Ncam Reality
...
Rigging the Hardware
Lens Encoders

Canon

5min

Overview

Ncam utilises the serial data made available from compatible Canon broadcast and cinema lenses. This data is provided via the digital servo encoders and a Ncam provided Canon cable

Document image


Two versions of the Ncam cable are available, a 5 pin and a 20 pin version, to cater for the different connectors used on lenses in the Canon range

Required Parts

  • Ncam Canon Serial Cable , either 5 pin or 20 pin versions depending on the lens
  • Canon lens with digital servo and 16 bit encoders

Compatibility

The serial data is only available on the Mk2 platform, please note Ncam will only recieve the Focus and Zoom information and not the Iris information. For information on using Canon lenses with older Ncam systems see the Legacy option below

Instructions

Inside the Ncam Reality preferences select "Canon Serial Protocol" from the camera bar tab.

Connect the Ncam provided cable to the serial port of the lens. On ENG lenses this port is labelled "Virtual". The 7 pin end of the cable should connect to the UART port of the Mk2 server or Connection Box

Legacy Option

An older, end of life option for encoding Canon lenses is by using an Ncam "Smart box"

They are similar in appearance to the current generation of Ncam provided cable, and additionally were made in two varieties, one with a RJ11 connector for Mk1 systems, and one with a 7 pin lemo for Mk2 systems

The newer version of the cable can be identified by the painted screws on the box part of the cable, this can be seen in the photo at the beginning of the page. The older "smartboxes" will not have painted screws

If using these devices in your setup, follow these steps

  • On Mk1 hardware, connect the RJ11 end of the smart box directly to the RJ11 port on the Mk1 camera bar, the other end connects to the serial port of the lens
  • On Mk2 hardware, connect the 7 pin lemo end to either the Mk2 server or connection box UART port
  • Inside the Ncam Reality preferences, select the "Ncam Smart and Preston/Cmotion Box" option from the camera bar tab

When using the older smart boxes, lens homing is required