Tilta was showing the Nucleus Autofocus Adapter that brings modern autofocus performance to manual PL mount cinema lenses. Unlike common LiDAR solutions, the adapter leverages the camera’s native autofocus system to drive lens focus and aperture adjustments.
This system uses the camera’s native phase-detection autofocus and translates that data directly to external motors through the Nucleus-M II Wireless Control System. A built-in lens library allows for fast and easy calibration, while the adapter intercepts AF data to drive the motor with accurate, responsive focus. The system is also compatible with both the Nucleus-M II motor and the Nano II motor. When using the system with two wireless motors, users can adjust the iris via the camera’s electronic control.
Lens data can be edited and shared across devices as the adapter unit’s built-in storage stores lens data, which can also be accessed on Nucleus series hand-unit when connected.
For traditional workflows, the Nucleus-M II FIZ unit can override autofocus so that the 1st AC can pull focus manually. The E-mount Autofocus Adapter is compatible with select Sony cameras, including the FX2, FX3, FX30, and FX6. It won’t work with the BURANO or FX9. Tilta told me that the main reason why it won’t work with the BURANO or FX9 is that the E-mount design is different from cameras like the FX3 and FX6.
Sony E-mount will be supported first, followed by Canon RF mount support. Further mounts should come in the future, including Leica L and Nikon Z.
Pricing and Avaialbility
The Adapter only retails for $299. The kit with two motors is $599. Tilta is getting ready to shipp preorders now. They have been popular ,so new stock will be avaiable sometime in the next 30-days.
