varizoom focus puller

[J5 squared]

So i picked up a varizoom focus/iris controller for use with my spiderbrace. For this function it is an absolute must. But i couldn't see spending $200 for a cool little remote focus/iris and then $500 for a manual focus puller as well. So i made a few adjustments to my controller and now have an acceptable focus puller. I simply removed the focus knob and took a wooden wheel of a childrens toy and drilled out a hole slightly smaller than the focus knob. I used a vice and press fit the knob into the wheel. So now i basically have a much larger focus wheel allowing finer adjustment points. Then i snagged a hole saw that had an inside diameter of about a quarter incher larger than the outside diameter of my wheel. I used the hole saw to cut a hole out of a piece of dry erase marker board. I poped the now round piece of dry erase board out of the hole saw which had a lovely small hole in the middle to fit over the little stick which the focus knob is affixed to. So i slid the dry erase circle on, then i slid the wheel on over it and tightened down the allen set screw on the focus knob. All i had to do after was make a little piece of angled aluminum to hole the dry erase circle in place and keep it from moving with the wheel. Walla a markable follow focus. Now i just need to figure out some hard stops and i'll be set. (sorry for the lack of in progress pictures and if my description is at all confusing please ask any questions!).

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/Jonny360/DSC03039.jpg

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c39/Jonny360/DSC03040.jpg

[danny]

This is the best clever DIY project in this section of DVXUSER.COM

You have "Invented the wheel".

Well Done!

[mikkowilson]

Looks good! Nice work :thumbsup:

- Mikko

[fevercity]

Again, JS2.... Kudos.

[PaPa]

not sure i see how this works.. would really like to understand though, especially for a 35mm adapter on a steadicam.