The cmotion wireless remote camera and lens control system is now available for rental at Panavision Australia.
This extremely versatile system is both very powerful and easy to operate. The system is modular in nature. It can be configured in a number of modes to suit all modern shooting scenarios.
To appreciate the system, you have to see it in action.
To get an idea of the versatility of the cmotion, watch the demonstration videos:
cmotion modules include:
camin
The camin is the cmotion module that facilitates communication between the camera and the lens motors. It is the “brain” of the system. The camin can be mounted to the camera directly or anywhere near the camera. It communicates with other components of the LCS-system via cable or wireless. The camin enables you to control up to 3 motors plus film and video cameras. The system is compatible with all commonly used digital servo motors from different manufacturers. The motor type is identified by the camin automatically. The camin consists of various interfaces that can be used for various operations such as camera start/stop for diverse camera types and speed ramps. A wireless module is integrated into the camin; you can choose between 9 radio channels in the worldwide admitted 2.4 GHz band. The cmotion radio communication system is strong and reliable and guarantees reliability and efficiency on set. The camin also has an integrated cboost function. Regardless of the input voltage, the cboost function assures that the output voltage remains constant so that the motors always move at a constant speed. ENG lenses with an integrated motor can also be controlled directly.
coperate
The coperate is the main hand unit of the LCS-system. It controls focus and iris, and consists of control units for up to 2 motors, camera run (for film and video cameras), wireless operation, external adjustment of the torque, integrated light for the marker ring, internal antenna. The coperate is an ergonomic operation control unit that rests comfortably in the user’s hand. All control functions are provided wired and wireless. The coperate contains a hand-wheel and a slider to control the focus and iris motors. The cmotion zoom control unit, the czoom, can also be attached to the coperate. The focus pulling configuration gives the user control of one motor and from here the coperate can be expanded in several ways. It can be upgraded to a multi-functional 3 motor and camera control system. The user interface schema of the coperate has a clear and very comprehensive user’s structure. The torque of the hand-wheel can be adjusted by the user and the exchangeable marker rings are also available glow-in-the-dark upon request. Despite the robust casing, the coperate is very light-weight. The function module and battery receptacle have been integrated into the unit’s casing. The user can set operation range limits on the handwheel and the lens axis with the coperate. cmotion also offers an easy-to-use neck strap system, cstrap, so the user can hang the hand unit around their neck and have both hands free.
czoom II
The czoomII includes all operation functions necessary to control a zoom motor. It has an integrated display which reads out the actual zoom position and other relevant information. The czoom II can be attached to the pan-bar and can control a zoom motor and the camera directly. An optional radio module is included in the czoom II with an internal antenna and a battery receptacle which has been conveniently integrated into the handle. These allow for, when used together with the camin, wireless control of the zoom lens motor. The czoom II is designed based on stringent ergonomic guidelines as are all cmotion units. Motor movement is controlled by a pressure key joystick and can be easily reached by the user’s thumb. There are zoom speed control buttons as well as a ZAP (zoom as fast as possible) button integrated into the czoom II; ENG lenses with an integrated zoom motor can be controlled directly. The czoom II can start and stop various cameras. The czoom II also offers the user a zoom value memory option. The zoom motor will move to any given position, previously entered by the user, each time the Recall button is pushed.
cdisplay
The cdisplay is a multi-functional monitor and control unit with a 3.8" TFT screen. The monitor and its integrated touch-screen make for an easy-to-use and expandable control unit for lenses and cameras. The cdisplay can be connected directly to the camin in stand-alone mode (hardwired or wireless). By means of the cmotion fastening tool, the clamp, it can also be connected directly to the coperate. As you control the lens motors with the cmotion hand units an animated picture of the actual lens gear rings appears on the cdisplay screen. cmotion has developed various software modules for the cdisplay.
Software for the cdisplay
clensinfo
clensinfo is the cdisplay software module that reads out lens and camera information on the cdisplay screen. The software displays an animated depiction of the actual lens barrel and its movements. On the focus scale the hyperfocal is indicated with an “H” as well as focus near, focus far and the depth of field. The user can also make focus marker points on the focus scale using the coperate, camera status information is read out in the camera information window. The system is compatible with all lenses and all camera systems which means that all lenses can be depicted.
camcon
The camera control software allows the user to set camera parameters such as fps and shutter. Currently, Arri 435, Arri 535, Arri 16SR3, Arri 35 III, Aaton 35 III, Aaton XTR Prod and the Panavision Millennium XL can be controlled. Implementation of other cameras is in development. Camera start/stop can be operated on all cameras which have a camera run/stop interface.
cramp
The cmotion software, cramp, allows the user to program and execute speed ramps, depth of field ramps and user mode ramps for film cameras. For each ramp the user defines the start and end parameters and usually presets the time. In automatic mode, a simple push of a button starts the ramp and the camera will move automatically to the end parameters in the given time. You can also manually operate this preset ramp. This means the user can control the movement of the ramp from its start position to its end position manually. This of course works with all integrated cameras, in hardwired and wireless mode. Any preset exposure compensation will be done automatically. This manual ramp can be controlled by the knob or the slider of the coperate. Cameras currently controllable include: Arri 435, Arri 535, Arri 16SR3, Arri 35 III, Aaton 35 III, Aaton XTR Prod and the Panavision Millennium. Implementation of other cameras is in development.
cfocas
cfocas is the cmotion focus assistant. It is another cdisplay software module. With the help of cfocas, an assistant can link information from a range finder tool, such as the cfinder, with focus scale data and work with the results. Various range finder systems can be used with cfocas. cfocas illustrates focus scale information in relation to depth of field information in an easy to read large font. As with other cdisplay software all lenses can be used and displayed with cfocas. Lens information can be loaded from a data storage unit such as the ctag. Camera information will also be read out on the cfocas screen. Of course the user can also simply use the read out information (focus data, measurement data) and focus manually. cfocas clearly indicates whether the current focus value, or the range finder value, is within the depth of field. The cfocas software also provides the user with an auto focus function. The corresponding lens motors on the lens adjustment rings automatically follow the range finder value. This function can be turned on and off with a button on the coperate. The user can dictate the sensitivity of the auto focus. The gentler the user sets the sensitivity; the smoother the auto focus will follow a focal point. If it is not possible to attach a range finder system directly at the film plane, an offset value can be set for the distance of the range finder from the film plane.
cfinder
cfinder is an optic distance measurement tool. It has a measurement range of 0.2m to over 150m (approx. 7.9 inch – 492 feet) and an accuracy range of + 0.04 m (approx. 1.6 inch). To focus on an object, a telescopic sight, or a laser pointer, can be easily attached to the cfinder by means of a quick fastener. The cfinder measurement stream is invisible. A power supply for the additional laser pointer is located at the back of the unit. The cfinder can be mounted with brackets to various cameras or beside a camera on a tripod. The cfinder also has a CBUS interface, the cmotion universal intra – system interface which allows the user to connect cmotion units to each other. The cfinder can be connected to the camin. The cfinder updates its measurements up to 10x a second. The distance measurement data can be read out onto the cdisplay. Aside from the cmotion distance measurement unit, the cfinder, the cdisplay can also receive measurement information from other measurement tools e.g. the Cinematography Electronics’ Cine Tape Measure.
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