LiDAR Autofocus for your handheld Rig & Gimbal | PDMovie Live Air 3 Smart
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
- This is the PDMovie Live Air 3 Smart, a wireless follow focus system with the addition of LiDAR and its fantastic!
We hope we got to all the tests you wanted to see and really hope you enjoyed the review.
**UPDATE - New larger focus motor option...AND new focus features, watch here - • PD Movie Live Air 3 Li...
Get your PDMovie Live Air 3 SMART with Lidar direct - www.pdmovie.co... (from PDMovie)
Pick it up on Amazon here - geni.us/PDLidar
Here is a link for the PD Movie Live Air 3 (this one has NO LiDAR, just a wireless follow focus system)
geni.us/LiveAir3 (Amazon)
www.pdmovie.co... (from PDMovie)
Looking for more on PDMovie
Official Website: www.pdmovie.com
Instagram: pdmovie_official
Facebook: PDmovie
RUclips: PDMOVIE
Tiktok: PDMOVIE
Want to learn how to shoot in bright sunlight...check this video out - • STOP using a reflector...
For business inquiries contact: info@richphotography.co.za
2023 GEAR:
Where I get EPIC music! - www.epidemicso...
Gimbal - geni.us/WeebilS (Amazon)
Main Camera 1 - geni.us/PanaGH6 (Amazon)
Main Camera 2 - geni.us/LumixGH5s (Amazon)
Favourite Wide Lens - geni.us/LaowaWide (Amazon)
My Broll Lens - geni.us/Sigma3... (Amazon)
Blurry Background Lens - geni.us/Sigma5... (Amazon)
EPIC Wireless Mics - geni.us/LarkMax (Amazon)
Affordable Mic - geni.us/RodeVi... (Amazon)
Brightest on Camera Monitor - geni.us/Osee-T7 (Amazon)
LED light Secret - geni.us/P100RGB (Amazon)
Best 1TB SSD - geni.us/Transc... (Amazon)
Headphones - geni.us/SteelS... (Amazon)
Banger Soundstripe Music - app.soundstrip... (GET 20% OFF USING THIS LINK)
FOLLOW US:
Instagram - / _rich_photography_
Facebook - / photographyrich
**Some of the links in my video descriptions on RUclips are Amazon affiliate links, basically it means I may make a tiny commission if you follow the link and make a qualifying purchase, but it costs you no extra...although every little bit helps keep this channel alive, so massive thanks for the support!**
#pdmovie #lidar #followfocus
Awesome and very honest review!
One thing to always keep in mind (I ran into this with the DJI RS2 Lidar with my Sirui 50mm anamorphic lens - and solved it):
There will be situations when you want the LIDAR focus to pull focus from a close subject towards infinity. What the LIDAR does is automatically turning the focus wheel into the mechanical end of the lens' focus throw whit it has acquired during calibration. BUT many manual lenses do not have their optical infinity exactly at the mechanical end of their focus throw, and you will and up with blurry background even if you want the LIDAR focus for infinity.
The ONLY WAY out of this is to calibrate your lens and make end of the focus throw exactly in line with true optical infinity by using shimming rings.
I got a shimming rings set from the very nice SIRUI Germany support and fixed my lens - now the LIDAR works awesome and would also do with this product!
Thank you so much for the kind words.
You are correct on the infinity focus. You can set the focus throw manually and definitely would be better to do if you trying to run on the autofocus all the time.
Because I use manual focus mostly and only use the lidar auto focus for some shots I haven't really seen the issue.
In saying that, being able to manual turn the button/wheel to the far end and automatically know you at infinity focus is definitely a bonus.
Really great tip, appreciate it 🙏
BLACK MAGIC AND LUMIX owners are in the house
The blackmagic users ESPECIALLY are going to love this!!!
I'm selling gh6 5ii and 2x gh5. They released g9ii. Basically gh6 with perfect AF and dual SD slot instead scf express like in gh6
Facts
@podrezd whilst I definitely am going to get a G9ii for photos, and obviously some cool broll at events.
It's record limit from lack of vents is the reason I'd never sell my GH6 for one.
