DIY - Camera Stops???

[matthewd5]

ok i don't need a full blown follow focus (yet!)

but i would REALLY like a way to mark two points so when i'm tracking talent walking from point a to point b.

i don't mean just marks on the lens, i would love a way to change the focus and have it stop in some sort of physical way when i get to the point i have marked/set.

then of course i want to be able to go back to point A quickly.

then move the points to whatever for the next shot without a whole lot of work.

i think if someone could make something like the focus ring that is already out there, with two simple adjustable stops they could sell a lot of them for $125 or so.

matthew

[J.R. Hudson]

That an interesting idea and im digging this. Your talking about a focus ring that would go over the focus ring of the DVX with possibly sliders you can lock down and/or mark?

[Shaw]

I'd buy one!

[Jim Brennan]

That's great idea. I like Hudson's idea of making it adjustable.

[Guest]

I thought about making one of these but heard that the focus resets after the camera goes into standby or turns off. I just tested it and I guess I was misinformed. So yeah this would work great! Someone make one please - but out of parts at a nation chain store (ie Home Depot) so we can all do the same. Soft stops would be nice too. Good one Matthew.

[matthewd5]

hudsons idea??

from my original message...

>then move the points to whatever for the next shot without a whole lot of work.

aka adjustable.

i have no use for stops that aren't adjustable.

matthew

[Barry_Green]

Gaffer's tape, or camera tape (not DV tape!).

Make two strips -- fold the tape over itself so only the end bits are sticky, and the middle portion is not.

Move the focus ring to the start point and set one piece of tape on it, so you tape the ring such that it can't move further in one direction. *Then move the ring to the end point and set the other strip of tape to lock it down at that point.

From then on you can do exactly what you're talking about, set start and end points easily, lock them in, snap focus between start and end and nail it with precision every time. *Total cost: about four cents. *We do it with TV lenses all the time.

This is one of the best things about the DVX -- the focus ring is repeatable, so you can do stuff like this. *You wouldn't have a prayer of pulling this off on an FX1, XL2 with 20x lens, etc. *But the DVX has a repeatable focus ring so you can do stuff like this.

[Jim Brennan]

sorry for offending you matthew.

It was Hudson's specific idea of locking sliders I was referring to.

[Shooter]

Also ...

The DVX has an excellent auto focus function. It does not "hunt" focus but has focus ramping that can be utilised by the operator. Skilfull camera operating will permit as good a "pull" as a focus puller can achieve. Remember that the pro film camera does not have auto focus capability ( and our cameras do..) . A lot of the skill of camera operating is hiding certain functions within the pan, the tilt, the foreground etc... eg crossing f.g talent with a faster pan.

Do not be afraid to use auto focus...when appropriate. Pros would if available to them.

I do not recommend physically "taping" focus points and have never seen it done by any operator/ 1st assistant camera.

[Barry_Green]

[quote author=Shooter link=board=Links;num=1102137074;start=0#9 date=12/04/04 at 22:35:51]I do not recommend physically "taping" focus points and have never seen it done by any operator/ 1st assistant camera. *[/quote]

Odd... isn't this is the exact same technique you described for using for a zoom follow focus in another post? Hold on, let me search for it...

Okay, here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/...6920;start=3#3

That's what I'm talking about, although we wouldn't usually have rods & a mattebox, so we'd anchor the tape on some other point on the lens (or on anything, really). It's just a technique to give the operator feedback on when to stop.

When we have an AC, we don't use the tape-the-focus-stop method, because... well, we have an AC. But if it's just a camera op/DP/Director guy and a sound guy (or not a sound guy, as in, a one-man band), then yes, if necessary to execute a repeatable rack, we do the tape thing.

I'm pretty sure you're describing the exact same technique that I am. Or did I misunderstand you?