ARRI has announced Software Update Package 2.0 (SUP 2.0) for cforce mini and cforce plus lens motors, which makes all cforce mini and cforce plus lens motors twice as responsive. Plus, the cforce mini motor can now act as a lens encoder, with the new Encoder Mode. 

Controlling cinema lens

In most cases, high-end productions use cinema lenses which are completely manual lenses, Therefore, dedicated devices are attached to control the lens efficiently and accurately. Controlling these lenses can be done mechanically (follow focus) or electronically by devoted mechanical engines/motors called FIZ (Focus, Iris, Zoom) systems which are commonly attached to the rods below the lens.

The small and lightweight cforce mini motor developed by ARRI was first introduced in 2014 and has been considered the default motor for most productions, except for when exceptional torque or speed is required. Now, a cforce mini motor invigorated by the new SUP 2.0 firmware is able to cover even more use cases with ease.

SUP 2.0 for cforce mini and cforce plus lens motors

ARRI’s most recent SUP 2.0 dramatically improves the time it takes for cforce motors to respond to user inputs, making the lens motors twice as responsive. All cforce mini and cforce plus lens motors in the market are able to benefit from this free software update and the performance increase is not affected by the choice of hand unit. Any ARRI ECS configuration using the Hi-5, ZMU-4, SXU-1, or the legacy WCU-4 can take advantage of the motor’s halved latency and a pronounced enhancement of the 1st AC’s direct connection to the lens axis.

Key highlights:

1. The latest SUP doubles the responsiveness of cforce motors
2. New Encoder Mode for cforce mini allows electronically logged manual adjustments without removing lens motors
3. Works with ARRI Hi-5, ZMU-4, SXU-1, and WCU-4 hand units
4. The free software update is downloadable from the ARRI website

Speed is the key

When working with a low-friction lens, the new motor firmware delivers a particularly improved performance when coupled with the larger 50t CLM-4 gear. This combination offers speeds 25% faster than with the default 40t gear but with a slight reduction in maximum torque. The cforce plus motor, the lens motor of choice for high-torque applications, is now the fastest-accelerating motor in ARRI’s product lineup. In focus-pulling situations where reaction time is critical, the cforce plus will help ensure marks are hit consistently. Watch the ARRI Tech Talk demonstrating the SUP 2.0 below: 

New encoder mode

Furthermore, SUP 2.0 also offers a new Encoder Mode for the cforce mini motor. This mode permits the lens axis held by a lens motor to be rotated manually while still allowing data from custom lens files to be recorded and displayed. Encoder Mode enables a cinematographer to adjust the iris value directly on any lens without removing the motor. The T‑stop position can then be displayed in the status overlay on all monitors and hand units and streamed to virtual production systems. Encoder Mode is limited to the cforce mini motor, as the cforce plus has a higher internal resistance due to its greater torque capabilities. Encoder Mode can also simplify virtual production workflows by offering an integrated solution for lens tracking. Focus pullers and virtual production technicians can utilize one set of cforce motors as both lens motors and encoders simultaneously, instead of needing to run parallel systems. The number of cables tethering cameras to virtual production hardware is also minimized; the Encoder Mode allows lens data to be streamed directly from cameras, such as the ALEXA 35, along with camera metadata and control parameters. 

SUP 2.0 for cforce mini and cforce plus is available now as a free download from the ARRI website.