Also probably because I manual focus everything lol
Yah...but my Pocket is crying
This is crazy good. Except for the mattebox part. I fly a steadicam and having the mattebox not only let's me use it for filters, but is an essential part of my balanced system. This would be THE perfect affordable solution to my problems IF ONLY the LIDAR were separate from the follow focus motor. I'm sure eventually they will figure that out. This, however, is a great solution to people who use electric gimbals and want a super light setup.
It's really amazing, the matte box is slightly unfortunate but not the end of the world...it's one of those nice to haves.
To be honest I still find I use it mostly on manual focus and switch to auto now and then on shoots.
But for now this offers what they promise, in future I think this will get epic!
Excellent in depth review. Thank you.
You’re welcome, really went full technical on this one 😉
You just left a comment on my video and it’s so funny because I watch your videos and I saw you at Cape Town International airport a couple weeks ago and thought to myself I flip there you are! lol 😂
Love supporting local creators and watching their content and pushing the algorithm when I can 😉 Haha ah man you should’ve come and said hi!!!
Stuff like this is really a game changer, especialy for low profile shoot on a gimbal or a steadycam rig, thanks for sharing this info .
Buying it next month :D. Somehow I missed the premiere. I got it on my "to buy" list for 2-3 months already (from NAB 2023). Great review!
Thanks Jo, you gonna love it!!
I think it's great to have some competition on these Lidar setups - Thanks for this nice review and tricks 🥳. I stick to my DJI Lidar where I can do tracking and have the Mattbox mounted. There are also rumors that DJI will make a system so you don't have to set it up using your gimbal. As filmmakers, we live in a spoiled time and the opportunities have never been greater. I think we will also appreciate the manual focus where there is a delay and something is out of focus more. A small minus in that system here is the switch between manual and auto focus... missing a more fluid transition between them.
Definitely good to have competition...hopefully this competition will push the development of lidar into systems for creators and filmmakers.
To be honest, this is where even DJI should've started...not with their over complicated system.
great review man I've been waiting for this, I appreciate your honesty. 3.5m during day is quite limited for me but great to know it's also a manual focus motor too as the main feature, lidar as secondary.
You welcome 🙏 I'm really glad you took away what I wanted to convey, this is a wireless focus motor with a really cool lidar benefit for those creative shots.
In a nut shell, this is the only wireless follow focus motor offering this, and it's fantastic!
Just saw this video! As usual, another great review from you folks in SA! I can't believe I just now saw this! I just ordered myself one! Thank you and thanks for sharing this! A game changer that I have been waiting for! I absolutely suck at manual focusing! If I can't get it right now, I'm going to sell all my shit! LOL!
Great review, thanks! I've had one on order for a while, can't wait to get it. I love the PDMovie system, been using the LIveAir2 for a while, it works so well, plus the battery life is excellent. Like you say, for those dolly and tracking shots this can save a lot of time. I've used the DJI lidar on and off gimbal, and it seems to work very well without having the sudden jump after 3.5/5m, BUT, only being able to store 3 lens profiles is a limitation, and it's more of a hassle to rig and power. I find I keep having to calibrate for a different lens, which all takes time. Being able to store 5 lens profiles is going to save a lot of time.
Thank you! Let me know what you think of it when you get it.
I've used mine on a lot of paid jobs already and it's fantastic!!! Absolutely loving it.
Recently shot a music video with it too, the fun camera handheld deliberate moving shots came in super handy with the lidar.
Ehhh... specifically at 16:40
Autofocus is a super handy tool - and it’s incredibly reliable on the fx3.. it’s actually insane.
Manual focus is certainly better - but to get better results IMHO - you need a dedicated focus puller.
That said, I have relied on the fx3 for client shoots, and have had amazing footage as a result, like you say. Knowing the limitations and working within the sandbox.
SUPERB explained. Thank you!!!
You're so welcome, glad you enjoyed it and appreciate the support 🙏
Nice review as always, really enjoyed watching this, thanks for all the hard work and effort. ❤😃
You're always welcome, and thank you for being my willing model...regardless of time and day ❤️😍
Amazing !! Thank you for the review !!
