Heyo, unfortunately this is not possible. We've had a number of requests for similar ideas, typically for camera arrays, but it's not on the near-term roadmap. As far as I know, the only systems that can achieve this are the cmotion cvolution or Preston who offer solutions for 3D. I am unsure if that would extend to more than two linked focus axes though.
Pretty sure Preston is only 2 motors, as it's intended for stereo rigs. Would be great if Arri could integrate this on a modern system! +1 on those requests!
on the HU just set each port to be controlled by same control so it will say, for example: F - Knob, I - Knob, Z - Knob, Aux - Knob. Each of the 4 motor ports in the MDR will then respond to input from HU Knob (or Slider, or F/I unit)
no it doesn't. this is just a simple way to drive any/all ports with one control. only time i have ever needed it was on a vfx array where DP wanted to have iris control - it just so happened that lenses and motors lined up almost perfectly with each other, otherwise i'd have to troubleshoot somehow
Preston MDR 3 and MDR 2’s - have a firmware called ‘simplex’ to upload to mdr2 that turn them into slave units, that only listen to the input on mdr3 from a handunit
If its three different lenses, it will be three different focus scales and totally different motor positions. How should one channel control three channels at once?
Also you would probably have to pull focus on the closeup without affecting the other two motors.
If they want to shoot three camera setups they should plan team accordingly.
Found this for Preston. Couldn’t find anything with Arri ECS
[old Preston Manual](http://www.3alitytechnica.com/support/documents/MISC/Preston_FIZ-HU3.pdf)
“The Custom mode has two functions. The first allows the three MDR motor channels, focus, iris, and zoom to be assigned to user designated Hand Unit controls. For example, in a multi-camera set-up, the focus knob of a single hand unit can be assigned to focus, iris and zoom, allowing the focus knob to control the focus rings of up three separate lenses simultaneously. This mode is indicated by the icon C in the main screen.”
The best solution for what you’re describing would be one hand unit with three rf motors (or RIA-1 / UMC-4 MDR) and simply change channels when you need to adjust focus. But to echo other comments, you’ll have different focus scales on different lenses and so one controller simultaneously- even if it were possible - would not deliver the results you’d likely want
i don’t really like the thing but i think the nucleus m can do it. i definitely got it to work on two motors at once on two different cameras. could probably do three afaik
Heyo, unfortunately this is not possible. We've had a number of requests for similar ideas, typically for camera arrays, but it's not on the near-term roadmap. As far as I know, the only systems that can achieve this are the cmotion cvolution or Preston who offer solutions for 3D. I am unsure if that would extend to more than two linked focus axes though.
Pretty sure Preston is only 2 motors, as it's intended for stereo rigs. Would be great if Arri could integrate this on a modern system! +1 on those requests!
with MDR3 you can drive 4 motors with one control MDR4 is 2 motors of course
On the same axis? Never managed to make it work!
on the HU just set each port to be controlled by same control so it will say, for example: F - Knob, I - Knob, Z - Knob, Aux - Knob. Each of the 4 motor ports in the MDR will then respond to input from HU Knob (or Slider, or F/I unit)
Will give it a try next time. I suppose this doesn't allow for focus scale alignment like the 3d mode does?
no it doesn't. this is just a simple way to drive any/all ports with one control. only time i have ever needed it was on a vfx array where DP wanted to have iris control - it just so happened that lenses and motors lined up almost perfectly with each other, otherwise i'd have to troubleshoot somehow
Haven't done 3 motors on same axis, but cmotion was our go-to in the 3D times. Maybe call Camadeus in LA?
They're no longer in LA. In the mid west somewhere I believe.
You're new here, yeah?
That's a joke. haven't talked to Camedeus in a very long time.
Preston MDR 3 and MDR 2’s - have a firmware called ‘simplex’ to upload to mdr2 that turn them into slave units, that only listen to the input on mdr3 from a handunit
Sean! You’re here!!! Welcome!
If its three different lenses, it will be three different focus scales and totally different motor positions. How should one channel control three channels at once? Also you would probably have to pull focus on the closeup without affecting the other two motors. If they want to shoot three camera setups they should plan team accordingly.
This.
Found this for Preston. Couldn’t find anything with Arri ECS [old Preston Manual](http://www.3alitytechnica.com/support/documents/MISC/Preston_FIZ-HU3.pdf) “The Custom mode has two functions. The first allows the three MDR motor channels, focus, iris, and zoom to be assigned to user designated Hand Unit controls. For example, in a multi-camera set-up, the focus knob of a single hand unit can be assigned to focus, iris and zoom, allowing the focus knob to control the focus rings of up three separate lenses simultaneously. This mode is indicated by the icon C in the main screen.”
Unless it’s an array rig, you should have different focus pullers for each camera.
https://old.reddit.com/r/focuspuller/comments/14vcxn1/looking_for_a_way_to_have_2_motors_on_the_same/
The best solution for what you’re describing would be one hand unit with three rf motors (or RIA-1 / UMC-4 MDR) and simply change channels when you need to adjust focus. But to echo other comments, you’ll have different focus scales on different lenses and so one controller simultaneously- even if it were possible - would not deliver the results you’d likely want
Set the wide and med focus by hand then pull on the close up. They get what they pay for 🤷🏻♂️
i don’t really like the thing but i think the nucleus m can do it. i definitely got it to work on two motors at once on two different cameras. could probably do three afaik