Member of the Month

KilaTsunami
October, 2024

Online

Welcome to the Newschoolers forums! You may read the forums as a guest, however you must be a registered member to post. Register to become a member today!

$50 Follow Focus

profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
I picked one up...check it out.

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2120229387/50-dollar-follow-focus

Thought I'd share this since it's probably in most of your budgets.
Jan 23 2012 10:36PM
0 0
profile picture
dispatchQ_main
Posts: 2619 - Karma: 629
Lookin forward to a review, im thinking about the d focus, heard anything about that one?
Jan 23 2012 10:50PM
0 0
profile picture
CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
Just bought one. Looks awesome and i love supporting start ups
Jan 23 2012 11:05PM
0 0
profile picture
array.
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 202
.
Jan 23 2012 11:05PM
0 0
profile picture
Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
Thanks for the PSA Jeff! need to get a set of rails first tho... any advice?
Jan 23 2012 11:14PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
I like Zacuto.
Jan 23 2012 11:22PM
0 0
profile picture
Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
haha me too but my wallet doesnt
Jan 23 2012 11:30PM
0 0
profile picture
Stose
Posts: 7109 - Karma: 4,123
so if i become a backer am i buying one or just pledging money? i was a little confused on that
Jan 23 2012 11:49PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
You get one.  I did the $75 pledge and got one, and a second and larger pulley
Jan 23 2012 11:54PM
0 0
profile picture
jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
are you using a $50 follow focus with a scarlet?
Jan 24 2012 1:18AM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
No.  I picked one up to have as a backup, or for run and gun set ups.  I'm actually looking forward to use it for smoother zooms while I have a different follow focus on there.  Who knows though...if something that is $50 works better than something that is 3-400...why not use it.
Jan 24 2012 1:24AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61590 - Karma: 122,953
Very interesting. if I had a rail system I would highly consider this.
Jan 24 2012 1:58AM
0 0
profile picture
I.B
Posts: 8137 - Karma: 24,351
Super sick!
Jan 24 2012 2:22AM
0 0
profile picture
jason...
Posts: 9006 - Karma: 780
ah k comprende
Jan 24 2012 9:58AM
0 0
profile picture
Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
Nice to see these kickstarters gaining some traction...

The cineskates raised a ton of money on Kickstarter, and looks like this dude will get plenty of funding.
Jan 24 2012 5:40PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
Found some cheap rails for you guys!

http://www.indisystem.com/products/12%22-Carbon-Fiber-Rods-%28pair%29.html
Jan 24 2012 7:49PM
0 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
what would we put the rails into though?
Jan 24 2012 7:57PM
0 0
profile picture
Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
you need some sort of bridge plate that you can attach your camera body on top of and slide the rails through.

something like this.

http://jag35.com/products/dslrproducts/dslrstand.html

Camera sits on top rails in the holes and the follow focus on the rails. I haven't been keeping up with rigs and gear as of late but I know jag 35 is at a lower price point.
Jan 24 2012 8:06PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
that company sells them as well.  Look how cheap there rigs are. 
Jan 24 2012 8:18PM
0 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
need someone to clarify something to me..


I honestly dont get the point of a follow focus system. I truly dont get it. I know there is some reasoning but I just cant find it. Is it really worth spending hundreds of dollars to have a little handle to focus something? As well as making your rig a ton more bulky? I am in no way shape or form saying these are stupid, I just dont get point of them.



Jan 24 2012 8:27PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61590 - Karma: 122,953
After you use one, you'll see why. You can set it so when you spin forward, it focuses forward, etc it makes it 1000 times easier to focus. Plus, you can make marks to plan out any kind of focus change you want, which is more for specific focus controllers in bigger situations. Think how much focus changes when you watch a show on tv or a movie, having a precise device is very necessary.
Jan 24 2012 8:30PM
0 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
^ i see. Now yould you take all of this off if your on the glidecam? I can see why it is easier. Might have to make some rails and just pick up the plate and focus system itself
Jan 24 2012 8:52PM
0 0
profile picture
Mkvackay
Posts: 1903 - Karma: 5,465
in all honesty i really don't feel that us amateurs need a railsystem, mattebox, follow focus, ECT for what we do. I can see that jeff has a need for it, but for what we do (which is predominately skiing) that it isn't necessary. like evan said its for something with a much bigger production and bigger focus changes

i have seen people get a ridiculous rail system and not fully understand the functions or even fully understand how to operate basic camera movements
Jan 24 2012 9:09PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
I agree on the follow focus statement.  I've gotten away with never using one really.  Rail systems are a totally different story.  Again another thing I've neglected but Lens support is crucial with some glass.  The Scarlet and Epic mounts are burly but it helps to have support to prevent any warping.  It's also nice to have that for Quick releases when going between Rigs, sliders and your tripod. 

Again, not the most important accessory but Eheath is right.  Once you use it and can set focus marks it's well worth it and you wouldn't be dissapointed.
Jan 24 2012 9:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Childstar.
Posts: 1947 - Karma: 2,212
Hmmm... to spend 75$ or to not spend 75$...
Jan 24 2012 9:31PM
0 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
Jeff what do you mean marks on them?
Jan 24 2012 9:43PM
0 0
profile picture
123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
most have a disk and some sort of marker that you can draw on with a grease pencil to set focus points. some even have 2 adjustable hard stops so that you can snap right to those points
Jan 24 2012 10:47PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
Exactly.  That would be a benefit to a more expensive one, but in reality this is all you need.  Think of some shows/movies that have shots that change focus nearly perfectly. 