You welcome, glad you enjoyed it and thank you for the support 🙏
Thank you very much for this highly informative Video. I´ve been waiting very long for a system like this for exactly the described occasions. I shoot on bmpcc
You're welcome 👌 glad it helped. I knew the BMPCC guys are gonna love this!
hello mate, you just solved my problems ! thank you very much
You're so welcome, really glad you found this useful 🙏
Very useful video. Exactly the info I was looking for. thanks.
I have been hassling DJI for ages to come up with something like this. I just got my hands on the mini smart kit today, as I'm off to shoot a doc in Japan and the director doesn't want the smoothness of my DJI RS2 (with Focus 3D). So... just about to test this on my Lumix... Thanks for the review.
Appreciate the kind words and glad you enjoyed the review.
You gonna love it! Definitely a quick and easy wireless focus system with the bonus of that lidar.
The DJI thing is just too clunky....great idea, terrible implementation.
Great and honest review! Tks 👊🏼🙏🏼
Thank you, glad you enjoyed it 👌🙏
Wow finally I’m in love with it
So glad I could help you fall in love with it 🙏❤️
Great review 🤩 I ordered the Live air 3 smart because of you ^^ for the mattebox problem, I think I will use a circular filters (not VND) and a square metal lens hood (Haoge LH-B77T) with my Meike S35 cinema lenses on my BMPCC 6k pro, I think it will do the job not like a matte box but I think it will be fine it will depend on the scenarios 🤞.
Thank you!! So glad I could've been open and honest and given you the knowledge to make an informed decision.
I'm sure you're going to love it!! Definitely tag me when you get it, super excited to see it on your rig!
You going to love it as a tiny wireless follow focus too, and that bonus lidar moment is such a benefit. Enjoy it!! 🔥
Nice review. I’ve been waiting for years for an autofocus for manual lenses and this is getting there. There are two limitations that make me hesitate to get it: first, only being able to calibrate lenses with hard stops, so I can’t use it on photographic zoom lenses and second the fact that you have to turn the wheel 20 degrees to stop autofocus. Surely a button press could do this somewhere, as having that control if something crosses in front of the subject would be huge. I would have thought calibrating with A/b stops would also be feasible. Two things that firmware could manage? I still might get this for solo operator gimbal use and for tabletop work, where push-ins and pull-outs are common and are very hard to nail manually. nice to know the limitations - here’s hoping the daylight issue and the centre focus only issue can be solved somewhere down the line at a budget level.
Thank you, really appreciate the support and kind words.
On those points...
1 - you don't need lenses with hardstops, you can set your focus throw manually, so it can be used no problem. Just not with focus by wire lenses.
2 - the switch to manual with a button press would be great, however the little button/wheel itself has a focus throw of 300 degrees so it has a hard stop itself.
So when ythe lens is in auto it would be impossible for the button/wheel to be at the correct 'focus throw' when turning it. I hope that makes sense.
@@RICH_Photographythis is the first I’ve heard of wire lenses, how do we tell if it is a wire lens? I’m interest in this for using the 0.95 Laowa lens on Nikon z or the KIPON 0.85 on GH6
ruclips.net/video/WZbzcJhuquM/видео.htmlsi=2nMZIvZulopdh-cx
Hope this helps…I only have stills lenses myself that are cine modded with gears and front filter clamp on adapters. Not about to buy a set of cine lenses for this lol
@@RICH_Photography I’m replying to this 5 months later, but have started using the system again. I understand what you say about the button/wheel not being at the correct place when you turn off autofocus, but surely then a solution would be for the autofocus to also turn the wheel? I do like this system, but this one feature would make such a huge difference.
Informative and a good review.
Thank you so much, I really appreciate it 🙏
Very thorough review 👍
Thank you :)
Looks ace, going to order one now! Pretty sure unlike native af the lidar works in the dark perfectly
Enjoy it! Yeah in the dark it is absolutely mind blowingly fantastic!!
Will do Bru ! 🙂@@RICH_Photography
It’s awesome one…..waiting
You going to love it!
good review! Thank you. Unfortunately, in the case of lenses, we can see how poor the image they generate.
