a few questions re: follow focus

A

anu

Member
Hi everyone,
I am looking at getting the follow focus for the Panasonic DVX 102 A here in India. My dealer says its not compatible with the model??? Chroziel were kind of vague but their dealer in India also says that its not compatible.... ???
I am confused..how is that possible?
Also could someone please direct me to a link that would explain how the follow focus would be attached to the camera and how it works?
Thank you very much
Anu
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

Thank you. I did look at the site. But it is talking about DVX100 and i am buying the DVX 102 A . I am wondering if both are the same? ???
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

Same thing.
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

Oh? Thanks TC. I wonder why the dealers here said the follow focus wouldnt work. ???

So, if i were to get the follow focus rig, could i be several feet away from the camera and control the focus or do i need to actually reach over to do it? There is no control panel displayed there...so am i correct in assuming that if i put my camera on a crane, i cannot control the focus unless i am with the camera on the crane?

:-/
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

Anu,

the Chrosziel follow focus does not allow remote operation of the focus. In other words, yes, you'd have to be right at the camera to turn the follow focus knob, thus you couldn't control the focus if the camera was out of reach on a crane.

It looks from the photos that the Chrozsiel knob allows the use of an extension (or "whip"), which is a flexible rod with a knob at one end, that fits into the center of the focus knob and allows you to pull the focus without being right next to the camera, but such an extension will only get you a short distance from the camera (typically such whips are around 12"), certainly not enough to work the focus when the camera's on a crane.
 
Re: a few questions re: follow focus

Thank you Stas! You are right though. 12" is way too short for what i need. This certainly makes things difficult. My Producer is bent on the PD 170 cos we could use the LANC controls for focus and i showed him articles re the Panasonic DVX 102's superior perfromance ( and the PD 170's problems)
this remote focus control for the DVX 102 would tilt things in its favour. I am concerned that with the kind of problems PD 170 has ( as written on camcorderinfo message board) we might be making a mistake going in for the PD 170 instead of the DVX 102 A :( :-/
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

Unless the majority of your film will be shot from a crane, the DVX will likely suit you a lot better than the PD-170.  With the exception of the LANC port and more sensitive low-light performance, the Sony isn't in the DVX's league as a cinema-style production camera.

The DVX's focus ring is much more responsive and allows for repeatable focus, the camera offers a true manual zoom, and countless adjustable image parameters (gamma curves being of prime importance), and of course, multiple frame rates.

Hopefully, you'll convince your producer that remote focus isn't enough of a reason to choose the PD-170 over the DVX.
 
Re: a few questions re: follow focus

or maybe we can interchange cameras ....dont know how much of a problem interlace mode vs progressive would be when we intercut when transferring to film..hmmmm interesting. let me see.
Thank you Stas
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

I think that the biggest problem with interchanging between cameras would be that the DVX footage would look SO different from the PD footage.
 
Re: a few questions re: follow focus

Anu, be sure to get the Century Lens Gear. It will mate with the Chrosziel drive gear perfectly. The Chrosziel drive gear pulls out (not threaded) and can be swapped to either side, allowing the FF to be mounted for LH or RH use.
 
Re: a few questions follow focus

Re: a few questions follow focus

Hi Bill

Thank you for that input. Is there any way i can put in a cable or something that can enable me to handle the focus control from a distance? now THAT's the 64 million $ question huh? :) ???
 
Re: a few questions re: follow focus

Hope I'm not treading over old territory, but can one use the follow focus with the anamorhic adapter? I know the focus is whacked with the adapter and I have the book and charts to make it right. So, how would you make it correct with a follow focus, or can you?
 
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