ANyone interested in a $299 Follow Focus?

I'm going to look around a bit more for the L brackets since my problem may just be not looking hard enough, but if I can't find them by this weekend, I'll send you an email.

To be honest, my work is so ultra-low budget that I can't even afford real 3X3 filters so I'll probably just use circular filters and buy a used cokin system (I know, I know...) off ebay for ND grads, etc. so I for one would definitely be interested in plans for a rail system. If there's a way to make one with 15mm rods, I assume other people would be, too, simply because the "real thing" is so absurdly over priced.
 
I'd definately be interested in a follow focus for that price range. I might even kick in a few bucks forr plans and a parts list.

J Patnaude :beer:
 
Now see, this is what keeps happening. I think I'm about finished with the book "...and...they...drag...me...back...in..."

I'll keep you posted. The rail/matte box looks good. Follow focus, probably not. I'll never get this to press if I keep adding stuff!

Dan
www.DVcameraRigs.com
 
How about a follow focus that is made of aircraft grade aluminum, doesn't need camera modifications, isn't made of cheap plastic, or have a wooden handle?
It's called the indiFOCUS, and it is $299.99 complete.
Will update next week with new website, more pictures, and input from the unit testers.
Will begin taking orders September 18th, 2005, with a lead time of about 7 days.
 
If that comes to pass, then happy birthday to me! (the 18th). What about hard stops? Or did I miss that message.

Fox

Focus This! said:
How about a follow focus that is made of aircraft grade aluminum, doesn't need camera modifications, isn't made of cheap plastic, or have a wooden handle?
It's called the indiFOCUS, and it is $299.99 complete.
Will update next week with new website, more pictures, and input from the unit testers.
Will begin taking orders September 18th, 2005, with a lead time of about 7 days.
Click to expand...
 
Sirius_Doggy said:
I suspect you would lose alot of sales using the middle finger as part of your logo. Not very professional at all.
It would sort of remind me of those mudflaps with the chrome women sillouettes....
Click to expand...

I dunno. My clients seem to like the chrome-woman silhouette on my MatteBlox...
 
I have only been testing for about 20 minutes, but I can say that by the time this system comes into production for the price point it will be a very versatile piece to any filmmakers gear package.
 
Just got mine last night, and started playing with it. I'll post a more indepth review later, with some additional pix, but from the first impressions this unit is worth the money.
 
My Review / Thoughts-

My Review / Thoughts-

Here are my thoughts, you can download the PDF or just read on:

Edit: See below.
 
pookie said:
Well done review Ryan, well described.
Click to expand...

Thanks. :grin:

pookie said:
But no hard stops, and some play in the wheel....hmm....
Click to expand...

Yeah, not deal breakers for me, seeing as how it only cost $299 and not $1000. (And it was free to the testers - so hey can't beat that price. :laugh: )
 
I'm also evaluating this unit, but in all fairness to Tim I think we need to check with him regarding the posting pictures and provision of information on the unfinished beta units. I'm not under a written NDA, but I think it almost goes without saying...

I've expressed my concerns (also using the Cavision rods, handgrips, 4x4 hardshade) on the beta unit and expect to have a conversation with Mr. Ovel moving forward.

I'm interested to see that Waltind mounted his on the operator's right side instead of the left - don't you want the assistant to be able to use the side-out oriented LCD viewfinder? I reversed my Cavision baseplate differently, so the standard 15mm x 10" rods are more than long enough for dual handgrips / bracket and mattebox / bracket and t-riser with room for more if necessary (shoulder pod).

Once I hear from Tim one way or another, I'll post a review and some more images of my left-mounted beta indiFocus.

e
 
overlandfilms said:
I'm also evaluating this unit, but in all fairness to Tim I think we need to check with him regarding the posting pictures and provision of information on the unfinished beta units. I'm not under a written NDA, but I think it almost goes without saying...
Click to expand...

Good point. I've edited my post - you'll have to forgive me, I'm new to this testing thing ... learn something new every day.

overlandfilms said:
I've expressed my concerns (also using the Cavision rods, handgrips, 4x4 hardshade) on the beta unit and expect to have a conversation with Mr. Ovel moving forward.
Click to expand...

Yeah, Tim's got this handled, and is working on refinements. I'm sure that It'll be great when it's done.

overlandfilms said:
I'm interested to see that Waltind mounted his on the operator's right side instead of the left - don't you want the assistant to be able to use the side-out oriented LCD viewfinder?
Click to expand...

I took these pictures after working with the unit and having adjusted it to see how many different ways I could get it to fit with the camera. So yes, this is not the original method of attachment, but another option.

overlandfilms said:
I reversed my Cavision baseplate differently, so the standard 15mm x 10" rods are more than long enough for dual handgrips / bracket and mattebox / bracket and t-riser with room for more if necessary (shoulder pod).
Click to expand...

I'd love to see a picture of how you've got it mounted, I just can't get that much stuff on there, but then again, maybe I had it on there backwards from the begining....
 
overlandfilms said:
I reversed my Cavision baseplate differently, so the standard 15mm x 10" rods are more than long enough for dual handgrips / bracket and mattebox / bracket and t-riser with room for more if necessary (shoulder pod).
e
Click to expand...