Thank you, glad you enjoyed the review.
To be fair I did shoot the Night Walkers all wide open around T1.2 to T1.4 to highlight the focus capabilities.
These lenses definitely excel around T1.5 to T1.6 and generate a much nicer picture.
Nice Review!!😘
Thank you...and nice product 😉🔥❤️
thank you for this video. are the small batteries for the controller also rechargeable or only for the motor? thank you
You’re welcome. Both are rechargeable.
Also, both last what feels like forever. I think they say around 8 hours. Bonus is it also goes into like a standby to preserve battery.
So for me, I usually have a handheld rig and a gimbal rig. And whilst my handheld rig isn’t in use the motors and controller go in standby mode.
So I’ve never had to swap out batteries on a shoot. Ever
If there ever was a case for a mattebox then it would be this scenario. How does it function with a mattebox that has the hood on the top? Is side mounting in this case the best option?
definitely an interesting tool, very nice and useful, I wonder how strong the motors are to work with tougher lenses like the SLR Magic microprimes, their focus ring has a lot of resistance, awesome video as always Rich !
Thanks Andy, appreciate your continued support!
I'm not sure when PDMovie is releasing another version yet with a stronger motor but it is happening 😉
In saying that, the motor on this mini is CRAZY strong, when set to fast speed, one of my Viltrox Cine lenses doesn't have a super snug fit, and on fast it can grab and rip focus quickly that you can hear and watch the lens housing shift.
I'm sure the mini could handle the SLR Magics...but I always say gear should not operate at its maximum, even a gimbal shouldn't operate at its max payload for longer lasting use.
Hope that helps 🙏🔥👌
@@RICH_Photography my pleasure man 💪🏻 and yes it does help a lot, I’ll keep an eye on it 👌🏻
Are there competing products out there? A quick search didn't come up with much. What would the industry standard be?
Bro , i am on the waiting list for mine , i just got my s5 however, i many focus manually and use vintage lens, but i do music videos as well, so i need some more efficient for those move in shot , like a dolly type movement , so for me this is perfect.
So glad man! Those dolly kinda movement shots as a manual lens user are by far the hardest for me, this takes the pain away from those...probably makes me a little more lazy...but the point of this product is definitely for manual users to still operate manual 95% of the time, and then boom you rock that LiDAR for the 5% and its perfect. In fact, just yesterday I was on a shoot that I could've used it 95% of the time, but didn't take it with...so stupid to not just pack it in!
respect for the reply bro, were a young youtube channel , and this is change alot of stuff for me. Blessing and keep up the great work@@RICH_Photography
Best recommendatio for pushing RUclips, don't stop, don't give up, and try...just try your best 👌
Nice! Thanks for the info
You're welcome, really glad you enjoyed it 🙏
1:17 What’s in the box?
3:15 Callibration and setup time
5:33 Lens switching
6:28 You need to know this
9:40 Real world tests and projects
16:00 Should you buy it?
Thanks!
You welcome, hope you enjoyed it 🤟
one thing i haven't seen in any review. how loud is it? I'm wondering if i'll be able to use a boom mic on my Fx3.
Thank you, Rich, for the best review of the Live Air 3 on RUclips. Is the lag not too bad when manually focusing with a focus puller? How is the lag compared to Tilta Nucleus, If you know and don't mind sharing. Cheers!
Ah Steve thank you so much for the kind words.
To be honest I don't find the lag that bad, I've used a manual follow focus for years, and I don't get a "massive lag" feeling like I'm missing shots.
The only lag for me that's evident is if you racking focus real fast, if you rack focus really fast with a manual follow focus it's obviously immediate.
With wireless follow focus systems, this is the only instance when you feel the lag, however it's not as if you miss focus because you racking focus, you kinda know what to look for, and then in the final video the lag is irrelevant.
I hope that helps 🤣 kinda hard to explain a real world experience into words.
One more thing, the lidar on full speed has no lag, it's unreal how fast it is...I believe faster than any human could ever pull focus.
@@RICH_Photography Very helpful! Thanks again, Rich!
You didn’t mentioned the front/back lock focus, that allows you to focus only on the subjects at the back, and versus
This is a brand new feature that was not available in my test unit.
