Hot off the presses – new HDSLR USB Follow Focus Controller

Posted on 20. Jan, 2011 by planetMitch in 1D MKIV, 5D2, 60D, 7D, Video

This just came in from friends the 5D Mark II Team – they’ve been working with the manufacturer of this new USB Follow Focus Controller for Canon HDSLRs and are finally ready to announce it – and they’ve been gracious enough to share this with you – the planet5D readers first!

USB Follow Focus Controller

PREVIEW:
Accessory for Filmmakers & Photographers

As far as we know, this is the first USB Follow Focus controller available in the world. But the best part is that this device can do MUCH more than controlling focus!

As we have told in our previous article, we have been participating in the beta-testing process of a very nice new device compatible with all Canon HDSLR cameras that will be released by the manufacturer very soon.

Today we can unveil some more details of this great accessory that will be extremely useful for both filmmakers and photographers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

The controller is pretty well made, it feels solid and strong but it’s lightweight at the same time. Enclosure and knob are made of black anodized aluminum, giving it a very nice look.

It has a round shape design, easy to handle and a 1/4″ standard mounting hole on the back face, so you can easily mount it on any kind of support.

It obviously works via USB cable connected to the camera, so basically you can remotely control your camera, but with the HUGE advantage that it does not turn off the rear LCD screen! So think about the possibilities…

The controller can work in 3 different modes:

• Focus Points
• Settings adjustment
• Focus Zone selection

As you can see on the picture it has 9 multifunctional buttons, 1 knob, a power switch and a very nice and helpful multicolor LED.

The controller usually comes with white buttons (except the Start/Stop button which is red), but the user can also replace them with other colors.

It’s amazing how well the manufacturer has implemented such a bunch of features in this device with a LED that changes its color to indicate almost all actions, helping the user to exactly know what he/she is doing.

Some of the features include:

• Turn Live View mode On/Off
• Start/Stop Video recording
• Take pictures
• Change/Pull focus using the knob or 2 dedicated buttons
• Capability to save 4 focus points (2 “hard stop” points + 2 focus points) and do a Rack Focus by just pressing any of those buttons
• Toggle Zoom level x1, x5 and x10
• Change camera settings
• and much more… (full details will be available after the official release)

Compatibility:

The USB Controller is fully compatible with the following cameras:

• Canon 1D Mark IV
• Canon EOS 5D Mark II
• Canon EOS 7D
• Canon EOS 60D
• Canon EOS T2i/550D

SPECIAL DISCOUNT FOR READERS

Now, there’s more to read and there’s the “Special discount” just mentioned – but it since they’ve shared the information with planet5D we want to share back – and therefore, you need to jump over to the 5D Mark II Team’s blog to read the rest!

But, they did share with us these additional photos not available elsewhere!

USB Follow Focus Controller Circuit Board

USB Follow Focus Controller with camera

USB Follow Focus Controller inside

Our thanks to the 5D Mark II Team for supplying us with this advanced info!

(cover photo credit: snap from the video)

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Tags: 5d mark ii team, control, controller, electronic, focus, follow focus, manufacturer, unit, usb