Cheap Follow Focus, but which one?
- Thread starter Lazy Monkey
- Start date
This is the one im interested in aswell. Do you know if it has a 0.8 film-pitch to it? Whats the difference between the pro and mini besides the height adjustment?
Thanks
Chris Wysocki
Lazy Monkey
Member
That's a (short) review I've been waiting for! Thank you.
Well, the indiFOCUSpro is my favorite right now. It's just the facts that it has the snap-gears I can easily exchange between my two lenses (Canon FD) and that I can always count on a fair service, that make it so lucrative.
About the others:
D|Focus v.3: would be my other favorite, but unfortunately the gears are not easily to exchange and need to be readjusted every time. Also they're not included in the D|Focus package (which is, in my opinion, closefisted) and the shipping is very pricey.
Cavision: Where's the price? Alright, maybe it's a very good FF with very little play, but I don't like the idea of ordering the price-list. Why do they need to make things so complicated?
Cine-City: Very little play, as I've heard, BUT they do not refund. Also the gears are not exchangeable. Maybe it's the point where all FFs lose to indiFOCUSpro.
RedRock and Shoot35: unfortunately too expensive for me. I just can't afford it. If I could, I would buy from shoot35.
I'll stick with the indoFOCUSpro, although I'm very disappointed, that Tim doesn't respond to my E-Mails. I'll have to call him, but first gotta find out, how to call very cheap from Germany...
Zissou, I have two questions:
- I've seen many pictures of the indiFOCUSpro with some kind of rubber wheel. Was it an old version or is it still like this?
- What is the cine-pitch driver gear for?
ethanwaber
New member
Nice info
Well said! I agree. I ordered the ultracompact from Tim by phone and got it in 3 days. So far I have no complaints about his service. Many of his products look to have revisions done to them. My indicompact has many features on it that isnt pictured on his website. When I talked to him on the phone he said that he was going to update his website with the latest revision pics. I was already happy with the construction of the ultracompact in the pics and it was a super plus to see the new features when i recieved the product. I have pics here , http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=130480&page=64
Tim needs an Iphone so he can check his emails!!! :laugh:
I just call. Its the easiest way!
Chris Wysocki
Paul Hudson
Vacuum Tube Member
Here is the link to the Cavision $495.00: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/621597-REG/Cavision_RFD15SF_RFD15SF_Advanced_Mini.html
Chris Santucci
Veteran
There's this also: http://www.hangrip.com/index.php?pa...category_id=13&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
.
.
looks like the jag35.com version
Chris Santucci
Veteran
Oops, yeah, I guess it is. That's probably the bottom of the heap, then.
.
.
Rick Burnett
Section Moderator
I own the DFocus V2. For a casual user of the follow focus myself, it works AWESOME. I don't find any backlash in it, the operation is VERY tight (and this is on the previous version) and would HIGHLY recommend it.
I see all this 'only buy pro gear' but I am going to be quite frank here, cost is not indicative of quality in all cases. Unless you've actually used these follow focus units, making an opinion on how they operate is not very helpful. What is an acceptable compromise to some is not to others. Like the D-Focus, it performs WELL above its cost basis. I own this follow focus and have used it for many paying gigs already and it performed without ANY problems. (rings not included).
What I will say is avoid the rings from Jag35. I found them to be horrible. I am planning on trying out the snap rings from indi as I have some other of their stuff and am VERY happy with it (their rail system). I just felt like the Dfocus was better constructed and the reviews at the time from experienced users seemed to really favor the Dfocus more. It was a great investment and at $139.99 it is a really great bargain.
Sure, I would agree that at $2k follow focus is going to be more solid in construction and last you a lot longer, but it doesn't mean you cannot get good results from some of the cheaper models. I would buy the DFocus again in a heartbeat. (Just not the rings). Even if this follow focus broke in a year, it would still be worth it. Especially considering the cost differential.
I ran into this same problem when buying a stabilizer, all these people talking about $3k rigs that it was a waste of money to buy anything less. Well I bought the blackbird stabilizer for $600 and it was THE BEST investment I have made yet other than a camera itself. I did tons of research and watched tons of footage and can tell you, it performs awesome.
I see all this 'only buy pro gear' but I am going to be quite frank here, cost is not indicative of quality in all cases. Unless you've actually used these follow focus units, making an opinion on how they operate is not very helpful. What is an acceptable compromise to some is not to others. Like the D-Focus, it performs WELL above its cost basis. I own this follow focus and have used it for many paying gigs already and it performed without ANY problems. (rings not included).
What I will say is avoid the rings from Jag35. I found them to be horrible. I am planning on trying out the snap rings from indi as I have some other of their stuff and am VERY happy with it (their rail system). I just felt like the Dfocus was better constructed and the reviews at the time from experienced users seemed to really favor the Dfocus more. It was a great investment and at $139.99 it is a really great bargain.
