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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 :)

Optitron 2 - experiences

Gunleik Groven

Gunleik Groven

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Seriously intrigued by the promises of the Optitron 2.

Looks like the answer to a lot of questions when working with stills optics.

But I have no way to try it and it is a bit steep to shell out for if it doesn't really deliver.

I think this thing probably would be the group-buy item of the year, if it works.

Hm...

So.

Anyone who has used it on a daily basis over some serious time:

What are your thoughts.

The good, the bad, the excellent and the nasty.

I don't mind if you have used it on other cameras than the REDs.

Just let me have it

G
 
From this video, I'd estimate the delay in the unit to 4-6 frames.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHdb4sMUyGg


The delay in the SDI monitoring (on RED) chain is about 4-6 frames, depending a bit on which monitor you use.

So if this is true, you could be half a second late on focus. But you'll probably adjust your motion for anticipation..


Just curious of the practical experiences with this

Also I wonder if the respnsiveness iss lense dependant (I would imagine that the lense motors respond differently), so that some have less, some have more delay.

Let's start off with Sigma and Canon lenses...
 
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I do see some latency even in this video

Which doesn't surprise me or put me off at all.
I am involved in development of software and hardware and I am pretty much aware of these issues.... :)

I would like a comment on the difference between lense series and brands, as I imagine that would affect the latency.

Also, there is a delay (even to the RED monitors), and then you add up the delay in the optitron + the lens motors + delay to 1st AC sdi (+ wireless) monitor.

And I can see that total build up.

What I would really like, is to be able to run an extensive test on the unit.

It really seems like the answer to a lot of needs.
And still there is this little gnome in my backhead telling me, this couldn't really work on level with a mechanical focus unit.

I would so love to be proven wrong.
 
My second (theoretical) issue with this unit is that focus on still-glass, usually is extremely tight when approaching infinity.
And pretty wide when close to the close-focus range.
I think (without having tried the optitron) that a dynamic scaling which adds relatively more "play" when approaching infinity, would make the unit infinitely (pun intended) more useful.

So I'd imagine a 3x "play" at the infinity side of the range and a 1/3 play at the close range would make sense, or maybe 1/2 vs 2x.

I understand that you can set full range (on the knob) to a limited part of the lens range, but I was just walking through in my head a number of shots I have done, and I think that is great, but is more for exceptional shots than general purpose use.

I am however fine with being proven wrong.
 
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I would love your thoughts on this Jacek!

And I am also looking for first-hand experiences, as I cannot just try it anywhere and write a review myself. :)
 
I did some tests on it at Jacek's shop a few months ago, but haven't gotten around to sharing/writing about it yet. I might be able to get my tests online here at the end of this week. I believe I calculated a varying delay of between 3-5 frames, but I'll try to find and share my tests in a few days.
 
Jack Allred said:
I did some tests on it at Jacek's shop a few months ago, but haven't gotten around to sharing/writing about it yet. I might be able to get my tests online here at the end of this week. I believe I calculated a varying delay of between 3-5 frames, but I'll try to find and share my tests in a few days.
Click to expand...

That fits the 2-6 frame thing I see in the videos.

Did you try it on different lenses?
 
Jack Allred said:
I did some tests on it at Jacek's shop a few months ago, but haven't gotten around to sharing/writing about it yet. I might be able to get my tests online here at the end of this week. I believe I calculated a varying delay of between 3-5 frames, but I'll try to find and share my tests in a few days.
Click to expand...
Thank you Jack, I'd really appreciate it. I see about 3-5 frame delay in RED video output. Is that what you mean ? That's easy to test - you just wave your hand in front of the camera and watch the screen...
Most cameras have video delay. The only one I could not see any(maybe a frame) is ARRI Amira VF. Makes it feel like an optical finder. But I think ARRI VF output is analog for the purpose of minimizing delay...
 
I think we're talking about different delays.

1. The in-camera delay. WHich is about 6 frames on SDI (on Epic MX, haven't gauged the Dragon) and about 3 on the RED monitors.

2. The delay in action on the Optitron, which from the video you showed seems to be about 3-5 frames on the Canon 70-200

The delay I am asking about is:

Is the delay different on different lenses, and what should we expect?

I'd really love to test this out!
 
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Yeah wish there is a lot more info out about the optitron. We need firsthand in depth user reviews
 
OK I think this should work well:
I can record a short clip with both the optitron and the lens (mounted on RED) in the frame . I'll put clear reference marks on both the optitron and the lens.
I will post the video on youtube. You can look at the clip frame by frame and see how soon the lens moves off the mark after the optitron wheel moves off the mark.
What do you think?
That should put the latency questions to rest once and for all...
 
OK I'll pack one kit and send it to Gunleik. It's time.....
Gunleik email me directly and we'll arrange the logistics.
 
I'm interested in the performance of the actual lens motor turning. I haven't been very impressed by the internal focusing on the Epic while using tools like the fool control or even the internal rack focus feature of the Epic. Most lenses I've tried has "jittery" performance. I cannot do smooth focus pulls that are smooth enough to be accepted as a focus pull. It looks the worst focus puller in the world, nailing all the marks but getting there looks like someone with a muscle disorder.

As of now I'm not worried about delays or such tings, I'm interested in finding a gear that can actually pull the focus in a smooth and accepted way. All footage I have done with internal focus is useless for a real production. Just because something works doesn't mean that it actually works. Whenever internal focus gets as smooth as if I pull with a manual follow focus or a remote gear focus I'll be interested, until then I haven't seen any hard proof that anything of this kind of technology works.

Will be looking forward hearing your review Gunleik! If you have a Canon 24-70 2.8L II (second release of that lens), I would love to hear what the performance was. That lens works like crap with the internal rack focus of the Epic.
 
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