peripheral manufacturer Portkeys recently launched a multi-function body handle, which was released in a hot spot, and the manufacturer had not even had time to give it a formal name. As “multifunctional” suggests, this handle is versatile and capable of controlling multiple devices. As far as we have, the devices of Iron Head, Blackmagic Design, Panasonic, Sony, RED, Canon and Z Cam have been officially supported.
Figure | Compatibility and function roadmap
Portkeys Multi-function handle has built-in Bluetooth and WiFi technology, so it can be connected wirelessly with the body. For cameras that do not support wireless, Portkeys will provide wired control. In the future, through firmware upgrades, the handle will be compatible with more body models and add more functions. As for the power supply method, the handle uses a 18650 battery cell.
Handle body is made of aviation metal as the skeleton, red oak handle, and artificial leather wristband. There is a 3-segment paddle switch on the front of the handle that supports functional programming, which is used to control ISO, shutter, aperture and other settings. The nine-way key is used to add/subtract parameters.
PORTKEYS multi-function handle main features
• Programming control Canon, Sony, Panasonic, BMD, ZCAM, RED camera
• Sony α7 II/α7 III/α7 IV power control component
• RED camera control component (sold separately)
• Support wired control and power supply iron head Nucleus N/M system
• Supports wired control and power supply iron head Nucleus N/M system
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Integrated Bluetooth and WiFi control module
• Support display of battery voltage
• Integrated LANC splitter
• Recording signal trigger
• Control aperture, ISO, shutter and white balance setting
• Support controlling zoom and focus of compatible lens
• Menu/body setting
• Upgrade firmware
via USB 0 • 0.9" OLED display
• 3 custom band switching, 1 focus wheel, 1 recording key, 1 nine-way control lever
• Avoid battery reverse connection protection design
Figure | After installing the handle, the OLED screen is a bit difficult to view.
with Z Cam E2 body, the nine-way lever of this handle can be used to browse the menu and act as a confirmation key. With BMD camera, BMPCC 6K and iron-head Nucleus Nano focus system can be controlled synchronously.
Portkeys multi-function handle is still a very new concept. Before the official shipment, there may be a lot of development details to be done. Once Portkeys produces a full-function sample, one will be sent to NewsShooter for review. I personally like this type of product because most cameras, such as Sony FS9, FX9 and Canon Cinema EOS series, there is no decent good handle available.
Control functions supported by cameras of various brands
Sony
Sony α9, α6000, α6300, α6400, α6500, RX100, RX02Wired control REC, aperture, ISO, shutter, photography, zoom, AF.
Sony α7 II, α7 III, α7 IV needs to be used with power control components. One of the functions of this control component is to ensure that HDMI signals can still be seen during recording and will not be black (control components are sold alone).
Sony FS5 and FS7 support wired control REC, aperture, zoom, focus, digital zoom, display, joystick, playback.
Canon
wire-control REC, aperture, ISO, shutter, photography, AF, real-time preview, and 1DX MARK II, 5DS, 5DS R, EOS R, 5D MARK IV, 5D MARK III, 5D MARK II, 6D MARK for II, 6D, 80D manually focus .
controls REC, aperture, focus, digital zoom, display, joystick, playback of C700 PL, C700 GSPL, C300 MARK 2, C300 MARK 2 PL, C200, C200 B, C100, C100 MARK 2.
Blackmagic Design
Remote control BMPCC 4K/6K REC, aperture, ISO, shutter, zoom, focus, AE, white balance mode, project frame rate, encoding and quality, variable speed frame rate, variable speed recording.
wirely controls REC, aperture, AF, manual focus of URSA MINI, BMPCC body.
Z CAM
Wired control of E2/E2 S6/E2 F6 body REC, aperture, ISO, shutter (speed and angle), zoom, touch focus, manual/automatic mode switching, resolution, format, playback.
iron head
wirely controls CAL RUN and AB LIMIT of Nucleus N/M focus device.
RED
Wired control REC, AV, ISO, shutter, focus, zoom, playback. It needs to be used with the power control component (control component is sold separately).
Portkeys multi-function handle is now open for reservations, the reservation window is closed on February 22, the reservation price is US$299, and the retail price for direct purchase is US$399, and it is expected to ship in March 2020. To place an order, you can go to Portkeys' official website. Portkeys' Facebook page is also very active. If you have not deleted your Facebook account, you might as well go there to follow up on the development updates of this controller.
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