SmallRig MagicFIZ Wi-fi Observe Focus Primary Package 3781
Precept spec:
- 16 frequency channels
- Management as much as two motors
- Vary 100m/328ft
- Motor torque 0.5N·m
- 20hr battery life for controller
- Wired and wi-fi document management
Value: $239.20
Like so many equipment within the movie business, wi-fi lens management kits may be fairly costly to personal, and with costs upwards of $10,000 for the hardcore skilled kits new comers and people on a price range may be left considerably out within the chilly. Thankfully, in current instances there have been a rising variety of extra accessibly priced wi-fi kits approaching to the market, equivalent to Tilta’s Nucleus-M, and the SmallRig MagicFIZ system on check right here.
SmallRig has made a reputation for itself as a producer of low-cost cages and rigging equipment, and has been shifting into barely extra subtle equipment over the past couple of years. This wi-fi lens management system is one among its newest examples. Clearly, it isn’t geared toward high-end customers, however is focused in direction of small productions and one-person digicam crews during which the digicam operator can be pulling focus.
The Package
The unit on check right here is the Small MagicFIZ Wi-fi Observe Focus Primary Package 3781. It includes a handheld controller that’s used to direct the actions of a motor unit that’s designed to show the main focus, iris or zoom ring in your lens. The 2 units join wirelessly by radio, however can be tethered with a USB-C cable for a lag-free expertise.
The hand-held controller makes use of a built-in battery that SmallRig claims has a lifetime of as much as twenty hours relying on how it’s used, and the motor unit requires some form of exterior energy supply. A battery plate is equipped for the motor, so we are able to connect NF-P kind batteries in a variety of sizes, weights and capacities equivalent to NP-F550, NP-F750 or NP-F970. One of many two USB-C ports on the motor may settle for energy from a block battery or powerbank.
SmallRig provides a 200mm lengthy 15mm rod for the motor to take a seat on, in addition to a clamp to connect the rod to your digicam cage so it may be mounted alongside or above the lens. A mount can be equipped for the hand held controller, that screws into the multi-angle becoming on its rear, so it may be connected to a NATO rail through its clamp. A pair of 8mm geared ring-adapters permit lenses with out their very own gears to even be managed.
Included within the equipment is a sleeve for the management knob that grows its diameter from about 40mm to about 60mm, and which permits barely extra delicate actions of the wheel. The additional knob pushes on over the prevailing one as soon as the usual marking disk is eliminated. The marking disks are unmarked, so the system doesn’t provide us distance measurements in toes or metres.
Options
The motor unit is fairly easy and affords solely Up and Down buttons for management and a 0.52in OLED display to observe what’s going on. The Up and Down buttons take care of the frequency channel the motor might be engaged on, the ID variety of the motor, calibration and switching the unit on and off. We have now a alternative of 16 frequencies to work with between 2.4000 and a pair of.4835GHz, although we don’t get to decide on the precise frequency – simply channels 00 to fifteen. The motor may be assigned an ID between 1 and three, because the controller can work with two motors on the identical time when you purchase an extra handgrip for the controller.
If you come to calibrate the motor to your lens a single lengthy press on the Down button prompts the method by which the motor discovers the extremes of rotation of the ring it’s working with, so the closest and furthest focus factors if the motor is about to regulate focus.
The small OLED display on the motor unit exhibits us the frequency channel it’s set to, the ID variety of that motor and the voltage of the battery that’s powering it. An extra three-digit quantity – the digital marker – signifies the motor place on its journey between the calibrated finish factors of the main focus/aperture/zoom ring. These digital markers provide us 1000 measured positions from 000 to 999.
An identical set of digital markers are additionally displayed on the hand held controller, so bringing the motor to precise positions repeatedly may be simply achieved. Our controller’s 0.96in OLED additionally exhibits us the frequency channel, the ID numbers of the motors it’s working with, the state of the battery and the tactic by which it’s linked to every motor. Connection between the controller and the motor may be achieved wirelessly in fact, utilizing radio, however we are able to additionally use a USB-C-to-USB-C cable ought to the airwaves be congested or we want a assure of lag-less operation. When linked through USB the motor and controller have to be inside a few metres of one another, however in wi-fi mode SmallRig claims a variety of as much as 100m/328ft in ‘preferrred’ circumstances.
We have now numerous buttons to make use of when setting-up the controller and when matching it with the motor. A ‘Mark’ button can be utilized to calibrate the motor with an extended press, and can be used to create A and B factors for manually limiting the extent of the motor’s journey for a particular focus pull. We are able to additionally use the controller to activate recording in sure cameras. Urgent the File button will set off recording through Bluetooth in some fashions of Canon, Nikon and Sony cameras, whereas a cable between the digicam and the motor is required to carry out the identical activity in Panasonic Lumix, Fuji and another Sony fashions.
