The Cine RT System

The Cine RT System is one of the most popular distance reference tools available to professional focus pullers, and the best ultrasonic cinema rangefinder & transmitter tracking system in its class.

Register for an OV.1 Presale Unit Now!

A limited number of OV.1 presale units will be available from our initial manufacturing run at a reduced price point. Register now and you will be eligible to add an OV.1 Overlay Unit to your Cine RT System for $3780 USD. That’s a 10% discount off the regular list price!

May 7, 2025

Focusbug Community Going Live On Discord!

January 1, 2025

OV1 Online Q&A – Sunday Nov 10th at 4PM GMT

November 7, 2024

OV.1 Video Overlay Unit Coming Soon to a Focus Monitor Near You

Designed by camera assistants

Widely recognized for its operational flexibility and exceptional performance, the Cine RT satisfies a broad range of working methods on film and digital cameras.

Purpose built components

Our components are constructed from pro-grade materials and electronics rated to work within industrial operating temperature range - built to withstand a life on set.

Expansive toolset

The innovative distribution of ultrasonic transducers across the custom-built wireless component family enables an expansive toolset unique to the Cine RT.

LCS Integrations

Custom-designed and third-party serial protocol outputs deliver fast distance data to lens control systems by ARRI, Preston, c motion, Teradek, and Heden.

Greig Fraser operating on Dune (Warner Brothers) with focus by 1st AC Jake Marcuson, Photo: Chiabella James, chiabellajames.com, “Dune Part One: The Photography”

"The Focusbug Cine RT is literally my guardian angel. Since I owned my unit, it’s really hard to think about getting on set without it. Sometimes I wonder if there’s a face detection system build in since it is so accurate. Really feels like I’m working with a partner."

"The Cine RT is hands down the best ultrasonic measuring system available. Conceived and designed by a focus puller for focus puller’s, it’s incredible accuracy, functionality, versatility, and dependability are unsurpassed as is its build quality."

"Even if the Cine RT didn't have all the incredible features it has, it'd still be worth buying for sheer efficiency on the camera build. But it DOES have all those other features: The BUG, the remote-controlled Sensitivity and Limits, and especially Tape Mode are all changing the way I do my job!”

Greig Fraser operating on Dune (Warner Brothers) with focus by 1st AC Jake Marcuson, Photo: Chiabella James, chiabellajames.com, “Dune Part One: The Photography”

The System Package

The component family enables multiple working modes to display real-time subject measurements and facilitate the collection of focus marks.

Ultrasonic Base Sensor

The lightweight, low-profile ULTRASONIC BASE SENSOR is the computational center of the Cine RT System and the only system component required on the camera, making it ideal for all camera builds.

Handset Control Unit

The HANDSET CONTROL UNIT is both a remote command centre and a handheld tape measure. It contains a pressure-sensitive touchscreen to access system-wide operational settings and display multiple distance readout modes.

Multiple

Use multiple displays

High-Bright LED Display

The compact HIGH-BRIGHT LED DISPLAY receives data remotely from the BASE and relays distance information with ultra-bright LED numbers.

Use up to four bugs

Ultrasonic Bug Transmitter

The miniature ULTRASONIC BUG TRANSMITTER is milled from rugged ABS, weighs virtually nothing and can be easily hidden under most fabrics.

System Overview Video

Build Your Cine RT

Add accessories and customize the system to your individual specifications and LCS.

"The Cine RT has been a game-changer in helping me work faster as a 1st AC. The ability to walk out and get up to eight quick marks on the handset is worth the system price itself."

"The CineRT has become a staple of my focus toolkit. With the CineRT Handset, you simply walk into the room, make a couple of taps on the screen and all the information is right there.”

"The game-changing CineRT is the most comprehensive focus pullers aid in the world. With its BASE SENSOR's single Y Cable serial connection to my MDR, its ability to ignore the matte box through setting a custom Limit, its BUG Transmitters that can be magically seen through clothes and crowds, and its big, bright, stick anywhere HIGH-BRIGHT... I love it."

