my attempt to build a Follow Focus

i say we team up and patent it.. lol..

how much in total did you spent? I actually spent a little over 150 mainly because of a lot of trial and error purchases.

let's tell everyone that its made out of a soda cans and olive oil..


here is some screen shots of the film I shot last week..

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=89032
 
On the Follow Focus alone i spent under $20... most were in parts.
$5 for the fishing reel
$5 for the focus gear
$6 for a pair of the supports for the rods and then variosu screws and metal bits.
 
Puck,

You know the parts you got from Home Depot (Ilsco pieces TA-350)? When you put the rods through - do you hand tighten or alan key tighten it - or just let it sit there?

I did check the local Walmart in both USA and Canada and couldn't find the right FishingReel. I couldn't find the Zebco 0 - which is a good one I think. Can we get a list of places that sell this FF maybe? Or maybe the one you go Puck (if you find it works well)?
 
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Yeah I'll get a list of parts together. I had been hoping to find the micro fishing reel, but Walmart didn't have any of the suggested brand (from Twocik), and the smaller reels were all $15-$30. Since I really wanted to keep this project within the reach of a normal budget, i took a pass on those and kept my little $4.99 (gotta check the brand and model number, i threw the box away).

As for the llsco parts, I hand tighten them for right now. I'm planing on getting a number of the long knobs for easy turning and attaching those to the hex nuts, but I havent gotten around to it yet.

I'm working on some illustrations (plus photos) to documet the building of this follow focus, kind of a tutorial, and I whould have it up with a full parts list in a couple of days.
 
I am looking forward to it.
When I go to Walmart, they have the $3.95 reel, but I don't think it will do the job. If you can find the model number, that would help greatly. Thanks
 
Sorry for the delay with the plans and parts. in the middle of moving AND editing at the same time. NOT the best combination. Plans will be up by the end of next week, at least I can promise that.
 
sorry guys, got wrapped up in a lot of work and I'm still trying to catch up. I'll try to look at that over the weekend and see if I can get it out to you. just get your jb weld ready and i promise it will be here soon...
 
Hi there - I'm really new to this, and I have read most of this thread, but mostly it leaves me still confused. Can I recap, and get somebody to correct me please?

Ideally, if I got a 1:1 ratio 90 degree gearbox, like this:

http://www.ondrives.com/products.asp?recnumber=20

...and put my large knob (hem hem) on one of the shafts, and a 32 pitch gear on the other shaft, and 32 tpi gear around the lens, and mounted it all rigidly to my rails, with a big spring holding the 32tpi cogs together at 14.5 degrees, would I have a pro quality follow focus, in principle?

I may have this ALL wrong. Even assuming this is right, I still don't know how to put teeth on the lens, how to mount it all, where to mount the spring, how big the 32tpi gear should be for 180 degree turn.

All advice appreciated. Like the look of that gearbox though!

Lucas
 
Yep, that should work. Backlash might be a problem and when I researched those 90 degree mitre gearboxes a year or so ago, it was around $65.00 for just the little box, so thanks to a DIY'er on here, I went with the fishing reel gearbox instead.
But yes, definitely can be done with what you are showing, in fact that is how the Indifocus first did it.
 
Thanks Wayne. Steel gears or plastic. I'm guessing steel might be unnecessary, and also that plastic might be quieter. Any experiences with that?

Many thanks
Lucas
 
What is backlash?

What is pressure angle? Angle from which axis?I am assuming that this means 14.5 degrees from vertical centre line of lens to focus gear meeting lens. Is that right?

What kind of spring do you guys use to keep the gear meshed to the lens?
 
People who made their own FF may post some detail photos. Even the detailed or dissassembled photos of the unit would help, in case you don't have time for a tutorial ;)

thanks

orkan.
 
fenigirl said:
Is there a way to build one of these FF for my stock (no 35mm adapter) dvx 100 a? And build it cheap?

Just curious if this gizmo does the same thing? It says it if for a 100 B though.......

http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzpfi.html


thanks.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's good. It's all electronic in control, which is better for the DVX lens without adapter. It's only we fools messing around with stiff manual 35mm lenses on the front of our cameras that need a mechanical follow focus. Unfortunately, there is no easy or cheap way to build this product you've linked to - even the mechanical ones will cost you more as they require 15mm rails to mount on etc. If you want a follow focus, one of these is just what you need, and that's not a bad price either.

All the best
Lucas
 
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