Follow Focus recommendations

cosmix3

cosmix3

David Sullivan
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Hi,

Thinking of getting a follow focus to use for video work, and wandering if any of you good peps could give some recommendations, not looking to spend a fortune on it so budget will be important, having never used one know little about what is best for the job, so any advice welcome.

Also any thoughts on whether they are of use as well, as I say have never used so don't know th pros and cons of them.

Thanks in advance :)
 
Hi David.

You can make one very cheaply from jubilee clips and sticking on a small rod of some kind.

You would be able to find out more on you tube, search something like "DIY follow focus".

Hope that helps,
Phil.
 
You could try using a "Baby Boa". Its a device designed to open jar tops. It's a bit fiddly initially, and only works in one direction at a time, but is dead cheap, about £5.00.

Attach it gently to the focus ring on the camera, take up the slack and hey presto. It does take a bit of practice and you have to work smoothly but hey for a fiver !!
 
Phil Young said:
Hi David.

You can make one very cheaply from jubilee clips and sticking on a small rod of some kind.

You would be able to find out more on you tube, search something like "DIY follow focus".

Hope that helps,
Phil.
Click to expand...

Thanks did have a look, not a bad option, that I may look at if what I went for don't work :)

jacob12_1993 said:
If you can't afford a top quality one I wouldn't bother the cheap ones are crap, terrible backlash and plastic build quality. You also need to factor in the cost of a 15mm rail system as well to mount it!
Click to expand...

That was my thoughts to be honest, found some for around for around £100/150 but wasn't sure they would be good, and at the mo don't do enough vid to spend more, maybe in tome though :)

Chappers said:
You could try using a "Baby Boa". Its a device designed to open jar tops. It's a bit fiddly initially, and only works in one direction at a time, but is dead cheap, about £5.00.

Attach it gently to the focus ring on the camera, take up the slack and hey presto. It does take a bit of practice and you have to work smoothly but hey for a fiver !!
Click to expand...

lolage said:
I bought one of these: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Trudeau-Twi...4E/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1340982778&sr=8-11

Does the job for me. :D
Click to expand...

Just Dave said:
I was going to suggest those as well :thumbs:
Click to expand...

Thanks guys, found these when looking at the DIY option, and have 2 on way, for what I paid, if no good then not wasted loads, and would still have a couple of jar openers :)
 
Well the Jar openers arrived today, and.......... while I can see on some lens they would work (from the quick try could see they would be smooth), on mine, Nope, just to small for the 24-70 2.8, wont stay tight as nothing for the catch to grip :( well at least I have jar openers :D

Think next step is to try the jubilee clip route, so when I can, will get some and try, if it works all good, if not, looks like some cash will have to be spent :(
 
cosmix3 said:
Well the Jar openers arrived today, and.......... while I can see on some lens they would work (from the quick try could see they would be smooth), on mine, Nope, just to small for the 24-70 2.8, wont stay tight as nothing for the catch to grip :( well at least I have jar openers :D

Think next step is to try the jubilee clip route, so when I can, will get some and try, if it works all good, if not, looks like some cash will have to be spent :(
Click to expand...

Not sure what size your lens is but the baby boa works fine on my 24-105 . Its a 77mm filter mount if that helps
 
I've been using a Gini Ifocus and, although it's huge, it's excellent quality. It's reversible, very solidly built and the gearbox is extremely smooth.

They're only available through Ebay and the pricing, delivery options and availability are all over the shop. They seem to have a few Ebay accounts but gini-2011 is one of them.

To give you an idea of pricing I bought a complete Gini rig with the follow focus, base plate, shoulder rest, rods, two magic arms and handles for £278.
 
I found this website really helpful for all tips and DIY video rigs, it also does some great reviews on most follow focus/shoulder rig and steady can setups.

www.cheesycam.com
 
Chappers said:
Not sure what size your lens is but the baby boa works fine on my 24-105 . Its a 77mm filter mount if that helps
Click to expand...

Thanks :)

bloomen said:
I've been using a Gini Ifocus and, although it's huge, it's excellent quality. It's reversible, very solidly built and the gearbox is extremely smooth.

They're only available through Ebay and the pricing, delivery options and availability are all over the shop. They seem to have a few Ebay accounts but gini-2011 is one of them.

To give you an idea of pricing I bought a complete Gini rig with the follow focus, base plate, shoulder rest, rods, two magic arms and handles for £278.
Click to expand...

Thanks, will check them out for a later date if I decide to get a designed for the job one :)

Grizu said:
I found this website really helpful for all tips and DIY video rigs, it also does some great reviews on most follow focus/shoulder rig and steady can setups.

www.cheesycam.com
Click to expand...

Thanks, looks a good resource :)
 
Got the bits yesterday to go the DIY route, 2 hose clips, 2 nuts and bolts and some foam tape, need to sort a pointer system and try it out, will post how I get on :)
 
I have one for sale here if you are interested. It's a great piece of kit but was bought in error as I now no longer do any video work so it's literally brand new.
If you google a few reviews on it you will get a better idea of it. let me know if you have any questions.
 
Ballyman said:
I have one for sale here if you are interested. It's a great piece of kit but was bought in error as I now no longer do any video work so it's literally brand new.
If you google a few reviews on it you will get a better idea of it. let me know if you have any questions.
Click to expand...

Thanks, but not at the moment going to try the DIY ones for now :)
 
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