Chinese Follow Focus with hard stops

Postmaster said:
Lot´s a new follow focuses from China these days - way better build quality than the indian stuff,

Here is an other new kid on the block:

$(KGrHqUOKp!E1qimg9(KBNkvz9Uc,g~~_12.JPG



http://cgi.ebay.de/Pro-Follow-Focus...85?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_77&hash=item4aa9eba039

They have a nice set of grips for under 100 bucks too:

$(KGrHqUOKnQE1ReQM)fYBNgzfRGcMQ~~_12.JPG


I don´t think they are rip offs. If you look at Alibaba or AliExpress, you can see tons of cheap gear that pops up after a few months, at the usual vendors here re-branded and re-boxed, with their own sticker an maybe some minor modifications, like different knobs or handles - and yeah, with a way different price tag of course ;-)

I think the process of film gear democratization is under full steam here.
Today we have $15000 cameras that run in circles around 5 year old $800000 flagship cameras.
We got soft and hardware for editing and color correction under $10000 that blow a lot of 5 year old high end systems out of the water (price-value wise) - just think Davinci.
A $200 FF of China is the same performance and quality as a $1500 Crosziel now.

The high end must learn to adjust and the "buy cheap in China, rebox and sell expensive here" industry is not gonna work anymore.

Frank
Click to expand...

That follow focus looks exactly like the genus bravo follow focus frank. I guess they just re-brand as you guys say. :-)
 
teddybear said:
That follow focus looks exactly like the genus bravo follow focus frank. I guess they just re-brand as you guys say. :-)
Click to expand...
That's no surprise. Phottix's new follow focus' gear box design was bought from the same manufacturer that sold theirs to Genus (I kind of work with Phottix).
Genus, Phottix, Tilta and other companies would then compete in terms of how cheaply it could assemble (carbon vs aluminum rods etc.), package and price discriminate according to different markets - factoring sales tax, wages, other costs as well.
I live in Hong Kong, China and I have access to most Chinese-made goods at local prices. I can honestly say some are pure shite, while others may seem shoddy but in fact have great functionality. Many people still look down on 'Made in China' stigma. Probably because it's too cheap to be good? And why is that? Cheaper labour, operating costs, raw materials etc. OK, so a typical worker might get US$2 an hour. But you cannot compare this to Europe or USA because of the drastic differences in standards of living. Cheaper costs does not automatically equal lower quality. And yes I also recognise that there also those notorious factory owners in Asia who downright abuse workers.
It's ironic that companies in the 'West' who thrive off modern day capitalism and democracy would frown on the same tactics used by those in China or India. Wouldn't it be funny if Redrock or Zacuto - both who boast their 'Made in USA' brand - employed immigrant workers at their factories? Branding is a powerful thing...

Enough ranting. Anyway, people like JackBayer (who started this thread) should be given much praise to have made the jump first and willing to share with the rest of us!
 
ed_lee83 said:
That's no surprise. Phottix's new follow focus' gear box design was bought from the same manufacturer that sold theirs to Genus (I kind of work with Phottix).
Genus, Phottix, Tilta and other companies would then compete in terms of how cheaply it could assemble (carbon vs aluminum rods etc.), package and price discriminate according to different markets - factoring sales tax, wages, other costs as well.
I live in Hong Kong, China and I have access to most Chinese-made goods at local prices. I can honestly say some are pure s**te, while others may seem shoddy but in fact have great functionality. Many people still look down on 'Made in China' stigma. Probably because it's too cheap to be good? And why is that? Cheaper labour, operating costs, raw materials etc. OK, so a typical worker might get US$2 an hour. But you cannot compare this to Europe or USA because of the drastic differences in standards of living. Cheaper costs does not automatically equal lower quality. And yes I also recognise that there also those notorious factory owners in Asia who downright abuse workers.
It's ironic that companies in the 'West' who thrive off modern day capitalism and democracy would frown on the same tactics used by those in China or India. Wouldn't it be funny if Redrock or Zacuto - both who boast their 'Made in USA' brand - employed immigrant workers at their factories? Branding is a powerful thing...

Enough ranting. Anyway, people like JackBayer (who started this thread) should be given much praise to have made the jump first and willing to share with the rest of us!
Click to expand...

Hey i just bought 2 phottix timer remotes 3 days ago! Its exactly like the canon originals and I got the 2 lesser than the price of one canon! Gosh I love chinese products. They sure level the playing field for us asians.