We entry the controller’s menu with an extended press on the Set button, which then permits us to change on a ‘night-mode’ LED and select between six colors for a light-weight on the management wheel. We are able to additionally alter the path of rotation of the management wheel, flip the show so it may be learn the wrong way up and recalibrate the connection between the controller and the motor. The up-and-down buttons permit us to navigate by means of these processes.
The bottom of the management unit homes a USB-C port that can be utilized to cost it or to attach it to the motor through a cable – you may’t do each on the identical time. A canopy over the bottom may be indifferent to permit the hand held controller to be mounted on, and linked to, a handgrip that gives further controls for instructing two motors on the identical time.
Establishing
The entire system is fairly simple to set-up and to know, and those that are used to this form of gadget will work it out in a couple of minutes. These with little expertise will take a bit longer, however SmallRig has made the management system fairly simple and a fast learn of the largely good instruction manual will get nearly all of individuals on the highway fairly neatly. SmallRig additionally has a set of support videos that present tips on how to set-up the system. As there are so few buttons some are used for the surprising, so studying the handbook is required to study {that a} lengthy press on the document button switches the controller on and provide, for instance.
A pleasant characteristic of the motor unit is an computerized lens calibration that may be activated with an extended press of the Down button, and which will get the job completed in about twenty seconds. The motor and controller retain the final calibration when swap off, so after we swap again on once more we are able to go straight again to work utilizing the identical lens with out having to carry out all of it once more.
Guide end-point calibration can be easy, and marking short-term A and B factors for particular pictures may be completed rapidly. Neither the controller nor the motor has the power to retailer A and B factors or calibrations for later use.
The controller has a two buttons on its entrance – File and Mark – and the remaining sit on the rear facet the place we have to find them by contact as we are able to’t see them. Utilizing the entrance and the rear of the physique permits the gadget to be comparatively small, however maybe a little bit greater than the very modest dimples on the Set button may have been completed to assist us differentiate the controls with our fingers.
I discovered the buttons on the management unit a bit spongy and in want of an excellent agency press. I suppose the upside it that nobody will press one by chance, which could possibly be a hazard with a unit we maintain in our palms on a regular basis. I simply needed to get used to creating an additional effort to get the gadget to do what I needed it to. On steadiness that might not be such a foul factor, however the double press required to change the channel frequency is a little bit tough to attain.
In use
I’ve been impressed although by the graceful operation of the equipment, and the graceful motion of the motor in addition to the tiny increments by which it will possibly flip the lens. The digital marker show working between 000 and 999 provides us an correct thought of the place the main focus is, and permits us to get again to particular factors simply and repeatedly – with out at all times needing to set A and B positions for particular pictures. These positions are fairly correct, and I discovered the identical diploma of focus when returning to sure digital marker positions repeatedly.
I discovered the motor responsive too, and a slight shift of the controller’s place instantly triggers an equal response from the motor. In assessments I couldn’t actually decide any distinction in lag between utilizing the models wirelessly and cabled, because the motor appears to reply in a short time.
Having a alternative of energy provides for the motor means we are able to successfully swap batteries with out having to show the unit off, so I used to be in a position briefly run the motor from an influence financial institution whereas switching the battery within the battery plate. Utilizing NP-F750 batteries provides fairly a little bit of weight to the unit and makes it fairly cumbersome, so I’d go for NP-F550/570 models if I may though they’ve solely half the capability. Clearly if you’re engaged on a tripod the load of the battery mightn’t matter, however if you’re on a handheld- or shoulder-rig with a monitor and its personal battery, the load provides up.
I’m not sure how helpful the colored LED mild is on the hand held controller because it doesn’t actually serve a lot goal past making the unit look fairly. At the hours of darkness the principle display is properly lit and clearly seen, however I suppose it helps when you’ve gotten a couple of controller and wish to establish which is which. The LED although does get some motion when you’ve gotten used the controller to set off video recording within the digicam, because it pulses gently to let you already know recording is in course of.
The knob on the controller has a ribbed rubber end and is simple to grip, good to show and glides with a easy movement that has simply the correct quantity of resistance. The extra 60mm knob can be comfy to make use of and has a considerably extra aggressive ribbing that makes use with gloves loads simpler. I fitted the 60mm knob nearly immediately and didn’t take it off fairly often in the course of the check as I most well-liked it. The bigger knob suits over the smaller one, and when the usual marking disk is eliminated there are notches across the base of the knob for the brand new knob to fit into.
I discovered the management unit very comfy to make use of, and it’s mild sufficient that when connected to a rig it doesn’t upset the steadiness or make it tougher to carry for lengthy intervals. When used remotely from the digicam although pullers would possibly marvel what to do with it between takes, so it might have been good to have had a strap lug on it someplace to permit it to be worn.