However I do have a new unit with this feature and will be testing it out.
Will this do over the shoulder shots, with the subject eventually leaving frame, without focusing on the shoulder? Big one for me on this. Maybe an easier question would be, "Can one manually adjust/set min focus?"
That's a great review, thanks Rick. Can you override the focus on the fly so to speak. So say you have done a camera move making use of the system and then you want to pull to something beyond 5 mitres can you take control at that point?
How do you actually rig this to your camera setup? What rod’s and pieces are needed?
Great Video! I do a lot of automotive photography and now more videography. Do the reflective surfaces of a car confuse the lidar at all?
Thank you 🙏 not at all, the reflections don’t affect it. In actual fact you can point it at glass and it focuses perfectly on the glass because it’s a physical service.
Do you have any ideas how to solve a matte box problem with small lenses like this Sirui? Even smallrig and tilta mini are too big and blocking the lidar sensor
A very thorough review. This looks like a great product, but I have two hesitations:
The system focuses at infinity once a subject steps out of range, and it does not seem that there is an easy way to quickly toggle it back into manual focus without changing your focus point to prevent it from doing that. This also prevents the lidar from being used to set focus before switching into manual. Or do you know of a workaround?
Also, given the recommendation to position the lidar sensor at a 90 degree axis from the lens, how do you think it would do with a set of vintage primes that, unlike a set of matched cinema primes, may have different lens diameters?
Some of my concerns too, it would have been much useful if the controller had no hard stops and you could override the autofocus at any time just like Sony AF assist on latest cameras
Thank you, really glad you enjoyed it...on those 2 hesitations...
1 - Yes, it would go out of focus, I think a more planned shot understanding the subject will leave your 5m 'rule' will fall into better planning for a specific shot. Regarding lidar focus to set and then to manual...you could just set it manually...im guessing here you using this as a reference kinda like tap to focus then record scenario?
2 - it doesnt have to be at 90 degrees, the illustration is more that it is positioned in that way...honestly, at any point almost cutting the diameter of the 'lens' would be perfect, anything other than that isn't that it won't work or give bad results...
Remember, in a perfect world, the lidar would give the best results placed dead centre ON the sensor or lens, obviously thats not possible so keeping it as close to the lens is ideal.
Honestly, if you looking for best position, from all my uses, I would highly recommend placing it on top of the lens, this way the beam is positioned in line with the sensor, and most subjects being humans, would have their heads at the top of the frame.
Autofocus has come a long way, maybe 10 years ago it was very bad, Sony and Canon and now even panasonic with s1h have improved a lot. I just shot part feature film for cinema release without AC all on autofocus with fx6 and canon c70 and not once it missed, eye tracking was great infact some scenes an actual AC would have struggled to nail it. it's 2023 embrace technology sometimes.
Looks like a neat little product! If you focus in the middle with a wide lens and switch do manual focus, does the focus stay in place?
It's a great product. No not really, if you assuming the focus is seamless and you can focus "from where auto focus is" the answer is no.
The small little wheel/button has a 300 degree hardstop throw, so when you turn it to activate manual mode, it would pick up focus on that throw depending where you leave it.
I just got mine a few days ago. Autofocus is good, and accurate, by sometimes I get some pulsing back and forth on static subjects. It's probably made worse by strong focus breathing on the lens I'm using. Is this something you've experienced, and do you have any tips to work around it?
Thanks for the review. What if the subject is beyond 4 meter distance?
It’s actually 5 meters. After that the motor will push the lens to infinity focus
Hello, i love your channel, it’s super informative, i have seen multiple videos many many times. I’m a lumix shooter myself (g9, probably waiting for the g9 II to drop the price a bit). i want to try manual autofocus and have been looking at the Sirui lenses you reviewed but the widest being 24 mm is somewhat limiting, i would prefer a 16mm as a first vine lens. i know there is the Olympus 16mm 1.2 and you can get it for similar price preowned now, and you get autofocus for your photography and image stabilisation (I assume). I don’t really like gimbals. Do you know this lens? How is their linear focus, does it make sense for video? It would be great to hear from someone who actually tested this lens with the PDmovie system :)
amazing review, thank you so much! One question : can you adjust the strengh/resistance of the little focus wheel controller ? Looks like it is super sensible and it make the focus motor works super fast. That's my problem with most focus system like this, you don't have the feeling of a real manual follow focus.
