What the thread found

• A digital version of the M-1 motor was developed to work with Preston follow focus systems.
• Smaller M-1 motor variants became available in analog and digital versions for lighter duty iris pulls and less stiff lenses.
• An adapter for Preston motors enables the use of M-1 style snap-on gears instead of traditional threaded adapters, allowing quick gear pitch changes without tools.
• The Preston motor adapter includes gears in multiple pitches: 0.8 32-pitch standard, 0.8 32-pitch wide, 0.4 64-pitch, 0.5, 0.6, and 48-pitch.
• The M-1 0.5 series uses a straight swivel connector instead of an articulated cable adapter to reduce weight, and a right-angle motor cable provides similar functionality to the articulated version.
• The M-1 0.5 Ultralight variant is three ounces lighter than the standard 0.5 series.
• Production of the new motor variants was estimated at approximately sixty days from the show date.
• New motor models share many internal components with the original M-1 and use the same non-pivoting connector input design.
• The Preston quick-change gear adapter was well-received by assistant camera operators.

Depends on

• Pricing information for the digital M-1 motor was not clearly documented in the discussion.
• Availability of a digital upgrade path for existing M-1 motor owners was uncertain at the time of the show.
• Whether Preston follow focus systems could reliably handle the M-1 motor torque remained unconfirmed.
• Production timeline was an estimate and subject to change.

Gear in this thread

MDR

Parts

Follow Focus

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