HU4 User Manual

1.0 HU4 Overview

The HU4 hand unit provides fingertip control of Light Ranger 2 (LR2) functions giving the user incredibly fast and accurate focus control. Rugged tactile switches and a two-axis joystick are integrated into the cushioned hand grip. The tactile switches control the most frequently used LR2 functions including Autofocus/Manual mode switching, Camera Record, and focus freeze. The joystick can be switched between controlling Light Ranger functions (positioning the autofocus area, changing its size), or controlling the zoom.

The new touch display dramatically speeds up the set-up and control of lenses. It enables the focus scale to be squeezed or expanded to decrease or increase the resolution with the touch of two fingers. Lens selection and calibration is quicker than ever. Distance data is presented with large, easy to read characters. The display’s anti-reflection coating provides excellent viewability under any lighting conditions.

Touch area short-cuts on the Home screen give quick access to the current Lens Folder and Lens Functions.

Four Lens Functions have been added (firmware ver. 1.022 and later).

• Diopter focus mapping,
• Extender/Expander,
• Dolly Zoom, and
• Constant Zoom Speed.

The T-stops of lenses with either linear or non-linear scales are displayed with uniform spacing making accurate setting possible throughout the range of adjustment.

The zoom setting is displayed by an index mark that moves against the zoom scale. The numeric value of the focal length is also displayed.

Limits can be set to limit the travel of the focus, iris, and zoom rings. Separate limits can be set for the LR2 to constrain the range of distances shown by the LR2 graphics overlay as well as for autofocus. LR2 limits are used to minimize the number of graphical elements appearing on the monitor to those which are essential to the shot. They can also prevent jumps in focus when, for example, an actor crosses in front of the cameras line-of-sight.

The Lens Library can now store up to 1024 lens records. The entire Library can be backed-up to the internal HU4 memory.

A motor control page (Menu → Lenses → Motors) allows setting the motor direction and torque remotely. In addition, end stop calibration for the focus, iris, and zoom motors can be initiated

Initial support for remotely controlling camera settings is provided for the RED Cameras. Support for the Sony Venice will follow as a firmware update.

The HU4 Camera Page for RED allows setting the fps, shutter angle, exposure index, and color temperature.

Red format information is automatically provided to a connected Video Overlay Unit, eliminating the need for manual entry through the Video Overlay menu. In addition, lens metadata is sent from the motor driver units for recording onto the picture file.

1.1 HU4 Features

1.2 HU4/Light Ranger 2 Handgrip Functions

All of the controls required to operate the LR2 are located on HU4’s grip. They are:

• Manual/AF mode switch
• Hybrid mode switch
• Focus freeze switch
• Two axis Joystick for moving the AF frame and changing its size/position
• Joystick sensitivity knob. Separate settings for LR2 and Zoom functions.

1.3 HU4 Display - Organization

The information shown on the display changes depending on whether the LR2 and/or a camera is connected to the MDR unit.

1.4 HU4 Display – Active Touch Areas

1.5 Locking Lens Settings

Lock the focus, iris, or zoom settings by momentarily touching the corresponding soft keys at the bottom of the display. The locked status is represented by a padlock icon on the respective scale.

Unlock the lens setting (focus, iris, or zoom) by pressing the corresponding soft key for 1 second.

Set lens limits for the focus, iris, or zoom lens setting by pressing and holding the respective limit softkey while moving the setting of the corresponding lens ring from the beginning to the end of the desired travel. Lens limits are shown as a green strip adjacent to the corresponding lens scale.

The minimum distance difference between the beginning and end limit for focus is 0.25m (9.8”). If a smaller limit is attempted, the limit will be set to the minimum allowed.

Setting Light Ranger Distance Limits. These limits can remove graphics around areas not relevant to the scene. Set the LR2 limits by rotating the focus knob through the desired distance range while pressing the LR Limits button. Light Ranger limits are shown as a red strip adjacent to the focus scale.

Remove Lens and Light Ranger Limits by pressing the LR Limits soft key for 1 second.

1.6 Locking the Touch Panel

2.0 HU4 Main Menu

2.1 Sub-Menus

A. Wireless Channel Selection. Select the same Wireless Channel for all of the units that will be working together with the HU4: motor drivers MDR3, MDR4, Video Interface Unit and any additional hand controls; Wireless Microforce, Focus/Iris unit.

Set the Channel selection before leaving the page.

