The Hocus Focus Professional
The original Hocus Focus is designed for DSLR, SLR and broadcast lenses, and while it handles these types of lenses very effectively, it is not intended for big, heavy cine lenses used by many professional film makers. We are now adding to the Hocus Focus range a new model which addresses these issues as well as adding a host of additional features.
The Hocus Focus Professional (or HoFoPro for short) is an additional model to the highly successful HoFo which has filled a growing need for the past few years for a low cost high quality remote follow focus system.
The Hocus Focus Professional features an updated transmitter and an entirely new digital motor and receiver and our new intelegent torque control system. The whole system is designed for the higher end user, and is made for big, heavy cine lenses where power and silence of operation are important issues. Both the transmitter and receiver have user updatable firmware via USB and will be FCC certified for use in the USA.
The updated transmitter features an all new control knob, which is machined from a single block of aluminium, and incporates several bearings and features an advanced fluid drag system which feels just like a lens through a manual follow focus. The new hand unit also has new interchangeable conical (3D) marking rings (Preston style also available), side pointers, electronic end stops and the ability to record and stop the camera, both in momentary and latch modes. The transmitter also has a remote calibrate button, so the automatic calibration sequence can be initiated from the transmitter without needing to press any buttons on the receiver. The intelegent torque control can complete an auto calibrate on a large lens in less than three seconds, without putting excessive force on the lens. We have also added an LED display to the top of the unit to assist in frequency setting and to display various other user settings. The new transmitter is much slimmer than the previous HoFo and is is of rugged design and construction with nearly all parts being milled from solid aluminium before being anodised and assembled.
The Transmitter can also communicate with the receiver in both directions, so if the motor is unplugged, or if power to the receiver is removed, the transmitter unit can alert the user to avoid any takes being done without the focus system working properly. We have also included an intelegent power save mode, if the receiver is switched off, the transmitter power itself off after a period of inactivy. This prevents the transmitter being left on over lunch after the camera has been powered down.
The new motor is the cornerstone of the HoFoPro. It is a digital drive motor, compatible with many other existing follow focus devices. It supports auto end stops and auto torque calibration with our receiver so that there is always just sufficient power to rotate the lens without the risk of damage. The motor uses a unique drive train which leaves it with only two moving parts, resulting in almost silent and very reliable operation. The drive motor is strong, with more than enough power to turn any lens in freezing cold conditions. The drive gears are lapped as a set so that each motor and gearset is a perfect fit for quiet and smooth operation. The motor has unlimited rotation and also features a very accurate feedback system providing up to 52,000 steps per motor revolution when used with the HoFoPro receiver. A universal T-slot mounting system is used, which allows for easy up and down adjustment of the motor position and also allows the mount to be changed for a different size or style very easily. The rod mount is made by Zacuto for ultimate durability. The motor runs on 12v, and uses a 7-pin 1B Lemo to connect to the receiver. A quick change gear hub is used and a range of drive gears will be available to suit film and broadcast lenses.
The all new HoFoPro receiver is the brain of the system. It includes very advanced electronics and software, all built into one of the smallest and most compact follow focus receiver enclosures on the market. The receiver makes auto end stop detection, auto torque and remote run/stop all possible. It also supports any other digital motor such as the Preston DM range or any of the Heden digital lens motors. We have also catered for endless DSLR lenses with a manual end stop calibration option, which is selected on the receiver. The receiver also talks back to the transmitter unit, so it can alert the user if the RX unit is suddenly lost, due to a power problem. The same LED display is included on the receiver unit for frequency readings, and for setting other perameters.
The guideline price is expected to be around 3500 GBP including Transmitter, receiver and motor with all cables, drive gears and the Peli Storm case with custom cut foam.