1st AC Thijs van Geenhuizen collecting focus marks on Naar De Mann music video, Photo: David in den Bosch

LCS Integration

The Cine RT System’s utility goes even further by connecting to all popular lens control systems. Custom or native serial protocols deliver fast distance data to products by ARRI, c motion, Preston, Teradek and Heden. In 2022 Focusbug’s partnership with ARRI advanced the integration to include the Focusbug License for bi-directional operational compatibility with the Hi-5 focus handset.

The Focusbug Community

The Focusbug Cine RT System was introduced in 2017 and, with over 1800 units in the field, has become an industry standard. The system has been used on a wide range of productions, from music videos and documentaries to large-scale award-winning films like Dune, Napoleon and Oppenheimer. We thank our user base for their support and ongoing dialogue, which inspires us to continue to evolve the Cine RT to further complement the toolkit of any 1st AC. We are proud of our users and love to feature their posts and stories.

Tag or mention us on Instagram and join the Focusbug community!

1st AC David Churchyard bugging Jamie Dornan on A Private War (Universal).

Focuspuller Dennis Kuhnel (Germany) dropping the mask for a quick smile.

LA based 1st AC Ian Barbella (right) and 2nd AC Jessyca Marilyn Caracci (left) taking a moment in the Californian sun.

DOP Mason K. Prendergast (left) and 1st AC Giuseppe LoTempio (right) in conversation on the set of “Alto Visuals”.

1st AC Cory Stambler (USA) sighting the Base Sensor from an actors position to get a focus mark with the Handset.

Paris-Based 1st AC Arthur Chassiang and Focusbug reseller (Moodji Film) in the field with dueling Base Sensors

2nd AC Nathalie Dziedzic (France) minding the Sony Venice sensor gap.

Focusbug Socials

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The Cine RT Rangefinder/Tracking System is a focus puller’s multitool, designed by camera assistants, for contemporary film and television production.

Today we are at a castle!
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Today we are at a castle!
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Large set-up 🍩

#cleanbuildchallenge #1ac #assistantcameralife #angenieuxlens #zmu4 #teradek #arri #alexamini #smallhd

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Large set-up 🍩

#cleanbuildchallenge #1ac #assistantcameralife #angenieuxlens #zmu4 #teradek #arri #alexamini #smallhd

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A busy start, to a busy week! Veteran AC`s Randy Lorenz and Patrick Haley work their way through two camera packages featuring a wide variety of lenses and accessories. #northamericancamera #cinemalenses #filmproductionlife #TheRightToolForTheJob #cameraprep #focusbug #OConnor #teradek3000xt #arri #oconnor1040 #CP3XD #smallhd #angenieuxez #Hi5 #leicar #rs4pro #sonyfx3 #sᴏɴʏfx3 #alexa35 #alexa35cinemacamera

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A busy start, to a busy week! Veteran AC's Randy Lorenz and Patrick Haley work their way through two camera packages featuring a wide variety of lenses and accessories. #northamericancamera #cinemalenses #filmproductionlife #TheRightToolForTheJob #cameraprep #focusbug #OConnor #teradek3000xt #arri #oconnor1040 #CP3XD #smallhd #angenieuxez #Hi5 #leicar #rs4pro #sonyfx3 #sᴏɴʏfx3 #alexa35 #alexa35cinemacamera

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Hard day today shooting out in the elements in the West of Ireland. We had rain, sun, wind, a beach scene and the angenieuxlenses zoom 36-435mm lens with a doubler 2x on top of that! 🙌🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Thank you team for all your hard work!
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Hard day today shooting out in the elements in the West of Ireland. We had rain, sun, wind, a beach scene and the angenieuxlenses zoom 36-435mm lens with a doubler 2x on top of that! 🙌🏼💪🏼💪🏼
Thank you team for all your hard work!
focuspulleratwork
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widescreenhire

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Ladder pod to start the day and finished Week2!
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Photo taken by the great kate_lbarrett

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Ladder pod to start the day and finished Week2!
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Photo taken by the great kate_lbarrett

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Precision, speed, and freedom on set. The Lens Cuff with cMotion motors and FocusBug in action — see it live at IBC. DM us and gregorykarydis for a hands on!

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