Development Update - AFX Focus Module For PBC

[Walter H]

Could you say a bit about how you anticipate the add-on modules will work with this AFX module as they are developed? Do they literally "add on" to this initial component for greater functionality, i.e. eye AF?

Thanks much. This is a really exciting development! I am also a Panny S1 shooter and this could really be the component to address that camera's AF inconsistency. 

[BTM_Pix]

11 minutes ago, Walter H said:

Could you say a bit about how you anticipate the add-on modules will work with this AFX module as they are developed? Do they literally "add on" to this initial component for greater functionality, i.e. eye AF?

Thanks much. This is a really exciting development! I am also a Panny S1 shooter and this could really be the component to address that camera's AF inconsistency. 

Yes, they will connect wirelessly.

The AFX acts as the hub device controlling the camera (and lens motors for manual focus lenses) and receives/sends data to/from the additional components.

An example of this that is built in already is the Tilta control wheel when using BMPCC4K/6K.

It connects over BLE to the AFX and the AFX then translates its movements into controlling the native electronic lenses on the camera.

This means that P4K/6K cameras can have the advantage of the more tactile control of a focus wheel without having to have focus motors and powering them etc.

So in the same way, the additional module to offer AI based focus detection will process the data onboard and then pass that wirelessly to the AFX to action on the camera/lens motors.

 

 

[seku]

Looking forward to get the AFX, participated on indiegogo!

[Caleb Genheimer]

46 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

Yes, they will connect wirelessly.

The AFX acts as the hub device controlling the camera (and lens motors for manual focus lenses) and receives/sends data to/from the additional components.

An example of this that is built in already is the Tilta control wheel when using BMPCC4K/6K.

It connects over BLE to the AFX and the AFX then translates its movements into controlling the native electronic lenses on the camera.

This means that P4K/6K cameras can have the advantage of the more tactile control of a focus wheel without having to have focus motors and powering them etc.

So in the same way, the additional module to offer AI based focus detection will process the data onboard and then pass that wirelessly to the AFX to action on the camera/lens motors.

 

 

Just bought the AFX, this is awesome. Any word on the actual sensor tech for the AI-based add-on? Is it an additional chip-based system running contrast detect or something? Or phase detect? 

[BTM_Pix]

3 minutes ago, Caleb Genheimer said:

Just bought the AFX, this is awesome.

Thanks for your support.

4 minutes ago, Caleb Genheimer said:

Any word on the actual sensor tech for the AI-based add-on? Is it an additional chip-based system running contrast detect or something? Or phase detect? 

Have to play that one close to my chest for now.

But it won't be far behind the AFX so the suspense won't last too long !

[Caleb Genheimer]

7 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

Thanks for your support.

Have to play that one close to my chest for now.

But it won't be far behind the AFX so the suspense won't last too long !

Just be prepared for a demo of AF on 16mm film, because that’s definitely gonna happen 🤘🏻

[Caleb Genheimer]

How does the lens calibration work with MF lenses? Is that something that requires the app/smartphone? 
 

Same question regarding the various mode changes. 
 

iOS/Android?

[BTM_Pix]

32 minutes ago, Caleb Genheimer said:

How does the lens calibration work with MF lenses? Is that something that requires the app/smartphone? 
 

No, as with the the electronic lenses on the P4K/6K, everything is done on the AFX itself with the controller.

You tape a focus target on a wall (nothing fancy, anything contrasty will do so you can just put a piece of newspaper up if you want), focus the lens at minimum focus with the controller operating the focus movement, mark the point using the A button on the controller and this stores the focus point with its associated distance.

Move back, re-focus, re-mark etc until you reach infinity and thats it done.

Takes no more than 5-6 minutes per lens and only has to be done once as the calibration is stored on the AFX in its database and re-loaded when you put that lens on.

In the case of the P4K/6K it is done automatically as it can read the lens name but for motor versions you just select it from a list.

If you want to re-calibrate for any reason, you can pick the particular lens from the database in the setup menu, delete it and re-do it.

