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Pulling focus with a manual lens

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C_dub
Posts: 373 - Karma: 2,325
Any tips or tricks for pulling focus on those Manual focus lenses?
Dec 2 2015 11:04AM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
Depends on the gear you are using.

Some cameras have focus assist functions, which can help you with finding focus. This is probably the easiest way to help you with pulling focus.

Otherwise, attaching focus gears onto your lens in addition to a follow focus are going to be your most accurate way to pull focus.

As for tips and/or tricks...like everything with filming, practice, practice, practice.
Dec 2 2015 11:20AM
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ascent_studios
Posts: 2157 - Karma: 4,580
i just got a follow focus and its so helpful
Dec 2 2015 11:31AM
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eheath
Posts: 61655 - Karma: 123,584
Pro tip: rack focus on something that has a close to infinite focus, ie something in the foreground to the background. Not as pro but still looks dope.
Dec 2 2015 4:45PM
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nutz.
Posts: 3150 - Karma: 6,712
goodiepocketDepends on the gear you are using.

Some cameras have focus assist functions, which can help you with finding focus. This is probably the easiest way to help you with pulling focus.

Otherwise, attaching focus gears onto your lens in addition to a follow focus are going to be your most accurate way to pull focus.

As for tips and/or tricks...like everything with filming, practice, practice, practice.


if the camera doesn't have focus assist (peaking, magnification, etc) then you can get an external monitor that has these features and plug it into your camera, that always helps
Dec 2 2015 8:29PM
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goodiepocket
Posts: 950 - Karma: 641
nutz.if the camera doesn't have focus assist (peaking, magnification, etc) then you can get an external monitor that has these features and plug it into your camera, that always helps


Ah! Very good point. Forgot about that option...an external monitor is (or can be) a much cheaper investment than what it would take to get a follow focus and offers a lot more than just helping with focus.

What camera do you have anyways?
Dec 2 2015 10:12PM
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C_dub
Posts: 373 - Karma: 2,325
goodiepocketWhat camera do you have anyways?


Canon t3i

I know about magic lantern and all the features it has including a focus helper. Anyone have experience with it?
Dec 2 2015 10:39PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Practise
Dec 3 2015 5:15PM
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plorr
Posts: 3131 - Karma: 528
skiizey_steezyCanon t3i

I know about magic lantern and all the features it has including a focus helper. Anyone have experience with it?


Magic Lantern is a NECESSITY when shooting on Canons. After using it I don't know how people stand to use those cameras for video without it.
Dec 4 2015 5:38PM
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Huck-e-Cheese
Posts: 303 - Karma: 417
Do the ghetto follow focus, put a piece of white electrical tape around the lense next to the focus ring, and a ziptie around the focus ring and mark where the subjects are in focus, and use the excess of the ziptie as a handle to pull focus, and use the marks to make sure you hit the subjects at perfect sharpness, only takes about 60 seconds, i always keep a roll of white tape, a sharpie, and a couple zipties in my bag to do this on the fly
Dec 6 2015 9:56PM
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