Affordable Electronic Follow Focus

S

sgttom

Well-known member
Looking for an electronic follow focus kit for under $600 bucks. I would be happy spending less but unfortunately $600 is about the most I am willing to spend at this time. Shooting non professional videos with my GH2 right now. Maybe the electronic aspect isn't necessary but I think it would come in handy considering I'll probably be pulling focus while operating the camera much of the time. Plus I shoot a lot of action stuff where manual focus would be difficult.

Anyhow I am looking at these options right now.

http://www.24shots.com/silencer-lite/
Silencer Lite


http://www.amazon.com/Opteka-FFR-900-Motorized-Controller-Camcorders/dp/B00AQNRXDS
Opteka FFR-900


https://www.motiondogs.com/wireless-follow-focus-kits-and-packages/1-lenzhound-base-kit.html
Lenzhound base kit

The Opteka is obviously is the cheapest one. I like it as it comes with the other accessories.

The silencer lite looks the most appealing to me. Looks like it might be higher quality and probably really handy for run and gun type stuff that I do.

At this ametuer cheap price range I know there is often not a lot of difference between the options. So I don't want to spend $600 on something that isn't much better then a $300 option.

ANY advice would be greatly appreciated or if anyone knows of some better options in the under $600 range. Or if you think an electronic follow focus is overkill.

THANKS!
 
Kind of narrowed it down between the Lenzhound and the Silencer.

Lenzhound seems to offer more precise control while the silencer seems to have a slight edge when it comes to run and gun.
 
My honest advice is to stay away from anything that doesn't have a proper wheel for focusing.

I have both the silencer and the aputure dec. For run & gun they may be just ok, but the Aputure Dec gives more control on camera/lenses without the hassle of cables.
The downside is that you're limited on lens choice.
If you're interested in buying the silencer give me a PM. I'm not using it.
 
Greg_E said:
Why no gears? Seems that should be an easier way to get accurate control.
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You mean gears instead of the rubber thing? They do offer geared versions of the lenzhound and the silencer. I'd have to shell out a little more cash though.

Or did you mean a wheel for adjusting the focus vs a trigger?

diegocervo said:
My honest advice is to stay away from anything that doesn't have a proper wheel for focusing.

I have both the silencer and the aputure dec. For run & gun they may be just ok, but the Aputure Dec gives more control on camera/lenses without the hassle of cables.
The downside is that you're limited on lens choice.
If you're interested in buying the silencer give me a PM. I'm not using it.
Click to expand...

Yeah I am using solely vintage Nikon lenses right now, the AI-S type. I'll probably heed your advice on the wheel
 
Neither of the systems you linked to looks like a portable, run & gun system to me. I think what you're wanting is a simple manual follow focus system.

You also mention that you shoot a lot of action "where manual focus would be difficult". Unless I'm missing something, you're still going to be focusing with these systems yourself, unless you have an AC pulling focus for you. I'd hate to see you waste your money on something you think you're getting and you're really not(a magic "focus" bullet).
 
3D printed gears are pretty cheap, should open up options. From the standpoint of single operator, I would think a geared follow focus with a right angle crank would be a better choice and under $200. Would need to see how you intend to operate the rig to make any other recommendations.
 
Greg_E said:
3D printed gears are pretty cheap, should open up options. From the standpoint of single operator, I would think a geared follow focus with a right angle crank would be a better choice and under $200. Would need to see how you intend to operate the rig to make any other recommendations.
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Thanks again. If it helps at all, I'll be using a camera slider(non electric), a standard tripod, and a shoulder rig something like this one.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71pQ3RfOvOL._AA1398_.jpg

I am going to be using it for a lot of different short films for youtube.

Run&Gun said:
Neither of the systems you linked to looks like a portable, run & gun system to me. I think what you're wanting is a simple manual follow focus system.

You also mention that you shoot a lot of action "where manual focus would be difficult". Unless I'm missing something, you're still going to be focusing with these systems yourself, unless you have an AC pulling focus for you. I'd hate to see you waste your money on something you think you're getting and you're really not(a magic "focus" bullet).
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Thank you. Thinking about it I guess the main benefit of an wireless or electronic focus is that it allows for a second man to do the focus pulling. So I guess it wouldn't have a lot of benefit when the camera man is both operating the camera and pulling the focus? I don't really know as I have very little experience. I understand that none of these devices will be magic though.
 

