Summary
A tiny electronic notebook that mounts directly onto a cinema camera aims to replace the paper lens charts, crew lists and notes that camera teams keep reaching for between takes.
The OFFBIT M1 is a monochrome e-paper reference display designed for the camera department, attached to a camera body or positioned beside a monitor. It does not record footage or control the camera. Its purpose is much simpler: put frequently needed information where the crew is already working.
Lens charts, crew details and notes on one screen
The LENS page displays each lens’s focal length, T-stop and close-focus distance, along with the lens-set name. These are the same details commonly kept on printed lens charts, especially useful to focus pullers as lenses change throughout a shoot.
The CREW section stores names, roles and departments, while NOTES holds short instructions, shot lists, radio channels or equipment lists. The companion app can scan a call sheet or shooting schedule so users can select the information they need on the small display.
A long press of the middle button opens a gallery of up to 25 custom images, such as production logos or identification patches. Three top buttons switch pages; a fourth side button handles pairing and settings.
Prepared on an iPhone, usable offline
Content is prepared in the free OFFBIT iPhone app and transferred to the M1 using Bluetooth 5.0 LE. The app includes a catalogue of over 2,500 lenses as well as custom sets. No account or subscription is needed, and information can be used offline. A phone connection is required to transfer updates to the device.
The 3.1-inch display has a 320 × 240-pixel resolution under matte Gorilla Glass. OFFBIT says it remains readable in direct sunlight. Its CNC-machined aluminium housing measures 85 × 60 × 10 mm and weighs 71 g, keeping the addition to a cinema rig small.
A 450 mAh battery charges via USB-C and is rated by the company for up to three weeks on one charge; that figure is not an independent runtime measurement. The app is currently available on iOS, with an Android version in development and no announced release date.
Mounting to the camera or beside a monitor
The M1 attaches using Velcro strips. For rigs without a convenient flat surface, OFFBIT offers an optional mounting plate with 1/4″-20 and 3/8″-16 threads, suitable for a cage, articulated arm or monitor. Its light weight helps, but the mounting position still needs to leave camera controls and ventilation unobstructed.
The idea is particularly relevant when a production changes lens sets frequently. With manual-focus PL cinema lenses, for example, keeping the correct focal-length references close to the operator can be more practical than searching for a separate paper chart.
More information here.
Price and availability
The OFFBIT M1 is priced at €199 including VAT, while the optional mounting plate is listed at €35. Pre-orders for the first 100-unit batch are scheduled to open on November 11, 2026, at 11:11 CET, with a three-unit limit per customer and payment at checkout.
Shipping to Spain and the rest of the European Union is planned for December 2026. OFFBIT targets spring 2027 for the UK, US and other markets. This is a planned initial launch, not a product that has already been widely delivered to camera crews.
What we think
Spend enough time around a cinema camera and you will recognise the little paper charts and notes that accumulate around the rig. The M1 takes a sensible approach: it is not trying to be another monitor, just a persistent place for the information people glance at between takes.
For a focus puller swapping lenses throughout the day, or a second assistant keeping the setup organised, creating a chart on an iPhone and leaving it on the camera could be genuinely useful. E-paper makes sense for that job too: it needs legible text and low power consumption, not moving pictures.
Still, €199 is not a trivial amount for a device competing with a printed sheet of paper. What matters on a working rig is whether the text remains readable at a practical viewing distance and updates are quick enough to keep up with the shoot. We see the strongest use case in camera departments handling frequent lens and information changes, rather than as essential kit for every solo filmmaker.
Frequently asked questions
Does the M1 need continuous internet or iPhone connectivity?
No. The app works offline and the M1 retains the information already sent to it. An iPhone and Bluetooth connection are needed when changing or sending new data.
Can the OFFBIT M1 control the camera or focus?
No. It is an independent reference display for lens details, crew information and notes, not a follow-focus system or video monitor.
