8mm Forum: Help! Remote controlled focusing system for the Elmo GS 1200

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Topic: Help! Remote controlled focusing system for the Elmo GS 1200

Maurizio Di Cintio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 977
From: Ortona, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004

posted January 16, 2012 07:55 AM

Pehaps it's a crazy idea but, has anybody attempted this? Either by wire or radio signal?

Fact is I am enthusiast of my GS 1200 Xenon, but I am primarily a S/8 filmmaker and I sometimes mix different stocks in the same film which leads to slight (but noticeable) out of focus moments. I am sort of annoyed to have to rush into the projection boot, compensate the problem, get back to the screening room only to find out the next scene has just started (with a new out of focus...); that's so frustrating!!!! Of course the ELmo 1.0 lens can't but worsen such a problem, due to its shallow depth of focus; and being so razor-sharp (when proerly focused) is even morre frustrating, paradoxically!!!!

If someone gives me advice, I could build it myself; I'm quite at ease with wires, soldering tools etc.

Any help??

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Maurizio

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 16, 2012 11:47 AM

If you mounted an extension on the focusing knob shaft you could drive it with a motor (stepper motor?)through a gear train with a lot of reduction. It would be a decent sized project but it doesn't sound impossible.

Where it would get interesting is it would have to move out of the way so you could open up the side access to get at the gate.

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Pasquale DAlessio
Film God

Posts: 3523
From: Bristol,RI, USA
Registered: May 2010

posted January 16, 2012 12:02 PM

What about servos from a remote controlled airplane of car?

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Steve Klare
Film Guy

Posts: 7016
From: Long Island, NY, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted January 16, 2012 12:59 PM

I think those would work, it's mostly a question of being able to generate enough torque and slowly enough not to overshoot the point of focus. That means slow gearing.

I dunno about all this-one of the things I like about super-8 is there are no remotes to lose!

(A friend of mine once said the reason they are called "remotes" is whenever you need them that's where they are!)

[ January 16, 2012, 02:00 PM: Message edited by: Steve Klare ]

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All I ask is a wide screen and a projector to light her by...

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Maurizio Di Cintio
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 977
From: Ortona, Italy
Registered: Jan 2004

posted January 16, 2012 04:51 PM

Thank ou for the reply; actually what I find most challenging is the radio section of the matter; but probably using servomotors from radio controlled cars would do.

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Maurizio

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