REDMOTE PRO?

[Maik Müller]

I don't think the connection issues are the reason for the absence of the REDMOTE PRO, those problems can be solved. BTW, i never had real trouble with my REDMOTE so far.

I still want the PRO, the idea of having the ability to use the internal motor for focus-pulling, even wireless, was one big reason for me to start with EF-glass. Great concept, and the already built in functionality kinda proves that it could work and makes it hard to accept the absence of the PRO. I hope the idea didn't get dropped completely and we will see something in the future, maybe the REDMOTE PRO, or a seperate focus-wheel controller, or a handle/grip with internal controllers or a completely redesigned REDMOTE 2... Only Jim and Jarred knows.

 

[Troy Bakewell]

I have to think that it's not coming anytime soon. What other possible explanation could there be for the complete silence from RED on this for years? I also own a ton of Canon Glass and I'm about to dump it all soon if there isn't some news soon.

Sure hope that I'm wrong. I think I'll hold out till NAB but after that I'm giving up hope.

 

[Jarek Zabczynski]

I hate my REDMOTE lol! It's more of a fashion accessory!

I mean it's great when it works, but the battery lasts like 10 minutes and has a hard time staying connected any more than 10 feet away from the camera.

What I've really been looking forward to is the iPad app. Any word on that?

 

[Robert Ruffo New]

As far as I know someone else owns the patent on the smooth lens control algorithms. Simple as that.

 

[Loic Parent]

As far as I know someone else owns the patent on the smooth lens control algorithms. Simple as that.

oh, that explains a lot... if that patent is held by Birger, too bad the only implementation for the Epic is neither really ergonomic (imho) or affordable, birger+impero red one combo had it's flaws but at 1500usd it was a really great kit for alternative jobs using EF lenses..

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

As far as I know someone else owns the patent on the smooth lens control algorithms. Simple as that.

Hi Rob,

Could you elaborate on this? How could there be a patent that prohibited an independently derived system of focus control using lens motors? Optitek has their own version, which, unless I'm missing something, isn't just a license of Birger technology. So there are already at least two developers in the field with independent technologies to leverage lens motors for smooth focus.


The promise of the REDMOTE Pro was a big reason I waited for Epic/Scarlet when they were announced as opposed to going with a RED One and Birger. If RED has shelved the idea of a REDMOTE pro, I wish they would just say so publicly and open up the field for third parties with already developed technology to attempt to adapt it to the existing RED Canon mount and wireless receiver on the camera. I may pursue the Optitek at some point (it's a bit bulky IMO and a lot more expensive than the original Birger solution for the RED One). But if a grudge with Birger is what's really behind the apparent abandonment by RED of a professional wireless focus solution using existing Epic and Canon lens technologies, then that's a very big shame for Epic/Scarlet owners who bought in with the expectation of eventually being able to control focus wirelessly using only EF lenses.

 

[Loic Parent]

Hi Rob,

Could you elaborate on this? How could there be a patent that prohibited an independently derived system of focus control using lens motors? Optitek has their own version, which, unless I'm missing something, isn't just a license of Birger technology. So there are already at least two developers in the field with independent technologies to leverage lens motors for smooth focus.


The promise of the REDMOTE Pro was a big reason I waited for Epic/Scarlet when they were announced as opposed to going with a RED One and Birger. If RED has shelved the idea of a REDMOTE pro, I wish they would just say so publicly and open up the field for third parties with already developed technology to attempt to adapt it to the existing RED Canon mount and wireless receiver on the camera. I may pursue the Optitek at some point (it's a bit bulky IMO and a lot more expensive than the original Birger solution for the RED One). But if a grudge with Birger is what's really behind the apparent abandonment by RED of a professional wireless focus solution using existing Epic and Canon lens technologies, then that's a very big shame for Epic/Scarlet owners who bought in with the expectation of eventually being able to control focus wirelessly using only EF lenses.

Elizabeth as far as i know the Optitek version is from Birger, if you look at this photo you can see the birger logo :

but i'm with you Red should let us know what's up with the Redmote pro, and if it's off the table maybe offer an sdk for the canon mount and let other work on it...

 

[Björn Benckert]

If birger owns it I want an iphone app that runs it and a suction cup focus wheel to attach on the phone. :=)

Do not understand that it's so difficult. If the Wifi of the phone does not manage I still would like to have the same setup but with a double male ended earphone cable going between the two and sending focus pull signal from the phone to the EF mount... Then the only cost would be the mount.

And I would actually pay red mote price to have the red mote as an app as well.

 

[Elizabeth Lowrey]

Elizabeth as far as i know the Optitek version is from Birger, if you look at this photo you can see the birger logo :

but i'm with you Red should let us know what's up with the Redmote pro, and if it's off the table maybe offer an sdk for the canon mount and let other work on it...

