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Chrosziel MagNum


Vedran Rapo

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I'll preface this post by saying I've been pulling focus since 1992. I have this system. I have two handsets, a Betz, Heden, and a Chrosziel CDM-100 motor. I have been using it for about a month now and have had not problems. The handset is very ergonomic and lightweight. The menu system is simple and no harder to use than the Preston 3. This device offers a lot especially for the money. The handset can do things the Preston 3 cannot. It can calibrate motors from the handset and the user can calibrate motors individually. You have all the same functionality you would expect. You can change direction of the motors or the scales. You can control all three channels (FIZ). You can "change the scale" of any of the channels using 4 programmable user buttons. Once you program them, they can be turned off and recalled. You can't do that on a Preston. I like this A LOT because this is a function I use a lot. For instance, when I am on the long end of a 12:1 lens, I throw away a large portion of the focus scale I don't need. If I need to focus from 20-60 feet, I'll use this function to make this the entire range of the focus ring. This makes fine adjustments of focus a lot easier. As you probably know, you can do this on almost any remote focus system. What you can't do on others however is turn this off and then recall it. Which is great when the slate is 10 feet from the camera buy my new "minimum" focus is 20 feet. I revert the focus to it's full range, grab the slate, then expand my scale again. I can't tell you how useful this is. Works the same way for pulling stops while I'm pulling focus.

 

You can also choose whether to work in the Mhz or Ghz range. It'll interface with the CineTape. I've used the 2nd handset as an Iris control for the DP. It does everything I want, so far.

 

That's my experience. I'm happy to engage anyone in a conversation about this device if someone is interested. PM me and I'll give you my phone number.

 

Thanks!

Tony that sounds so helpful to me. What about delay and noise of the motors? Does this kit work well with Heden motors as they say?

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Tony that sounds so helpful to me. What about delay and noise of the motors? Does this kit work well with Heden motors as they say?

 

 

Delay and noise will depend on the motor and the settings within the MagNum. The MagNum has a built in motor booster resulting in the lowest motor delay and fastest motor response. However, the faster the motor, the higher the noise. The MagNum offers a menu setting called Motor Booster where you can limit the motor booster. Depending on the setting, you can have a unnoticeable motor for noise sensitive shots or extremely fast and responsive motor for speed sensitive shots all settings accessible from your Hand Unit.

 

Regarding the Heden Motors, Chrosziel has sold hundreds of Heden Motors with the MagNum system. The built in auto-motor-detection of the MagNum automatically applies optimized settings to the Heden M26VE. For the Heden M21VE, it depends on the version of the motor you have. If you buy it from Chrosziel directly with the MagNum, all will be fine. But please note, there are M21VE versions on the market, where there has been made special adaption to third party FIZ systems within the M21VE. If you use one of these version and encounter problems, just limit the booster setting to 3 within the MagNum and all is perfectly fine and works great.

 

Since I am working as the Lens Control Specialist within Chrosziel, anybody else can confirm my reply?

 

Make sure to check out the lightweight Chrosziel Digital Motor CDM-100 as well. It is perfect for Gimbal, SteadiCam, Drone or Shoulder work and is compatible with 3rd party FIZ systems. There are some videos available on the website http://www.chrosziel.de/digital-motor-cdm-100/?lang=enbut as well on this post: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=23477

 

If you are in Atlanta this week, join us on Thursday at the Open House Event at John Sharaf Photography: https://www.facebook.com/chrosziel/ We have the MagNum, the CDM-100 and the new 401-C300MKII camera support with us and you can test everything and network with ACs, DPs and Camera Operators.

Edited by Timm Stemann
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Delay and noise will depend on the motor and the settings within the MagNum. The MagNum has a built in motor booster resulting in the lowest motor delay and fastest motor response. However, the faster the motor, the higher the noise. The MagNum offers a menu setting called Motor Booster where you can limit the motor booster. Depending on the setting, you can have a unnoticeable motor for noise sensitive shots or extremely fast and responsive motor for speed sensitive shots all settings accessible from your Hand Unit.

 

Regarding the Heden Motors, Chrosziel has sold hundreds of Heden Motors with the MagNum system. The built in auto-motor-detection of the MagNum automatically applies optimized settings to the Heden M26VE. For the Heden M21VE, it depends on the version of the motor you have. If you buy it from Chrosziel directly with the MagNum, all will be fine. But please note, there are M21VE versions on the market, where there has been made special adaption to third party FIZ systems within the M21VE. If you use one of these version and encounter problems, just limit the booster setting to 3 within the MagNum and all is perfectly fine and works great.

 

Since I am working as the Lens Control Specialist within Chrosziel, anybody else can confirm my reply?

 

Make sure to check out the lightweight Chrosziel Digital Motor CDM-100 as well. It is perfect for Gimbal, SteadiCam, Drone or Shoulder work and is compatible with 3rd party FIZ systems. There are some videos available on the website http://www.chrosziel.de/digital-motor-cdm-100/?lang=enbut as well on this post: http://www.steadicamforum.com/index.php?showtopic=23477

 

If you are in Atlanta this week, join us on Thursday at the Open House Event at John Sharaf Photography: https://www.facebook.com/chrosziel/ We have the MagNum, the CDM-100 and the new 401-C300MKII camera support with us and you can test everything and network with ACs, DPs and Camera Operators.

