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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 :)

The Future of Follow Focus Now- Optitron by OptiTek

Reality Check

Reality Check

Valentin Paris said:
So the total will be close to 4000 USD ?

If yes, sorry but this is very expensive. Really expensive. I hope something around 1500 USD max.

Lot of redusers are using canon lenses because it is less expensive than PL lenses and the second hand market is huge if you compare with PL lenses...

So, I really don't understand your logic...You hope that people will pay 4000 USD to have simply the confort to use the aperture smoothly ? Because with a good follow focus, you can already have good results for focusing. The only problem is the aperture.

Maybe you thought that a high end Arri follow focus or O'connor follow focus cost 4000 USD or more, so why not our follow focus ? Bad conclusion... Because people using very expensive PL lenses can buy very expensive follow focus. People using canon lenses probably can't put 4000 USD on the table for a follow focus even it is high tech and cool. This is logic.

Anyway, sorry to say that but so sad to see this tool at this price. Maybe you'll have lot of success with it (I wish you lot of success) and I am just totally wrong.

Good luck.[/QUOTE
Agree. That is an accessory that is 25 percent of the new brain value. In this economy, I will go manual.
Click to expand...
 
Reality check indeed!!!!!

Reality check indeed!!!!!

Haha make up your minds guys::wink5:
Cameras too cheap, accessories that save you tens of thousands of $$$ on glass -too expensive.
Which one is it then?
We already have one thread asking for a free camera- is that the trend these days?:cryin:
But seriously- reality check:
The system we offer matches the quality of the best on the market- $15,000 and up:yesnod:
In some features we surpass ANY system on the market currently: IS, light weight, simple quick setup time.
Still optics offer price, performance, specs that are not and most likely will never be matched by cine lenses.
Zoom range, speed , weight, coverage , etc.
$3500 gives you access to all that instantly.
If you don' see sufficient value in that then don't buy it, by all means- I wouldn't ...
But you will come around, guaranteed, and we'll welcome you with open arms.......:thumbup:
 
Brett, you can have the 1500 option....check out Redrock site and many tools there that work just fine....Complaining about Jacek's price likely will not get you anywhere when you look at comparable solutions. Is it expensive? yes, Does OptiTek make good solid equipment? yes, Do you want OptiTek to be in business next year to service your needs, warranties etc...I hope the answer is yes.

Jacek's gear is not cheap and it's also not out of range....but i can say this. Quality, craftsmanship and his guarantee is first class. This is what i pay for when buying gear. I'll bet most here will agree that we allot a certain percentage of price in our minds (if and when paying more for a product) because we know that gear comes from a reputable company. There are numerous examples but Arri follow focus is first that comes to mind at price X and everything below it in price from $200 up. But i know the reliability of that piece of gear and its manufacturer. I'd say for a small business servicing a lot of us picky camera types Jacek does a hell of a job and produces great products. If you can buy a similar device for $1500, then point everyone in that direction and look at what you get. Even if you could point out another company, I'll be a good majority of us would look at the extra $2500 for this piece of kit and way the options....OptiTek vs. company X --umm, who's going to take care of me better and has more at stake in this industry.

....further---your comment or agreement that is is an accessory 25% of the brain value....doesn't mean anything. What % is my 2575 Oconnor head, what is % of brain value for some of my Arri Lenses.....? statement totally invalid. It's a piece of gear that costs X and that's it. Mentioning you think price is too high is one thing but to compare it to the cost of the brain is well, i don't know worthless expression.
 
Just want to point out that Jacek system has a very valid point for costing that little extra. A FF system that touch the lens in a physical way is no god for still glass. When putting on gear rings etc. you will find that most still glass is not enough solid in their build not to affect the image when the FF gear is pushing on the side of the lens.... This system does not do that so even low build quality still glass will focus more "straight".

If they got the zoom to counter work the focus breathing, then this system and a good set of EF glas would outpreform most expansive cine glass by far.

just saying.
 
The price seems right on point to me. While I have some cine lenses in my kit I still prefer the look of my canon L's but hate using them on bigger projects because of their limitations.

A preston HU3 and mdr-2 can expand the range of focus on still lenses but that is a $20,000 investment and it takes a few minutes to calibrate because you have to manually set the end marks of the lens. Further more, there is no way to control the iris remotely. With Jacek's system you have super fast calibration, expanded focus pulls and smooth iris control(how did you manage that.)

