The new functions allow data to transfer from third party external equipment to the lens, as well as from the lens to the camera, for recording with other metadata. The information can be stored in the camera or on an External Data Source Unit, and can include such data as 3D encoder information, details from electronic slates, or metadata from wireless devices such as iPhone apps.
The information can be particularly useful in post. "The streamlined transfer of data from the set, lenses and camera into post production makes accurate, high-quality VFX creation easier for everyone involved – cinematographers, VFX supervisors and VFX artists – as well as saving time and therefore money," explained Michael Lancaster, Managing Director of The Pixel Farm, a development partner with Cooke for four years, whose PFTrack software integrates /i data.
“/i Technology is designed to be open access, and this set of functions takes that a step further,” added Les Zellan, Chairman and Owner, Cooke Optics. “The kind of data you can transfer is user-defined, so you can really record anything relevant or useful to you, as long as it fits into the allowed space - 60 characters with no carriage return.” The new functions are available immediately within new and existing Cooke 5i lenses.
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By David Fox
Cooke's /i Technology transmits data about the lens, such as focal length, focus distance, f-stop and frame rate to the camera (cameras like RED, SI 2K, Sony's F35, the Aaton Penelope, and Arricams, have it built in) or to Cooke's own dataLink for cameras without /i.
ReplyDeleteHaving this lens data recorded automatically means that someone doesn't have to input it manually, and it is frame accurate, so it can be used in post, for visual effects creation or Digital Intermediate calibration, where knowing what settings the lens used is useful for creating CGI backgrounds and characters and making them look realistic. It is also very useful for motion control shoots, where you typically have to replicate all the parameters of the camera movement and the lens settings again and again.