Tilta Nucleus-M Review | A Focus Puller's Perspective

In this video we look at the Tilta Nucleus M, from a focus puller or 1st AC's perspective. The Nucleus M is a wireless FIZ lens control system that allows you to remotely control up to 3 axis, focus, iris and zoom. We go through some basic specs of the system, my experience with it and also how it compares to its little brother the Nucleus Nano aswell as more expensive systems such as the Arri WCU-4.
Tilta Nucleus M - Full kit
Amazon: amzn.to/2RxiigA
Ebay: ebay.us/KskJMh
Tilta Nucleus M - Hand unit & 1 Motor
Amazon: amzn.to/2QoXZl2
Ebay: ebay.us/WIRN6T
Extra Motor - Nucleus M
Amazon: amzn.to/3mGxHGZ
Ebay: ebay.us/FD2BeR
Batteries (18650) - Nucleus M
Amazon: amzn.to/3mF7AQE
Ebay: ebay.us/ab6KVM
Nucleus M Marking Disks
Amazon: amzn.to/3mGxuDH
Ebay: ebay.us/rRwvXF
Tilta Nucleus M Run/Stop Cables
Amazon: amzn.to/3a7iQQu
Ebay: ebay.us/aue6R0
Gear I Use:
Camera (A) - Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K
Amazon: amzn.to/32LEHZy
Ebay: ebay.us/XOtY2b
Camera (B) - Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera (Original)
Amazon: amzn.to/39uRRMI
Ebay: ebay.us/etiuzm
All-round Lens - Sigma 18-35mm 1.8 Art
Amazon: amzn.to/32WLDT8
Ebay: ebay.us/B5SCdV
Lens Adapter/Speedbooster - Viltrox EF-M2 Speedbooster
Amazon: amzn.to/2TuqEnK
Ebay: ebay.us/nDtPwy
Lighting - Godox SL60W
Amazon: amzn.to/2xSmCxc
Ebay: ebay.us/OEaBp2
Microphone - Rode VideoMicro
Amazon: amzn.to/3cGxLRl
Ebay: ebay.us/BUtEYW
Monitor - Feelworld F6
Amazon: amzn.to/2TuqLzG
Ebay: ebay.us/w5X3kW
(Some of the links in my video descriptions are affiliate links, which means at no extra cost to you, I will make a small commission if you click them and make a qualifying purchase.)

[@calebsurpass]

very well explained and thought out video. Really helps put into perspective where the nucleus M stands in the industry. Makes it a bit more clearer

[@MisterCkris]

This was a wonderful review and answered all of my questions.

[@carlscinema7086]

Awesome, glad I could help! :)

[@buddyfx7026]

Thank you for sharing this information, much appreciated!

[@TILTA]

Great stuff man!

[@carlscinema7086]

Right back at you :D

[@KeithBehrle]

Nicely done!

[@carlscinema7086]

Update! I did end up adding a second motor to the kit. But about a year ago (roughly 5 months after filming this video) I decided to invest in a more expensive and professional system, the Teradek RT. Hard to compare with the Nucleus since the prices are very different. But for me as a 1st AC/focus puller, the investment was definitely worth it as it is a piece of kit I use on every job and can make a return on my investment by renting it out on those jobs. But there's no need to invest in your own system since the production could just aswell rent it from the rental house, they're paying for it either way. So I wouldn't invest in a high end system unless it was a good business decision and I knew I would make my money back. The tilta on the other hand, not a very big investment in comparison, therefore I still feel that what I said in this video stands true. It's still a great system for the price. It's just that for me, a higher end system makes more sense.

[@cubul32]

What differences do you notice between the Teradek, or Preston/Arri if you used any AND the Tilta-M? I found a local opportunity to buy the Tilta M full kit. The price seems right. I would be using it with a RED Komodo for my own indie needs. So not sure if I should buy or hold - as in - is this the best I can do before spending 10x more ?

[@lovefirst6157]

great video as always

[@carlscinema7086]

Thanks :)

[@CallumDuddington]

Great review!

[@carlscinema7086]

Thanks :)

[@SQUAWWW]

Yo what kind of plate did you put on your nucleus to attach it to that Mayfair clamp

[@taylordanetriplett]

Great video! What are you using to mount the controller? Looks like a cheese plate with something attached. I’m looking to mount it to a tripod pan handle. Thanks!

[@profundumfilm5094]

Tack Carl 👍

[@carlscinema7086]

👍👍

[@federicocafaro]

Hej Carl! Tack för Review'n. Jag tänkte att köpa en Tilta Nuecleus-M Kit 1, så jag undrar vilka och var kan jag köpa/beställa batterierna och laddaren i Sverige. Finns det något annat tillbehör som kan bara bra att ha? Jag tänkte att använda den med en Sony A7SIII och Atomos Ninja V, möjligtvis ska jag beställa en Hollyland 400S Pro. Tack så mycket och ha det så bra!

[@hirofumin]

I am very new to remote focus things. but I just purchased Nucleus-M instead of Nano which I will regret in the future for sure. Thank you for great review!

[@carlscinema7086]

Enjoy! The M is for sure the better long term solution :)

[@WalterArgueta]

The M is a much more robust system than the N. Great control with via the handles as well when solo operating.

