Timelapse & Moco

[Stokestack]

The ability to control the duration of each exposure would be pretty handy, especially in a situation like a sunset where the light is changing and you might want to ramp the exposure over time.

But really, wouldn't full USB control of the camera solve all of this? Isn't there supposed to be a USB interface? If we could just send a exposure-parameter block in one burst, followed by a shutter release, that'd probably do. Even if we didn't get a "shutter closed" signal, we could make a good guess as to how long to wait before advancing the moco hardware.

So could someone (Stuart?) give us an update on the state of USB connectivity on the Red and what kind of control we have over the camera with it? And thanks for soliciting opinions on this application; it's important to some of us.

 

[Tom Lowe]

Hey Dan, where do you live? Do you want to help me build a motion rig for DLSR timelapse.. I'll pay for it.

 

[allano]

Hello All

My first forum mail here

As owner of a mosys.com motion control system I am interested in a RED camera for the ease of use w regards to the post setup among all the other reasons to get a RED

I cant find info on outputs from the camera (shutterpulse , video blanking sync or the like) , TC (in or out) etc.

Does any one know if RED is aiming for this use ?

Does anyone know who to talk to about the Motion Control needs ?

PS : Good idea with the in camera / in viewfinder playback of previous takes , if done with an animatable wipe or transparency or keying it could be extremly usefull together with the 3Dinserter

 

[Camille Herren]

Curt,

Since your current moco system doesn't have the capability to roll the camera, are you planning on incorporating that in a future product? Or could it possibly be an additional piece of hardware you simply stick on top of Mirus (since it would only need to roll)? I would definitely be very interested in Mirus, if it had the (even prospective) ability to roll the camera...

Thanks!

 

[Stuart English]

Moco

Moco

Camera has timecode in/out, GPI / GPO pulse interfaces, limited command set RS232 and complete command set USB-2 interfaces.

I can only get into specifics with MOCO system developers at the moment as specifications are subject to change.

 

[CVB]

We have an axis output on the top of the head that can be used for a roll axis. We are planning on making a roll axis add-on but due to the non-nodal configuration of our head its a little tricky - the camera has to be placed fairly high off the deck to clear when it rolls. Dolly is easy to incorporate though. We are planning on making a full jib-arm system with a 3 axis nodal head but thats a ways out.

 

[Stephen Williams]

but due to the non-nodal configuration of our head its a little tricky

Hi,

Hopefully your software will be able to compensate for the head not being on nodel point, otherwise moves will be 'interesting' when you lift or track the camera.

Stephen

 

[allano]

We have an axis output on the top of the head that can be used for a roll axis.

I have used , for limited roll for e.g. "underwater" feel movements and handheld feel , a motorized TANGO plate.It gives prox + - 45 degrees in Nodal roll. Other times we use optic roll if feasable.Takes some stops though.

http://www.tangohead.com/prod_tango_digital.html

(Disclaimer : I dont have anything to do with the manufacturers but I like their product)

I also once had a Sorensen Roll cage - excellent machinery for the heavy stuff.

Hi,Hopefully your software will be able to compensate for the head not being on nodel point, otherwise moves will be 'interesting' when you lift or track the camera.

When I have a camera or lens sitting off nodal , I am very keen on measuring the "off nodal parameters".Some parameters more important than others - e.g. 5 cm up from nodal does a lot to the picture while 5 cm in front or back is less dominant.Sometimes its easier to track (when the camera is not moving around a lot e.g. pan/tilt on tripod) if you can punch in some details about the camera-characteristics.

Scaling is more tricky.......

Talking about Nodal - Is the RED behaving normal with regards to Nodal ? I mean is the Nodal points inside the lenses or behind the camera like I have seen on some video cameras ? I would assume its inside the lenses , except for the 300mm....

 

[CVB]

Hi,

Hopefully your software will be able to compensate for the head not being on nodel point, otherwise moves will be 'interesting' when you lift or track the camera.

Stephen

Yes, the exported data compensates for the configuration. It outputs pan, tilt, X translation, zoom, focus, and iris. You have to enter the distances from the tilt axis up to the focal plane.