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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 :)

Using Impero and Birger

i get consistent lens data in build 20. once i update to 21beta - no lens data. i tried the update twice, reverting back to 20 and getting the lens data back. also in b21 i note that S4i lens checkbox gets unchecked on it's own after i check it, but still doesnt make any difference, cant get lens data to show in b21; any ideas?
 
M Hsu said:
17-55 f2.8 maybe I have a bad copy, but focus was very clicky and laggy. I dunno if IS is supposed to be working. I couldn't tell.
Click to expand...

I can verify the 17-55 F/2.8 EF-S lens focused fine using the original ViewFactor Firmware on the Impero. It is jumpy using Birger firmware v1.8. The 70-200 IS behaves the same. It's OK under the old firmware and jumpy with the latest version. They'll get it figured out at some point.

The Canon 85mm 1.8 can do a slow smooth rack but is jumpy on faster racks. I may just get a Nikon manual 85mm given the way I use the 85mm... which is rarely in a complicated rack situation.

I just tested both zoom lenses a second ago to verify I wasn't losing my mind. I've also reported that info to Birger.
 
M Hsu said:
note: it's been said before but it's worth saying again, the birger cable is differently pinned than the viewfactor cables. Look on the sheathe, the birger uses a mogami midi cable. I believe pin 2 and 3 are swapped. I couldn't find an answer about what would happen in you accidentally switched a cable.
Click to expand...

I received the Birger mount and the Impero both from Birger, but at different times. Both included Mogami midi cables, and both are pinned the same way, with 2 and 3 indeed swapped:

Pin 1 > Pin 1
Pin 2 > Pin 3
Pin 3 > Pin 2
Pin 4 > Pin 4

Power is supplied over pins 1 and 4. From RED's Operation Guide:
Pin Signal Description
1 GROUND Auxiliary power return (Camera Ground)
2 GPI Input (Trigger)
3 GPO Tally
4 +VOUT Auxiliary power output

So, Viewfactor's cables may be different, but at least Birger's cables for the mount and the Imperos they ship are the same.
 
Stephen Strangways said:
I received the Birger mount and the Impero both from Birger, but at different times. Both included Mogami midi cables, and both are pinned the same way, with 2 and 3 swapped:

Pin 1 > Pin 1
Pin 2 > Pin 3
Pin 3 > Pin 2
Pin 4 > Pin 4

From RED's Operation Guide:
Pin Signal Description
1 GROUND Auxiliary power return (Camera Ground)
2 GPI Input (Trigger)
3 GPO Tally
4 +VOUT Auxiliary power output

So, Viewfactor's cables may be different, but at least Birger's cables for the mount and the Imperos they ship are the same.
Click to expand...

OK! that makes sense...
I was referencing this post,

Quote:
Originally Posted by CVB View Post
Origo cables are ok with the Impero and Inclino but not the Birger. Erik uses a cross-over design which flips pins 3 and 4.

then erik says.
Actually, we flip pins 2 & 3. In case anybody needs to make their own cable, the pinout is: 1-1, 2-3, 3-2, 4-4.

so... from this we can conclude that the cables supplied for the impero and for the birger are ok to interchange, but not the cables supplied for the origo, which uses the same lemos but a different pin out.

thanks guys, if we keep polling our information, we'll have a pretty good operations manual going here.
 
OK, so I have very intermittent results with the BIRGER/IMPERO. Using the Mac BEI DI app, I see that I am getting "There is a problem communicating with the lens: ERR21".

I unplugged, reset, power on/off and got the Impero to work for a while, but thought I would check my wiring/plug and they are fine.

So, what is "ERR21"?

And I have never actually been able to communicate/control using the cable, therefor I can not update the Impero either. I tried the instructions on the first apart of the this thread and no go.

Any suggestions?
 
Thanks for all the detailed info everyone.

Hsu, when you say that the 24mm was mostly OK, could you elaborate at all? Maybe give an estimated % of shots where you'd have to shoot it again?
 
