Anyone using FF on "stock" Canon/Fuji CAC lenses?

E

EditingFX

Well-known member
Been shooting more film-style lately, and would enjoy the option of using an AC pulling focus, BUT, the travel on "stock" (basically the 500 package lenses) ENG glass is SO freaking short for critical focus, I'm wondering how useful a FF unit will be. (Due to the super-short critical focus travel.)
Anyone using a FF with these "ENG" lenses with success?
 
I asked one of the FF vendors (forget which) some time ago if their unit "geared down" the focus travel - made more travel on the FF wheel than there'd be on the lens barrel - but the answer was no. How's yours in that regard Seth?
 
nope it doesnt - i use the chrosziel - but my 1st AC, Aileen Taylor, is ZEN when it comes to pulling focus and she nails it all the time. I dont know if the travel on the ENG bothers her or not
 
Good AC's deal with it all the time. That said you need to know what to ask of them. With the 500 in stock configuration there are things I certainly wouldn't try to do.
Like a tight follow of an actor running at the camera.
 
I have the same trouble with the short travel. It's really hard to dial in a quick and accurate focus.

We use Varizoom focus controllers for our studio stuff, and I asked them the same thing regarding a way to change the gear ratio and got the same response you did - no!

Although it won't help for run and gun shoulder-mount situations, I did just order a couple of 8" HD monitors from Luis. Hopefully that will help.
 
A lot of times if the action is fast enough using the hyperfocal distance can help. If your ac has charts for your lens that is. That way they can put the actor in a zone of acceptable focus and away you go. Works best if you can give them a little stop to work with say a 4-5.6 split. WFO you're on your own.
Used to have a program called palmcam and palmcine that ran on palm that was very handy for those kind of calculations.
 
using hyperfocal distance essentially removes all bokeh - everything will be in focus from 1/2 hyperfocal to infinity - that is basically removing all need for focusing.

I think you mean to use charts to put action within the DOF for a particular stop and lens and know what the tolerances are- I do this all the time - i printed a binder of the charts for my lenses in 2 mm increments - its a large binder but on my sets we call it "the magic book"
 
i like the physical charts because i can zero in on the numbers i want - i think those apps are really good if you know what lens you are using and need to knwo the DOF - but often i find myself looking for a combination of stop/lens/distance to get a specific look
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top