The Network Scan: Menu → System → Network displays the FI+Z units in the vicinity. A clear channel selection “Suggested Channel” is shown at the bottom of the display. Select Go to accept the channel selection. Otherwise use the scroll wheels to select an unused wireless channel.

B. Camera Settings Menu → Camera are shown for supported cameras when the MDR is connected to the camera with the corresponding control cable.

When the camera project fps is fractional (fps divided by 1.001), the integral fps value is displayed with the fractional indication as shown as fps/1.001 (left, below). The display for non-fractional project fps is shown below right.

The fps can be selected either from the FPS selection box or from the list of indexed values to the right.

The shutter angle, ISO and Color Temperature are set using the scroll wheel. Press Set to accept the settings.

C. Lens Selection. After mounting a new lens on the camera, press the Reset button on the motor driver to calibrate the lens span. Motor calibration can also be initiated from the Motor page: Menu→ Lenses → Motors.

The Current Lens Selection is shown on the home screen and on the Lenses page: Menu → Lenses. To use this lens selection, touch the Set Lens Infinity (below, second from left), set the lens focus to infinity (below, third from left) and then touch Done.

(1) To setup a lens which has already been calibrated on the camera: select a lens from the lens library: Lens → All Lenses or Menu → Lens → All Lenses. You may also choose a lens from My List A, B, or C.

Example: select a lens from All Lenses: Choose a Manufacturer from the left column and a Model from the right column (below, left). Select Next to see the contents of the Model folder. The calibration status of each lens record is shown on the right side of the record. The selected entry is highlighted in green.

Set the lens to infinity using the focus knob to complete calibration.

(2) A New Lens can be added to the lens library either from the Lenses page (below, left) Menu → Lenses or from within the folder containing the lens models (below, second from left): Menu → Lenses → All Lenses → (Lens Mfgr) → (Model)

Starting from All Lenses, choose a Manufacturer from the left column and a Model from the right column (below, third from left). Select Next to see the contents of the Model folder. The calibration status of each lens record is shown on the right side of the record. The selected entry is highlighted in green (below, right).

Starting from within a Model folder (below, second from left), select New Lens and enter the focal length and Serial Number (below, far right).

For demonstration, we’ll create a new lens record for the 30-90mm Angenieux lens using a new serial number.

Menu → Lenses → New Lens (below, far right)

After pressing Next (above, far right), the Edit Lens page appears showing the calibration options.

To calibrate a non-linear iris lens (non- uniform spacing between T-stops):

1. (i) Enter the Max T-stop and set Iris to the same stop. →Next
2. (ii) Enter the Min T-stop and set Iris to the same stop. → Next
3. (iii) Set the iris to the indicated T-stop. → Next
4. (iv) Continue setting the iris to the indicated stop until calibration is completed.

(c) Zoom Calibration. Edit Lens → Calibrate Zoom

1. (i) Set the lens to the focal length mark closest to the value shown on the HU4 Display.
2. (ii) Use the scroll wheel to set the focal length in the green rectangle to the same engraved mark on the lens (in this case, 40mm). → Next
3. (iii) Set the lens to the next focal length mark closest to the value shown on the HU4 Display. → Done

The FIZ text, highlighted in green (above, third from left) indicates that focus, iris, and zoom are calibrated.

1. (ii). The Focus Ring can be selected from the buttons on the bottom of the Edit Lens page or from the LENSES menu: Menu →LENSES → (Ring).

D. Lens Functions

The Lens Functions menu is accessed from the Home screen: Menu → Lens Functions or from the Lens Function touch area on the Home screen. Select the function by touching one of the rectangular virtual keys (picture below).

(i). Diopter Function (DTR). This function re-maps the focus scale on the Home screen according to the diopter power and the lens entrance pupil position. The lens entrance pupil position is determined in the diopter calibration procedure. The diopter calibration parameters are stored in the HU4 until changed by re-calibration.

MDR3 Requirements:Using the Diopter function with the Light Ranger 2 autofocus function requires a MDR3 with the current (Kinetis) processor or an MDR4. MDR3 Kinetis processor circuit boards were shipped beginning mid-2019. Please contact tech@prestoncinema.com with the MDR3 serial number and we will determine its processor version.

Before calibrating the diopter/lens combination:

• Calibrate a new lens with the HU4 or recall a lens from the Lens Library.
• Choose the “A” focus ring – minimum focus distance 9”.
• If you are planning on using the Diopter function with the LR2, calibrate the LR2 offset.
• Light Ranger offset calibration. To allow accurate measurement of distances close to the LR2, a IR neutral density filter O.D 1.3 or greater, must be placed over the LR2 receiving optic. This is to prevent overloading the LR2 receiving electronics and causing inaccurate distance measurement. The IR Filter P/N 6030 slips over the LR2M receiving lens. See picture following page.

