Anyone using the DFocus?

K

KyranFord

Well-known member
Does anyone use the DFocus? I want to get a new follow focus (upgrading from indiFOCUSpro), that is on a lower budget, yet still performs well.

If anyone could let me know how they like the DFocus, or if anyone uses it or has used it, reviews would be much appreciated.
 
I own one.

Pros
  • Very affordable (~$200)
  • Very lightweight
  • Easy to operate
  • Comes with a marking disk and a gear; other gears and disks sold separately at good prices
  • Can be attached to the camera (without rails) via the D|Mount ($40)
  • Industry Standard accessory port (I use a Redrock microWhip with it)
  • You can mount it on smart side or dumb side of the camera with no problem

Cons

  • Made almost entirely of plastic, it will warp after extensive field use. The transfer gear on mine is already starting to wobble.
  • Dents and scratches easily
  • Can be mounted on rails, which is ideal, but the transfer gear cannot be raised like higher end FF units (think O'Connor, Arri). Because of this, I've had problems getting the unit to make contact with the lens gear when the camera is sitting up high. I'm using 2" screws and washers to raise it off the rail block, which is a Cinevate rail block, by the way, and is much sturdier and adaptable than the low-quality rail block that comes with the D|Focus.
  • 1/8" backlash
  • Gearbox is exposed - seriously, this worries me on every shoot. I'm thinking of building a little encasement for it. I bring a small can of grease to every shoot in case it gets dirt or something in the gears from the elements.
  • If you use it with the D|Mount, it will come loose every hour or so, requiring you to stop shooting and tighten the 1/4-20 screw with a quarter or a screw driver.
  • No alternating (for faster/slower speeds) or reversing (for using different lens brands) gear box (at this price point, that's wishful thinking anyway)

In my opinion, it is a decent starter FF, but you are better off spending twice or three times the money on something like a Cinefocus from Shoot35. I've used that unit, IndiSYSTEM's, and D|Focus, and the D|Focus is not really an upgrade from IndiSYSTEM. The Cinefocus is, however.
 
I just picked up the new(ish) Ikan Cine Follow Focus to replace my indifocus mini. Excellent build quality, solid metal, smooth action and several great accessories (whip, crank, 2 variable lens gears) for $400. Overall, I think at the price, it's really an excellent bargain. I'll be putting it through it's paces on an 8 day shoot starting tomorrow.
 
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