[@parkercreative_au]

The m is way better

[@VAsHachiRoku]

Hey Carl! Thanks as I’ve been researching these Tilta systems. Would you be doing a video show more of a demo such setup showing your setups and how you use it within your workflow during shoots? I really want to see the handles in action and how you use them!

[@carlscinema7086]

Interesting idea, do you have anything more specific in mind?

[@VAsHachiRoku]

@@carlscinema7086 really like to get your feedback on the handles how you use them etc. I’m really thinking of investing in them.

[@carlscinema7086]

I dont have the handles, just the hand unit so can't really give you my thoughts on them :/

[@davidkujawiak7987]

Awesome review. Do you know if you can set point A and B and set Tilts to pull focus automatically over a certain period of time instead of operating it by hand?

[@The-Logician]

It does not pull the focus automatically, you will still have to operate the focus wheel by hand. The feature to set an A-B Range is very useful, it's the equivalent of hard stop pins on a manual follow focus, but the entire throw of the wheel has to be used to move between A and B set points. This can be a bit weird if the A-B marks would otherwise be close together if not in an A-B range mode.

[@lucasbarros5937]

It’s surprising to me watching this in summer 2022 and seeing that price increase from $1200 for a full kit to $1400.

[@ezrashanti]

Everything is going up up up

[@robainscough]

Great video, can the wheel be used for Zoom instead of Focus? My concern with the Nucleus-M is getting power to the motor on a DJI RS3 Pro gimbal ... how can that be accomplished without mounting a D-tap battery to a gimbal arm ... otherwise the D-tap cable connected to fixed handle could bind up during gimbal movement?

[@carlscinema7086]

If you mount a motor on the zoom ring but keep it assigned as your focus motor you will be able to control it with the wheel. The motor is just turning, it doesn't really matter if its a focus, zoom or iris ring.

[@gabrielevb14]

Hey, I'm getting the cheeseplate mount but not sure if 1/4" screws that come with the cheese plate will fit the Tilta. Do you know if it will or which screw should I get? Thanks

[@carlscinema7086]

You want two M4 screws to connect it to the nucleus

[@cinegrampro]

Thank you very much. I'm trying to figure out which focus puller should I buy. The Teradek RT looks amazing, the arri too but their too expensive so I will think about it carefully the tilta seems like a great option for a pro filmmaker who doesn't want to break the bank.

[@carlscinema7086]

I do actually use the Teradek RT now (upgraded about a year ago). Hard to compare with the Nucleus since the prices are very different. But for me as a 1st AC/focus puller, the investment was definitely worth it as I make my money back by renting it out on jobs. But there's also no need to invest in your own since the production could just aswell rent it from the rental house, they're paying for it either way. So I wouldn't invest in a high end system unless it was a good business decision and I knew I would make my money back. The tilta on the other hand, not a very big investment in comparison, does the job.

[@cinegrampro]

@@carlscinema7086 Amazing answer. Thank you so much. I will start with the tilta first i believe it's smarter.

[@patrickouziel]

What accessories are you using to mount the hand unit to the stand? Thanks!

[@carlscinema7086]

In this video it was a cheeseplate amzn.to/3mjving which I screwed to the hand unit using 2 m4 screws. Then I attached a spigot amzn.to/3AYvAEn to the cheeseplate which can be connected to a super clamp amzn.to/3ATAJgH Although I do it a bit differently now, will probably make a video on it sometime in the future. Nucleus connected to monitor as a handheld setup which can easily go on a stand. And also be seperated if you wish to leave the monitor on the stand but the nucleus in your hand, all with quick releases.

[@MikMan89]

Hi Carl! Just interested in your opinion about the system now almost one year later. Are you still using it consistently as a 1st ac? Have you encountered any reliability issues? I've had a couple of problems myself with connection issues so I'm holding back from bying.

[@carlscinema7086]

I'm thinking about making a video about how my setup and system evolved and why I ultimately decided to invest in a more expensive and professional system, the Teradek RT. Never really had much issues with reliability, but I've heard other 1st AC's talk about it.

[@SongvilayFilms]

Hey could you provide a link to the 28mm follow focus gear that you use?

[@carlscinema7086]

tilta.com/shop/nucleus-m-29mm-thick-0-8m-pitch-mod-motor-gear/ (couldn't find it on Amazon)

[@SongvilayFilms]

@@carlscinema7086 Thanks man!

[@VINCENTTANG]

can you power the FIZ UNIT with the LEMO cable ? Or can it only be powered via Batteries only?

[@KQCNT]

as far as I know it does not transfer power, only data. You can power the motor with the titla handles

[@flflwjdwo]

Would 1/4 screw fit in the Nucleus M wooden back?

[@BenHopperVisuals]

no, its m4 threads. Get some short m4 screws and attach a smallrig cheese plate and then you've got 1/4-20 and 3/8 threads.

[@FatsoGeorge]

Man excellent! But I’ve noticed that you made a video a few months ago. Can you please make a full uptodate review with updated software! It would be very valuable since last reviews were made around 2-3 years ago

[@carlscinema7086]

I'm not sure what you are asking. This was uploaded just one month ago, nothing has changed since then.