my attempt to build a Follow Focus

yea it bends because the plate is too thin. I'm going to buy a thicker plate.

some reason even though its bent a little, its still sturdy.. oh well..
 
that part was actually easier than i thought. i did a 1:1 drawing in Illustrator and printed it out to size.

Then i placed the pieces on top of the paper, checked my measurements to be sure (perfect) and placed the smaller connectors between. They were a little bit apart, but I found that screwing the Hex nut thingy that it came with in between, i was able to adjust them to the correct spacing so that everything matched up.

Then I just screwed the little buggers on and then had to go about finding the right size aluminum plate in the middle for stability..

Now the hard part was the lens and FF supports...
 
Puck,

since you are still building, make sure your rods are standard heigth/width. It may save you grief in the future.

1171041181.jpg


I do like your design, and am rethinking mine as a result. For the bottom plate, consider using a quick-release plate like CLDs design.


-j
 
thanks J.

i'm actually looking at a number of options for the bottom plate since i drilled my holes just a little too big, so hopefully I can get it right on the second go round with a quick release plate.

on a side note,the vertical distance to the center of the lens is less than 85mm since this optimizes the vertical height and trades it in for stability. Does that affect the peripheral pieces tha tmuch really espcially if you;re duilding your own support rods, etc?
 
Puck, I am not sure what you are saying? Are you talking about the support for the Brevis/Letus/Lens?
 
so here is my little video i just made up now while test shooting my fiancee at work..

yes I was using my follow focus rig as well..

http://www.edgewaterstorage.com/DSPOT.mov

works well.. for the time being I have been using a rubber band to strap the adapter to my follow focus and it seems to hold it pretty well.

nice and ghetto.. i likes..
 
Puck, here is what I did - I don't know your proficiancy with dremels and aluminum - but I cut an arc out of the top of a piece of 1/8 inch thick aluminum so the Lens could rest on it. After that, I used the dremel to cut a vertical slice in the middle of the 1/8 thick piece that I could put a thumb screw into. From there I attached it all to a piece of 1/2 inch aluminum with rail holes on either side. That way I can move the vertical lens holder up and down as much as the vertical slot allows.
 
I'd assume it is David, but I don't have the Brevis. That part looks pretty adjhustable, so vertical height shouldn't make so much of a difference.

how's it coming along with the new design J?
 
Puck, what do you have as an adapter - it looks like macro tubing, right? It should work with that easily or a lens (or a Letus or a Brevis as well). It just has to sit in the arc'd groove. The vertical height is adjustable. I made it before I had tested anything with it - that way it works with anything I can throw at it right now...
 
I built my own adapter. its a DIY based on Twocik's iFocus.

RVS-35mm.jpg


RVS-35mm-side.jpg


i actually dont like that kind of support, especially putting a follow focus on there. A solid piece of aluminum which goes around the the adpater tube and locks in into place is a much more attractive solution. With something like that (hinged on one end and with a screw on the other) it's a lot more durable and keeps the adapter where it needs to be.

That's exactly why I use the aluminum strap that I have around my own adapter. Vertical space is not an issue for me. I can get that doen easily. It's gettign something solid state that looks attractive and allows me to take out my adapter without having to slide it out...
 
Ok, I get you and what you are saying. The hinge would be quite cool, but it might have problems with different size lenses and tubes.
I have never had any problems with mine, it doesn't move because it is obviously is held down with the screw on the camera/tripod.
The Brevis has something not exactly like you are talking about, the ARC goes up a lot higher (almost 1/2 way up the side of the Brevis tube). Besides that, I guess it's DIY'ing something that will work for you. For my purposes, my design works out ok because I can lower the ARC (vertically) while it is still on and remove the lens. It doesn't move because the tube sits in the arc nicely.
Let me know what you come up with.
 
Actually it would be used just on the tube, so the lenses wouldn't be a problem. I've seen the half-pipe design on the Brevis and that actually seems to work well, but personally I like the assurance that when I pick up my camera, that mothing is pulling away from anything at all, not even the slightest bit. hence the "full-pipe" design.

In full DIY mode, I'm looking for something that is already available on the market and not intended for the use I'm envisioning for it. All I want to do is mod it to attach to my unit and then share the knowledge so we can all benefit from it and build out own. The trick is finding that piece FIRST...
 
Is it full-pipe dream or pipe-dream? ;)
I wish this weather wasn't so darn cold I could do some work in the garage with my FF. I need to sand down the bottom of the fishing reel plastic because the surface is convex and won't sit well on the supports. Each time I steel myself to go out, the blast of icy wind sends me scurrying back indoor to work on my DIY light ring which doesn't require me suffering hypothermia.
I will keep an eye out as well for you on that 'holder' thing. There has to be something out there like it.
Hey, I just thought about something. How about a something like the Brevis offers, but instead of using a hinged piece of aluminum or plastic - use a leather or flexible plastic strap that would keep it snug (maybe like a belt with extra holes for different size lenses). On the other side you could have a slot head/thumb screw to keep it secure and then just unscrew it when you want it out. I think that would look like the donkey's bullocks and would keep it DIY and cheap.
Like this, of course with different colours - the bright colours are to make the different piece stand out :
holderforlens.jpg

Thoughts?
 
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Ok, worked on my own FF today. Not great, but it works. I think I might have to leave this to the experts or start from scratch, but the REEL is the way to go. Biggest challenge for me is getting the gears to work together with the right amount of tension. Too much, and it is hard as hell to turn - too little and it skips. Also, this thing needs more precise measurements to get everything aligned properly. I haven't cut off the bottom part of the Fishing Reel yet. I also went a different way on this one, most would probably have the bottom part of the REEL facing down and the whip arm used as a gear against the lens gear. Maybe I will try it that way next time, if there is a next time. :)
ff1.jpg

ff2.jpg
 
shouldn't be a problem. the camera shouldn't matter since this follow focus is intended for the 35mm adapter that gores onto the camera. wer eyou lookign for a follow focus for the camera lens itself?
 
puckthemad said:
were you looking for a follow focus for the camera lens itself?
Click to expand...

Yes, for the camera itself. I am not yet planning on buying a 35mm adapter.

So I might have to change the lens ring and motor wheel if I get to do that. But I am afraid that might be a problem with all 35mm lens sets, as I don't know if say Nikon makes all focus rings the same diameter, do they?

I already have a matte box, so the rods might be used to support the system. But that might be a long shot too, as the ff setup might demand a specific distance which the rods may not provide.
 
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