Okii Systems USB Focus Controller, FC1 User Manual

Okii Systems LLC

809 Town Side Dr. • Apex, North Carolina 27502 • USA

www.okii.net
[e-mail]

Introduction

The Okii Systems FC1 USB Focus Controller (patent pending) is a battery powered, handheld USB
host device designed to control certain Canon EOS Digital SLR cameras that use Canon’s USB
protocol.

The FC1 USB Focus Controller uses the motor in the lens to control focus, even while recording
video. Additional switches can be used to access important camera functions such as recording
start/stop, digital zoom to aid with focusing, engaging autofocus, saving focus points, and
adjusting certain camera settings.

For remote applications, the FC1 USB Focus Controller has been tested past 25 meters using
normal (non-powered) USB extension cables. The HDMI output of the camera is not interrupted,
allowing you to use the FC1 USB Focus Controller at the same time as an external monitor.

2

Features

• Functions with Canon 1D Mark IV, 5D Mark III, 5D Mark II, 7D, 6D, 60D, 650D, 600D,

550D, and 500D

• Controls focus by use of lens AF motor

• Starts/stops video recording

• Toggles live view on/off

• Initiates image capture

• Initiates autofocus and metering

• Saves and returns to four focus points*

• Cycles digital zoom 1x/5x/10x to aid in focusing

• Adjusts focus step size and focus command send rate

• Adjusts ISO, aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation

• Adjusts focus zone positioning

• 30+ hour battery life on two AAA alkaline batteries

• ¼”-20 mount on back plate for rig mounting

• CNC milled from 6061 aluminum

• Approx. 4.7 oz (133 g) total weight with included batteries

• Made in the USA

*On certain lenses only. See the Controller Functions: Focus Points section of this manual
for more details.

Warranty

Okii Systems LLC warrants this product to the original owner against material defects for a period
of one (1) year from the original date of purchase. Pursuant to this Warranty, Okii Systems LLC
will, at its option, (i) repair the product, or
(ii) replace the product with a new or refurbished controller. For purposes of this Warranty,
“refurbished” means a product or part that has been returned to its original specifications.

This Warranty only covers product issues caused by defects in material or workmanship during
ordinary consumer use; it does not cover product issues caused by any other reason, including
but not limited to product issues due to acts of God, misuse, limitations of technology, or
modification of or to any part of the product, including the software.

Okii Systems is not responsible for inoperability resulting from changes to the camera firmware or
USB protocol instituted by Canon. Likewise, if the software on the FC1 USB Focus Controller is
modified in any way, Okii Systems makes no express or implied warranties whatsoever with
respect to its functionality, operability, or use.

A Return Merchandise Authorization number must be obtained from the Okii.net website prior to
returning any product for warranty service. Reimbursement will not be made for service
performed by others. Unless otherwise instructed, the product must be delivered, freight prepaid,
in either its original packaging or packaging affording an equal degree of protection to the facility
specified on the Okii Systems website RMA page. The original sales receipt must accompany all
warranty claims.

The customer assumes all risk for the use of any Okii Systems LLC product, and is solely
responsible for determining its suitability for use by any individual or application. Under no
circumstances shall Okii Systems LLC be held liable for damages resulting from the use or misuse
of the product.

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Table of Contents

• Getting Started 4

• Canon USB Protocol 5

• Controller Functions

o Diagram 6
o Focus Control 7
o Focus Step Size and Live View On/Off 7
o Digital Zoom and Autofocus/Metering 8
o Recording Start/Stop and Image Capture 8
o Modes 8
o Focus Points 9
o Camera Settings 10
o Focus Zone Control 11

• Changing the Focus Command Send Rate 11

• Switch Test and Reversing Knob Direction 12

• Battery Indicator 12

• Disassembly 13

• Reassembly 13

• Troubleshooting 13

4

Getting Started

The FC1 USB Focus Controller comes assembled with two AAA alkaline batteries installed.

Before beginning, verify that your camera is a model that is known to work with the controller:

1DX • 1D Mark IV
5D Mark III • 5D Mark II
7D • 6D • 60D
650D/Rebel T4i/Kiss X6
600D/Rebel T3i/Kiss X5
550D/Rebel T2i/Kiss X4
500D/Rebel T1i/Kiss X3

An autofocus lens must be installed on the camera if you intend to use the controller’s focus
features. Manual focus lenses will also work, but you lose the ability to control focus or use the
focus point functions. Canon USM or equivalent autofocus lenses are recommended — they tend
to be quieter, smoother and more consistent.

1. With the camera off, connect the controller using a USB A to mini-B cable. Turn on the FC1
USB Focus Controller by sliding the power switch to the “on” position, away from the focus knob.
The LED indicator will display the current battery level with a flickering red, yellow, or green light,
followed by the controller status:

Yellow Camera disconnected or turned off
Green Camera connected, focus point mode
Blue Camera connected, settings mode
Purple Camera connected, focus zone mode
Red Camera recording

2. Turn on the camera. The LED should change from yellow to green, indicating that the USB
connection has been established and the FC1 USB Focus Controller is now in the focus point
mode.

3. If the live view display on the camera is turned on, you can adjust focus by turning the knob
or use any of the other functions described in the Controller Functions section of this manual.

Before using the FC1 USB Focus Controller, familiarize yourself with setting the focus command
send rate described in the Changing the Focus Command Send Rate section of this manual.

5

Canon USB Protocol

Canon EOS digital SLR cameras use a combination of two protocols called Picture Transfer
Protocol (PTP) and Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) to send and receive commands, data, and
images to and from a computer using USB. Various projects, such as Canon’s own EDSDK, have
documented many of the USB commands that Canon uses. Okii Systems has also reverse
engineered many of the commands specific to the FC1 USB Focus Controller.

Canon’s implementation of USB has several characteristics that directly affect the performance of
the FC1 USB Focus Controller:

1. When a focus command is sent to the camera, a success packet is always returned, even if the
command is ignored. The controller can repeatedly send focus commands, but if the camera is
performing another action, the focus will not change.

2. There is no way to detect an ignored focus command other than seeing that the focus did not
move on the lens or in the live view image. No USB feedback is given when focus commands are
ignored.

3. If the rate of commands is too fast, it can cause the camera to temporarily pause and ignore
further commands. The maximum reliable rate is about 15 commands per second if the lens in
use is mechanically able to move between focus positions at this speed.

4. The time it takes for each lens model to change focus from one position to another varies,
depending on the type of lens motor, the focal length, and the focus step size.

These characteristics make it necessary to adjust the focus command send rate to match the
focal length of your lens and the focus step size. The process is described in the Changing the
Focus Command Send Rate section of this manual.

If a USB bus error occurs, Canon’s USB implementation locks out external input, making it
impossible to send additional commands. This can happen for many reasons such as corrupted
USB packets or overflowing the command/event buffers on the camera. If a bus error is
detected, the controller will display a continuous flashing red LED. Power cycling the camera and
controller will resolve the issue.