Tilta Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter Explained – Unlock the Full Potential of Every Manual Lens

At Inter BEE 2025, we spoke with Phil Ma, Advertising and marketing Director at Tilta, concerning the firm’s upcoming Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter. This lens mount adapter integrates with the Nucleus-M II Wi-fi Management System (evaluate right here) to transform guide cinema lenses into autofocus lenses utilizing the digital camera’s native phase-detection AF information. The system includes a built-in lens library to eradicate calibration for supported lenses, a button-press toggle between autofocus and guide management, and face/eye monitoring assist. Preliminary launch will assist Sony E-mount, with Canon RF-mount and L-mount variations deliberate for the longer term.The adapter represents Tilta’s try and bridge the hole between basic guide cinema glass and trendy autofocus workflows with out requiring LiDAR techniques or complicated exterior sensors. Based on Phil, the design philosophy facilities on ease of use, with pre-calibrated profiles for frequent lens fashions saved within the adapter’s database. Customers can choose their lens from the library and start taking pictures instantly, or manually calibrate unsupported lenses if wanted.Not like autofocus options that depend on exterior ranging applied sciences, the Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter pulls AF information immediately from the digital camera sensor by way of the mount connection. This info then travels by means of Tilta’s normal 7-pin to 7-pin cable to the Nucleus-M II motors, which execute focus changes. The strategy relies upon solely on the host digital camera’s autofocus capabilities, that means efficiency will differ based mostly on the particular digital camera physique and its AF implementation. At IBC 2025, now we have seen one thing related offered by Viltrox. When these techniques turn out to be out there, will probably be fascinating to seek out out which product brings extra dependable autofocus to guide lenses. So, save this area for additional testing and reporting. Add a lens to your lens library. Credit score: CineD How the lens library worksThe adapter features a database of pre-mapped lenses that eliminates the calibration step for supported glass. While you mount a lens, you choose the suitable profile from the system’s menu, and the adapter mechanically is aware of the lens’s mechanical traits, together with focus throw, minimal focus distance, and infinity place. Tilta plans to increase this database by means of firmware updates, permitting customers to sync new lens profiles as they turn out to be out there.For lenses not but within the library, the system supplies guide calibration instruments. Phil famous that whereas Tilta goals to incorporate “quite a lot of database of various model lenses,” customers working with unusual or customized glass might want to run by means of the calibration course of themselves. The corporate hasn’t specified precisely what number of lens profiles will ship with the preliminary launch.Switching between guide and autofocus made simple! Credit score: CineDToggle between autofocus and guide controlOne of the standout options is the power to override autofocus with a button press on the Nucleus hand controller. Throughout our demonstration at Inter BEE, urgent and holding the button allowed quick guide focus management by way of the usual Nucleus hand wheel. Releasing the button returned management to the digital camera’s autofocus system. This offers operators the flexibleness to let the digital camera monitor topics mechanically, then take over for exact rack focuses or artistic focus pulls when wanted.Phil emphasised this as a core design objective, stating that Tilta wished to “give the rights to the client to resolve at which era you utilize the autofocus and at which era you utilize a guide focus.” The seamless switching between modes might show worthwhile for documentary work, run-and-gun taking pictures, or situations the place an operator must transition between monitoring and deliberate focus management rapidly.Dependable face detection. Credit score: CineDFace and eye monitoring supportThe adapter maintains full entry to the digital camera’s autofocus options, together with face detection and eye monitoring. In the course of the demo, we noticed the system efficiently acknowledge and monitor a number of faces on the monitor show. Because the adapter merely passes AF information from the digital camera to the motors, any autofocus modes supported by the digital camera physique ought to theoretically work by means of the system.Mount availability and timelineThe first launch will concentrate on Sony E-mount, with Canon RF-mount and L-mount variations to observe. Phil indicated that E-mount was chosen because the preliminary platform, possible attributable to Sony’s sturdy autofocus efficiency and the recognition of E-mount cameras within the skilled video area. Nonetheless, he didn’t present particular timelines for when RF and L-mount