Nelson Villamil Posted June 16, 2009 Report Share Posted June 16, 2009 Hello View this...interesting product http://www.hocusproducts.com/hocusfocus Please send any commments Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members RobVanGelder Posted June 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 At first it looks interesting, and it might work well for a lot of applications. It looks a little bit like the Bartech, the receiver is unknown (no picture) However, the specifications make clear (to me) that this is basically a remote control as used for miniature cars, boats and others. Why? The motor has a 180 degrees maximum turn, this is very likely a rebuild servo motor for the above mentioned applications. Thats why it needs a large geared wheel , in order to have enough range on the teeth. It also means that the maximum force might be limited: stiff lenses might be a problem. (but these motors can be remarkably strong) And with the newest generation of lenses with big barrels (Cooke S4, Ultraprime, Angenieux Optimo) it probably cannot reach both limits so you have to choose a range before you do the shot. That might not always be a problem at all. I don't know about the accuracy, but they fly helicopters with this stuff..... So if your business is mainly with (video) cameras with short turn lenses, this might be a good option. I did not see any pricing.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Felix Forrest Posted June 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 My understanding is that its aimed mainly at those utilising 35mm lens via lens adapters (the redrock crowd!). From my recollection, the pricing is very keen as it is intended to be a lower budget option. I know that the intention is to release a 'Pro' version at some stage. I sure Pete will chime in as its his 'baby'. This is a short video of the prototype: Prototype Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Hoare Posted June 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 (edited) Hello, The Hocus Focus, as mentioned, does use a modified RC servo. It is not ideal, but it is designed for DSLR lenses on an adapter (redrock/letus etc), DSLRs, and broadcast lenses. We have tested the unit on El cheapo DSLR lenses, Zeiss ZF SLRs, broadcast and zeiss superspeeds, no problems with strength, speed or accuracy. There are plans to release a HoFoPro motor, which will be a direct replacement for this one, just plugs in and you can carry on using as before. This motor is in early stages of development but it is silent and strong, designed for heavy cine lenses. The accuracy is spot on, it can return to the dot on 1.5 every time. When using a 12v power source, it is fast and responsive. The video Felix has posted is VERY old. The new unit is much nicer, video here: Video Please also keep in mind that the spec sheet on the website is also very outdated. We are updating this at the moment. I am just about to go to the machine shop to pick up the parts for the first run of motor housings. We had a five axis cnc machine automatically loading and unloading blanks unattended all night, all from aerospace aluminium cut out by an F1 car parts machine shop to 10 microns tolerance. The motor chassis clamp is cut out with an electronic discharge machine that runs a 0.2mm dia brass wire through the material to slowly erode it away. Each chassis takes about three hours to cut. I know that this is aimed at indie film makers and DSLR shooters, but i'm not the kind of person to sell badly made stuff to anyone, so I have really made an effort with the quality of this product and it is rock solid. The receiver unit looks like this: The top has a Sony NP battery plate for Z1 and other similar camera batteries. The smallest NP battery will power the unit all day. You can of course power the RX unit using a 4pin XLR power input (12v). The case is made from thick diecast aluminium and can be driven over in a family car with no problems. It has a 1/4-20 thread in the bottom for mounting and uses a 0B Lemo to connect to the motor using the supplied cable (60cm long) The price is undecided, but won't be far from the figure Ed mentioned (ex vat). The product is CE marked, ROHS compliant and uses legal frequencies world wide. It has 10 user selectable bands, and is extremely secure. Charles P reported no interference at NAB amongst hundreds of other RF devices. Range is about 200 meters (useful eh?!) maintaining accuracy and security all the way. Anyway, please direct all questions at me, and I can fill you in. Pete. pete@hocusproducts.com Edited June 17, 2009 by Peter Hoare Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ed Moore Posted June 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Just wanted to quickly vouch for Pete's work on this product and his approach in general - he's been working very hard but also very swiftly to get this to market at a sensible price point, and I know he's keen to hear all your feedback and thoughts. Pete did you want to talk about the motor design for the HoFoPro at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Hoare Posted June 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 17, 2009 Hi, Not much to report yet. will post info when I have it. Just picked up a box of five axis aluminium motor cases. They also did 14 of the chassis plates for the motor, but the four holes that the gearbox bolt to were threaded a tiny bit loose (about 5 microns loose) and so they are starting again. five microns is rejectable by Hocus Products. ;) Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Villamil Posted June 18, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Hello Peter I am star this item Hocus Focus.. Plase send price ?? Avalible when. where, ??? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Hoare Posted June 18, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 18, 2009 Hi Nelson, We are building the first batch at the moment. They will be available fairly soon, but the price will be set by the distributors, and I am not sure what they have decided just yet. Pete. 26 unanodised motor caps lined up in my kitchen, finished yesterday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelson Villamil Posted July 15, 2009 Author Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hello Peter What is the news??? About your new system Right now avalible ?? who where ??? price ?? Test ?? Send info for all guys interestind in hocus focus products Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Hoare Posted July 15, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 15, 2009 Hi, Building them now. Heres some pics, Pointers ready for anodising A nearly finished focus knob disk, I dont want to give any time scale estimates, in case something goes wrong and we miss it. I will keep you updated, will be done soon and will let you all know when its ready. We are also working on the instruction manual at the moment, a sample of which is shown here: Those drawings take a while, but we are getting there.... I have attached an up to date spec sheet for you to look at. Thanks, Pete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Flatt Posted July 16, 2009 Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Looks Great. Am very interested. on the insruction sheet it does not mention Nikon Lenses? Or am I clearly showing my Newbie Stripes? A Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Hoare Posted July 16, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 16, 2009 Looks Great. Am very interested. on the insruction sheet it does not mention Nikon Lenses? Or am I clearly showing my Newbie Stripes? A Nikon Canon, whatever really, if its an SLR or broadcast lens it will be fine. You will need to source 0.8mod gear rings for your lenses from Redrock Micro or Zacuto though as SLR lenses dont have these rings built in.... Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dana Love Posted July 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Peter, I'm impressed with the attention to detail in your fabrication, fit and finish. I'm looking forward to seeing the released product! Cheers, Dana Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Peter Hoare Posted July 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted July 17, 2009 Hi, Im glad someone noticed. I rejected the marking disk pointers today because the white fill in the arrow was a bit wobbly and drippy. I think we are going to laser the white onto the black anodise now, which should be cleaner. Just finished crimping 30 Lemo cables, which was quite painful, much much better than solder though. Very glad I got the tool. Will post some pics up when its complete. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Dana Love Posted August 31, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 I've been following the Hocus Focus development, and found them on Facebook. It looks like the product is complete, with European frequency models having launched in the past week or ten days. Given the rapid-fire updates before launch and the relative silence after, I'd guess they're pushing units out the door at a snappy pace! Also found photos of the completed units online. Here are a few, others can be found at their Facebook fan page. They look to be at the IDX booth at IBC. I won't be going, but I'll be oogling until US frequency units become available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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