View Full Version : budget follow focus/zoom gear for stock and c-mounts??
upshot
06-13-2009, 08:35 PM
I'm looking to adapt my c-mount primes and the stock zoom on a GH1 to my follow focus. If I'm not mistaken it's a .8 (?) gear (cavision).
THIS looks perfect (http://www.abelcine.com/store/product.php?productid=1000330) for some of my short throw helicoids and possibly the GH1 stock. But damn that's expensive for a little plasic gear strip and screw lock!
What's the advice for these 35-44 MM dia. 16mm cine c-mounts? and what would you use for the GH1 stock zoom? There has to be a $50ish solution out there!
TIA
Ben_B
06-14-2009, 02:08 AM
If you find some way to attached the ends and tighten DIY then the zip itself is only $12.
Leave it to Zacuto to sell the thing you want for $12 but a tiny piece of metal that you need to make it work for an extra $130.
http://store.zacuto.com/zip-gear-replacement.html
Ben_B
06-14-2009, 02:36 AM
http://www.indifocus.com/products_indifocuspro.htm
Replacement cine pitch gear 0.8...$22? That work?
nickybee
06-14-2009, 02:38 AM
if you want the zip gears - then use these...
http://www.indifocus.com/products_indifocus20.htm
(look at bottom of page) - way cheaper than zacuto...
Martti Ekstrand
06-14-2009, 02:44 AM
This is the most inexpensive follow focus I've seen on the intartubes so far
http://www.designbydave.net/dfocus/index.html
Psynema
06-14-2009, 05:02 AM
My hand is free
upshot
06-14-2009, 08:35 AM
Thanks all. I may try to make my own connection with the gear strip. A zip tie doesn't inspire confidence!
My hand is free
Free focus puller! Nice. I'll tell you where to be and when... :thumbsup:
Ben_B
06-14-2009, 02:25 PM
This is the most inexpensive follow focus I've seen on the intartubes so far
http://www.designbydave.net/dfocus/index.html
I was sorely tempted by this, but then I saw the way it shakes right as he pulls focus in the sample video...maybe he just had a bad tripod?
I was planning on building my own...but the cost of that would probably be pushing up into $100 range anyway and might not even be as nice as this one.
Well, for $100 you can't complain too much. It's certainly better than anything I could DIY by throwing $100 at...
I just find it amusing how they saved money on market research on the brand image. I mean the name alone: "defocus" It doesn't give me much confidence.
Ben_B
06-14-2009, 09:36 PM
Also looking at Indifocus20...it's $150 but comes with the zip rings and the marking board that are extra on the D|Focus.
they look about the same build wise, but looking closer, I like the knob on the defocus - it looks more pro than the indifocus unit.
That is, once you add the extra marking disc.
On second thought, the Defocus unit has bare aluminum, while the indifocus is anodized black...
Ben_B
07-09-2009, 10:20 PM
Yeah plus D|Focus has no mount for whip.
Erik Olson
07-10-2009, 07:38 AM
Cavision has their new Mini Follow Focus systems available now. All geared, no belts, almost no discernable backlash. We've got packages for film, Canon and Fujinon pitch gears (or all gears in one package) on our site and an additional DVXUser discount.
Cavision page: http://www.cavision.com/followfocus/RFD15S.htm
Overland Films page: http://www.overlandfilms.com/cavision-advanced-mini-follow-focus-kit.html
BrianMurphy
07-10-2009, 08:26 AM
I bought one of Dave's follow focus kits. For $100.00 it is great and when you take the time to set it up properly it works really well and it does not have much more gear slop than some units costing four and five times as much. I don't use his lens gears. I use Wayne Kinney's Shoot35 gears which are a bargain and great quality.
Ben_B
07-10-2009, 08:36 AM
Anyone tried the indifocus 20?
http://www.indifocus.com/products_indifocus20.htm
Looks a little bit nicer than the D Focus IMO...although I agree the D Focus knob looks a bit better but I think this one is kind of unique :)
$150 and comes with the marking panel, rail mount, 2 zip gears, etc.
$20 for two extra zips
$40 for 12" whip and speed crank.
Planning on getting one, it's another exposed gearbox design but somehow it looks just a little cleaner to me.
Don't get me wrong the D Focus looks really nice and props to Dave for making such a cool device...but this comes with everything you need and I think in the long run ends up being cheaper, plus you can mount whips and stuff.
den59
11-13-2009, 12:13 PM
What lenses you use with FF for GH1 ? I checked couple of c-mount primes, they can not be used with FF due to longitudinal movement of focus ring during focusing.
Any ideas for fast and inexpensive primes for Gh1 ?