Sure, I would agree that at $2k follow focus is going to be more solid in construction and last you a lot longer, but it doesn't mean you cannot get good results from some of the cheaper models. I would buy the DFocus again in a heartbeat. (Just not the rings). Even if this follow focus broke in a year, it would still be worth it. Especially considering the cost differential.
I ran into this same problem when buying a stabilizer, all these people talking about $3k rigs that it was a waste of money to buy anything less. Well I bought the blackbird stabilizer for $600 and it was THE BEST investment I have made yet other than a camera itself. I did tons of research and watched tons of footage and can tell you, it performs awesome.
Michael Carter
Veteran
This came up a few times in this thread - keep in mind that Cavision is a manufacturer first - not a 1-guy having stuff machines for his web store type of operation.
Their gear is widely distributed (Adorama, B&H, Etc). When you go to Canon.com, they don't show prices on their gear, either.
well not to be a jerk, but actually they do.
Zissou
Well-known member
then ill elaborate and write a fuller review. Ask any questions you want or PM me; ill answer anything i have experience in dealing with or try to point you in the right direction if i cannot.
Indisystem IndiFocusPro review (et al, i also use an indiRAILSpro DSLR sm with 18" CF rods and Snap gears for the FF).
i shoot a lot of racing (from F1 to SCCA) but mostly indoor material (ads and music videos), i take care of my gear as do my employees, but all together i stress safety and care more with the solid-state recorders, lenses, lights, cameras, and cables than i do with the 'hard parts' ie FF, MB, rails/rigs, tripods/heads etc. im not worried about the indi gear getting bashed up; its solid and easily replaceable, and affordably so. as such none of it is ever packed in foam or hard cases, mostly loosely in canvas bags, and has held up. i really didnt expect it to. even the crass manhandling baggage handlers (no offense to anyone associated but travel is rather rough on gear) at airports havent managed to damage anything to date.
the indifocuspro works EXACTLY as advertised, near-zero backlash (mine is maybe 1/3 to 1/2 of a mm max only at minimum and maximum focal distances, generally the lenses i use cause 'harder' focus stops because they have a solid 'end focus point'), very smooth engagement (dependent on how tightly you mesh the lens gear with the FF gear, generally idiotproof unless you mash them very tightly, in which case you are by definition of the 'idiotproof' clause stated above, you are an idiot lol).
the focusing wheel is covered in grippy rubber, but just a small layer around a hard plastic cylinder, it has one moveable 'guide' screw and a white disc to mark focus points and comes with a grease pen to mark focus points; it all works just fine and focus marks wipe right off. there is nothing wrong with using the FF wheel to pull focus, but a whip is more buffered due to the cable flexing and more precise, at least in our experience.
aside from the vertical adjustment i do not know of any differences between the normal DSLR FF/zoom FF and the indiFFPro, i have not used the indifocusMini/indifocusZoom so i wouldnt know, but i use both DSLR's and videocameras, and we use the indiFocusPro's for both. worse comes to worse the vertical adjustment comes in handy because then we do not have to realign the matteboxes, 35mm adapter if applicable, camera/camcorder and associated gear; this saves time between shoots and pain in the rear factors, same with the Snap gears. when i buy another FF i will make sure it is vertically adjustable. the indisystem FF is pretty solid, and for the money exceeded my expectations.
i used the rubber wheel once or twice, and had my engine builder/rig builder (who built me both a daily driveable 500whp/520wtq TT motor for my Z32 300ZX, and a custom riser system for a 35lb cam system among other random bits of gear) make me a stainless steel handle/2 feet long cable with a std socket mount with a universal joint and stainless steel flexible brake line hosing, which we use to pull focus that 'plugs' right into the indi FF unit; it is warm-butter smooth, and a standard 'tool' mount ( i believe it is 1/4" or 3/8"), so i can actually use a drive ratchet to pull focus (but the universal joint/cable/handle works MUCH better lol the ratchet comment is just an analogy), this is all commonly known as a whip/crank. mine is made from stainless steel brake lines filled with silicone (standard DAP white available at wal-mart etc) and standard Snap-On tools (universal joint) and a metal/plastic handle welded together. plugs right in to the indi focus pro, just as the whip/crank snaps into a standard drive socket when im wrenching out my fuel injectors in my Z32 (which is incredibly hard to work on easily without odd custom tools).
i sincerely assumed i would have to have my engine builder/rig builder reweld or modify the FF to be 'solid', or make custom parts, as i needed him to do for my DVCity mattebox for it to be stable and not wobble (DVCity makes OK products, but IMO nowhere near 'pro' gear, the mattebox/french flag/side flags does its job, but only does so at a 'pro' level with custom modifications), but i was surprised the indisys gear was all pretty solid.