Say from character to character, you can set marks, some stops that allow you to hit the mark perfectly for how the shot is composed.  Obviously for skiing this could work well in certain scenarios, but generally it isn't worth it. 

For commercial and Narrative work though it can be very helpful.  It's just alot smoother as well.
Jan 24 2012 10:51PM
0 0
profile picture
[J_Gasper]
Posts: 2983 - Karma: 1,594
^ ah okay. Interesting. Seems pretty cool
Jan 25 2012 6:24AM
0 0
profile picture
*Nickdel*
Posts: 2264 - Karma: 956
the video sold me when it said "guacamole smooth"
Jan 25 2012 10:29AM
0 0
profile picture
Frosty
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 797
This may have been asked before, but can a rail/follow focus system be used with a glidecam?
Jan 25 2012 10:47AM
0 0
profile picture
skituner
Posts: 1162 - Karma: 127
well yes and no. there is nothing physically stopping you as along as your glidecam can handle the weight, but you wont be able to change focus while filming and if you change it between shots it might throw off the balance of the rig
Jan 25 2012 11:48AM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61590 - Karma: 122,953
honestly you really wouldnt need to, obviously people have big stedicam rigs for tv shows/movies which is a different story. but for ski stuff, not needed.
Jan 25 2012 12:48PM
0 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
lol yeah sooooo cheap
Jan 25 2012 3:29PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
In terms of price? Yes they are cheap.  Go look up a RedRock Micro rig with similar features and tell me they're not cheap in value. 

Now I'm not saying it's cheap to the invidiual, but those rod's are inexpensive.  You can get to 15mm rods for 30 dollars.  Thats inexpensive in my books.  Go look at Zacutos rails.  Sure not everyone can afford them or needs them.  But I'm sharing this so that people can have the opportunity to get a setup if they so choose. 

In terms of quality, they're similar to Genus.  Which has good reviews. 
Jan 25 2012 3:37PM
0 0
profile picture
eheath
Posts: 61590 - Karma: 122,953
Just take a seat, you don't really know what you're talking about.
Jan 25 2012 3:38PM
0 0
profile picture
MLeone
Posts: 725 - Karma: 72
Damn man you're right lol... sorry for my sarcasm. but wow theyre pretty good build quality etc though?
Jan 25 2012 3:39PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
For value they're great. 

I'm looking at Edelkrone personally.  There rigs seem to fit a little better for what I'm looking to be able to do.   And they just cut there prices in half.
Jan 25 2012 4:06PM
0 0
profile picture
Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
i was just checking them out last night, i feel like their pocket rig would be perfect for anyone on here looking to be able to use a follow focus and matte box. now i just need to start making some money with the 1000$ 70-200 2.8 i just bought so i can buy one! haha
Jan 25 2012 4:18PM
0 0
profile picture
Jeff_Lo
Posts: 5809 - Karma: 263
I always build from the camera out.  I make sure I can afford to adequately shoot and get work.  Other parts and components such as sliders, rigs, and other parts follow shortly after.  For example I just ordered a slider after I had a solid shooting kit together first. 
Jan 25 2012 4:26PM
0 0
profile picture
Bmo.
Posts: 4907 - Karma: 2,667
i did the same, have my camera, lenses, quality tripod and video head, glidecam, slider. now thinking about a rig.
Jan 25 2012 5:06PM
0 0
profile picture
Frosty
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 797
So I have another noob question, when is a follow focus really used?
Jan 26 2012 12:10AM
0 0
profile picture
erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
whenever you need to change focus with precision. think of whenever you watch a movie or a tv show and the focus goes from one person talking to another (for example) to direct the viewers attention to the desired subject. you need the focus to be dead on and focusing with a normal focus ring is difficult. personally i don't think a follow focus is necessary at all for skiing unless it's something like this $50 one.
Jan 26 2012 12:21AM
0 0
profile picture
Frosty
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 797
And this is used with mainly a tripod then? Cause as answered before, a follow focus would screw up the balance on a glidecam.
Jan 26 2012 12:27AM
0 0
profile picture
CrotchKiller
Posts: 9037 - Karma: 6,943
tripods and shoulder rigs
Jan 26 2012 12:59AM
0 0
profile picture
[~_~]
Posts: 20239 - Karma: 1,273
If you're shooting sports, you don't need a follow focus. They're for choreographed scenes in narratives where you mark everything out beforehand.
Jan 26 2012 3:15PM
0 0
profile picture
Frosty
Posts: 1738 - Karma: 797
Ah I see, thanks a bunch guys!
Jan 26 2012 6:58PM
0 0
profile picture
EC-Skier
Posts: 3899 - Karma: 668
im thinking about picking one up for skiing anyway. It is handy if youre focusing in on a rail/feature. or if youre on a dolly filming urban and you want to focus from whatever is in front of you in the beginning to the rail you eventually move to. i wouldnt pick up a really expensive one, but this is only 50 bucks, could be worth it
Jan 27 2012 10:01AM
0 0
profile picture
EC-Skier
Posts: 3899 - Karma: 668
Click for larger image
Jan 27 2012 1:19PM
0 0
profile picture
Brentizzle
Posts: 1584 - Karma: 1,871
lolololol
Jan 27 2012 1:30PM
0 0
All times are Eastern (-5)