building a follow focus

Re: building a follow focus

Instead of rails or mounting a hand crank on the external mic mount, you could base your design off one of these...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=131401&is=REG

Maybe you could attach the FF wheel to the outside of the handle mentioned above. You would gain a couple of accessory hot shoe mounts in the process.

Would this allow the flipout LCD to open? Don't know... just thinking aloud, here.
 
Re: building a follow focus

hmm might block the lcd. also would prevent from mounting on a tripod. im trying to run with the mic mount idea. and in the design, still have a place for the mic to mount, but further out by a centimeter or so.
 
Re: building a follow focus

How about something like this? It wouldn't require rails, or the mic mount, etc. Just clamps on and goes.
followfocus.jpg
 
Re: building a follow focus

KAI :) cool idea, i like it. simple and looks nice. but im wondering what would you clamp it to? not the focus ring cause it needs to turn.
 
Re: building a follow focus

a lower mount of the focus knob would be better.  heres a sample casing

ringmountcase.gif


the top and bottom hemisphere would be made of ABS plastic and split to reduce cost and joined with two screws from the top.  the gears and all that would be in the bottom hemisphere.
 
Re: building a follow focus

exactly! :) IAL, it would clamp to the solid area just behind the focus ring, and infront of the zoom ring...
 
Re: building a follow focus

as for rods.. I machined my own set, and to be fair it did take me a ton of time but actuall cost of materials was probally about 99 cents.

mount4.jpg
 
Re: building a follow focus

and I like the way this is going :)
 
Re: building a follow focus

there's also the little screw hole meant to hold the zoom handle when not in use. obviously not very sturdy... but maybe it could be used to line up a more solid grip that would clamp around that shaft? this higher position would also allow full access to all the controls on that side of the camera.
 
Re: building a follow focus

yeah jarred who did you make the base for your rod system and can it still fit quick release plates for tripod/steadicam?
I too like where this thread is going a decent cheap follow focus would be a great idea.
 
Re: building a follow focus

[quote author=jmproductions13 link=board=Links;num=1087426948;start=15#23 date=06/18/04 at 08:32:15]hmm.. interesting idea, but could interfere with zoom ring[/quote]

Could always manufacture an 'extension' for the Zoom ring as well?
 
Re: building a follow focus

I made that base.. and yes it is used with a QR system, in fact there is a Bogen QR plate on there in the photo.
 
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