Fulvio

I will publish soon some videos of thw system, I think I will have ready the first production unit (now I am using the bigger prototype) in about a month

The product name will be LinkyFocus

stay tuned

Fulvio

The manufacturer of this USB Follow Focus controller is Okii Systems LLC, not us, at all. We ONLY participated on the beta-testing process (which was long but very-very interesting), giving some feedback, suggestions and reports.

Since our Blog focuses on technical topics (not really a news site, since there are much better ones), campaigns to inform users and request improvements to Canon, and also some special promotion news (when they are available) then we spent a bit more time on the Okii USB Follow Focus than other topics (actually we have a delayed report of a specific Canon lens issue, some Tutorials and Reviews to be published..)

But again, and as posted on http://5dmark2.wordpress.com/usb-ff-controller/ we are NOT the designers nor manufacturers.

Since we found this device very exciting, handy and with a HUGE potential for lot of uses (especially those when you can’t reach the camera or lens, or don’t want to touch them whilst filming), we decided to make a special section on the blog.

In fact the section was planned to be dedicated to “Special Gear”, but since we only had this device to post at that time, we renamed it to “USB FF Controller” (maybe a mistake, but well, we might add new sections in future for upcoming “Special Gear” or just remap the blog).

We also posted some tests made with this device (and we’ll post more in future, including other user’s tests/demos).

We think it’s really great. BUT of course, we don’t mean in any way that this works like a mechanical follow focus. It’s different, it has benefits and limitations. That’s why we specifically encouraged (in the link posted above) all readers to take the time to read the technical documentation and the User Guide to avoid confusion. Its performance will vary depending on the lens being used, that’s mentioned on the technical article, User Guide and we also mention it in our posts. We really don’t like to make any confusion, at all.

But we think this device is really useful with lot of potential. Once you understand the way it works, the limitations that you may find, and the proper way to configure it, you start getting the benefits.

Best regards,

Pablo (5D2Team admin)

Thanks for posting this!

I just would like to make some clarifications and comments.

- These news were announced many weeks ago, I don’t know why Engadget English picked it up just few days ago, because Engadget Spanish did it right after the announcement.

- You can find the original Blog post including this video and LOT more information here: http://5dmark2.wordpress.com/2011/01/20/usb-follow-focus-controller/

- The video posted above was intended to show the main features of the Okii USB Follow Focus controller. Of course you don’t need to do every single operation, it was just to show most of them.

Since lot of people watched the video but didn’t read the full description posted at YouTube, here is the description:

” It is a USB Follow Focus controller that can do LOT more than changing focus. It’s compatible with all Canon HDSLR cameras. Check full details at the BLOG (URL above).

This video has no sound (sorry), it’s only intended to show some operations and features of the USB controller.

Also, since the LED is very bright, in this video it is not easy to see how good it actually is and how much it tells (changing colors, etc.) once you learn the controller’s operation.

- Basically, on this video we did the following operations:

* ISO adjustment
* Turn Live View mode ON (ISO, aperture, shutter speed and exposure compensation can also be changed in LV mode)
* Check focus of subject “David” using zoom level function, and save focus point #1 for later use
* Move the focus zone to the subject “chair”, adjust focus using the knob with the help of zoom level and save focus point #2
* Start recording video
* Rack focus from focus point #2 to focus point #1 by simply pressing focus point #1
* Stop recording video
* Move the focus zone to subject “David” to show that the rack focus was done properly. ”

- People can find some more video tests with FULL description of camera, lens and Okii USB Follow Focus settings here:

http://vimeo.com/user5475900
http://www.youtube.com/user/5D2Team

Best regards,

Pablo (5D2Team admin)