Cooke /i
Ncam Reality can read lens metadata from a /I lens equipped lens. The reading of data is via an Ncam provided serial cable that connects to the 4 pin lemo port on the body of the lens
Please contact [email protected] if intending to use /i data, the initial mapping process requires some assistance
Ncam provided /i serial cable
/i lens featuring a 4 pin lemo connector
The /i protocol is only available on the Mk2 platform
Inside the preferences of the Ncam Reality Full UI set the encoder type to "Cooke /i & Zeiss eXtended data"
Connect the Ncam /i cable to the RS232 port of the Mk2 server or connection box, connect the 4 pin end to the /i port on the lens body
Currently the encoder mapping process when using /i lenses requires the use of Mk2 external encoders for the initial setup, the process is described below and requires the use of external encoders for the initial mapping.
Please contact [email protected] for help and assistance with the /i mapping process if required
Ncam Reality requires Normalised lens encoder values. Unfortunately, they are not always available as part of the /i or eXtended Data.
As a result, it is necessary to do a one time, per lens, mapping procedure to be able to map absolute /i values to those of another set of encoders which do provide what is needed. Namely, Mk2 encoders.
As a fallback option, a generic mapping table is provided for a focus in the range of 807mm to infinity.
That being said, all focus distances closer than 807mm will all be reported as 0 from the encoder.
When using a Connection box, the following steps need to be conducted on it and not on the Mk2 server.
- Ncam branded /i RS232 cable
- Mk2 external encoders
To map a Cooke /i compatible lens to an external encoder, please follow these simple steps:
- All encoder motors need to be turned OFF to allow the lens barrels to be freely manipulated during the process.
- Ensure the Mk2 external encoders have been rigidly mounted before starting this procedure.
- The Mk2 encoders need to be connected to the UART port on the box and the /i lens to the RS232 port.
- Connect to the MK2 Server or Connection Box remotely through SSH or open a terminal when using VNC.
- Type in the command: sudo map_cooke
- Follow the instructions on screen.
- Once finished, the CameraBarDaemon service should have been restarted automatically.
- In Ncam-Reality, you need to ensure the type of lens encoder being used is Cooke /i.
On the box where the mapping has been done, a file named after the lens model will be created at:
/opt/Ncam-Tech/CameraBarDaemon/calibrations/mappings/lensname.csv
If the mapping is restarted and completed for the same lens model, the file will be overwritten.