Note: ordinary neutral density camera filters meant for visible light will not work with the LR2.

Diopter calibration.This requires a focus chart, an accurate measuring tape or (preferably) a laser distance measuring device, and a stand/slider that allows accurate (millimeter accuracy) positioning of the chart relative to the camera for sharp focus.

Since calibration accuracy is crucial, we recommend that you choose Metric units (step 2, below) when entering camera image plane to focus chart distances.

(1) Attach the diopter to the lens. Navigate to the Lens Functions page and select the diopter power (below left):

(2) Step 2/3. Set the lens focus to infinity and move the focus chart until the image is in sharp focus. Measure the distance from the focus chart to the image plane and use the scroll wheel (above, middle) to enter the distance. Since accurate calibration is essential, we recommend that the focus chart is mounted on a slider so fine adjustments can be made.

(3) Step 3/3. Set the lens to the close focus distance shown on the page (1) and move the focus chart towards the camera until it is sharp focus. Measure the distance from the focus chart to the camera image plane and enter it using the scroll wheel (above, right).

The depth of field for a combined lens/diopter set to its maximum iris opening may be as small as a few millimeters!

Steps to minimize errors when using the LR2 with the Diopter Function:

• After calibrating the diopter to the lens, re-calibrate the LR2 distance offset using the AUTO option from the Video Interface menu.
• If the subject is to move towards the camera for an extreme close-up, do the AUTO offset calibration with the subject moving towards the camera and stopping on his/her mark. This minimizes errors due to mechanical backlash.
• If the subject is to move away from the camera, perform the AUTO offset calibration with the subject moving slightly away from camera.

(ii) The Extender Lens Function (EXT) compensates the displayed focal length and T-stop when an extender/expander is attached to the lens.

Enter the Extender Power using the scroll wheel on the HU4 display. The range of power is from 0.5 ~2.0.

(iii) The Dolly Zoom function (ZD) keeps the image size constant while the camera to subject distance changes. This is accomplished by linking the zoom focal length to the subject to camera distance as measured by the LR2.

Procedure

• Set the EP (entrance pupil) distance:
  • Accept the EP (entrance pupil) distance displayed on the screen (below, left). This is the value stored from a previous calibration of the same lens - or:
    • Enter the offset using the scroll-wheel (picture, right). or
    • Calibrate using a target.

• To calibrate using a target, follow the instructions shown on the display:

• Touch Set Size (next page, left). This will put the LR2 into AF mode and link the zoom focal length to the subject distance.
• Touch the Home soft key to return to the Home screen (below, right).
  
  As the subject moves, the zoom fl will automatically change to keep the subject size constant.
  
  The yellow Iris index mark (below, right) will track the focal length as it changes with subject distance.
  
  
  • The largest perspective change during a dolly-zoom shot corresponds to the largest change in the zoom focal length. The perspective change can be maximized by setting the subject size (Set Size) with the minimum fl and closest subject to camera separation or maximum fl and maximum subject to camera separation.

(iv) Constant zoom Speed (CZS)

The desired zoom speed is set using the red knob on the grip. The zoom is started or stopped by pressing the joystick either momentarily (Momentary mode) or continuously (Continuous mode).

E. Zoom Soft-Stop. The soft stop function decelerates the zoom speed a programmable distance from either end of the zoom travel distance.

To program the distance from where the zoom soft-stop begins:

While pressing the Zoom limit button, turn the red zoom speed wheel in the handgrip. The distance where the soft-stop occurs is shown both in the graphic as a red area in the bar display and as a percentage of the travel of the zoom lens ring.

F. The Motors setup page Menu →LENSES → Motors, shows the current motor types connected to the motor driver as well as the direction and torque setting for each motor.

The direction of each motor is changed (Fwd/Rev) by touching the corresponding direction button on the display.

the Torque setting buttons cycles the torque setting: Low, Med, High for the motor in the corresponding column. The color of the rectangle in the upper right corner of each button indicates the setting: Blue, Green, Red.

Touching the F, I, Z, A buttons in the Calibrate area selects the motor or motors to be calibrated.

Touch Start Calibrate to start the motor finding the end stops of the selected lens rings.

