Cheapo focus controllers

[Scim]

I'm looking at solutions for controlling both zoom and focus on my rails based 70-200 2.8 sports rig. Right now I have a nice manual follow focus but need some way to zoom as well while my hand is on the tripod handle. The zoom does not have to be as precise, so I was thinking of rigging up a focus whip to some sort of rotating motorcycle throttle type tripod handle grip might work as a sketchy experiment. A $900-$2000 electric motor rig is out of the question for the time being.

Other cheaper quality electronic units are available and I was wondering of anybody has any experience with these? I have seen a few favorable and unfavorable reviews but not much info on them. My main concerns are the speed/power of the motor and the variability of it, as a fast jerky on/off switch would not be useful at all but that 2 channel controller looks promising.

Any input is appreciated, and once again this is not a long term solution for a remote cinema focus pull...


http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSLR-Lens-C...f9b7113&pid=100338&rk=1&rkt=4&sd=360815775872

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-Ch-Wir...7d4471c&pid=100005&rk=1&rkt=6&sd=172044609021

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1157806-REG/vidpro_mr_500_motorized_dslr_shoulder.html

 

[Chet Walker]

For the cheap focus controller then you can select the any of motorized follow focus, remote follow focus or wireless follow focus.

 

[Brigham Fisher]

It's been a few years since you posted this, any luck with the cheapie follow focus systems? I've got a GH5 paired with a Ronin M and would love to find an affordable follow focus option.

 

[Scim]

It's been a few years since you posted this, any luck with the cheapie follow focus systems? I've got a GH5 paired with a Ronin M and would love to find an affordable follow focus option.

Hey there, I never actually ended up getting anywhere or buying a cheap online one. I used two manual follow focus rigs, one for zoom ring and one for focus on either side and was able to use that for my sports needs.

I also made one for fun, (have since taken it apart) using a potentiometer (both slide and knob type worked), high torque RC servo motor, some rc servo gears, a broken follow focus rails mount and an arduino to control all of it. It was bulky and hard to index but a fun project for $50.