The motor unit has a torque of 0.5N·m which proved sufficient to shift the rings on all of the lenses I attempted it with, together with the somewhat stiff iris of a Nice Pleasure 85mm lens. The lenses I used the equipment with are all designed for small mirrorless techniques, and so it might not cope so properly with larger and heavy lenses – although it in all probability isn’t geared toward that form of market. When the motor does come up in opposition to one thing it will possibly’t transfer, equivalent to when it’s used with a lens it hasn’t been calibrated for but, it sends a Blocked sign to the hand held management unit, which in flip vibrates to tell us. Eliminating the Blocked warning includes switching the motor on and off once more.
Clearly that is all much more difficult than utilizing a handbook comply with focus with a focusing knob proper beside the lens, however the freedom of with the ability to alter focus from the place ever your hand is most comfy on the rig is a good profit in lots of conditions, particularly when the lens is large and heavy and you’re handholding. With a little bit lens and a small digicam in a cage working with a handbook comply with focus is ok, however as soon as the lens and digicam grows discovering an excellent steadiness can take your hand away from the place a handbook comply with focus must be.
Vary and life
SmallRig claims the motor unit may be managed from a variety of 100m/328ft in preferrred circumstances, and in assessments this proved about proper. I can’t consider an event during which I wanted to be 100m from the lens whereas focusing it, however I suppose the intense vary is an indicator of the ability of the sign and the way properly it will possibly take care of passing by means of obstacles equivalent to partitions if you’re pulling in one other room. It managed to function very properly two flooring aside on the alternative facet of my home, however did lastly fail 80m/260ft from the home after I went behind a brick constructing. So, I believe we are able to safely say that for many conditions the vary won’t be a problem.
We’re additionally instructed to anticipate 20 hours of battery life from the management unit, which is one other declare I can’t dispute. I had the LED mild on for lots of the time in the course of the check – for no purpose aside from it seems to be good – and didn’t ever discover I’d run out of juice earlier than a shoot was completed. The motor, then again, depends by yourself batteries, so how lengthy you get from them is determined by different elements. I didn’t discover it particularly arduous on the batteries although, and would anticipate one NP-F750 to final most of a day.
A part of a system
Though the hand held controller can hook up with and show data on two motors it will possibly solely management one motor at a time. If you wish to management each focus and the iris, or the zoom ring, you’ll want so as to add a second motor and the handgrip (half no. 3917) for the controller to take action. The important thing component of the handgrip is that it brings a second knob (K2) to the association, so the finger and thumb of 1 hand can management focus with knob 1 on the hand held unit, and the set off finger of the opposite hand can take care of the iris/zoom on the handgrip. The controller mounts onto the handgrip and turns into its show panel for two-motor operation.
It’s price noting that the motor models are fairly huge, so mounting them side-by-side is simply going to work if there’s a long way between the aperture and focus rings. I had an additional motor and located I may nearly handle to mount them this manner with my bigger lenses, however even then I couldn’t use the battery plates and couldn’t get a USB cable into the side-mounted port. An answer was to make use of the battery plate on one motor and a USB supply for the opposite – or to mount one motor both facet of the lens, or one from above.
The handgrip additionally provides an additional energy supply with its LP-E6 kind detachable battery. Focus pullers can use the grip remotely with the hand held unit, whereas digicam operators can use the grip in a shoulder rig set-up to regulate focus themselves – or two grips to regulate the iris as properly.
SmallRig sells the handgrip and two motors as a equipment (3918), in addition to the handgrip, the hand held unit and two motors as one other, so you can begin with the fundamental equipment and add grips and motors as you go alongside. Following the half numbers it’s attainable to seek out every of the person objects on the market on the web site.
Conclusion
This unit won’t be the primary alternative of knowledgeable focus puller, and it doesn’t have a tenth of the niceties of the Arri Hello-5 and different such high-end management techniques, however additionally it is greater than adequate for lots of customers and for a lot of capturing conditions. If you’re beginning out as a puller on small productions or are an proprietor/operator pulling focus your self the SmallRig MagicFIZ system might be very useful to get you began – and truly will in all probability see you thru as long as your calls for don’t grow to be too subtle. I’ve discovered it very dependable and simple to make use of, and it does what it’s requested to do properly.
Having the hand held unit connected to the deal with of my shoulder rig allowed me to tug focus with out adjusting my place as I’d with a handbook focus finder, and with out shaking the digicam. I like that after the equipment is set-up it turns into a low-maintenance system and I didn’t should hold going again to it to regulate, recalibrate or resolve issues – it simply will get on with the job. With the one-touch calibration switching lenses is simple too, although in fact having a built-in reminiscence that might retailer begin and finish factors for a set of lenses would make it even higher – however solely fractionally, because the 20-second calibration course of in all probability takes not for much longer than trying up saved lens information.
It’s a pleasant little system, it really works properly, is simple to make use of and can make loads of pullers and digicam operators very completely happy certainly for not a lot monetary outlay.
Components:
- Motor
- Controller
- Bigger wheel
- Battery plate
- 15mm rail
- Rail clamp
- Controller mount
- 2x adjustable gears