Jacek seems to have made a great piece of kit at a very competitive price. I can't wait to get my hands on one to test with epic and my canon lenses.

The only thing that is missing is distance markings. My go to AC always rocks the canon lenses in my kit when he has to, but he thanks me when I put a nice piece of glass with real marking on it.
 
I guess my only question is.. If I were to take all the lenses and physically measure the distances while marking them on the marking disc. How precise is the recalibration process when you change lenses? I know that the marks tend to float due to temperature changes. When on a manual ff. This is inherent in AF lenses to give some leeway for environmental conditions. Or so I have been told by canon.
 
Johnny thanks - you are very kind...
Bryant recently a lot of ACs are pulling focus off the monitor.
We certainly think that's the way to go and will be offering soon wireless video with sharp bright monitor to compliment and complete the OptiTron.
Once you mark the marking ring for a particular lens it stays true to that lens forever. No matter how many times you turn the system on/off, swap lenses , etc, etc...
I assure you that ALL lenses contract and expand in extreme temps- not only Canons. And no the manufacturers/designers don't compensate for it- they can't.
I should know- in my employment days for a lens manufacturer I tested, marked and built hundreds of lenses...
The good news is that the changes are usually small enough to ignore and they are mostly showing on long telephoto lenses that are big and long...
The (Canon EF) lenses hold up pretty good- I haven't seen any changes in the tests in the lab- but time will tell...
 
Jacek,

Would this work with the RED ONE MX? And, when would a Nikon version be ready?
 
Not for an R1 version-sorry.
The Nikon is coming next once the dust settles with the Canon EF version.
Same controller- OptiTron- just different mount
 
Marc Oberdorfer said:
Jacek, this is one of the most amazing new gear recently, will follow this very closely.
Will be 1st AC on a feature coming spring and in the akward position to focus EF lenses, the Optitron looks like the best solution!
Any idea what the "regular" price will be and pricing on the wireless receiver?
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Thank you Marc,
This is just the beginning- I believe that very soon every lens manufacturer will offer electronic lenses. Work on this project really opened my mind to some amazing possibilities..
Oh adn $300-400 for the wireless receiver option
 
WE have now units on long term jobs with fast and mobile setups.
BTS pics coming.
We also delivering to local rental facilities on town.
There will be be few available for "touch and feel" there....
 
I would like to test it (or at last to read good test on it) with hard focus lenses like 1,2 85mm canon. Too expensive for blind paiement.

Olivier
 
Glad this is finally out there. Great work Jacek!

We have been using it on our Cineron Stabilized head for a few months now and it works perfectly, having complete focus and aperture control on on our RC helicopters has been incredible. It's so awesome that we are including the OptiTron ProLock with every Cineron head.
 
Thank you Aaron,
I'm glad you like it. We try to make the pros our customers for life!!
 
Olivier Madar said:
I would like to test it (or at last to read good test on it) with hard focus lenses like 1,2 85mm canon. Too expensive for blind paiement.

Olivier
Click to expand...
I absolutely agree Oliver,
That's why we are confident in this product and offer return policy if you are not completely happy with it.
If you don't like the way it performs- no questions - we'll take it back...
 
George D. said:
Make one for Nikon and I'll buy it.

Thanks.

.
Click to expand...

Our master plan is to have the OptiTron complimented by Canon ProLock-i EF mount (done!!)
Nikon F (next)
And couple of servo motors for PL Lens control. Probably off shelf motors.
That would make up an lens ultimate control kit (LUCK)
But right now you can have all benefits with (very) few shortcomings (vs PL lenses) working for you...
We just replaced the video-made some improvements BTW. New link in the OP http://vimeo.com/53152033
 
Great video Jacek,

The Optitron seems very easy to operate. Congrats!

People with still lenses should be jumping for this.

George
 
Thank you George,
I just got a note from a client today
3 setups per hour, 24 setups a day.
There is no way they could do that with PL lenses.
And this is a long term promo material for a very serious client/corporation.
BTS pics coming....
 
For those who haven't seen it yet- the Electronic Follow Focus is here!!!!!
 
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