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The non-ergonomic shoulder mount is the problem because you can't use an external monitor with the gh2 unless you are shooting 1080 25/30PsF. If you alter the shoulder rig to use a single handle in the centerline of the camera mass, then you can free up the other hand for focus. Not great, but should let you use a conventional follow focus, or go light and turn the focus by hand. The slider would want a flexible whip on the follow focus, and the tripod can be whatever you want but a crank has advantages in changing the motion from twisting to an almost linear motion. Get something with hard stops for racking focus.

Fotga DP500 IIs is the suggested lowest priced follow focus, might sell under Neewer brand too.
 
I have the motion dogs. With the thumb wheel and a few accessories it's over $800. It has benefits like open source programming that you could use for time lapse but I kinda wish I tried the CAME-TV instead, which is also $800ish. The MD is not that powerful as a geared FF and not that precise with shor- throw still lenses. It works fine if you get used to it but I've used some high end FF units and it's a far cry from any of those. To use the thumb wheel you have to plug it into the controller, which is kinda weird to mount it to your rig.
 
Greg_E said:
The non-ergonomic shoulder mount is the problem because you can't use an external monitor with the gh2 unless you are shooting 1080 25/30PsF. If you alter the shoulder rig to use a single handle in the centerline of the camera mass, then you can free up the other hand for focus. Not great, but should let you use a conventional follow focus, or go light and turn the focus by hand. The slider would want a flexible whip on the follow focus, and the tripod can be whatever you want but a crank has advantages in changing the motion from twisting to an almost linear motion. Get something with hard stops for racking focus.

Fotga DP500 IIs is the suggested lowest priced follow focus, might sell under Neewer brand too.
Click to expand...
So if I were to shoot in 720p it wouldn't show up on my smallHD? Interesting I didn't know that. I rarely need to shoot in 720p but occasionally do for slow motion.

I guess I could make or buy a rig like this where the external monitor wouldn't be 100% necessary.

http://static1.squarespace.com/stat...113/HAGUE-TWIN-SHOULDER-RIG-6.jpg?format=500w

What would be a worth while step up from the Fotga as far as follow focuses go?

Tim Joy said:
I have the motion dogs. With the thumb wheel and a few accessories it's over $800. It has benefits like open source programming that you could use for time lapse but I kinda wish I tried the CAME-TV instead, which is also $800ish. The MD is not that powerful as a geared FF and not that precise with shor- throw still lenses. It works fine if you get used to it but I've used some high end FF units and it's a far cry from any of those. To use the thumb wheel you have to plug it into the controller, which is kinda weird to mount it to your rig.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the response. Yeah the CAME-TV is pretty similar in price. Looks like they have a kit for $550 which would be just barely in my budget. I am not expecting professional quality, I know there are a lot of units that go for thousands. I mean in my situation I think anything would be a big improvement on what I am working with now ya know.

Maybe I should just get a non electronic one for now and see how it works for me. I don't know.
 
Until you get a ways up in price, I doubt there is anything really better to use with a GH2 and still camera lenses than the DP500 IIs follow focus with A/B stops. Mostly what you gain is smaller, lighter assemblies. In general, the Fotga rigs are pretty decent, couple some parts from Small Rigs and you can build a winner. Save the money for SD cards, or a good audio recorder. When you start making lots of money, then you can decide if an expensive follow focus would work better. Only reason I would look for an electric unit is if I was going to hang the camera on a jib or gimbal, or have an AC operate it. Gets kind of tight around an SLR style rig.

As to the external monitor with the GH2, the camera will automatically switch to the 1080 mode when the hdmi cable is connected. Really sucks if you were trying to shoot in mjpeg at 2k and wanted a viewfinder to make your rig more ergonomic. It won't even allow 24fps at 1080.
 
Greg_E said:
Until you get a ways up in price, I doubt there is anything really better to use with a GH2 and still camera lenses than the DP500 IIs follow focus with A/B stops. Mostly what you gain is smaller, lighter assemblies. In general, the Fotga rigs are pretty decent, couple some parts from Small Rigs and you can build a winner. Save the money for SD cards, or a good audio recorder. When you start making lots of money, then you can decide if an expensive follow focus would work better. Only reason I would look for an electric unit is if I was going to hang the camera on a jib or gimbal, or have an AC operate it. Gets kind of tight around an SLR style rig.

As to the external monitor with the GH2, the camera will automatically switch to the 1080 mode when the hdmi cable is connected. Really sucks if you were trying to shoot in mjpeg at 2k and wanted a viewfinder to make your rig more ergonomic. It won't even allow 24fps at 1080.
Click to expand...

That sucks. I'll guess I'll be using the camera monitor more then I wanted to then or I'll put the viewfinder hood to use.

I'm going to go with that unit you suggested. I really appreciate the help. Maybe I'll get a new Graphics card with the money saved for editing.
 
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