D90 Accessories - Zacuto Follow Focus

[Jeff Anderson]

Just finished up reviewing a few accessories for the d90 on the ol blog - lots of cool stuff from Zacuto including their new follow focus. Will continue to update this thread as the reviews are released, but feel free to ask questions here about anything. FWIW the Zacuto Follow Focus is INCREDIBLE.

We'll be employing the d90 as well its accessories in our Lossfest/Sabifest short that wont be done in time for Lossfest - Beginning to End. Should be a good time and will keep updating on the blog and here as things progress along.

 

[Jeff Anderson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4QFxahcl1I&fmt=18


After a good bit of playing and experimenting here is the first in a series of posts looking at some gear that bring the DSLR crowd some love.
We’ll be looking at each of the parts in more depth but here’s what we are working with at this point - Zacuto Mini Baseplate, Zacuto Spacer, Zacuto Zip Gear, and Zacuto Follow Focus. This doesnt quite make a full kit but instead looks at the core pieces that you could add to grips, a shoulder pad other various mounts for monitors and such, or whatever fit your production needs. Its all built around 15mm rails so the sky is the limit in how you could configure this.
All in all I’m really really liking this. The Zacuto kit really is well thought out and makes the DSLR work no differently than any other camera. The nice part is the size of it all. Much easier to handle and transport than a 35mm adapter rig. Being from Zacuto of course you get the top notch lifetime warranty that you’ll probably never need as these parts are solid. If you’re used to Zacuto quality and reliability there’s no question these are the parts you must have. If anything Zacuto’s raised their own bar with the follow focus. More on that in another post, but lets just say its rather impressive.
And also coming up soon will be the first MAXO-FACTO podcast concerning a short we are in pre-production on titled “Beginning to End”. We’re of course shooting entirely with the Nikon D90 and these fine bits of Zacuto ware. Expect many future podcasts detailing both general updates looking more into the players that are making this all possible as well as to how we are coping with shooting with the D90 all Zacuto-fied. Should be good times and we are looking forward to it all.
JA

 

[Jeff Anderson]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QR41vd7Mn9Q&fmt=18


This little guy just rocks. I’ve owned Zacuto’s larger baseplate for a while now and have loved its versatility as well as how easy it is to use. You need the camera to go up it goes up. Side to side adjustments - no problem. Armed with an allen wrench and 15 seconds I can have it adjusted any way I need it. I’ve always felt a little bad for the little guys though. The big baseplate is perfect for the prosumer sized cams like the HVX and even fits the RED without a problem. There are some really capable rigs being made up now with tiny HD cameras and 35mm adapters and they’re either stuck with a baseplate much too large for their camera or just have to rule out Zacuto as an option, which is really a sad thing in my opinion. And its become even sadder now with DSLR’s shooting some amazing video as well little cameras like the RED Scarlet that is on the not too distant horizon.
But alas Zacuto has come up with an answer - the mini baseplate. Just a shorter version of the big one. Its perfect really. The only noticeable difference is that there are only 2 clamping levers for the rods instead of 4, but they do just fine and I think you’d be very hard pressed to need more than 2 even on the larger baseplate with a heavier camera. All of the adjustability of its big brother is there which is even more important for the small cameras who really need a rise to be aligned properly. The other thing that you really notice too is that since its smaller it of course weighs less too. Definitely a good thing when going handheld.
Zacuto’s stepped up and impressed once again. Really impressive to see how responsive they are to the needs of the market - almost like they know what they are doing