Can it using with mat box?
It doesn't make sense without tracking the object. DJI's first version of autofocus without tracking was completely useless.
This is a follow focus system first, the lidar is a bonus...plus there's a pretty nifty new update I'll be posting about soon.
Once it's calibrated does it save automatically or do you need to press to save it? I can't seem to figure this out... It worked great, turned off the camera, and did nothing when restarted, so I wonder if I did not save it...
Zhiyun Crane owners are in the house
this is the Smart Mini not the smart, they have another version coming out with stronger motor.
I'm not when there will be another version releasing with a stronger motor, making this the mini.
This motor is crazy strong actually but a strong motor will be cool for some users 👌
Can I use this for zoom control instead of focus control?
You technically can yes, just don’t activate lidar.
@@RICH_Photography thanks for the reply
great vid! What if a person or object cross while you are recording? will it just autofocus that instead of the correct object? or could you add somehow any delay on how long would it take to autofocus a new object?
And is it possible to set focus points on screen? or will it only focus at middle of screen?
Thank you!
If a person walks past it will definitely grab focus on them as it is the closet option...however there is a new update to the product and I'm hoping to show you soon (this update will be with all shipped units I believe) very excited to do a test.
It only focus at the "middle area" as that's where it points.
What do you think about for interview shots? I don't like to check my camera if I ask questions
It would definitely work, however, I personally set my interview shots on manual focus, leave it and know its locked on.
If your subject is standing and your camera is say on a tripod and the shift a little backwards and forwards, this would definitely help.
One thing about lidar, is that it 'technically' cannot be wrong or not in focus, as long as you play within the rules of the system. Unlike a normal 'autofocus camera' it can randomly jump to someones face behind the person.
I’ve set my lens once. Turned it off, followed the video to recall the previous lens calibration, but then AF doesn’t work anymore. What am I missing?
When it starts up make sure your Bluetooth controller is off or in the position for AF 😉
how do you switch from lidarAF to MF while recording?
better then dji ? lidar
I want to buy this and use with my Panasonic L mount lenses. Can someone tell me if hard stops are necessary for this to function, or can it work with the L mount lenses when the switched is on "MF"?
Waiting for mine to see if it focuses on the nearest point or on the average of the nearest points in the beam, say at 1.4 on a face if the nose or cheek are in focus and the eyes are not, seems like that in your tests.
It seems to be the nearest point in its 'reach'
Regarding the fave, I did all my shots at T1.2 and T1.4 and honestly, it truly seems to be the face.
Even some shots when there's hair in the way, it seems to avoid it somehow.
In saying that, in a real world I'd never film a project at T1.2 🤣 this was just to excentuate it's flaws.
If you were filming a real job and shooting around T1.5 to T1.8, the amount in focus would increase, making the lidar focusing appear to be more in focus visually in the actual shot.
Also...let me know when you get yours and what you think!?
@@RICH_Photography yeah, will do! can't wait to test it!
what about in low light???
Watch the full video 😉
@@RICH_Photography 😁😁😁🤗🤗🤗
Will this work on electronic lenses that can be switched between auto and manual focus ?
Yes, as long as it's not a focus by wire lens, but if it has a manual focus ring that's not focus by wire you can. You just set the maximum and minimum focal distance manually, or get a gear ring with hard stops.
@@RICH_Photography thank you for your response ! The Air 3 does come with a gear ring with hard stops, so I'm all see there !
I had a video call with PDMovie on another issue and when seeing the lens the representative said I can't use it with these lenses ...
@terryalexander4783 not sure what they meant by you can't use it. But if your lens has a physical focus ring that's linear it can work.
I got a third battery for the small scroll Bluetooth button🤷♂️
I did too actually, supposed to be 2, maybe it's 2 spares 🤣 bonus!
How about zoom in and out lens?
Works perfect, as long as the lens is par focal.
