Skip to main content

Integrating Lens Control

Source
This content is based on Cyanview's official manuals. Always check the official page for the latest information and precise specifications.
https://support.cyanview.com/docs/Integrations/Generic/Lens

This page explains how to set up lens control in parallel with camera control. Typical use cases:

  • The camera cannot control the lens
  • The lens is not compatible with the camera (e.g. a Fujinon Cabrio lens on a Sony FX9)

How it works: iris/zoom/focus changes are sent to the lens, and shading changes are sent to the camera. This is transparent for the vision engineer on the RCP.

Canon B4 lens

Lens Compatibility​

Specialty: B4 ENG Lenses​

B4 ENG lens

For specialty and robotic applications, see Integrating a B4 Lens.

Cine/Photo Lenses​

Cinema lens

Motorized cinema lenses are set up by following the Cine Lens guide on the official site. Compatibility:

  • Canon: using the 12P port (digital)
  • Fujinon: using 20P or 12P (digital)
  • cmotion: using the 12P port (digital)

Canon photo lenses (18-80 mm) are motorized but have only the 20P analog port, which allows control of zoom/focus only. For remote iris control, you need an external motor (cmotion, Tilta, ARRI, etc.).

Prime / Non-Motorized Lenses or Robotics​

External motors can be controlled the same way as lenses:

  • cmotion: see the Cine Lens guide on the official site
  • Tilta: see the Tilta guide on the official site

ARRI AGITO with a Tilta motor

note

The picture shows a Canon 17-120 mm lens, which is normally controllable through its 12P digital connector. In this case, that port was already used by the ARRI AGITO operator (for zoom/focus), so a Tilta motor was added to give iris control from the RCP in the CCU room.

Cables​

Lens typeCable
Lens controlled by the cameraNothing needed (the lens is controlled through the camera protocol)
2/3" B4CY-CBL-6P-B4-01
Canon Cine Servo (12P digital)CY-CBL-6P-B4-01
Fujinon Cabrio (20P digital)CY-CBL-6P-FUJI-02 + CY-CBL-6P-B4-01
Other (non-motorized, prime lens, etc.)Tilta motors with CY-CBL-TILTA-SERIAL

See the Cable Catalog for details on each cable.

tip

Because lenses are critical, we recommend using a RIO LAN or RIO WAN instead of a CI0. The CI0 is a slave device: if the Ethernet cable is removed, the lens is no longer controlled and will "close" (iris). A RIO has all protocols built in and can control the lens on its own without any Ethernet/RCP connection. It also lets you plug in handles, USB accessories, etc.