G. Control Assignments: Menu → Control Assignments

The HU4 has three Controls for user input: Knob, Joystick, and Slider. To change one or more motor assignments:

• Select the MDR motor.
• Touch the desired Control in the Options column.
• Touch Set

H. Switch Assignments Menu → Switch Assignments

The switches assigned to the four functions: Camera RS, AutoFocus, Focus Hold, and AF Hybrid can be re-assigned:

• Choose the two functions whose switch assignments you would like to swap
• Touch Swap Selected Pair
• Touch Set

The switch controlling Autofocus can be set to either Toggle or Momentary by touching the corresponding button and then Set.

I. Illumination Control: Menu → Illumination

Change the illumination settings by touching the desired brightness level button.

J. System Menu → System

The System menu options are self-explanatory and are shown below.

3.0 Light Ranger 2 Operating Modes

The switches and joystick integrated into the handgrip provide immediate access to LR2 functions. The switches can be reassigned from their default functions from the Switch Assign page

3.1 Manual/Autofocus switch. Default switch position: Rear Handgrip.

This switch can be configured from the Switch Assign page to operate in either toggle mode or momentary mode. In Toggle mode, each switch actuation alternates between Manual mode and AF mode. In Momentary mode, the AF mode is maintained as long as the switch remains depressed.

In Manual focus mode, the focus setting of the lens is controlled by the focus knob;

in AF mode, the lens will be focused to the nearest object within the Red AF rectangle shown on the monitor.

When the LR2 is not present in the system, the Manual/AF switch functions as a Zap switch for the zoom; pressing the switch sets the zoom sensitivity to maximum.

3.2 Hybrid Mode Switch. Default switch position: Left Handgrip.

The Hybrid mode combines the organic feel of a manual focus pull with the accuracy of AF. As focus is pulled from a first to a second subject, the transition to AF is seamless as it occurs when the focus pull brings the subject within the lens DOF.

To set up a shot in Hybrid mode:

• In Manual mode, focus on the first subject.
• Use the joystick to position the red AF rectangle over the subject where the focus pull will end.
• Press the Hybrid switch momentarily. The letter H in yellow appears in the upper right corner of the frame. (picture above, left)
• Pull focus to the second subject. When the second subject is within the DOF, the mode will change to AF and “AF” will appear in red replacing the letter H. (picture above, right).

3.3 Focus Freeze. Default switch position: top Handgrip.

Press this switch to freeze the focus setting. This can be used in AF mode to prevent the focus from jumping from the current subject to one crossing into the AF detection zone (red rectangle).

3.4 The function of the joystickcan be switched between controlling the AF frame size/position and controlling the lens zoom function. Touch the Zoom/LR2 softkey on the Home screen to switch joystick function.

4.0 Updating Firmware

• Firmware updates (executable files for MAC or PC) are available from: https://prestoncinema.com/downloads/firmware. Updates can be installed using:
• A USB cable connecting the computer (PC or MAC) to the USB Mini-b receptacle on the HU4.
• The Bluetooth Updater plugs into the HU4 Serial port and receives firmware updates through your Android or iPhone: PCS Product Number 6100.

5.0 Care and Protection

• Protect the HU4 display from impact.
• Shipping cases must prevent loose objects from striking the display.
• Do not immerse the unit into liquid.
• Do not drop the unit.
• Clean the display with a soft microfiber cloth. Do not use strong solvents on the display as they may damage the oleophobic coating which prevents the accumulation of oils from finger touches.

6.0 Specifications

Product Number: 7000

Power: Internal Battery Sony NP-FZ-100

*Because of shipping regulations, the Sony NP-FZ-100 and BC-QZ1 charger are not included.

Weight (with battery): 1.1kg (2.4 Lbs.)

Included: 1 x Set of Lens Rings Ai - Ei

Dimensions

7.0 FCC Statement

This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a class B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

This equipment has been verified to comply with the limits for a class B computing device, pursuant to FCC Rules. Operation with non-approved equipment is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception. The user is cautioned that changes and modifications made to the equipment without the approval of manufacturer could void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

FCC RF EXPOSURE STATEMENT To satisfy RF exposure requirements, this device and its antenna must operate with a separation distance of at least 20 cm from all persons and must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

8.0 Wireless Channels

Channels 30 – 59 are recommended, as their advanced data encoding minimizes the possibility of interference.

9.0 Connector Pin-outs

The drawings show the receptacles as viewed from the solder side.

1. HU4 Command Receptacle EGG.0B.306.CLL

2. HU4 Zoom Receptacle EGG.0B.309.CLL

3. HU4 Serial Receptacle EGG.0B.304.CLL