Judging by some of the comments online over the long Labor Day weekend, Tilta's forthcoming Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter is going to be a popular addition to its range.
Tilta has created some buzz over the weekend with its unveiling of a new adapter that promises to link phase-detection autofocus technology with the control ecosystem of its Nucleus-M II Wireless Control System. The company says that specially developed lens adapter mounts allow the Nucleus-M II motors to receive autofocus information directly from the camera sensor.
The video shows what we guess is an avowedly manual DZOFilm Vespid 40mm T2.1 lens on the front of an unspecified Sony Alpha camera. The adaptor is reading the AF information and passing it along the cable to the Nucleus motors.
It's a neat idea, potentially better than current LiDAR alternatives, and Tilta says more information about this upcoming system is coming soon. That hopefully means around IBC.
Certainly it's an integration that has the potential to breathe new life into manual lenses, and especially vintage glass. Much will depend on how fast it can operate and whether it can keep up with the speed of modern AF.
"Classic optics possess a unique signature that captivates audiences, but many filmmakers are hesitant to use them due to the challenges of manual operation," says the company. "Tilta is bridging this gap by merging the emotional appeal of these lenses with the convenience of modern control."
A Sony camera features in the video, but it is reasonable to assume that the company is working on adaptations for other AF systems from additional camera manufacturers too.