There should be no air gap- no light coming through there. The lens and the camera flange should be touching all around.
Let me know,
Jacek Zakowicz, OptiTek:construction:
 
eos mount news update.

1. Smart mount production is on going, we are doing a bit of re-design on the
mount connector, (it was getting in the way of the canon 50mm 1.2 and 85mm 1.2)
damn those are fat lenses!

We are also addressing changes that red suggested, and hopefully will have a new
mount for them to examine shortly. we're busy dealing with multiple manufacturers
to try to get prices down on parts, some places are insane, you could practically build
your own machine shop for the prices they want for a small product run.

2. We now are going to have 3 controllers, a "basic" which only does fstop
a "standard" which gives you focus/fstop, and "advanced" with focus/fstop
precise follow-focus, wireless and other yet to be determined features.
there has been on-going design for all 3 now. "standard" is finished and
about to begin large scale roll out. "basic" is prototype state, but has a
"lower" priority, and "advanced" is still on the drawing-board/prototype phase.
so suggestions are welcome (yes we are going to look into the impero as an option... ;)

3. Starting tonight we will be contacting people who are on "the list" we plan on
rolling out a beta mount program in small increments.
(give us a day or so if you believe your on the list and haven't heard from us)

4. I have a new video to share, showing our 3 focus modes on the controller and how it
works in practice. take a look >> HERE (55meg 1080p) << or >> HERE (25meg 720p) <<
the video shows using the "fine/slow", "fast", "adaptive" focus, and how a lens reacts.

5. Backfocus update, concerning focus changing when zooming a lens. I believe this is because the
backfocus is adjusted "too far", here's a way I found almost always get's proper backfocus with
the lenses I've tested. it's quick and dirty, but seems to work for me.

1. get a long zoom say 75-300mm
2. zoom all the way to 300mm
3. focus on a distant subject
4. zoom out to 75mm, (image will go blury)
5. adjust backfocus untill image is sharp
6. zoom back to 300mm, image should stay sharp.
7. test a closer distance say 3ft, or 5ft. measure
8. measurements should match, (difficult to be exact with some lens markings)
9. verify with other lenses, (so far all mine work, millage may vary...)


-Andy
 
I just got an email about a canon smart mount
from Wicked Circuits, who is wicked Circuits?
 
Jason Ing said:
looking good, andy! i'll try out that long zoom method. thanks
Click to expand...

I think most will find the widest lens is best for setting BF. The wider the lens the more critical the BF. Using a long lens will get you in the ballpark but be sure to check with your widest lens for the critical final tweak.

Also be sure to soft tighten the RED BF ring to the point that you can still turn it but it takes a little effort or you will find that the BF shifts when you tighten the screws.

-
 
quick update for everyone, we are in the process of switching to fully machined parts for our mount in the next 2 weeks.
We spent the last 3 days setting up our own cnc mills and anodizing line to make this cost effective. All "smart" mount's will have machined aluminum mounts, there will also be "upgrades" available for dumb mounts if desired for a small price. I'll update on the progress as soon as we get a new mount over to RED hopefully within the next week. (this is our best "guestimate" at the time, it could change) but that's what we're up to right now.

-Andy
 
Andy thank you for keeping us posted. I sent a inquire to your business with a few question.

Ready to purchase my Red One now but am holding off for the Canon mount due to having full access to the line of Canon EF L S zooms and Primes.

I know everyone pushes you on time and you are working your butt off. Just to let you know having done R&D for multi product lines with my company and getting patents it is always a long road. I am pulling for you. Hope it is sooner rather then later for you and all of us.
 
Andy,

I've been delighted with how much you've kept us informed about your progress and how much hard work you've put into your mount.

However, I've received an email from Birger saying that their Impero-ized mounts are now shipping and that with a little paperwork I can avoid voiding my R1 warranty.

Since putting on and taking off your system seems to be less invasive surgery I would be much more comfortable using your EOS mount, but I do need a repeatable wireless follow focus and Birger is offering that now.

Can you give all of us who would like to stay loyal to you any indication of how long it will be before we can purchase a remote ff and smart mount from you?

thank you very much.
 
Update!, it's been a busy 2 weeks, that pesky "day job" keeps getting in the way... but... there is always not sleeping. after getting feedback
from users, and red, we decided the best thing to do is to go full bore and make this mount solid as a tank. well we have done that now. took a little
longer to get "tooled up" for production (never used a cnc machine before either..), going to solid aluminum we had to do some re-design of the locking mechanism slightly but the improvements are fantastic. we need a few more days to give you an update on where everything stands from a out the door production standpoint. but wanted to say we've been keeping busy. in the end it's going to be a better product than before.

-Andy

here's a quick and dirty little video, of some "cnc action..." :matrix:
Mount CNC Movie 4.5meg
 
ha ha, nice one andy!
Thanks.
can't wait to upgrade mine.
 
I was wondering if there are any updates on the status of this mount and availability?
 
Update

Update

Quick update for everyone, we have been super busy working out the manufacturing process as well as working our day jobs that pay the bills. You'll be happy to know that the metal mounts are coming along great the quality is superb. We want to make sure that we can make the highest quality product for you and meet the quantity demand that will be needed to make sure you get your product quickly when you order it. We dont want to start taking money until we know we can achieve that. Here are some photos of the Metal Dumb Mount:
a non-anodized one:
metal_01.jpg
metal_02.jpg



a black anodized one on the RED:
metal_03.jpg
metal_04.jpg



More to come soon...
 
stronger enough to mount a 300 is 2.8 maybe with 2x doubler? cost and availability with the best knob controlled follow focus set up. maybe knob with white ring for marking?
 
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