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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 :)

RED FOCUS ships tomorrow....

I have the Optimator, works fine on Epic...once Red Focus arrives Monday I can do a review comparing the two.

The problem with the Optimator is;
1- target is not high enough res...very difficult to tell when you nailed focus.
2- Jacek still hasn't delivered the long promised Optimator test device to assure the Optimator is spot on itself...hence my question in post #56.

Hopefully the Red Focus has a better target.
 
Greg M said:
I have the Optimator, works fine on Epic...once Red Focus arrives Monday I can do a review comparing the two.

The problem with the Optimator is;
1- target is not high enough res...very difficult to tell when you nailed focus.
2- Jacek still hasn't delivered the long promised Optimator test device to assure the Optimator is spot on itself...hence my question in post #56.

Hopefully the Red Focus has a better target.
Click to expand...

On point number two..... Thats the problem. How is one sure the device to verify the other device is on? LOL
 
chuck colburn said:
No. The device should be made to be self verifiable. This is not rocket science here.
Click to expand...

How would that work? Do you have a design in mind?

My understanding is, th output of this device is a real image of its internal reticle, which comes to a focus at the correct distance for the sensor plane. Seems like you'd need a separate external reference with something at that correct distance, to check it. Is there another way?
 
jbeale said:
How would that work? Do you have a design in mind?

My understanding is, th output of this device is a real image of its internal reticle, which comes to a focus at the correct distance for the sensor plane. Seems like you'd need a separate external reference with something at that correct distance, to check it. Is there another way?
Click to expand...

You need an optically flat surface and a steel barrel fitting measured at 52mm that the device would fit into for starters.
 
Brook Willard said:
Nice! Screen shot of the reticle?
Click to expand...

This is the displayed image from the RED Focus Operation Guide.

I'm curious about the shape of the yellow field, i.e. it isn't a square.

The bottom and right edges are horizontal and vertical but the left and top while forming a right angle appear to be rotated eight degrees clockwise. I'm sure this was done for a reason, but I don't understand why.

Can someone explain what purpose this serves? Perhaps it is useful for multi-axis adjustments?

Thanks
 

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an asymmetrical box helps with alignment.
 
Greg M said:
I have the Optimator, works fine on Epic...once Red Focus arrives Monday I can do a review comparing the two.

The problem with the Optimator is;
1- target is not high enough res...very difficult to tell when you nailed focus.
2- Jacek still hasn't delivered the long promised Optimator test device to assure the Optimator is spot on itself...hence my question in post #56.

Hopefully the Red Focus has a better target.
Click to expand...

Hi Greg

Please post your results... we bought the advanced Optimator and had to reset the tool as it was way out. I'd happily put you in touch with my guy who did this. I don't think it was too tricky.

thanks

M
 
Its here...need some more time to fully test. But initial reaction is that its about equal to the Optimator in ease of use. The Optimator has a few more options whereas the REDfocus is on/off.
Targets are both equally hard to judge but work.
 

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I have a question about back-focusing the R1 collar (using the Red Focus).
If I clockwise the backfocus, the 'set' point is different than if I anti-clockwise the backfocus.
The set points may have a difference of 20º or 30º. Why would that be?

K
 
Karl Roeder said:
I have a question about back-focusing the R1 collar (using the Red Focus).
If I clockwise the backfocus, the 'set' point is different than if I anti-clockwise the backfocus.
The set points may have a difference of 20º or 30º. Why would that be?

K
Click to expand...

Because the Red backfocus adjustment is a fine threaded collar on a threaded shaft - the looser you make it the less the threads mesh with each other, and the more slop or backlash you will find in the adjustment. Only loosen it off just enough to allow you to turn it with both your hands wth some difficulty. This will help reduce the backlash, but there will always be some. Get the focus as good as you can by going through it both ways until you think you've hit the best possible focus point. Then gradually tighten the two locking hex screws, alternately to even out the clamping force, while watching the focus to check that clamping the collar tight has not knocked the focus out. Also be careful not to fully untighten the collar as then the threads may come apart completely and you risk crossthreading them.

I've found variation between the big rental houses in London on their Red backfocuses. While I have no doubt if you hire sets of lenses and camera bodies from the same rental house then the backfocuses will be spot on with their lenses - ie internally consistent. As an owner-operator I have found that there are definitely some differences when hiring lens sets from different companies. Enough variation that while I find my Optimator Deluxe very useful to know my Red body is in spec, I still end up adjusting backfocus a little to match a particular lens set.
 
I tend to use a wax pencil and mark the "best focus" counter and counter-clockwise. I then pick the inbetween but as previously mentioned, double check after you secure the collar.

Cheers!
 
Does the RED Focus have a swappable PL mount so you can put a Canon mount on and check back focus is you're using a Canon mount on the EPIC?
Or is it just PL mount only?
 
Daniel Reichenbach said:
Well, I'm a bit disapointed, wanted to buy this RED focus, store tells, it's in stock, reality is: no.
Click to expand...

Hi Daniel,

Spoke to your Bomb Squad Rep, there might be a misconception on the update you received. The status on the website stating “in stock” is accurate as we are shipping these units daily. Your ordered unit should be ready to ship shortly.

Please feel free to email me at keegan-at-red-dot-com.

Best Regards,

Michael
 
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