Hey! Do yo think it's possible to use this with non cine lenses using a lens gear?
I don't have any lenses with hard stops, just regular EF lenses like the Canon 17-50mm f/2.8 and I wonder if it could work with those regular lenses.
Hi 👋
I haven't tested it but I have heard it is possible...when you set it up you set the focus throw manually and then proceed with all the same steps.
It won't however work with modern focus by wire lenses.
Missed focus at the end :D
LoL was squinting at my flip out screen looking for peaking lines 🤣 should've switched back to lidar actually. Well spotted
I want to buy it but I have a doubt... before removing the battery, how do you turn it off? Since there isn't an off button, won't I risk ruining it if I just remove the battery? thank you for the reply
The motor powers off by removing the battery.
You actually pull the battery to the side slightly and it dislodged but doesn't fall out. A little push clips back in and it powers on.
Very unique and clever design.
The little 'button controller' actually powers on and off by holding it down as the top is a physical button.
Can you do single shot AF with this?
If you referring to lidar grab focus and then let it not be continuous after using lidar...the answer would be no.
Good review , just one question i can use photography lenses ? Actually i have sigma photography lenses , u think i can use it?
As long as that focus by wire lenses and have the normal manual focus then use. You would just calibrate if differently.
@@RICH_Photography kk thanks dude , ii am going to buy one right now :)
Can you use this with DLSR lens’s or just a manually focusing lenses
You can use it with DSLR lenses, just like the popular Sigma 18-35, you just manually stop it when calibrating. Pretty easy actually
Hello rich, nice review! About the mattebox, could you rig something like an intermediate gear in between the follow focus and lens to raise the height of the lidar sensor? Would that work?
Hey man, thank you so much, really appreciate the kinds words. It would possibly work, however you would be moving the LiDAR sensor further from the 'sensor'. Its not a bad thing, however for more perfect results, closer to the sensor is better.
I see PDMovie put this on zoom lenses? As a solo wedding videographer I use sigma zoom lenses on my bmpcc4k. Do you think this will work and be compatible for my setup?? Please and thank you..
Im definitely sure it will work on a zoom lens, however, your zoom lens will need to be par focal.
@@RICH_Photography thank you 🙏🏽
Can’t buy it because of the matte box limitation. All my ND and mist filters are 4x5.65 and I don’t want to spend the $ to start again.
Completely understandable, I’m sure PD movie will come up with something one day.
Honestly, much more than the Lidar system, the female model made this video highly memorable. She's positively distracting.
Given this tech has been used before and has already entered the marketplace, this question may be self evident. However, I was wondering if anyone with a tech background who is familiar with this type of Lidar could illuminate me on the safety of this, particularly in it's interaction with eyes. I own a Sony camera which utilizes phase detection, but would love to use this with a camera that at present does not have autofocus built into it. It's exciting to think of the possibilities and was just wondering if someone could allay any concerns regarding the safety of this when interacting with eyes. Please don't offer "They're selling it so it must be safe". I genuinely would love to use this and am simply looking for an explanation from a professional who can tell me how it works and the safety of using it. Thanks!
So to answer that....
"One of the common myths about LiDAR is it is not safe for human eye. On the contrary, all LiDAR products are manufactured following the Class 1 eye-safe (IEC 60825-1:2014) standard, which ensures eye safety."
It's a depth measurement, much like speed trap cameras, surveying tools etc. Like on the iPhone etc.
However, even if there was any potential danger linked to it, which would be minimum, the amount of time it would interact with your eye is minimal.
Gotcha, thanks!@@RICH_Photography
is it possible to make it work with an autofocus lens? any workaround or adaptor I could use?
I do believe you can yes, as long as the lens has a manual focus ring and it's not focus by wire.
At the point where you hold the button for the auto calibration on the focus throw, you would set it manually.
I haven't tested it but I have read it's possible.
Is there no way to stop the transition from minimum focus to rider focus?
No, this is because the little button/wheel has hard stops and has a 300 degree throw.
Does it have auto focus lock function?
In other words? Like use the lidar then switch to lock the focus? So it can't be lidar again?