Roberto Lequeux said:
Thanks for all the detailed info everyone.

Hsu, when you say that the 24mm was mostly OK, could you elaborate at all? Maybe give an estimated % of shots where you'd have to shoot it again?
Click to expand...

well after all that testing I sent the results to Erik and he asked me to send in the Impero and he's had it since Wednesday and he's still working on it last I heard. I know curt has had people sending back imperos that need to have their magnets moved but I don't know if it relates to this.

Apparently my results may be related to an impero that needs to be tweaked. I was of the impression that things were generally buggy and a firmware update would fix it eventually, but Erik has stated a couple times now, if you are having issues to test the impero/lens combo in the BEI application and send in your results via the bei application. After I submitted mine, Erik asked me to send it in the very next day, so he's certainly responsive to support requests.

As soon as I get my impero back, I will test again and post new results.

UPDATE: Erik sent me a fresh impero today but the 17-55 and 70-200 still have the same lag problem. I shot him another email, we'll see what he says. Is anyone getting the 17-55 and 70-200 to work smoothly?
 
On Screen Display

On Screen Display

Jumping into this thread late. I got my Impero about a month ago, and finally got a chance to connect it today. After some stumbles, I waded through most of this thread and got the firmware on the mount and Impero updated, and all is working well, wirelessly, wired, and with the mount itself. The only bug left is the On Screen display. It seems to be there on start up but goes away after a lens change. Am I missing something?

Great piece of engineering, though. Killer combo with the 5D...

Robb Fischer,
Milwaukee Cinematographer
cinefisch@mac.com
 
M Hsu said:
UPDATE: Erik sent me a fresh impero today but the 17-55 and 70-200 still have the same lag problem. I shot him another email, we'll see what he says. Is anyone getting the 17-55 and 70-200 to work smoothly?
Click to expand...

My Imperio is or should be with Erik very soon.
Same problem you report (with 17-55/2.8 IS and 70-200/2.8 IS) so sent it back.
Once I get mine back I'll happiliy report if fixed.

No doubt that it's great when (!) it works ...
 
Got the Impero yesterday. I've got the Birger and Impero talking to each other wired and wireless.

I can't get the BEI interface to connect. "No BEI Device Found. Error #60-Operation timed out." Macbook Pro Bluthooth / Browse Device / displays the Birger mount, but clicking "browse," and nothing happens. What do I attempt next?
 
Record Light ...

Record Light ...

Birger Mount and Impero finally work together! Hooray!
After updating both firmwares (20c and 2.0) most lenses work well on Build 21. - wirelessly!

One strange thing though: The record light on the impero is on when the camera does not record and vice versa. You can start and stop the recording just fine.

Any ideas why that is?

Cheers!
 
ralf.luethy said:
Birger Mount and Impero finally work together! Hooray!
After updating both firmwares (20c and 2.0) most lenses work well on Build 21. - wirelessly!

One strange thing though: The record light on the impero is on when the camera does not record and vice versa. You can start and stop the recording just fine.

Any ideas why that is?

Cheers!
Click to expand...

I had kind of the same behaviour (rec light always on after rec button pushed) which has disappeared after upgrade.
It seems every system has his own life.
 
Just a followup to my earlier problems.

I had 2 of the lens contact pins that were damaged and that was causing the erratic behaviour. I overnighted the Birger and Impero back and they got it Thursday morning, I had it back on my camera Friday afternoon and was loving the flawless operation. All 3 of my Tokina DX Pro's worked great and had a successful 3 day shoot this weekend.

So in short, a Good Job call out to Birger.
 
Roberto Lequeux said:
How does the Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM work?
Click to expand...

Works great. A little jumpy sometimes during a pull, but overall totally usable for my needs. I've been shooting Red with this lens and a manual FF for about 8 months prior to the Impero. The lens has very little breathing and no noticeable image jump when changing focus direction.

I have two national tv spots (US) running which were captured with this lens and a manual FF.
 
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