Day Dreaming- Follow Focus + Steadicam + D90

F

fotobywes

Active member
I'm loving my D90 on my GlideCam, but there are times when I'd really like to be able to adjust the focus without de-stabilizing the rig.

I'm not interested in spending more than my D90 cost me for a remote-controlled follow focus, such as Arri's Wireless Compact Unit:


I've used a VariZoom in the past and been very comfortable with it:


Although I haven't tried, I'm thinking that it would be fairly easy to rig it up for use on my GlideCam.

I wouldn't be opposed to a remote, mechanical system, such as that from Zacuto:


I'm wondering if there are any other lightweight, DIY, indy options out there that I should consider. I searched through the DVX archives with little success. I'd prefer not to spend more than a thousand.

I'm guessing that I might as well invest in a rail system, so that I can use the follow focus on more than just one lens.

Any suggestions?
 
Check out Pete Hoare's (Hoarp001) Remote follow focus - its coming out relatively soon, no set date yet that I'm aware of though. Should fit in your budget and do what you need. The Arri is of course ideal and I've tried whips and mechanical follow focuses on steadicam - not a good idea. Torques the rig all over the place.
 
thanks, jeff

thanks, jeff

You confirmed my suspicion about mechanical remote cables on a SteadiCam- they could torque the rig & ruin the shot.
 
Not to mention you are then operated one handed if you are the one pulling focus... Someone else pulling focus is just going to get in the way that close to the rig too. Careful planning of shots and deep depth of field can help get around the need for a remote ff in some cases though. Consult a DOF chart and see whats possible.
 
daydreamin' bokeh

daydreamin' bokeh

I was thinking of steadicam shots that combined pacing a subject with an extremely shallow DOF- pulling focus from, say, background streetlights at night to a foreground subject.
 
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