Dear Timm your reply also has many helpful information. Unfortunately living in Cyprus is not easy for our industry cause there aren't any shops to visit and try out systems before you buy them. I'm glad there is this forum and ask people around to help. I saw recently Tilta new release on a FIZ system which looks very promising and they say that it is compatible with industry motors. Also many 1st ACs are into a group buy with reduced price.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Dear Timm your reply also has many helpful information. Unfortunately living in Cyprus is not easy for our industry cause there aren't any shops to visit and try out systems before you buy them. I'm glad there is this forum and ask people around to help. I saw recently Tilta new release on a FIZ system which looks very promising and they say that it is compatible with industry motors. Also many 1st ACs are into a group buy with reduced price.

 

Dear Kyriacos,

 

thank you for your open words. Please drop me an email at timm.stemann@chrosziel.de and we will try to arrange a demo for you for real hands on. Maybe you can even let the forum users know about your experience afterwards.

 

Regarding Tilta, it seems that they plan to offer some interesting features. The MagNum FIZ system already supports all major lens motor manufacturers like Heden, Betz, Preston, Redrock Micro, Scorpio, Chrosziel, Red Technica and more. If you are missing one, let us know and we will release a new firmware free of charge as all of our firmwares. The MagNum FIZ is now about two years on the market with hundreds of units working out in the field. It offers an extremely reliable but state of the art product with dual band transmission, light-weight and ergonomic design and convenient functions like CineTape or similar, User Keys, integrated lens motor control and more.

 

If there is an interest in a group buy from this forum, I personally will support this and manage an exclusive Steadicamforum group buy discount. Let me know in this topic if any of you are interested in this to start on this.

 

Best

Timm

Edited by Timm Stemann
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Dear Kyriacos,

 

thank you for your open words. Please drop me an email at timm.stemann@chrosziel.de and we will try to arrange a demo for you for real hands on. Maybe you can even let the forum users know about your experience afterwards.

 

Regarding Tilta, it seems that they plan to offer some interesting features. The MagNum FIZ system already supports all major lens motor manufacturers like Heden, Betz, Preston, Redrock Micro, Scorpio, Chrosziel, Red Technica and more. If you are missing one, let us know and we will release a new firmware free of charge as all of our firmwares. The MagNum FIZ is now about two years on the market with hundreds of units working out in the field. It offers an extremely reliable but state of the art product with dual band transmission, light-weight and ergonomic design and convenient functions like CineTape or similar, User Keys, integrated lens motor control and more.

 

If there is an interest in a group buy from this forum, I personally will support this and manage an exclusive Steadicamforum group buy discount. Let me know in this topic if any of you are interested in this to start on this.

 

Best

Timm

I would definitely like to try it out and why not for a group buy. Let see what others are going to say. Also Timm i have sent you an email. Thanks

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  • 4 weeks later...

After

 

 

Dear Kyriacos,

 

thank you for your open words. Please drop me an email at timm.stemann@chrosziel.de and we will try to arrange a demo for you for real hands on. Maybe you can even let the forum users know about your experience afterwards.

 

Regarding Tilta, it seems that they plan to offer some interesting features. The MagNum FIZ system already supports all major lens motor manufacturers like Heden, Betz, Preston, Redrock Micro, Scorpio, Chrosziel, Red Technica and more. If you are missing one, let us know and we will release a new firmware free of charge as all of our firmwares. The MagNum FIZ is now about two years on the market with hundreds of units working out in the field. It offers an extremely reliable but state of the art product with dual band transmission, light-weight and ergonomic design and convenient functions like CineTape or similar, User Keys, integrated lens motor control and more.

 

If there is an interest in a group buy from this forum, I personally will support this and manage an exclusive Steadicamforum group buy discount. Let me know in this topic if any of you are interested in this to start on this.

 

Best

Timm

Regarding what Timm said on this post are there any of you guys interested in a group buy for a Chrosziel Magnum kit?

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  • 3 months later...

I have a Magnum single chanel exactly: http://shop.chrosziel.de/shop/eng/lens-control-systems/magnum-lens-control-system/985/magnum-kit-1-channel-with-chrosziel-motor-extendable?c=309
It is my first follow focus and I'm very happy to use it. It is a digital ff. I must say it is very simply and intuitive. One button to automatic calibrate and 3-4 presets.
Magnum works with a hard lenses and with ring for dlsr. I have no problem.
One think what Chrosziel can me think it is a mount for a rods. I must do it myself in turner ( photos

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3MbL_OQ08-cZWdBeEs3SExfN1E

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3MbL_OQ08-cSE9zc21vSExYVG8

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3MbL_OQ08-cSXZFa2dWVGw5SjA

 

). In our national TV have also Chrosziel with this mount.
This is my experience. If You wanna some video what you need please tell me i make a record and send you:)
All Best guys!

