My name is Jack O’Gara. I am a 3rd year student who is currently filming my final year film for my degree. Last year I saved up enough to buy my own wireless follow focus. While it is not a cinema brand product, its low cost, high build quality and simple technology got me working as an AC on a few projects as well as being able to use it on my own projects.
As I used the wireless follow focus system I learnt about these range finder accessories that help you nail your focus when using a laser or measuring tape was not an option. But these where several thousand dollars designed for high end industry, so well out of my range.
That is why I spent a few weeks last year working on my own solution. I created a concept prototype using some off the self components and an Arduino. I programmed it and got it working. After showing it off to a few film making buddies, they wanted one too..
So for the past few months I have turned this concept into a fully working prototype. And now we have the CineRangeFinder. A low cost, but high quality and accurate sonar range finder to make this industry tool accessible to more people like me.
This IndieGoGo campaign is to make this product a reality.
The product is a small box that sits on top of your camera using a standard 1/4 inch 20 thread socket allowing you to use any magic arm or mount you have with the same thread.
It is able to range from 1 foot in front of the sensor up to 30+ feet and you can set the datum line forward or backwards to adjust for placement on your setup. You can also set it to readout in metric if you prefer.
There are dual quad segment displays on both sides allowing you to see the readout either side of the camera. They come standard as Red but are available in Blue, Yellow and White as an option. The displays can also dim for when you don’t want full power.
3 buttons located on the top of the unit allow you to access the menu system that allow you to change the datum line offset, switch between imperial and metric, dim the displays, change wifi channels and factory reset the device.
An optional wireless unit will be made available at a later date that will allow you to get the display readout if you prefer a different placement on the camera for the readout or when operating remotely.
To power the unit there is a 2 pin LEMO socket on the rear of the device. You can also power it via the micro USB socket (not advised, it is there for future firmware updates)
The CineRangeFinder Remote (illustrated above) is an accessory for your CineRangeFinder.
It allows you to read the display and access the menu system without having to be arms reach of the main unit that is on top of you camera.
Its 1/4-20 thread on the back allows you to mount it pretty much anywhere such as on a wireless display or even attached onto your wireless follow focus.
The range is expected to be over 50m.
I have already invested a lot into this project using my own savings. The R&D and prototyping of the range finder was well over £1000. But that has gotten the project to a point where we are nearly ready to manufacture them. The software is done and I have built a working prototype. I have even gotten circuit boards manufactured for the prototypes.
I’m not looking for any money to go into the final development of the product. This is already happening and should be done by the end of the month. This IndieGoGo campaign is to allow you to fund the production run of the CineRangeFinder and receive one in return.
Expected shipping is May for the first 5 early birds, and June through July for the rest. This may be +/- a few weeks depending on a few factors. More info bellow.
Depending on the amount we raise will change the quality of the product that we are able to manufacture.
Level 1 – Up to 19 orders.
At this level we are able to 3D print the case and use off the shelf components as well as our basic circuit boards.
Level 2 – >20 orders
At this level we can do a production run of milled plastic cases. These cases are strong and light weight but not as strong as Aluminium. Still a high quality product though.
Level 3 – >30 orders
Fully custom circuit boards and components. No off the shelf parts. Allows us to also make the case a bit smaller.
Level 4 – >50 orders
This is our ultimate goal. Aluminium milled case. Anodised matte black (custom colours might be available) with your name or organisation or logo inscribed on the case as an option to make it all yours.
This is the first product of what I hope to be many. Supporting this crowdfund and production run in return for the product will also help me start working on more concepts that I hope to bring to market. I really want to help bring these cinema level tools to more people and students to help create better films.
As with any crowdfund there are risks and challenges that can arise. This is why I have tried to negate as many of these as possible. This is why I have personally funded all the development of the product, prototypes and software so that you are not paying for vaporware.
This means the only problems that can arise is from the production run. And to reduce those risks I have made sure that we have multiple avenues made available for all of the production steps from the circuit boards to the case. This means I have multiple places to purchase components, raw goods and tools as well as multiple places to get things manufactured that I personally is not manufacturing such as the circuit boards.
We are expected to be shipping in May and June but this might be up to a month behind if we face any unforseen problem.
Even if you don’t want the product, if you believe that it is an awesome idea and possibly know people who would like it, please share this page with them! To make this as successful as we want it to be we really need as many orders as possible.
Sharing this on social media or on forums can really help!
Q: Why is the sensor and display together in the same unit?
A: To split them would raise the cost of the product by way over $100 because of the extra cables and connectors alone. Because of this we have designed it to be a single unit but have added wireless to it to allow you to use an accessory we hope to release soon that will allow you to have the display mounted anywhere on the camera or even used remotely.
Q: How accurate is the sensor?
A: Very! The manufacturer specify that it is 1cm throughout most of the range of the sensor.
Q: Does the environment or certain clothing items cause problems?
A: Yes. The product uses sonar technology, while accurate, some environments and materials will cause it to be inaccurate or not even be able to range. This is because the sensor sends out an inaudible sound which bounces off the surface in front of it to measure how far away it is. If the surface in front of the sensor absorbs too much, it would be able to accurately measure the distance or even measure at all.
Q: How much power does the device draw?
A: Not much. We have not accurately measured yet, but measurements we have taken show it takes just over 1W. Enabling the wireless will increase this.
Q: How efficient is the sensor?
A: We are still testing this. On shoots I have have been on we are finding it works best at ranges between 1 and 15 feet. This is where it is most useful especially on wide angle lens. Narrower lens we are finding it works fine at 20+foot, though the reading can bounce around a bit due to more objects in the environment bouncing the sonar sound wave. Anything over 30 foot it is not useful. Mostly because the sensor wont range this far and typically in most set environments there will be too much environmental noise at this range. Manufacture specified range for human detection is upwards of 15-16 feet.
Q: What if you get upwards of 100 orders?
A: This would be amazing and I hope it happens. If this happens we can make the cases to a really high quality. There might a short delay as we will be looking to source better manufacturing equipment, but it will be worth it and long term will allow us to make the accessories such as wireless remote much better too.
Please feel free to ask any questions using the “Ask a question” link at the top of the page.