Remote Control of Camera Position and Lens Settings

Remote positioner

The Remote Positioner is a platform on which the camera is placed which has three degrees of motion controlled by micrometer stepper motors. This not only gives the FinishLynx operator remote control over position, but also allows much finer movement than is possible with a standard tripod head.

Remote Positioner (label at front)

Figure: Position & Lens Controls

Remote lens & iris type

Remote control lenses simply have motors that move the iris, focus and/or zoom rings of the lens. There are two types of remote control lenses available:

• Normal These lenses offer all three parameters (iris, focus, zoom) to be controlled by FinishLynx.
• P-Iris These lenses only offer a remote iris function.

FinishLynx should to be configured to communicate with the specified lens type.

• To set the iris type:

1. Access the Camera Settings.
2. Click on the Setup tab.
3. Click to select the appropriate Iris Type:.
4. Click Ok.

Iris control for e-type f-mount lenses

In addition to mechanical iris controls, F-Mount lenses with an electronic diaphragm can be controlled via the lens contacts. No cable is required from the F-Mount adapter to the camera's remote port.

This is supported and tested for the following lenses:

• AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8E
• AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8E
• AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E
• Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG HSM
• Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM
• Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM
• Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM

note: This feature requires the latest F-mount adapter. Legacy support for focus and mechanical iris remain. Supported by Vision PRO and Vision PRO X cameras.

How to connect a remote positioner or lens?

• Connecting the Remote Positioner Only: To connect only the remote positioning unit, simply plug one end of the cable included into the back of the camera's Remote Control port and the other end into either one of the connectors on the positioner. The camera is screwed on using the thumbscrew provided through one of the holes in the plate.

note: Which hole is used depends on the size of the lens; the idea is to try to get the center of gravity over the center of the positioner.

• Connecting the Remote Lens Only To connect only a remote control lens, simply plug the 9-pin connector on the end of the wire coming out of the lens into the port on the camera labeled “Remote Control” has shown in EtherLynx Vision-Series Camera (back view). Note that a remote lens cannot be manually controlled.

• Connecting a Remote Positioner and Lens To connect both a remote lens and the remote positioning unit, simply plug one end of the cable included into the port on the camera labeled “Remote Control” and shown in EtherLynx Vision-Series Camera (back view), and the other end into either one of the connectors on the positioner. Now plug the end of the cable from the lens into the open connector on the positioning unit.

How to control a remote positioner or lens

Remote positioners and lenses are controlled by icons in the software; there is no external unit needed. On the right side of the Hardware Control window you will see the control panel shown in Remote Control Icons.

Remote Control Icons

Figure: Position & Lens Controls

Clicking on an icon will cause the positioner to make a very small movement. If the mouse button is held down, continuous movement will start in about half a second and continue for about 2 seconds. If the unit has not moved to the correct point after a few seconds, let go of the mouse button and press it again.

If it never gets to the correct location, it may be necessary to manually adjust the mount to get closer to the needed location. Note that from the time the leading edge of the finish line appears to the time the trailing edge appears can take over 25 clicks on the icon. This allows the camera to be placed extremely accurately on the leading edge of the finish line, and helps when trying to line up two camera systems so both angles read the same time.

note: Activation of the remote control units can only occur while a camera is in align mode. In multi-camera systems, only the camera that is being adjusted should be aligning while using the controls.

When adjusting a remote lens the operator should note that the Icons are incremental not continuous – holding down on a lens adjustment icon will only move the lens to the next position. To keep moving in the same direction, the operator needs to let up on the mouse button and then re-click. This will move to the next position, and so on.

tip: Hold a modifier key to increase the step size: Simple click < Shift-click < Ctrl-click < Ctrl-Shift-click.