Really nice review - very practical too, and appreciate the advice about the USB charge port on the Tilta - Ive had failures like this before so that definitely swings me over to the PDMovie...
This is wonderful. Thanks so much. I was on the verge of purchasing a titla (despite the need for external power). The PDMovie design is much better tailored to the way I shoot.
Great review and clear. For me, I chacked almost every similar product in price range. Befor putting order for Tilta nucleus nano. My biggest problem is the futureproof. After some years of use, this specific battery will inflate before inusable. And after these some years maybe PDMovie Live Air 4 will be there. And maybe, the firm will not produce batterie anymore and maybe there will be 3rd party sellers, but will not be too accessible as AA rechargeable batteries is. DJI Mavic Pro drone users know what that situation is. That makes Tilta nucleus nano highly futureproof. Then, the tilta nucleus nano included accessories. For de D-Tap cable, for me it's not a problem. Because some serieus filmmakers like me use V-Mount batteries, or smaller bower bank exists. PDMovie Live Air 2 is not bad. It's a great product. But I highly prefer and recommand the Tilta nucleus nano for someone who want something to use in long term.
Good point on the battery. they do sell additional batteries on B&H for a reasonable price ($20 at time of my writing this). I just reviewed the updated Live air 2S which is somehow even better than the S. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-D4hymm5EBwA.html
Ok. just found out what to do for the battery pack. You have to pull it gently with your thumb in the direction of the arrow. The arrow indicates the direction of the pull and not an extraction point.
Great review. The PDMOVIE Live Air 2 has some great features, and I am definitely considering adding one to my rig. The self contained battery and slim, compact design are two key features that really come into play when rigging on a compact rig. BTW, one reviewer states the PDMOVIE Live Air 2 checks hard stops in a low torque mode, to minimize stress on the lens. As someone who uses the Tilta Nano on every shoot, I have found it to be a great tool, but with most of the limitations you mention. BTW, I don't use the control wheel, but rather use the Tilta control handles on my S1H cage and shoulder rig. I loath mico USB connections, so I am extremely delicate with them. I have not had any issues with the connection (yet). The control wheel OLED was simply too small to read from day one, and the last time I tried to use it, the OLED display has dimmed so far that it can't be read....at all. I do rely heavily on the Nano motor with the other control grips, but the PDMOVIE Live Air 2 will come in handy for controlling iris, and serve as a back up if my Nano motor ever dies.
Great review! I've got the Title Nucleus Nano, and I agree with your critiques of it. I hate the micro-usb powering of the motor. My one big issue with all of the electronic follow focus units is that you can't set the tork by degrees, like "low", "medium", "full" or something like that. I've got a set of FD lenses with the Ed Mika EF mounts, and the Nucleus Nano just whips them causing the lens to wiggle and ruining the beginning of every shot.
On one of my adapted lenses I've seen this wiggle too. One thing that might help is to get a good lens support on the other side of the focus motor. Try it and let me know if it fixes the wiggle issue.
@Dave Cheung Thanks for the review! I had the Nucleus Nano and sent it back in 3 days of receiving it due to many noticed issues right off the bat. Does the PDMovie controller have a way to power off after you unplug the charger? I like that setup, I think I'm gonna try using 15mm rods on the bottom of the cage to mount the motor and I'm trying to figure out a way to mount the controller on the left side by my wooden grip so I can use it with my thumb. Peace and thanks for the informative vids! A+++
Hi! And yes: you can turn off the controller once you've disconnected the charging cable (sorry for being unclear in the video). It took me a while to figure out my favourite controller configuration, but thankfully it's MUCH easier to quickly change and test rig configs than the Tilta. Thanks for watching and happy shooting!
Good review. But I had the same issue with the Nano not being strong enough for some lenses. But if you send a 12v power (instead of the standard 5 volt) into the Nano, it will turn any lens.
Thanks for that! I only use the nano via dtap with my BMPCC 4k so didn’t try it with my Sony zoom ring. Trouble is, to rig they kind of power is tough in a small kit.
Great review - just subscribed! But one thing I'd love your thoughts on is if the PDMovie Live Air 2 works with tougher vintage lenses. The Sony lens is pretty easy in comparison to most vintage lenses. With the Tilta you can increase the torque by increasing the voltage - it seems you can't do this with the PD so it would need to be powerful enough out of the box - is it?
I don't have any vintage lenses that have tougher rings than my focus ring on my Sony G-master. It was *really) stiff when new, and has loosened up a but, but I think the PD torque is roughly equivalent to the Tilta Nano when powered via D-tap.
Hi, I have edelkrone slide 2 pro and head one. nikon z6 for vds 105mm micro lens as you know when it is in the slider you cannot touch the camera and the autofocus is not reliable. Do you think it going to work on this setting?
Helo Dave, would you give advice for me which's better for me, im using arm suspension camera for car rigging, and i want to try move to manual focus with my mate as second camera operator using focus puller and separate monitor field. and also better latency for more precise.. which's best deals for me? Thanks
sorry to hear that. I also use tilta seamless gears and they work well. I’m wondering if it’s the rest of your rig that is not securing the 15mm enough
Thanks Dave! Great review :) I was wondering can this be used to reduce the focus throw of some lenses? I prefer a shorter throw for quick run & gun shooting on some cinema lenses Thanks!
i just got the pdmovie live air 2 - after power on, it light up in red, then blink fast in white, so turn on bluetooth - 3 push and push long for 3 sec - the light on the controller blink blue, white blue white - then as i rotate the motor, nothing happens. what next ?
The controller works while plugged in, but no such plug on the motor. They do include 2 motors in the kit and I have never run out of batteries on long-ish full-day shoots.
all my lenses are focus by wire but linear and don’t need an infinitely scrolling control wheel: you setup the motor at the desired endpoints by manually stopping the focus of the lens at each end of the lens. the you can control it via the wheel like every lens 🙂
@@dqstudios but mine (lumix 12-35) is focus by wire idk about linear but basically the focus can restart at anywhere so even setting a&b points it changes no?
Have you used both? Tilta is inferior in many ways. I also just purchased the Tilta Mirage matte box and am disappointed with it - batteries drain very quickly even when powered off. I expect more for the price paid and their slick ads.
Yeah, well for pulling focus with an AC, no marker disk, and tiny wheel will not exactly work out well. This is ONLY for one man band work, whereas Tilta Nano is fine for small lenses even on crewed sets.
