Cheap Follow Focus, but which one?

L

Lazy Monkey

Member
Hello,
I am looking for a cheap Follow Focus and I've already found three pretty good ones, but I can't decide which one to choose. That's why I'm asking the more experienced people here, who already might have worked with them, for their opinion.

I know that none of them is perfect. That's why they're cheap. But I'm low on money, I'm not pro at all and seriously, 1675$ for a Zacuto FF? That's more that my camera + the equipment cost.

However, here are the three FFs and I want to know, which one might be better, or maybe I even should make one by myself instead of spending money for these:

http://gt35pro-followfocus.blogspot.com/

http://jag35.com/new/products/dfocus/

http://www.indisystem.com/products/indifocus_mini


Any answer would be much appreciated. Thank you!
 
I offer you an opinion. None of those three FF units look a/ like they will last too long b/ like they will not have backlash - looseness in the gearboox. Now the second point there is critical when you are marking focus points on your unit, and if they have have it then the unit is more or less useless.

So Id say, if you cant afford something of quality now, save your money and pull focus by hand. Yeah its better to have a FF for many reasons, but a crap FF, not worth it.
 
Noel Evans said:
I offer you an opinion. None of those three FF units look a/ like they will last too long b/ like they will not have backlash - looseness in the gearboox. Now the second point there is critical when you are marking focus points on your unit, and if they have have it then the unit is more or less useless.

So Id say, if you cant afford something of quality now, save your money and pull focus by hand. Yeah its better to have a FF for many reasons, but a crap FF, not worth it.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for your answer.
Your point about the unit is absolutely right. Guess it's only decorative if it's not replaceable.

However, as I've already said, I really can't afford the expensive stuff, because it's way too expensive. I'm not pro, I won't use it every day, I don't make money with my filming (yet). Therefore issues like backlash don't really matter to me (but I guess they should).

Can you recommend me another "cheap" and maybe still good FF?
I don't want to spend more money on the FF than I've spent on my 35mm Adapter (360$).
 
It's 449$
Definitely not affordable for me.

Nevertheless, thank you for the tip! This one looks very good.

Any other suggestions? Maybe in between these price range?
 
I guess you could always bide your time and wait for something to come up used. A decent FF used is better than any of those new.
 
Noel is right. Used pro gear is cheaper than new semi-pro gear on the long run.
Best bang for the buck.

Ebay is your friend.

Frank
 
Alright, after weeks of waiting, searching and informing, the plan with buying an expensive, but used FF hasn't worked out.
Also I've read that many indi-filmmakers are very comfortable with the cheap ones. I am not picky, as long as the think does the job, but I have to admit, that the FF from Singapore (Link in my first post) doesn't look very reliable, that's why I reduced my options to the indiFOCUSpro and the D|Focus v.3. Maybe even the PROAIM FF, which is more expensive, but I've read that some users like it more than the other two.

Since I'm still waiting for an answer from Tim regarding a possible purchase of the indiFOCUSpro (and I'm very impatient), I'd like to know what you think of the other two, or if you could compare them and tell me which one is better.

I know that compared to Redrock, Arri and Zacuto they are all bad, but that's okay for me.

Did someone already test the D|Focus v.3? Is it better than the indiFOCUSpro? Or the PROAIM?
 
kostas said:
From my experience you will never get an answer.
Unless you call.
Click to expand...

Well, that's a pity. Calling from Germany might be a little expensive.

However, does somebody have an opinion about the above-mentioned products?
I mean the CAVISION FF, the indiFOCUSpro and the D|Focus v.3.

Which one is more reliable?
 
I've been using the D|focus for professional work. For the money, it works... but...

Just tried to order some rail parts from the Jag35 page. Added one focus gear.

Shipping jumped 10 BUCKS. I emailed 'em to verify that an extra ounce doubled my shipping. They said it was correct. Looks like every item you add bumps it up another $10.

Guess I really have a problem with the "screw the customer" idea. Even if your system is automated, you should be able to stick a tiny part like that in a box and credit back some money.

Seeing more of that these days - "We're a low cost indie supporting bla bla..." and then get nailed with stuff like ripoff shipping (try to buy a $10 switch from cool lights, get charged $27 shipping). I'll switch to the redrock gears (pretty much evens out with shipping) and eventually dump the jag system altogether.

I'll sometimes compromise on product features, but lousy service? Won't go there.
 
Thank you very much for your answer!
Yes, you're right: the shipping costs are insanely high.
I live in Germany, so the shipping won't get cheaper.
 
If you don't mind me saying but in my opinion Shooting Videos isn't really a thing you can be too thrifty about.

It is an expensive business and if you buy cheap you have to figure that they are cheap for a reason.
 
Yes, but as I said, I don't care.
I heard enough good reviews about the cheap things, and I mean, I don't even use a Letus or Redrock, but a DIY 35mm Adapter. Therefore I'm not really demanding.
A play of 2mm is okay, so I really prefer the PROAIM FF from Cine City, but on the other hand I need flexible gears, therefore the SnapGears would be perfect.
 
IMO cheap follow focus = too many problems. The Cavision's are the cheapest I have seen that work, reliably.
 
i'm getting the D/Focus v3 when it's back in stock. Seems to be lots of happy, experienced customers. CAVision is too pricey, is my guess. Whyw would you want to buy from some place that doesn't publish its prices on the net anyway? that's just weird.

i've heard lots of good things about shoot35's FF, but the exchange rate and price are 2 much 4 me. Maybe the price is closer to D/Focus in germania.

If you listened to everyone who said you can't make a film w/o $10K's of budget and only the topoftheline gear, you'd never make an effing movie!!
 
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