Also the phottix 7d/5d compatible batteries that can be recognized by the camera is only 23 US in my country! Compared to the original at 104 US !
 
Last edited:
Postmaster said:
Looks more like they actually make ALL the Letus stuff:

Not bad, here is a Letus Ultimate for $1,984 instead of $4,797 - now we are talking.
http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=8618190235

That wireless follow focus looks also pretty familiar

http://www.trusmt.com/en/proview.asp?id=81

20114111301433395.jpg


I wish I could read Chinese letters.

Frank
Click to expand...
Lol, it'd be smart to learn Chinese nowadays! It's too frigging long so I'll just paraphrase the title description.
Basically this company claims to have worked with or indirectly with Letus doing their R&D for the past 10 years and now have their own company in China.
This is the definitely one of the most advanced Chinese companies I've seen so far. Behind them is Wondlan
 
I was eagerly awaiting news of the announced Letus Follow Focus. I was really prepared to buy the Shoot 35 (which seems to be very good) but the reverse gear capability of the Letus made me hesitate. As I am a Nikon shooter I already have a set of Nikon Lens and might buy other brand, this was an important functionality. I wanted to wait a little bit to get some feedback when the Letus comes out. But now I am on the fence because if you could get such a Follow Focus as the trusmt Mp2 now and at $ 400!!! Hope to see a good review from the OP and eventually from another user.
 
once again a little update:

I no longer will reveive a new gearbox, but a new whole unit of the new FF T2 instead (that coupled with the request to review it, I guess those guys are reading along here :) ...)
So that´s what´s going to happen, it should be in the mail quite soon.
 
Man, can you imagine the feeling Letus must have to see the company they pay to do rnd turn around and make exact copies of all their products. Thats like your best friend sleeping with your wife. lol
 
Hi,

I have updated my first post with photos and my review on the new T2 unit that I received 2 days ago. I hope you can get some use out of it!

PP
 
I bought myself a one too. Received it Monday. It is solid. Very impressive. Although, I haven't had a chance to use it yet. Their customer service is awesome. Here's some pictures.
 

Attachments

  • photo-3.jpg
    photo-3.jpg
    69.5 KB · Views: 0
  • photo-1.jpg
    photo-1.jpg
    70.7 KB · Views: 0
  • photo-8.JPG
    photo-8.JPG
    80.1 KB · Views: 0
  • photo-6.JPG
    photo-6.JPG
    102.8 KB · Views: 0
  • photo-5.JPG
    photo-5.JPG
    75.6 KB · Views: 0
  • photo-2.jpg
    photo-2.jpg
    63 KB · Views: 0
juanata or Jack, could you upload a video showing its performance? you made my head spin with this review, my only concern is the backlash.. so if you could illustrate that in a video, it would be great! thanks a lot guys!
 
Just came over from C5D to discuss this FF over here.

Like most of you guys I had been waiting on the Letus unit or bringing myself to spend the extra money on the Shoot35. I was about to pull the trigger on the shoot35 this week but this popped on to my radar last week and I've been very interested. After trying the Arri at NAB and really liking the adjustable mount I decided to pull the trigger on this last night. Checking out this thread today really eased my mind as it looks like I made the right choice. I was assume that I will be recieving the updated gearbox and such since I ordered it last night.

For those that ordered one in the US. How long did it take to receive it? I'm unfamiliar with the TNT shipping service they use and have a tracking number but no estimated delivery. Thanks!
 
JackBayer,
We called it "The International Rig." Lol.

The cage is a Gini Rig from Korea.
The matte box is a Cinebox from UK.
The quick release plate and the Follow focus is from China.
The GH2 is from Japan.
The audio recorder is a Tascam DR-100 from US...

Sibero80,
I wish I can help you bro, I got hit with a big project. I would be a long while before I can do anything.

hex,
I was saving up for the Cinefocus until I saw the T2. What sold me (other than it's $170 cheaper) was the rail mount quick release, the hard stops, the heigh and angle adjustment.

DerekDock,
I ordered mine last Thursday. They shipped it out Friday. I received it Monday morning.
 
I thought I understood from the letus follow focus had reverse gear, which permits it too turn in both direction and thus turn nikon glass as traditional cine (or everyone else canon etc). I would like to know if this unit has this possibility.

edit: I see it is called reversible gearbox which enable the gear turn in both direction.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top