Quick Start Guide for the Nucleus M

Overview

The Nucleus-M is a versatile follow focus system for precise lens control. It seamlessly integrates with diverse camera setups, facilitating smooth focus pulls for filmmakers.

The wireless Fiz unit ensures intuitive operation and flexibility on set – with the option of controlling up to 3 lens motors simultaneously. Most kits come with two motors with the flexibility of using the motors interchangeably for focus, iris, or zoom.

Advanced features like programmable focus points and adjustable speed settings, coupled with compatibility with various lens systems, empower cinematographers to attain professional-grade results.

Whether shooting handheld or on a rig, the Nucleus-M offers reliability and efficiency, making it a great tool for enhancing production quality.

Specifications

Model	Wireless Frequency	Wireless Range	Battery Life	Charging Time	Control modes
Nucleus M – WLC-T03	2.4 GHz	Up to 300 Ft	Up to 10 hours	2 hours	Focus, Iris, and Zoom
Controller Weight	Motor Weight	Support	Firmware upgrade	App compatibility
210 Grams	180 Grams	15mm and 19mm rod support	UCB-C	iOS and Android

Diagram

Setup Steps

Install Nucleus-M Motor

1. Loosen the Ratchet-Style Screw on the 19mm Iris Rod Adapter until it is loose enough to slide onto your iris rod.
   • If you do not have direct access to the end of the rail you can also swing the adapter open and mount it directly onto the iris rod.
   • If you are using a 15mm iris rod, please be sure to attach the 2x 19mm to 15mm Bushings.
   • Once installed, match the teeth of the 0.8M Pitch 39 Teeth Motor Gear to the teeth of the cameras cinema lens.
     • Install an Adjustable Lens Follow Focus 0.8M Pitch Gear Adapter if your lens has no gears. This is very common with most DSLR-style lenses.
   • Plug in the PowerTap (P-Tap) to 7-Pin LEMO Power Cable to the EXT.1 Power Supply 7-Pinhole LEMO {F} Port.
     • Make sure to match the red locating dots of the Power Cable and Power Supply. Do not twist the cable to try and make it fit as this will damage the fragile pins.
2. Power On and Install Batteries for the Handwheel Nucleus-M Fiz Follow Focus Controller
   • Install the 2x Rechargeable 18650 Lithium-Ion Fiz Batteries in the bottom of the FIZ Hand Unit
     • On the bottom of the FIZ UNIT, Push the OPEN Button of the Battery Compartment Door
     • Once the latch releases, place the two batteries inside.
       • NOTE the direction indicated inside the latch.
     • Hold down the power button (RED Tilta logo at the front/bottom of the FIZ Hand Unit) till it vibrates.
     • Hold down the power button on the motor till it powers up.

Factory Reset

1. On FIZ Hand Unit
   • Press the MENU button on the hand unit
   • Highlight the System option, press ENTER
   • Highlight the Factory Reset option, press ENTER
2. On Motors
   • Double click the MENU button on the motor
   • Highlight the RESTORE option, press ENTER
   • Double click the \/ to confirm

Calibrate the FIZ Hand Unit Knob

1. Press the MENU button on the hand unit
2. Highlight the Function option, and press ENTER
3. Highlight the Calibrate Knob option, and press ENTER
4. Turn the knob clockwise to the end for Minimal, then press ENTER
5. REPEAT – This calibration has to be done TWICE to work.

Set the FIZ Unit’s Channel

If the channels on the motor and hand unit do not match:

• Press the MENU button on the hand unit
• Highlight the Wireless option, and press ENTER
• Highlight the 2.4G option, and press ENTER
• Select the Channel Transmission Type
  • Refer to the recommended settings below to see the different channel types:
    • H MAX – Furthest wireless distance, high power consumption
    • H Medium – Recommended wireless distance, Average power consumption
    • L MIN – Short wireless distance, low power consumption
    • OFF – No wireless signal transmitted
      • used when hardwiring the FIZ Hand Unit to Motor
• Continue pressing ENTER, until “MEDIUM” is selected
• Highlight channel by pressing /\, then use \/ /\ to change the channel number
  • Available channels range from 00-15.
• Press MENU to return to home screen.
• Note the Channel Number, in order for the motors to match the same frequency