So I've put everything back together "Correctly" and I cannot get the focus to mount on the left side with the rods, only on the right, unless I reverse the rods then I can mount it on either side. How is it that you are able to get all of that on there? What am I missing ...

this keeps getting in my way:
CAVISIONPlate.jpg
 
Ryan, don't mind you posting your reviews...
I made up my mind when I began this product that the usual "inventor hang-ups" of NDAs, 'protection', etc. wasn't the route that I wanted to go. This doesn't mean that I WON'T go after anyone that attempts to steal my product/designs, just that I am not worried about everyone knowing the products history--initial warts and all!
This isn't a shot at anyone in particular, but there are a few products being developed/for sale that seemed to be very secretive, etc. Adds to the 'vaporware' feel. I stated back in June that I would have a product at $299 and done on August 1st. I missed the August date by a few weeks, but the price is still at $299.
 
Focus This! said:
Ryan, don't mind you posting your reviews...
Click to expand...

Well in that case, as I said before, I think that this is a great product. and here is my review again ... :thumbsup:

In PDF form with pictures:
http://www.waltersindustries.com/WIIndiFOCUSReview.pdf

Just the text:

IndiFOCUS Review
By Ryan Walters 09/20/2005
Walters Industries
http://www.waltersindustries.com

Here are my thoughts on the indiFOCUS unit that I received from Tim Ovel to evaluate and test.

When I first picked up the unit it felt very solid, and well built. The parts are made from aluminum, and seem to be well machined. Assembly was a snap, or more accurately a screw. The unit came pre-adjusted to fit to my DVX, so all I had to do was to loosen the screw that held the rail clamps, and tighten it down once in place. VERY EASY. I then went to put on my CAVISION matte box and ran into my first problem, the matte box would not fit. (See picture 01 & 02 below.) The box part of the indiFOCUS blocked the matte box from sliding any closer to the lens. And the indiFOCUS could not slide back any further as it was up against the base plate. So I decided to flip the camera around on the base plate and slide the rails through to the other side. I could now slide the indiFOCUS further back underneath the camera allowing the matte box to be attached to the lens – Except that the rails that I have are only 10” long, and in this reverse setting that barely extend to the end of the lens. So this solution will work for attaching the indiFOCUS and the CAVISION matte box, but I will need to buy longer rails for it to work. I also noticed that with my current 10” rails, I have to take the indiFOCUS off of the rails before attaching, or removing the camera from the Bogen 501 head I was using - as the tightening knob hung down far enough to prevent me from releasing the quick release plate from the tripod head. I suspect that this problem will go away when I have the longer rails.

So now I began to play with the unit and it does seem to be pretty rugged, but yet simple to use and adjust. (It also looked cool attached to the camera – extra points for the coolness factor.) An Allen wrench is included to adjust the height of the unit, which does not need to be done, as it was preset. (I did test this part anyway and it was easy to adjust, and it looks like it could fit almost any camera as the height is easily adjustable.) You can view sample footage of this unit in action at http://www.waltersindustries.com/wiskdfftest.html .

The indiFOCUS uses a wheel to turn the focus wheel, and it took some playing with to find the right contact spot, but once it was found it worked great. I would recommend placing the indiFOCUS so that the middle part of the wheel makes as much contact as possible. This will provide the greatest grip and prevent slippage. If it is not positioned correctly and you do a quick rack focus the wheel will slip a little. The indiFocus can also be adjusted left to right to provide a snugger fit against the focus wheel, this will also provide a greater reliability when focusing.

I found the indiFOCUS to be very easy and comfortable to use. I much prefer to have the focus on the side of the camera rather then having to use the ring on the lens. It felt much more ergonomical this way. It is also supplied with a red grease pencil for marking the plastic ring with the focus points. Marking the focus points was effortless as the supplied pencil work well for the job. I did find that there was a little bit a play in the knob. This did not appear to be that big of a deal as I was still able to hit my marks when using the unit. But when the knob is not being turned, there is a small amount of play in it. (Probably about 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch give or take.) The other significant thing I noticed was a lack of a hard stop. In other words this unit will keep spinning just like the focus ring does. While this was not a major issue for me, I know that it will be an issue for others who desire a hard stop on their follow focus. Because there is not a hard stop on this unit you need to watch how much you turn the knob. Set up your marks, and then use those marks, do not keep turning the knob. While most of the time I was able to come back to the marks and use them again, it is possible to turn the knob so that the marks end up on the other side of the wheel. (Again not a big deal, just something you need to be aware of while using it.)

To purchase or make an inquiry about the indiFOCUS please contact Tim Ovel at timovel@hotmail.com .

SUMMARY JUDGEMENT:
Pro’s:
-Great price- $299
-Rugged / solid design
-Repeatable focus pulls, you’ll hit you mark.
-Hey, it looks cool on your camera!

Con’s:
-No hard stop
-A little “play” in the knob
-A bit cumbersome when trying to mount with a matte box.
-If not set correctly, the wheel can slip.

I would give this unit a strong 3.5 out of 5 stars. Removing the play in the knob, and adding a hard stop would make this a 5 out of 5. I would recommend this unit for the budget minded user who doesn’t require a hard stop, and wants a well-built piece of gear. Repeatable focus pulls are much easier with the use of the indiFOCUS, and more comfortable too.
 
Ryan, Barry and all the other DVX / Cavision users, here is my set-up:

indifocus1.jpg


In this shot you can see how I reversed the RS15IIM camera plate on the riser to form a "C" configuration instead of the typical reverse "S" as is normally the case. The iris rod tensioner L-nut is at the back of the assy. instead of the mattebox end.

e
 
overlandfilms said:
Ryan, Barry and all the other DVX / Cavision users, here is my set-up:

indifocus1.jpg


In this shot you can see how I reversed the RS15IIM camera plate on the riser to form a "C" configuration instead of the typical reverse "S" as is normally the case. The iris rod tensioner L-nut is at the back of the assy. instead of the mattebox end.

e
Click to expand...

Thanks. I'll give that a try. Looks like a good solution.
 
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