38 minutes ago, Caleb Genheimer said:

Same question regarding the various mode changes. 

As above, no app required as everything is mapped to buttons/joystick positions on the controller.

Left Stick - Toggles between AF-S and AF-C

Right Stick - Cycles through focus transition times for QuadLock

Stick Up/Stick Down - Manual Focus (far/near)

Top Trigger - Record Start/Stop (P4K/P6K Only)

Bottom Trigger (Short Press) - AF ON/OFF (in AF-S mode re-triggers focus)

Bottom Trigger (Long Press) - Engage/Disengage QuadLock focus target limiter

A (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position A

B (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position B

C (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position C

D (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position D

A (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position A (sets target to A if focus target limiter engaged)

B (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position B (sets target to B if focus target limiter engaged)

C (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position C (sets target to C if focus target limiter engaged)

D (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position D (sets target to A if focus target limiter engaged)

In addition, the operation mode for buttons A,B,C,D can optionally be set to Command mode for P4K/6K where functions such as Aperture/ISO/WB etc can be mapped to them.

 

 

[BTM_Pix]

Almost forgot, if you press the bottom trigger, while holding the stick to the right and double tap the C button you get a power up combo

[chico braz]

you guys ever think about adding sensors on actors or objects (that could be in any area of frame) and incorporate that with your technology , to get even more solid focus system , that would be a dream , maybe you guys already planing on having options for this system.Thanks for making this possible

[BTM_Pix]

Optical Manouevres In The Dark

https://www.eoshd.com/news/autofocus-in-the-dark-an-interview-with-cda-tek/#more-25140

[Henchman]

Got mine ordered. 
Hope delivery will stay on schedule. I have a no budget feature I'm starting in the New Year that this will be perfect for.

[Henchman]

BTW, will the AI be a software add-on, or hardware. And what do you see the additional cost being?

[BTM_Pix]

On 10/29/2020 at 2:42 AM, chico braz said:

you guys ever think about adding sensors on actors or objects (that could be in any area of frame) and incorporate that with your technology , to get even more solid focus system , that would be a dream , maybe you guys already planing on having options for this system.Thanks for making this possible

We've experimented with some beacon stuff but the accuracy isn't there for critical focus applications without a lot of setup and tuning in a very controlled environment so isn't practical at the moment.

5 hours ago, Henchman said:

Got mine ordered. 
Hope delivery will stay on schedule. I have a no budget feature I'm starting in the New Year that this will be perfect for.

Thank you for the support.

We slipped the announcement back to finalise some component and design choices and make the delivery schedule more accurate.

4 hours ago, Henchman said:

BTW, will the AI be a software add-on, or hardware. And what do you see the additional cost being?

It will be hardware and connects via BLE to the AFX and the AFX will ship with the support for it already in the firmware.

Price is subject to finalisation but it will certainly be less than €200 with an additional support reward discount for AFX backers.

[BTM_Pix]

On 10/28/2020 at 7:40 AM, pryde said:

 

2. are there any good solutions for mounting the handheld controller to a cage or rail system? I understand its need, but I also rarely have a free hand while operating the camera and would hate to be putting it in my pocket or something.

[NeuroJitsu]

On 10/28/2020 at 7:22 PM, BTM_Pix said:

No, as with the the electronic lenses on the P4K/6K, everything is done on the AFX itself with the controller.

You tape a focus target on a wall (nothing fancy, anything contrasty will do so you can just put a piece of newspaper up if you want), focus the lens at minimum focus with the controller operating the focus movement, mark the point using the A button on the controller and this stores the focus point with its associated distance.

Move back, re-focus, re-mark etc until you reach infinity and thats it done.

Takes no more than 5-6 minutes per lens and only has to be done once as the calibration is stored on the AFX in its database and re-loaded when you put that lens on.

In the case of the P4K/6K it is done automatically as it can read the lens name but for motor versions you just select it from a list.