I had no idea. Somehow when the Optitek came out I was under the impression that it was completely new technology (not that I'm blaming my misunderstanding on Jacek).

One of the things I disfavor about the Optitek is having to supply auxiliary power through a bulky external cable and the additional connection issues that presents. I'm sure this is a non-issue for those coming from cinema backgrounds, who are therefore used to working with 3rd party lens controllers. But my background is with ENG and compact camera packages like the DVX-100 and EX-1, etc. And I'm always in favor of keeping my rig as light as possible. So all that extra hardware & girth just irks me. And it kills me that external power wouldn't even be necessary except for the rift that developed between RED and Birger over the original Birger mount that had a tiny little internal connector to draw power from the camera power source.

For that matter, I think I could make the existing REDMote work adequately for most remote focus pulls (focus distance custom mapped to the +/- button) if RED would just refine the algorithms for focus distance change in relation to rapidity of the button push or length of time held down or perhaps by allowing the scroll wheel to dynamically control coarseness/speed of change while the +/- button determines whether a change will be negotiated at any given moment in either direction. The focus distance changes are too coarse for the REDMote as is. It seems like it would be a relatively simple thing to do this and that no company could hold a patent that would prohibit another from independent lens data profiling and control surface programming to make smooth focus changes. What am I missing here?

 

[Björn Benckert]

I had no idea. Somehow when the Optitek came out I was under the impression that it was completely new technology (not that I'm blaming my misunderstanding on Jacek).

One of the things I disfavor about the Optitek is having to supply auxiliary power through a bulky external cable and the additional connection issues that presents. I'm sure this is a non-issue for those coming from cinema backgrounds, who are therefore used to working with 3rd party lens controllers. But my background is with ENG and compact camera packages like the DVX-100 and EX-1, etc. And I'm always in favor of keeping my rig as light as possible. So all that extra hardware & girth just irks me. And it kills me that external power wouldn't even be necessary except for the rift that developed between RED and Birger over the original Birger mount that had a tiny little internal connector to draw power from the camera power source.

For that matter, I think I could make the existing REDMote work adequately for most remote focus pulls (focus distance custom mapped to the +/- button) if RED would just refine the algorithms for focus distance change in relation to rapidity of the button push or length of time held down or perhaps by allowing the scroll wheel to dynamically control coarseness/speed of change while the +/- button determines whether a change will be negotiated at any given moment in either direction. The focus distance changes are too coarse for the REDMote as is. It seems like it would be a relatively simple thing to do this and that no company could hold a patent that would prohibit another from independent lens data profiling and control surface programming to make smooth focus changes. What am I missing here?

I think Jarred should just buy both OptiTek and Birger and implement the tech so that it takes power from the camera and works with the rest of the red EF / Cannon stuff. Even better would be to make it work with the current Ef mounts if possible. Usually better to do things that way than doing your own development. Just like they did with RED elements and the motion mount. I do not know how many sales Jacek has or birger but for sure it would be a much easier sale for RED if they bought the stuff and could package it into RED stuff, as of now we all been waiting for RED to do it. 3:rd party solutions is always a hassle and trust me film guys hate cables just as much as the other guys but when you need to do what you have to, then usually it comes with a lot of cables.

 

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I love the idea Bjorn
You are absolutely right the external power is not necessary as we proved with our mark2. Unfortunately not for Red cameras as we respect Reds right to decide. With other cams however no need for external power even for the wireless and the OptiTron. As well as lens data display in the view finder (again- not for Red)

 

[Björn Benckert]

I love the idea Bjorn
You are absolutely right the external power is not necessary as we proved with our mark2. Unfortunately not for Red cameras as we respect Reds right to decide. With other cams however no need for external power even for the wireless and the OptiTron. As well as lens data display in the view finder (again- not for Red)

Aha did not know you made it for other cameras then red... then my idea of you selling out to Jarred and the gang maybe is not that easy
But you have to admit that it would be really nice if your mount was integrated into the red software and could be controlled by the touch screen and such doing bracketing and other stuff.

 

[PC Greene]

+1…this is really the future of lens control. Hope to see some forward motion on this in 2014. Especially if "curves" and algorithms can be developed for each lens to counter breathing, image shift and the non-parafocal nature of most still lenses.

PCG

Aha did not know you made it for other cameras then red… then my idea of you selling out to Jarred and the gang maybe is not that easy
But you have to admit that it would be really nice if your mount was integrated into the red software and could be controlled by the touch screen and such doing bracketing and other stuff.

 

[Joel Arvidsson]

Red can you throw us a bone when we can expect too se it?

 

[Louis Maddalena]

I have a feeling with Reds new 3 axis system, and app control over the camera, that this system might not be on the radar anymore.