the Snap gears are VERY easy to move/remove, hold very tightly, and as long as you align them properly (ie you have both your eyes intact and take a second or two to ensure they are aligned) they work great. i have 3M double-sided adhesive tape adhered to all my lenses, or dense foam-rubber held down with hockey tape around the focusing barrel, and i use the same Snap lens gear for all 5 lenses i use with it; the other 4 i use sparingly with random Nikkors or misc lenses for personal shots. I use the same Snap lens gear, again, for EVERY lens on every shoot. the magnets arent your normal kitchen magnets, they hold VERY tightly. the snap gears being removeable so easily also saves time and i dont have to worry about a lens/gear assembly being stored straight so its not strained and the lens isnt scratched/scored.
if i ever buy a 'pro' FF, i would prefer to use the snap gear over a screw-on lens gear; its cheaper, gets the job done, and easy to move/remove versus the screw types, and doesnt damage expensive lenses. i have used the Snap gears on everything from $20 used 3rd party lenses to $5,000 pro lenses i own personally and would NEVER think of damaging or taking risks with, because i can take a minute, run some 3M tape around the focus barrel, put the Snap lens gear on, and take it all off with no harm, no foul, and no worries.
I do not know the standard indi focus gear pitch, but the FF gear can be switched out for the standard .8 ratio, i believe its $15 plus shipping link below; ive never had a reason to use it as i havent std cinema lens gears or equipment, though ive used it. link for .8 pitch cinema gear below. the cinepitch driver, from what i understand, is for the use of 'cinema standard lens gears' ie other company offerings. if you use the snap gears you dont need it.
http://www.indisystem.com/products/cine_pitch_driver_gear
I have no need for it and havent used it but i assume, like all the indisystem gear ive used, its fully functional. Ive also used a DVCity FF; it wasnt as smooth and had more backlash; after i got the indi gear i sold it and didnt look back. the indi FF has nearly zero backlash; my cam-ops guys love using it.
i dont work for or get free/discounted/favored/used gear from indi or tim, i bought all my indi gear new, before i bought indi gear i considered buying pro gear used, and for less than a third the price used, i bought the indi gear new; from follow focus to rods to handheld rigs. for the money, its very legit equipment on a budget.
when we move on to newer and smaller gear, chances are ill buy indi gear again. im not in this business to say i own $3,000 matteboxes and i own $2,900 follow focus units; im in it to make money. the gear i bought allows me to do that, cheaply, correctly, without fears, and frugally.
i think tim is on the right track, legit equipment at real market pricing; and i think the 'old guard' companies are WAY overcharging for products that are, at best, still plastic and metal. this isnt rocket science and it isnt brain surgery; there is no reason equipment prices should reflect those lofty limits.
bottom line, it works like it should, as expected, and isnt fragile or expensive. in a word, cost-effective. the website is vague, i took a risk buying it, and im happy with it as are my shooters. I'll gladly buy more of his gear when i need it.
Last edited:
Lazy Monkey
Member
Amen!
Thank you very much for this awesome and detailed review!
Now I know that I will stick with buying the infiFOCUSpro and that I don't need the cine pitch driver gear. I'm already looking forward to buying and using it.
I'm very careful with my equipment. And I mean really careful. I have a foam case for anything, lol. So I think that for me the FF will stay intact even longer.
I'm also in the business to make money, not to spend it. Of course, firstly I need to spend some, but I've already spent 10 times more money on my equipment than I've earned with filming.
I only need the FF and a decent field monitor and nothing will be in my way! Finally I'll be able to make my new short movie.
By the way, what do you think of this (yes, very cheap, it's from China) monitor?
http://gt35pro.blogspot.com/
(scroll down, it's below the DOF adapters and the description is on the right side below the rail-system's description.)
And here's the link to a demo video:
http://www.vimeo.com/5097362
Rick Burnett
Section Moderator
Thanks for the review on the snapgears. Gonna order a set next week.
Zissou
Well-known member
i see no details on resolution, brightness/contrast/color controls or, IMO the most important, 1:1 pixel ratio zoom for focusing.
i would avoid it.
Lazy Monkey
Member
The seller is a nice guy. I ordered the rod system from him and am very content with it. Also he answers questions fast, unlike jag35 from whom I haven't gotten a response on their monitor yet. I trust this guy and I don't know any other (cheap) monitors there. I can't afford a Marshall.
Do you have a suggestion? Do you know any good alternatives?
I can ask Greg (the guy who sells this monitor) about all the things you listed and am pretty sure that he'll answer them in detail. I'll post the preferences here, if it's OK.
Zissou
Well-known member
yeah post away; i am just bothered it lists no detailed specs. 1:1 pixel res is very important to me, what with HD and all.
i have manhattan lcd monitors, albeit at almost twice the price, but i have zero complaints.
flatlander
Well-known member
I just ordered a DFocus and i would like to know what outher brand of gears ''rings'' with with it? link??