@@RICH_Photography Disable the lidar or motor at a certain focusing point (distance).
Your Amazon link is very misleading. IT's not the smart lidar version boss.
The Amazon link literally states that it is NOT the lidar version in my description.
0.75nm motor. Is that strong enough?
I believe their top of the range version releasing near Xmas will have added features and a 1nm motor.
Can I use vintage lenses with this system?
I think lenses without hard stops are not compatible.
I do believe that the "not mini" will release possibly sometime.
However this motor is actually very strong.
Also no you don't need hard stops. You can calibrate the focus throw manually. It obviously just would not work on a focus by wire lens.
@@RICH_Photography Thanks, good to know Rich.
With very short focus throws on some lenses, can you set the manual focus on the Air 3 Smart to have an increased throw to compensate!
Hopefully I can explain this...
The little button/focus wheel has around a 270 degree focus throw. It stops on either end.
Let's call these points start and end.
So minimum focus is start and maximum focus becomes end.
So ust like when you set a point A and B to focus (regardless of lens or distance) point A becomes start and B becomes end.
So in other words if your lens has a 90 degree focus throw, the button/wheel will still operate at its full +- 270 distance.
@@RICH_Photography Very clear, thanks. I’m ordering it in a few weeks predominantly as a manual focus solution. I just like the small scale and lack of wires. The lidar should work well for clips of my dog up close as he runs about. Should go well with the Lumix S5 and new acquired Minolta Rokkor lenses!
Many thank, I’ve subbed. Cheers
Nice review!👏👏
We're a bit concerned about the delay. How bad is it?
To complex to use. I want to just have a dial to set the radians per focus meter and I'll do all the other stuff manually.
A LiDAR without any smart tracking capabilities or tweaking is already obsolete tech. If that is the result with 24mm lens, I think it is quite unusable, as the old dji lidar was. I need to be able to use 20 or 24 mm lenses on super 35 and the beam needs to be wide enough, I can't have the limitation of having in focus only what is in the center of the frame. 5m focus distance aren't nearly enough for it to be usable in all situations. And, if one can't use a matte box, that's bad.
DJI new range finder is usable without gimbal (though you need the gimbal to calibrate the lens), and it has much better focus capabilities and range.
Appreciate the comment.
Whilst wider would be appreciated and something I'd also love, the beam wouldn't be able to be perfectly round and rather flat, as the ground would probably play a role, so the beam would need to be more 16:9 projected.
The above also then plays a massive role in the 5m distance, as what happens after 5m can be problematic if there is no facial tracking.
Regarding the matte box, I don't think that's too much of a problem, after all this is a manual follow focus system with the addition of lidar.
On the DJI topic, well I have yet to find a single review (off the gimbal) that demonstrates a semi good result. Facial tracking etc can be cool, but I have watched DJIs off camera test, and the biggest issue is speed, if an object moves fast it seems quite problematic.
This is a great manual focus system, and that's who needs to buy it, but that addition of lidar for a lot of close up shots is extremely crucial. Close shots generate a much finer room for error.
I'm sure PDMovie will continue to develop, but what they are promising with this Live Air 3 Smart is exactly what it does.
I'm sorry the battery system on these focus motors are TERRIBLE. Why the HELL did they not improve that design. Also might as well just put an interface or at the very least develop a phone app to properly communicate with the motor so you don't have to fuss with button combinations. It's meant for single operators, but they complicate the setup. Not disrespect on your video obviously, this is a brand issue. I love the idea of lidar built in, but without the other aspects being improved this feels like a bit like a miss overall.
I love the battery system. Makes the entire system tiny. Why don't you like it?
Not just that, I recently got through an entire film day session. On site at 6:30am and got home around 8pm....also it comes with multiple batteries.
I get what you saying on the phone app....I'm someone that so far hasn't enjoyed phone apps. The quick toggle on the actual device by a button tap is so easy.
It hasn't been a pain to me at all so far and I've probably spent a good 40 to 50 hours using it now on set and I love it.
The ONLY recommendation I would have is a single tap on the Bluetooth button controller to switch between lidar and manual.
Appreciate the comment and kind words 🙏