adapters would ship.The adapter works with PL-mount cinema lenses, as we beforehand coated when Tilta first teased the system in September 2025. The demo unit at Inter BEE confirmed a PL lens mounted to a Sony E-mount digital camera by way of the adapter, with the AF information flowing by means of Tilta’s 7-pin connection to the Nucleus motors.Energy and solo shooter configurationPower for the system comes from normal battery options appropriate with the Nucleus ecosystem. In the course of the demonstration, the rig used Tilta’s battery plate setup, however Phil confirmed that NPF batteries and different energy sources will even work. The Nucleus-M II motors and hand controllers usually run on NP-F550 batteries, which Tilta claims present 8 to 12 hours of operation relying on utilization patterns.For solo shooters who don’t want the complete Nucleus-M II system, Tilta plans to supply a streamlined package containing simply the adapter and a single motor. This configuration would enable impartial operators so as to add autofocus functionality with out investing within the full wi-fi FIZ system. The solo package ought to attraction to run-and-gun shooters, documentary filmmakers, and content material creators who need autofocus with guide glass however don’t require multi-motor setups or wi-fi hand grips.Controlling aperture made simple. Credit score: CineDIris synchronization and information displayBeyond focus management, the adapter can learn and show iris information on the Nucleus hand unit’s display. In the course of the demonstration, the monitor confirmed the precise aperture worth in real-time, permitting operators to see the present f-stop even when utilizing absolutely guide lenses with out digital communication. This characteristic might show helpful for digital camera assistants who want to trace publicity settings throughout complicated lighting modifications or when coordinating with a gaffer.Compatibility with anamorphic lensesPhil confirmed that the adapter contains lens profiles for anamorphic glass, particularly mentioning that Atlas anamorphic lens information is already loaded into the system. This means Tilta has been working with lens producers to construct out the database, although it stays unclear what number of anamorphic profiles can be out there at launch.Anamorphic lenses current distinctive challenges for autofocus techniques attributable to their optical traits and focus respiratory patterns. We’ll want to check the system with numerous anamorphic lenses to see how properly the adapter handles these variations in real-world taking pictures situations.Actual-world testing neededWhile the Inter BEE demonstration confirmed the system functioning as described, a number of questions stay about real-world efficiency. How precisely does the adapter translate digital camera AF information into motor actions? Can it maintain tempo with fast-moving topics or fast focus shifts? How does it deal with edge instances like low-contrast scenes or backlit topics the place digital camera AF usually struggles?These questions matter as a result of the adapter’s effectiveness is essentially restricted by the digital camera’s autofocus efficiency. If the digital camera loses focus monitoring, the adapter will merely execute these incorrect focus instructions.The system additionally requires appropriate Nucleus-M II motors, which Tilta launched at NAB 2025. These motors characteristic 0.02-second response occasions and improved torque over earlier Nucleus generations, however including autofocus functionality introduces new calls for. We’ll want to guage whether or not the motors can reply rapidly sufficient to match the velocity of contemporary phase-detection AF, significantly for video AF modes that may make fast focus changes.Tilta Nucleus Auto Focus Adapter. Credit score: CineDPricing and availabilityTilta is focusing on a worth level beneath $300 USD for the adapter alone, with an entire solo package together with one motor priced beneath $500 USD. For context, we beforehand coated the Nucleus-M II system when it was first introduced, and the complete FIZ system retails for significantly extra. The solo package pricing would make the autofocus functionality accessible to impartial operators who already personal guide cinema lenses.Nonetheless, Phil indicated that availability wouldn’t come till “earlier than 2026,”. When pressed concerning the prolonged growth timeline, he defined that Tilta needs to refine the consumer expertise and increase the lens database earlier than launch. The corporate seems to be taking a cautious strategy to make sure the system works reliably throughout a variety of lenses earlier than delivery.For extra info, please observe Tilta’s product webpage right here. Do you see your self utilizing an adapter like this so as to add AF to your guide glass? Would you belief camera-based AF information for important focus work, or would you favor a LiDAR-based resolution? What guide lenses would you wish to see included in Tilta’s lens library? Don’t hesitate to tell us within the feedback beneath!