1. Assigning the Motor Numbers (Focus, Zoom, or IRIS) to the FIZ Unit
   • Press the MENU button on the hand unit
   • Use \/ /\ to highlight MOTOR, and press ENTER
   • Highlight the desired controller of the motor and press ENTER (Ex. Focus, Zoom, or Iris)
     • Typically Motor 1 is Focus, Motor 2 is Zoom, and Motor 3 is Iris
   • Use \/ /\ to highlight SYNC – press ENTER to confirm
   • Use \/ /\ to highlight MOTOR 1 – press ENTER to confirm
   • Repeat the steps above to assign the other 2 motors to Zoom and Iris
   • Press Menu to return to the Home Screen
2. Set the Motor’s Channel
   • On the motor, Double Click MENU
   • Use \/ /\ to highlight WIRELESS, and double click ENTER to confirm
   • Continue pressing ENTER until “M” is selected. The value represents the same channel transmission type selected in #4 Above.
   • Press Menu to return to the Home Screen
3. Assigning the Motor Number on the Motor
   • On the motor, Double Click MENU
   • Use \/ /\ to highlight MOTOR NO., and double click ENTER to confirm
   • Use \/ /\ to assign the motor a number between 1 and 4
     • Use the same number convention as used as #5 (typically 1 for Focus, 2 for Zoom, 3 for Iris)
   • Press Menu to return to the Home Screen
   • Repeat the steps above to match the corresponding motors to the hand unit
4. Calibration of the motors
   • Auto Calibrate the lens and focus wheel travel- *When using cine lenses with gears and hard stops*
     • Make sure motor gear is in contact with the lens gear
     • Hold down the CAL button for 3 seconds (either on the Hand Unit OR the Motor)
     • Allow the motor to run through the stops (about 15 seconds)
     • The travel distance is automatically saved on the hand unit
   • Calibration of lens without hard stops (manual calibration) from the FIZ Hand Unit
     • Make sure motor is NOT in contact with the lens gear
     • Turn the FIZ knob so that it is in the middle of its range
     • Manually position the lens gear to “middle” focus position, between close and infinity
     • Securely attach the motor to the lens gear
     • Press the MENU button on the hand unit
     • Highlight and select FUNCTION
     • Select MANUAL CAL
     • Choose the option you want to calibrate FOCUS, ZOOM, or IRIS, select ENTER
     • Follow the directions on the screen of the FIZ hand unit
       • Turn the knob completely until the motor reaches the lens minimum and select ENTER (this sets the close focus)
     • Again, Follow the directions on the screen of the FIZ Hand Unit
       • Turn the knob until the motor reaches the lens maximum and select ENTER (this sets the infinity focus)

Recommended Settings

• Check to make sure that the Motor Gear locks into the lens – at the appropriate ring.
  • If the lens does not have permanent gears on it, install a lens gear adapter – at this point, a manual calibration should be done instead of an auto calibration for the motor.
• When swapping lenses, with gears built in, hold down the calibrate button on the bottom of the motor for 5 seconds (once installed on lens), to initialize an auto calibrate. The motor will automatically find the beginning and end of the lens.
• The FIZ Hand unit is powered by re-chargeable batteries, and the motors are powered by an external source – usually through P-tap.
  • If using 2 motors, the power can be daisy-chained from one motor to another, using the LEMO style connectors.
• Adjust the motor torque in the menu settings based on the lens and focus pull requirements.
• Maintain a clear line of sight for the best range, up to 100 meters.
• Use the white ring on the focus knob to make marks with a dry erase marker to mark focus points of your shot.
• On the FIZ Hand Unit, create internal marks can be created.
  • Move the focus wheel to the focus A position.
  • Hold down the MARK button until the unit vibrates.
  • While the button still pressed, spin the wheel to the B position, then release button.
  • At this point, the unit will only go between the A and B position.
  • To Delete: Hold down the DEL button to clear both marks.
• There are 4 options for channel transmission type
  • H MAX – Furthest wireless distance, high power consumption
  • H Medium – Recommended wireless distance, Average power consumption
  • L MIN – Short wireless distance, low power consumption
  • OFF – No wireless signal transmitted
    • used when hardwiring the FIZ Hand Unit to Motor

Optional Add-on’s

• A second motor can be connected to the FIZ hand unit to control a second lens function – Zoom or Iris control.
  • Directions to add a second motor and assign it a function are #5 above.

Training Video

Tilta Nucleus-M – Rough Tutorial – Motor Configuration with FIZ and Hand Grips

Tilta Nucleus-M – Rough Tutorial – Mapping Photo Lenses

Tilta Nucleus-M Troubleshooting Guide: FIZ Unit Calibration

Tilta Nucleus-M – Rough Quick Start Guide

Operating Manual