If you want to re-calibrate for any reason, you can pick the particular lens from the database in the setup menu, delete it and re-do it.

As above, no app required as everything is mapped to buttons/joystick positions on the controller.

Left Stick - Toggles between AF-S and AF-C

Right Stick - Cycles through focus transition times for QuadLock

Stick Up/Stick Down - Manual Focus (far/near)

Top Trigger - Record Start/Stop (P4K/P6K Only)

Bottom Trigger (Short Press) - AF ON/OFF (in AF-S mode re-triggers focus)

Bottom Trigger (Long Press) - Engage/Disengage QuadLock focus target limiter

A (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position A

B (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position B

C (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position C

D (Long Press ) Store current focus position in QuadLock Position D

A (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position A (sets target to A if focus target limiter engaged)

B (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position B (sets target to B if focus target limiter engaged)

C (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position C (sets target to C if focus target limiter engaged)

D (Short Press) Move focus to QuadLock Position D (sets target to A if focus target limiter engaged)

In addition, the operation mode for buttons A,B,C,D can optionally be set to Command mode for P4K/6K where functions such as Aperture/ISO/WB etc can be mapped to them.

 

 

If you use the AFX on different cameras, I'm assuming you need to calibrate for each camera assuming the AFX mounting point (in relation to the lens) varies across cameras.  Can you simply store different camera presets for each lens?  Is there any limit to the number of stored lens calibration presets?

I'm close to ordering, this looks fantastic.  Just want to make sure I understand the practicalities of using it across different cameras.  
 

 

 

[BTM_Pix]

7 minutes ago, NeuroJitsu said:

If you use the AFX on different cameras, I'm assuming you need to calibrate for each camera assuming the AFX mounting point (in relation to the lens) varies across cameras.  Can you simply store different camera presets for each lens?  Is there any limit to the number of stored lens calibration presets?

I'm close to ordering, this looks fantastic.  Just want to make sure I understand the practicalities of using it across different cameras.  
 

Yes and then it stores them in its database for recall as and when you need them.

For the BM cameras, this recall is automatic as we can read the camera name from the lens as soon as you attach it but for other cameras it will have to be selected from a list.

When you calibrate the lens for other cameras you select each element from a list so :

CAMERA BRAND >>CANON,NIKON,SONY etc.

MODEL >> 1,2,3,4 etc

LENS BRAND >> Canon, Nikon, Sigma etc

LENS MM >> 18,20,24,28 etc

LENS F >> 1.4,1.8,2.0 etc

SUB >> 1,2,3,4

The reason that the MODEL field is numeric is that an exhaustive list of every model from every manufacturer is to cumbersome to manage, the storage space is better used elsewhere and we would be needing to issue firmware updates every time a new model is released. So if you have an A7Riii, an A7Sii and an A6500 then you are going to have to decide for yourself which one you designate as 1,2,3,4 etc.

Realistically, if you have two Sony full frame cameras and mount the AFX in the hotshoe then you will likely not need to calibrate for each camera but it takes less than five minutes and is only done once so its not much of a hardship.

With regard to SUB that is there for if you have multiple lenses that share the same brand, focal length and f stop as a way to differentiate them and again in the interests of overhead the onus is on the user to decide that.

In terms of capacity, there is one but its set at a level that can accommodate all of the cameras and lenses owned by @Andrew Reid so the rest of us will be barely scratching the surface 😉 

[QuickHitRecord]

27 minutes ago, BTM_Pix said:

Yes and then it stores them in its database for recall as and when you need them.

When the unit is powered on, does it automatically load the last lens profile? Or does it need to be selected from a list?

[BTM_Pix]

6 minutes ago, QuickHitRecord said:

When the unit is powered on, does it automatically load the last lens profile? Or does it need to be selected from a list?

For BMPCC4K/6K everything is automatic.

For manual lenses, you are prompted to load the last one that you used.

[Lowell]

Does the LIDAR unit have a distance range for optimal focus? Specifically, I'm wondering whether the unit will be usable with macro lenses at close focusing distances.