The classic FI+Z, wireless lens and camera control system is known worldwide for its combination of precision, simplicity and ruggedness. It consists of the Hand Unit, Motor Driver, a set of Digital Motors, a Micro Force zoom control, and a variety of optional controls including wireless Focus/Iris, Zoom, and F/X units.



The Hand Unit 3 (HU3 pictures above) adds impressive new features and functionality to the system. It integrates its 30 channel 2.4GHz wireless link into a new splash-resistant housing. Weather sealed tactile switches are used throughout. The integrated microwave antenna is protected from impact. The iris slider uses a unique non contact technology to eliminate the opening required for a conventional sliding seal.

New software called "Lens Mapping" matches the focus distances of a lens to a set of five pre-printed Focus Marking Rings. These rings differ in their minimum focus distance from 9" (.35m) to 6' (2m). The on-board lens library holds data for 150 lenses. Calibration for a lens change only requires the few seconds to choose the lens from the library.

A bright, sharp, organic LED display shows camera, lens, and Hand Unit set-up status. Focus settings can be displayed digitally for Cooke i-Lenses, or any lens which has been calibrated to the unit. Multiple focus marks can be set by entering their position with a "soft key" located below the display. A new focus display mode "show" gives an easy to interpret bargraph representation of the difference between the distance set by the focus knob and adjacent user marks.

User ergonomics have been improved with the addition of an integrated hand grip and molded grip for the focus knob. The focus marking ring is automatically illuminated in low light conditions by a pair of white LED's. The zoom bargraph shows both the zoom lens position as well as user set end limits. End limits are set with Set/ Reset tactile switches arranged in three groups. An LED in each group indicates when limits have been set.

The HU3 allows for programming camera speed and shutter angle. Despite all of its additional functionality, the weight of the new hand unit is about 20% less than its predecessor. Power is provided by widely available FM-50 Li-Ion batteries

The Motor Driver MDR2 accepts commands from the Hand Units connected via the wireless microwave link or cable, and controls up to three digital motors as well as camera functions for both film and video cameras. In addition, it allows wireless control of both the camera frame rate and shutter angle when used in conjunction with the F/X box.

The DM1, DM2, and DM3 Digital Motors are optimized for different applications. The DM1 (left view) is a powerful all purpose lens motor; it's designed to turn even the stiffest lenses under all extremes of temperature, vibration and humidity. Its housing is fabricated from magnesium and coated with a layer of protective ceramic before painting. Its gears employ advanced coating technology to provide long life.

The DM2 (middle view) is a smaller and lighter version of the DM1. It is intended to perform the Focus, Iris or Zoom functions on all but the stiffest cinema lenses. This motor is an excellent choice for Steadicam or HDTV applications. Both the DM1 and DM2 share the same rugged worm gearing and magnesium housing material.

The DM3 motor (right view) is specifically designed for Snorkel lens application. It combines very high torque and mechanical stiffness to smoothly drive the Pan axis of the T-Rex snorkel or both the Pan and Horizon axes of the Revolution snorkel.

A complete set of Motor Brackets is available for attaching the motor to matte box support rods. All brackets have a 19mm opening at one end and 15mm at the other. Step-down Bushings are available for 15mm and .625" support rods. To prevent the support rods from twisting, Arri and Panavision, Bridges securely clamp the rods as well as provide 19mm mounting points.

Motor Cables are available with both straight and right angle LEMO configurations. The right angle configuration is used when minimum cable outline is most important - for example in Steadicam applications.

Camera Cables allow the Motor Driver to control both the start/stop, speed, and shutter angle function for film cameras and the VTR function for digital cameras.

Additional hand units allow camera and lens control functions to be split off from the main hand unit. Using these tools, each crew member can position him/herself wherever it is most advantageous. The Focus/Iris unit takes over the iris or focus function (switch selected). The Radio Micro Force module together with a Micro Force control splits off the zoom function, and the F/X unit tales over control of camera speed, shutter angle, speed ramps, and the iris function.

Hand Unit HU3 Digital Micro Force zoom control	MDR2 Motor Driver and Microwave Link	3 x motors and brackets 1 x DM-1 (focus) 2 x DM-2 (zoom and iris) 3 x motor swing arm brackets 1 x bridge (for 15mm and .625" ) matte box support rods)

Please note: cables are required to connect the MDR2 to the three digital motors as well as the camera. Please refer to the current price listing of cables, motor brackets, motor gears, and spares.

Hand Controls, Motor Driver, and Motors

4060 Hand Unit HU3
1100 Micro Force V+F2 (control for driving analog motors+ video lenses) or
1200 Micro Force Digital (control for driving digital motors+ video lenses)
4015 Radio Micro Force module (used in conjunction with either p/n 4011 or 4012 )
4024 Focus/iris Hand Unit
4103 MDR2 Motor Drive and 2.4GHz Microwave Transceiver
4200 DM-1 Digital Motor
4201 DM-2 Digital Motor (x2)

Motor Brackets clamp to 19mm matte box support rods. Step-down bushings are used with 15mm Arri and 0.625" Panavision rods.

4301 Arri swing-arm motor bracket
4302 Arri/Panavision short motor bracket
4333 Arri/Moviecam motor bracket
4303 Arri Bridge for 15mm rods
4311 Panavision Bridge for 0.625" rods.