$24.00 Fisherman Follow Focus

twocik23

twocik23

Veteran
Hi everyone, I've been doing a few tests on different products and I've found a cheap way to make a Follow Focus! First I would like to say thanks to walmart for staying open 24-7 and to my girlfriend for pointing this out. Anyway I've been working on this for a few weeks now and have come very close to making it happen. So far I've taken everything and anything apart to try and make this thing. I took apart an older camera and was going to use some of the gears out of that(YEA RIGHT!!). Then I took apart a couple of toys for the gears (NO LUCK!!). Now I've taken apart a fishing reel and so far everything has worked out. Now this is still in the process of being perfected, just thought I'd share.

The two gears

70 T gear - $4.24

tlb3420.jpg




26 T gear - $7.42

Fishing Reel - $10.60

Clamps - $1.06



Here check it out

FF_900_1.jpg


FF_900.jpg


FF_900_2.jpg


ifocus_35mm_800_.jpg


ifocus_35mm_top_800_.jpg
 
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Much credit to MOE52, for bringing the plastic gear (the gear around the lens) to my attention and the site.

Thanks
 
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What do you use for bait? or do you know where I can get some dam bait?

All kidding aside, very nice job! How smooth does it spin?
 
"What do you use for bait? or do you know where I can get some dam bait?"

The ifocus adapter is the bait, chicks love it! heheh


"How smooth does it spin?"

It's pretty smooth, it's just the lens I'm using is still very new. If it were a older lens, then it would be as smooth as a follow focus. Konica lenses take a little while to loosen up.
 
"as creative as that is... u have a fishing real mounted with your camera."

Yes the reel is mounted to the rail. The groove from the fishing reel, has a curve to it that fits very snug to the rail.
 
It seems like the next step is to take off the handle on the reel and replace it with a whiteboard nob so you can accurately put focus marks. In theory, replacing one with the other is easy, but I'm not sure how easy that will actually be. Not to mention, where do you find a small whiteboard wheel, or could you just get a piece of plexiglass or similar material cut?
 
"It seems like the next step is to take off the handle on the reel and replace it with a whiteboard nob so you can accurately put focus marks. In theory, replacing one with the other is easy, but I'm not sure how easy that will actually be. Not to mention, where do you find a small whiteboard wheel, or could you just get a piece of plexiglass or similar material cut?"



To replace the handle was the next step, I just finished this about an hour ago. So yes it still needs some improvement. I was going to use a plastic knob from either home-depot or lowes. I guess you could use a piece of plexiglass, or a dry marker board, cutting a circle out of it and gluing it to a plastic wheel or knob. If you guys have any questions on how to make it, just let me know.
 
"classic! what's the gearing on that? 1:1, etc..?"


To tell you the truth I don't really know to much about gears, except how they're used. If you mean the gears inside the fishing reel, I'm not to sure. I took it apart to remove the gear that makes the reel go up and down (for the fishing string spool). The gears that make it spin had a Bevel on top and a worm gear on the bottom. I'm guessing the ration of this is 2:1, but I'm not sure. I know that the gears on the outside are 1:1.
 
"now what i want to know... how do you put the thing together?!"


I would have make a tutorial to follow, it has a few steps that are easy to explain with pictures, then words. I'll get back to you on that.
 
Hey twocik23, Maybe we can get together since we are in FL and do a little fishing with the FF and cams...
 
"Hey twocik23, Maybe we can get together since we are in FL and do a little fishing with the FF and cams..."


Sounds good, I'll bring the beer!


Your about 4 hours away right??
 
That's amazingly inventive. It's kind of funny looking, but that makes it even better. I can't wait to see it as it evolves and if it works well.

Later,

j.
 
Thank you very much everyone.



"Is there much play in the gears within the reel?"

Not to sure what you mean by this, but if you're asking how many times it turns, 1 1/4 of a turn. With a wheel on it maybe 2 turns or more, it being smaller. I'm going to play with it more tomorrow. I've found a way to secure the ring on the lens, so that it's tight and doesn't fall off. I'll post better quality pics as well.
 
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