Accsoon has announced the F-C01 Remote Focus System, an affordable, wireless follow focus. It has the added benefit of being able to be used as a wireless or wired system depending on your requirements.
Accsoon states that the F-C01 focus control package brings high-end wireless reliability to affordable remote focus systems. The F-C01 uses a new Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) system developed in-house by Accsoon that operates on the 915 MHz ultra-high frequency. This allows the motor and the controller to communicate constantly, switching channels in unison at a speed of hundreds of times per second within the specified frequency range.
The system consists of a separate controller and a motor. The F-C01’s controller was designed to fit comfortably in the user’s hand. It can also be attached to the side of a monitor, gimbal, cage or camera with the included quick-release mounting plate. The controller has physical dimensions of 79 x 73 x 55mm / 3.11 x 2.87 x 2.16″ and it weighs 110g / 3.88 oz. The F-C01 Motor mounts directly to a 15mm diameter camera rod and it has physical dimensions of 53.5 x 10.4 x 32mm / 2.10 x 0.4 x 1.25″ and weighs 100g / 3.52 oz.
The package also includes an adjustable rod and mounting plate solution to attach directly to a camera cage.
The F-C01 is compact and lightweight so you can use it with smaller-sized cameras and it is claimed to offer near-silent operation. It has auto-calibration and the ability to set A/B focus points. The lens motor was designed to offer high torque which will allow it to be used with larger cine lenses. According to Accsoon, this is one of the primary reasons that the F-C01 stands out from its competition as a lot of affordable wireless follow focus systems struggle to drive cine lenses.
The motor has a maximum torque force of 0.35 N.m. The operational temperature for the system ranges from -10°C to +40°C.
The F-C01 Controller is powered by a single Sony-type NP-FW50 lithium-ion rechargeable battery. This is the same battery type used in a lot of Sony mirrorless cameras, so users of those cameras won’t need to buy new batteries. For customers who don’t own Sony NP-FW50 batteries, they will be available to purchase a kit with 2 NP-FW50 type batteries and a USB charger.
The F-C01 Motor can be powered via any 5-16.8V power source, which allows it to be run from USB power, camera gimbal accessory ports, as well as full-sized 14.8V camera battery bricks and other power solutions. Both DC to USB-C and D-Tap to USB-C cables are included and allow for the additional power required for stiffer, heavier lenses to be driven.
The F-C01 is claimed to have an unobstructed range of 100m / 350ft and a latency time that is under 10ms.
The F-C01 system pairs and calibrates with one push of a button. When used as an on-camera lens controller the two units can be directly wired together.
For cameras that support it, the F-C01 motor includes a port to connect a cable to trigger recording from the Rec button on the controller. Accsoon is also releasing dedicated camera cables that will be available to buy separately.
The Accsoon F-C01 wireless focus control package includes a controller, motor, controller mount adapter, motor mount adapter, 15mm rod, focus gear ring, Allen key, screws, motor power cable, DC to USB-C cable, D-Tap to USB-C cable, and carrying case. It is now available to purchase for $279 USD. Accsoon will also sell the F-C01 package with twin NP-FW50 Battery kit for $299 USD.
The Accsoon F-C01 Remote Focus System is competitively priced and its main competition is likely to be from the Tilta Nucleus-Nano Wireless Focus Control System ($280.97 USD) and PDMOVIE Live Air 2 Compact Wireless Focus Control Kit ($299 USD).
Matthew Allard is a multi-award-winning, ACS accredited freelance Director of Photography with 30 years' experience working in more than 50 countries around the world. He is the Editor of Newsshooter.com and has been writing on the site since 2010. Matthew has won 43 ACS Awards, including four prestigious Golden Tripods. In 2016 he won the Award for Best Cinematography at the 21st Asian Television Awards. Matthew is available to hire as a DP in Japan or for work anywhere else in the world.
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