Premium Members Lars Erik Posted May 1, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 I was sent a link from a focus puller friend of mine. There's a new system coming soon called Viewfactor. You can use it as either a wireless unit, or a hands on unit. But the system is under $3000. Hmm...anybody know anything about this? http://www.viewfactor.net/khxc/index.php?a...&ref=splash LE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jaron Berman Posted May 2, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 I heard about it from Jim Bartell, and saw it at NAB. If they sort out the problems, it'll be VERY impressive, especially for the money. Unfortunately, if you go to infinity right now, the lens loses calibration. Also, the focus knob is tiny and makes multiple rotations to get from close-infinity. Also, their 3-motor system currently works using the single knob controller, thus you can do one function at a time. (Jim mentioned that he brought that up to them and at first they were snsure that anyone would need multiple functions at once, but now understand the demand). Also, if there's a loss of power, hit, or the controller is switched off, the system must recalibrate. Good news is that calibration is automatic and quick, and they promise that the "pro" controller will have a larger knob and 3-channel discrete control...and a single revolution of the focus knob for the full lens throw. They also claim to have fixed the loss of calibration problem, and created a wireless version (it's currently wired only)...though the demo at NAB was prone to all the listed problems (in the 5 mintues at the booth, I managed to accidentally cause it to lose calibration with basically anything I did....good thing I'm not an AC). The motors are extremely strong and small, and use an inverted-M-one style gear connector to snap on and off. The craftsmanship is top-notch, so if they fix the bugs this will be a real contender. Oh, and apparently they have a c-motion style system in the works with virtual witness marks and camera effects control, etc... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike McGowan SOC Posted May 2, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 For the price as a back up system it would kick ass if it's bug free. Also, for guys just gettin into the biz and buying their first rig and don't have an extra 30k (or 3 months to wait) for a Preston. Looks sweet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members luis castro Posted May 2, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 hi , operators I ask The motors are fully compatible with bartell focus ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alfeo Dixon SOC Posted May 2, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 Good news is that calibration is automatic and quick, and they promise that the "pro" controller will have a larger knob and 3-channel discrete control...and a single revolution of the focus knob for the full lens throw... Oh, and apparently they have a c-motion style system in the works with virtual witness marks and camera effects control, etc... But at what price point for what we will really need... sounds like Bartech will still trump this one For the price as a back up system it would kick ass if it's bug free. Also, for guys just gettin into the biz and buying their first rig and don't have an extra 30k (or 3 months to wait) for a Preston. Not bad at all, but would require a heck of alot more field testing to become my backup. Preston still has issues and same with the Bartech. But atleast you know your getting years of problem solving, field testing and great service. hi , operatorsI ask The motors are fully compatible with bartell focus ? And what did the motors say Luis? Just messing with you... that's a great question... Jim? If these guys where not inclined to think about us needing focus, iris and maybe even zoom all in the same shot, I doubt that they thought ahead about making the motors compatible with other systems. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see another solid & affordable system out on the market. But I have to know that if my Preston is having issues that my backup is going to save my ass. -Alfeo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JimBartell Posted May 2, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 2, 2008 hi , operatorsI ask The motors are fully compatible with bartell focus ? No, this system is more like the ARRI system where the motors are "smart" and have all the control circuitry in each motor. The receiver is just a receiver, not a motor driver as well. So no compatibility with any other system. Jim "I'm not talking to you" Bartell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John von Badinski Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 (edited) As far as compatibility is concerned our motors have far more "smarts" in them then other motors. They are essentially self contained motion control motors. They have the ability to play and repeat ant movement and position with complete repeatability. Many more functions that would require pages to put in here. Our ?pro? version remote will be priced below $2000 and offer the same functions as a C-motion system. Please remember you may have issues and as with most systems none have all the features everyone wants in them.If you have any questions you can direct them to our forum. BTW I don't think of our system as a backup, just new and affordable. Edited May 3, 2008 by John von Badinski Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Alfeo Dixon SOC Posted May 4, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Our ?pro? version remote will be priced below $2000 and offer the same functions as a C-motion system. Please remember you may have issues and as with most systems none have all the features everyone wants in them.If you have any questions you can direct them to our forum. BTW I don't think of our system as a backup, just new and affordable. Very excellent. By far the C-Motion unit is my favorite with the exception of a few things. What frequency is the system using? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Lars Erik Posted May 4, 2008 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted May 4, 2008 Our ?pro? version remote will be priced below $2000 and offer the same functions as a C-motion system. Please remember you may have issues and as with most systems none have all the features everyone wants in them.If you have any questions you can direct them to our forum. BTW I don't think of our system as a backup, just new and affordable. Very excellent. By far the C-Motion unit is my favorite with the exception of a few things. What frequency is the system using? According to their website, it uses a 2.4 gHz frequency Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members mark morgan Posted May 5, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 Very excellent. By far the C-Motion unit is my favorite with the exception of a few things. What frequency is the system using? According to their website, it uses a 2.4 gHz frequency so does this mean this fequency is going to mess with some wireless video signals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Chu Posted July 29, 2008 Report Share Posted July 29, 2008 A recent trip to the viewfactor website says their delivery of the the first motors and controls will be 8/13. Any of the veterans here going to take a chance on it? Or is there a trade show coming up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Chu Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 A recent trip to the viewfactor website says their delivery of the the first motors and controls will be 8/13. Any of the veterans here going to take a chance on it? Or is there a trade show coming up? Well, from that last post there hasn't been much news - the guys at Viewfactor are still working away - it seems like just a couple of very hard working guys trying to make a quality product for the first time. I wouldn't want to be in their shoes, but I sure would like a FF with a USB port for 2K! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Calver Posted October 1, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 I heard that the View Factor was originally supposed to be an accessory to be purchased with red but there was a feud and View factor pulled out and went solo. Does anyone know if this is true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jon Beattie Posted October 1, 2008 Premium Members Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 Yes, originally this was going to be marketed as a FF designed for the RED. Sold by RED. Its better for everyone that they are looking to make a more universal system. I'm still not giving up my BFD and M-One. They are the AK-47 of Focus systems. May not have every creature comfort. But they are built to last, with little care and work in all conditions. I think the VF may be interesting as a back up or iris system. Or maybe its just for those people who like to shoot through 5" of glass and a science expermant attached to a prosumer camera. We'll see when they finally let the world see it. I heard that the View Factor was originally supposed to be an accessory to be purchased with red but there was a feud and View factor pulled out and went solo. Does anyone know if this is true? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Vanderspek Posted October 1, 2008 Report Share Posted October 1, 2008 science experiment attached to a prosumer camera. heh I'm definitely going to use that line some time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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