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Hi Marcin,

 

thank you for your great feedback on our Chrosziel MagNum. It is always great to hear feedback from users.

 

I have a Magnum single chanel exactly: http://shop.chrosziel.de/shop/eng/lens-control-systems/magnum-lens-control-system/985/magnum-kit-1-channel-with-chrosziel-motor-extendable?c=309
It is my first follow focus and I'm very happy to use it. It is a digital ff. I must say it is very simply and intuitive. One button to automatic calibrate and 3-4 presets.
Magnum works with a hard lenses and with ring for dlsr. I have no problem.
One think what Chrosziel can me think it is a mount for a rods. I must do it myself in turner ( photos

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3MbL_OQ08-cZWdBeEs3SExfN1E

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3MbL_OQ08-cSE9zc21vSExYVG8

 

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B3MbL_OQ08-cSXZFa2dWVGw5SjA

 

). In our national TV have also Chrosziel with this mount.
This is my experience. If You wanna some video what you need please tell me i make a record and send you:)
All Best guys!

Regarding the mounting option, there is exactly this kind of mount available directly from us, it is called Chrosziel RMB Rod Mounting Bracket: http://shop.chrosziel.de/shop/eng/detail/index/sArticle/420. But it looks like you were able to design a nice tool too.

 

All the best for your shoots,

Timm (Chrosziel Product Specialist Lens Control)

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  • 10 months later...

Hi all,

 

I have a chance to buy used (in very good condition) Chrosziel Magnum MN-200 with one Heden M26VE motor. Before I received this offer, I was thinking to buy new RTmotion MK3.1 (one motor). I have Red Scarlet-W camera and set of Cooke Speed Panchro PL rehoused lenses. What do you think is better solution?

 

 

Thanks!

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Hey Sinisa,

 

I have used both RT Motion and I currently own a full 3x Motor FIZ Chrosziel Magnum kit. By far the capabilities of the Magnum blows the RT Motion out of the water.

 

Their are other factors that do effect how you feel about the product and what your intended use is for it. If your clients/crew aren't wanting a Preston or Arri system then the only argument to make is functionality and features.

 

The nice thing about the magum is the motors are standard 7 pin lemo motors which means you can use just about any popular focus motor on the market from Heden (my personal favorite), Preston, Redrock, Bentz and Chrosziel even makes their own much which is fantastic.

 

RT Motion is a good working system that has never failed in use, but it is a closed system only RT Motion motors will work on RT Motions reciever.

 

They are both capable of 3 motors, but the Magnum hand unit has real hard stops built into it which depending on what you are doing can be an incredible tool. The knob also has the ability to adjust friction in the turn and the RT Motion 3.1 is locked at one levlel of fluidity which is a little more on the slow/harder to turn side.

 

The one feature that is hands down the best thing that no one else has is the spectrum analizer combined with the ability to do MHZ (with the attenna attached) and GHZ (via internal antenna. I was working in a courthouse doing B Roll with a steadicam operator for a documentary and the entire GHZ frequency had crazy interference from wifi and other wireless signals I'm guessing. I couldn't get farther than a few feet from the camera without the signal getting whacked out. Because of the MHZ function I was able to slap on the antennas and move on to get the shot. Aside from that if for some reason nothing is working wirelessly you can just connect a BNC/SDI cable from the reciever to the hand unit and it will work under any conditions.

 

I know RT Motion is popular, but I sat down at a rental house near me that has and compared the magnum with Preston HU3 & MDR3 and Arri WCU4 w/CForce Mini/Plus & CLM motors with MDR 1 to 1 with the most difficult to focus lens I could find (35mm T2.1 CP.2 Zeiss) and did a 1 to 1 test. I found that with Heden Motors the Magum system performed equally to all three systems. The only thing missing with the magnum is Lens Mapping (Which Chrosziel Says they are Working On) and exclusively with the WCU4 you can get wirless control of Arri Cameras especially with their Alexa Mini. The RT Motion like I said holds up well in performance it's just a closed system with service based in England (I could be wrong but last I heard service was in England.) Even though Chrosziel is a german company they use Radiant Images in LA to handle repairs so their is always someone in the US to help you if it goes down.

 

The final feature I love is the User Buttons you can program to do whatever you like and their is 4x I love saving time without digging through menus. Their are tons of other nice features, but these were highlights for me. Most of the times the first thing to wear out while in use is the focus motor. It's good to have backup and the fact that the Magnum takes any 7 Pin motor you will always be able to find something quickly to get you back up and running. The most important thing to remember is it's all about getting the shot. Whatever you choose make sure you can depend on it day in and day out.

 

If you get to know Timm Stemann you will always have someone you can call if you panic or need help. A generic 1-800 number the Redrock or any of the other guys can really suck.

 

Hope this helps! I have plenty of shots of the magnum in action on my instagram: @fortenox feel free to take a look.

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