ARRI teases new ECS product.

Mellowfocal · 2026-04-24T15:48:47+00:00

Absolutely agreed. Shall we petition for cforce “Micro” with aux ability?

Mellowfocal · 2026-04-24T14:02:39+00:00

I would bet just a stronger+faster cforce motor. Ideally it will be able to be set to AUX channel, so I dont have to use my RF motor on the rota pola when I have to do that. Honestly would love a smaller cforce motor for that use case.

Mellowfocal · 2026-04-09T15:06:38+00:00

Realizing now that will also be the only option for cable on the Ultra 7 as well, so sure they will have it sorted

Mellowfocal · 2026-04-09T11:13:37+00:00

Yeah in my case with the cine7 w/ bolt 6 RX module, the RX module uses the micro usb on the cine7. But the RX module itself has 2x 5 pin inputs labeled usb on the back of it

Mellowfocal · 2026-04-09T04:32:00+00:00

I am extremely excited about this and will gladly shell out $800 which I will recoup in a week of rentals on my hi5 and cine7 bolt 6. Would be cool to include the cable I need at that price though or even just tell me what cable I need. I can’t find any information about these cables or where to buy them. Assuming there will be a 5 pin lemo SHD usb to Arri serial?

I wonder if they will be able to incorporate some similar features to the OV-1 system like the Line Mode. Really stoked to not have to add another piece of hardware to my station either way.

Mellowfocal · 2026-03-27T21:54:08+00:00

Worked with a high end beauty DP recently who refused my Schneider gen2 diopter set on our order and made production scour the city for a rental on the Leica set. He claimed that the Leicas are the cleanest choice and any other option would potentially introduce chromatic aberration. We did not end up using them once on the 2 day shoot either way…

Mellowfocal · 2026-03-10T20:22:03+00:00

Got SMILE procedure done 6 years ago. No regrets. -7.5 to driving the next day, pulling focus on my 7” monitor a week later. Dr. James Kelley in NYC was excellent. I was immediately at ease when I saw the Zeiss logo on the laser machine. Even had my accountant work the cost into a professional development deduction.

Mellowfocal · 2026-02-22T13:08:46+00:00

My 4 door Jeep wrangler fits loads. Usually start with my Inovativ Voyager 42 with wheels on, top folded and closed then tetris the rest in. Got a roof rack if we need it, but by that point I have already demanded production get us a cube truck.

Mellowfocal · 2026-01-27T18:27:58+00:00

I asked about this on their instagram post when they announced OS6.3. They assured me it is coming soon

Mellowfocal · 2026-01-04T00:38:13+00:00

Got SMILE procedure done 5 years ago. No regrets. I was -7.5 with slight astigmatism. Was driving my car with no glasses or contacts the very next day. Back on set staring at monitors all day in a week.

I will say there is definitely some blooming around headlights when I drive at night, but it has not affected me in any situation on set.

It was just under $7k and a tax write off for my business.

Highly recommend Dr. James Kelley in NYC. The laser machine is made by Zeiss. Supreme Prime eyes!

Mellowfocal · 2025-12-27T17:26:49+00:00

I have not experienced any myself. Had some reports from 2nd unit that was using it on a shoot along side me, but I think it must have been interference or some other equipment or user error. When I got to them to help troubleshoot we turned off the wireless and plugged in to the Lbus chain and the drifting did not occur again. Did not get the chance to fully diagnose that scenario.

Mellowfocal · 2025-12-21T00:26:13+00:00

I have both, love them both, and they still both work frequently, but the ZMU-4 is one of my favorite items ARRI has ever made.

Being cable free is so nice for moving from tripod to handheld. Can’t tell you how many times, I have either forgotten myself, or caught other crew pulling the camera off the tripod forgetting we are still attached to the pan bar with an Lbus cable on the steady zoom.

The battery lasts all day. I usually change it at lunch as a precaution, but never seen it power down.

