Follow focus with panasonic lenses

[zm15]

Because the panasonic lenses, in particular the 20mm and the 14-140mm, are focus by wire, what is the best way to implement a follow focus unit?

Are there any recommendations that suit these lenses better than other?

[terra1]

i have both those lenses and a follow focus unit, i initially tried to use a lens gear that had a connector housing but it was a nightmare to set up as the focus ring on the lenses can rotate forever, the housing would hit the ff cog if i wasn't careful, plus it would also have to be re configured every time the camera was turned off and on.

then i got a 360 degree lens gear and id say its a must for those lenses, the focus by wire feels a bit unnatural compared to a manual old canon lens with the follow focus, but still good.

http://www.shoot35.com/products/cinefocus/cinefocusmainframe.html
above is a link showing the two lens gears i'm talking about.

i did a post a while back you might want to see, i think i talk over the issues i had.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?222269-Panasonic-Pancake-Lens-Shoot35-Follow-Focus&highlight=

[zm15]

i have both those lenses and a follow focus unit, i initially tried to use a lens gear that had a connector housing but it was a nightmare to set up as the focus ring on the lenses can rotate forever, the housing would hit the ff cog if i wasn't careful, plus it would also have to be re configured every time the camera was turned off and on.

then i got a 360 degree lens gear and id say its a must for those lenses, the focus by wire feels a bit unnatural compared to a manual old canon lens with the follow focus, but still good.

http://www.shoot35.com/products/cinefocus/cinefocusmainframe.html
above is a link showing the two lens gears i'm talking about.

i did a post a while back you might want to see, i think i talk over the issues i had.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?222269-Panasonic-Pancake-Lens-Shoot35-Follow-Focus&highlight=

That's awesome, thanks for the info!

Will the 360 ring work with other FF systems? or just the Shoot35 system?

[Barry_Green]

If using the AF100, I'd say forget trying to use a conventional follow focus with the limos lenses. That is just not the right approach. Instead use the FoXi remote from 16x9inc.

[terra1]

your welcome zm15
it should work with all ff systems, i'm pretty sure all good ff makers are using 0.8 mod cine pitch gears, shoot35 is over in the UK so was where i got mine from.

http://www.cinevate.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=24
these guys have 360 degree gears too.

email before you place any orders to prevent any compatibility issues, better safe than sorry :smile:

Barry_Green FoXi remote... call/email for pricing! ouch! i bet it costs a few bob! :smile:

[RieniO]

This page http://16x9inc.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=167 says it costs $658 which is not that expensive, some mechanical follow focusses cost more than this.

Looks interesting.

Barry, how does this Foxi know when the subject is in focus and how can it repeat focus? Is there feedback from the lens or camera to the Foxi or do you have to calibrate lens and Foxi first and then it keeps track of rotation and focus distance?

And does it work with non-focus-by-wire lenses as well, for example the Tokina 11-16?

[Barry_Green]

I bought a FoXi from dvshop.ca. It cost $349, with free shipping.


Barry, how does this Foxi know when the subject is in focus and how can it repeat focus? Is there feedback from the lens or camera to the Foxi or do you have to calibrate lens and Foxi first and then it keeps track of rotation and focus distance?
The Foxi sends a certain voltage to the camera, which translates that into a certain distance on the lens. Any time you set the foxi to a certain position, it will send that precise voltage, which will tell the lens to focus at that precise distance. So yes it's totally repeatable.


And does it work with non-focus-by-wire lenses as well, for example the Tokina 11-16?
With the Birger mount, probably. Without the Birger, no.

[Vitaliy Kiselev]

The Foxi sends a certain voltage to the camera, which translates that into a certain distance on the lens. Any time you set the foxi to a certain position, it will send that precise voltage, which will tell the lens to focus at that precise distance. So yes it's totally repeatable.


I think that it is simple variable resistor.

[terra1]

Barry_Green "I bought a FoXi from dvshop.ca. It cost $349, with free shipping."

i totally thought that it would be more than that, i usually fear the dreaded "email for price" option.

$349... i might just have to! :smile:

will the FoXi work on a GH1? is the GH13 capable of receiving the the signal to make it work?

[maranfilms]

I highly doubt that it would work on any dslr, assuming it plugs into lanc.

[RieniO]

I wonder the same thing, will it work with a GH2.

[RieniO]

Because the panasonic lenses, in particular the 20mm

Is it possible to put a follow focus gear on a 20mm pancake anyway? There's little space due to built-in flash unit sticking out at the front of the GH1/2 body.

[timbook2]

Barry you mean this ? http://www.bebob.de/produkte/?product=7950
How is that supposed to work on a AF100??? does it have the same LANC input as the HVX ? If so that would be great news! ( even greater if it would work on the GH1)

[Barry_Green]

Barry you mean this ? http://www.bebob.de/produkte/?product=7950
How is that supposed to work on a AF100??? does it have the same LANC input as the HVX ? If so that would be great news! ( even greater if it would work on the GH1)
Yes that is the product I'm referring to.

LANC is a Sony-only protocol. The AF100/DVX/HVX etc don't have it. They do have remote control ports, but they're not LANC. There are many remotes made for them, including those by VariZoom, Manfrotto, and Bebob. The AF100 provides for remote record start/stop, remote iris control, and remote focus control. The remote ports on the AF100 are fully backwards compatible with the DVX100/100A/100B, HVX200/200A, HPX170, and HMC150. Any remote that could be used on any of them, could also be used on the AF100.

The FoXi is a remote focus/iris controller and should be fully compatible with the AF100 and the Lumix lenses. I am assuming that it will also work with Canon lenses when mounted to the Birger adapter, and Four Thirds lenses when used with the 4/3->m4/3 adapter.

The GH2 doesn't have a remote control port (nor does the GH1) so no, it wouldn't work with those.

[timbook2]

yes sorry I know LANC is Sony but for lack of a name I used that. I have Foxi and zoom controllers for my HVX and love them on my shoulder rig. I did not know Foxi will work with my 14-140 and pancake on the AF100 !!! If thats really working confirmed I am more eager to get one! I guess there is no zoom control input.....but focus control with foxi would be awesome. Did you try it ?

[exttreem]

Well 20mm Pancake is not really Good for Manual Focus. Even at Manual Focus, it slightly jumps back and forth because of Servo Focus System.
And it's too small for most of the Follow Focus Systems.

[terra1]

yeah i thought if a remote focus control worked on the GH1 id have read it on here, as i'm not in the market for a AF100 its back to manual ff :smile:

haha the pancake lens on the AF100 would look like buck rogers kettle :smile:

i managed to get the pancake to work with my shoot35 ff with a 360 lens gear but its a tight squeeze and as you said exttreem its not the most pleasant manual focusing lens.

i do like the ff on old canon fd lenses, i enjoy the process of planning the scene, measuring out on the floor, marking and then shooting to hopefully match the planned focus areas. (i find that fun in itself :smile:)

[JerryB]

The Ikan F3 friction follow focus would do you good, I use it all the time with that lens. There is absolutely no need to use a gear follow focus with G series lenses as the pull is so light. Here is quick video review I did of it, using that lens http://www.offthebend.com/2010/10/ikan-f3-follow-focus.html and it is $10 cheaper at B and H http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/719117-REG/Ikan_ELE_F3.html.

There was also a DIY Friction FF but I can't find it anymore. If anyone knows then post it, cause the F3 is a little overpriced for what it is (I received a discount).