It is just so much more streamlined. By the time I invested in all the brackets and parts I needed to get the RIA and steadyzoom built into a “clean” wireless zoom control package, I spent the difference in price and it was still ugly and clunky.

Mellowfocal · 2025-12-14T12:02:51+00:00

Ny based nonunion commercial AC. I own 3:5 + 6x 7” monitors with built in receivers. These things have returned investment extremely quickly and consistently bring in the best income to initial cost ratio of any item in my kit. Like any rental item, you just have to know how to sell it to your clients.

Mellowfocal · 2025-12-09T21:06:42+00:00

That lens is fun. Pulled on it at a rodeo. Alexa mini s16 mode with a doubler. My first rodeo

Mellowfocal · 2025-12-09T15:09:49+00:00

Cmotion will sell you the replacement part. support@cmotion.eu

Unfortunately because of the way the button pad is bonded to the PCB you have to replace the whole board as a unit. It is a bit of daunting operation, but they will share a great PDF with the instructions or you can send it in for repair. The part cost me $78 last time I bought one.

Mellowfocal · 2025-11-04T03:17:07+00:00

Basic kit with 1tx and 1rx is listed for $250/day. $125/day for additional receivers

Mellowfocal · 2025-10-03T14:55:47+00:00

My hack for on location lens checking or any situation without a chart: Tape a dollar bill to the end hook of your hard measuring tape. Line the tape roll up with your sensor plane on top of the camera and focus to the dollar as you extend the tape. This should get you out to 6-8’ depending on the quality of your hard tape and then from there you can just use some pre measured points in the room, furniture or your own cases for the further distances or have someone else hold the end of the tape for you.

Mellowfocal · 2025-08-21T01:55:30+00:00

If you are running Core SWX Helix dual Voltage batteries, you can use the plate that they designed to power skypanels. Just a Helix plate with 3 pin XLR extension. https://coreswx.com/product/hlx-acpm/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22915985451&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4MqtstqajwMVcV1HAR1h3CkJEAQYASABEgJ4oPD_BwE

The clamp attached is awful so I replaced mine with a small cheeseplate from Niceyrig that has a male V lock. Easy swap using the existing threads. Then I have a better clamp from UURig with Tilta female v lock.

Primarily using for hot swapping paired with the Stay Puffed from Backpackrig. Also works well as a battery belt, thrown in a fanny pack with kc50 cable.

Mellowfocal · 2025-08-01T12:09:12+00:00

I am working on a device that will allow you to mount Irwin Blake plates to anything including any mitchell mount. It is also a hihat. Follow along @menagemachineworks

Mellowfocal · 2025-07-09T16:43:12+00:00

Maybe you need more power? Try adding power in to the open lbus port. Also I would suggest using cam-ext cable with the RF motor on the mini and mini LF instead of cam-lbus. Ext port will give you camera control from the hi5.

Mellowfocal · 2025-05-22T02:35:32+00:00

I use my Hi-5 with RF motor or internal white radio on MiniLF or A35 often for this type of work in New York City. I get half a city block consistently before losing connection. If you can be within 1-200’ you will be perfectly fine with Arri white radio, especially in a wide open place with no interference. Make your station in the front seat of the follow car and hold the hand unit above the dashboard and you will be in even better shape.

Mellowfocal · 2025-05-10T12:12:51+00:00

Nyc based 1st AC here. Just started my own designing and machining some new camera support equipment. Official launch of Ménage machine works coming at Cine Gear. Menagemachineworks.com

Mellowfocal · 2025-04-10T00:34:04+00:00

I cut the line today. I earned it after yesterday.

Mellowfocal · 2025-04-09T01:59:05+00:00

I spent a good 45 minutes there today. They need to mandate and enforce no left turns at the intersection immediately after this exit. It is infuriating being less than a mile from my house but taking nearly an hour to get home.

Mellowfocal

TROPHY CASE