DIY - Camera Stops???

M

matthewd5

Veteran
ok i don't need a full blown follow focus (yet!)

but i would REALLY like a way to mark two points so when i'm tracking talent walking from point a to point b.

i don't mean just marks on the lens, i would love a way to change the focus and have it stop in some sort of physical way when i get to the point i have marked/set.

then of course i want to be able to go back to point A quickly.

then move the points to whatever for the next shot without a whole lot of work.

i think if someone could make something like the focus ring that is already out there, with two simple adjustable stops they could sell a lot of them for $125 or so.

matthew
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

That an interesting idea and im digging this. Your talking about a focus ring that would go over the focus ring of the DVX with possibly sliders you can lock down and/or mark?
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

I thought about making one of these but heard that the focus resets after the camera goes into standby or turns off. I just tested it and I guess I was misinformed. So yeah this would work great! Someone make one please - but out of parts at a nation chain store (ie Home Depot) so we can all do the same. Soft stops would be nice too. Good one Matthew.
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

hudsons idea??

from my original message...

>then move the points to whatever for the next shot without a whole lot of work.

aka adjustable.

i have no use for stops that aren't adjustable.

matthew
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

Gaffer's tape, or camera tape (not DV tape!).

Make two strips -- fold the tape over itself so only the end bits are sticky, and the middle portion is not.

Move the focus ring to the start point and set one piece of tape on it, so you tape the ring such that it can't move further in one direction.  Then move the ring to the end point and set the other strip of tape to lock it down at that point.

From then on you can do exactly what you're talking about, set start and end points easily, lock them in, snap focus between start and end and nail it with precision every time.  Total cost: about four cents.  We do it with TV lenses all the time.

This is one of the best things about the DVX -- the focus ring is repeatable, so you can do stuff like this.  You wouldn't have a prayer of pulling this off on an FX1, XL2 with 20x lens, etc.  But the DVX has a repeatable focus ring so you can do stuff like this.
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

sorry for offending you matthew.

It was Hudson's specific idea of locking sliders I was referring to.
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

Also ...

The DVX has an excellent auto focus function. It does not "hunt" focus but has focus ramping that can be utilised by the operator. Skilfull camera operating will permit as good a "pull" as a focus puller can achieve. Remember that the pro film camera does not have auto focus capability ( and our cameras do..) . A lot of the skill of camera operating is hiding certain functions within the pan, the tilt, the foreground etc... eg crossing f.g talent with a faster pan.

Do not be afraid to use auto focus...when appropriate. Pros would if available to them.

I do not recommend physically "taping" focus points and have never seen it done by any operator/ 1st assistant camera.
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

[quote author=Shooter link=board=Links;num=1102137074;start=0#9 date=12/04/04 at 22:35:51]I do not recommend physically "taping" focus points and have never seen it done by any operator/ 1st assistant camera.  [/quote]

Odd... isn't this is the exact same technique you described for using for a zoom follow focus in another post? Hold on, let me search for it...

Okay, here:
http://www.dvxuser.com/cgi-bin/DVX2/YaBB.pl?board=Links;action=display;num=1102106920;start=3#3

That's what I'm talking about, although we wouldn't usually have rods & a mattebox, so we'd anchor the tape on some other point on the lens (or on anything, really). It's just a technique to give the operator feedback on when to stop.

When we have an AC, we don't use the tape-the-focus-stop method, because... well, we have an AC. But if it's just a camera op/DP/Director guy and a sound guy (or not a sound guy, as in, a one-man band), then yes, if necessary to execute a repeatable rack, we do the tape thing.

I'm pretty sure you're describing the exact same technique that I am. Or did I misunderstand you?
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

You know I like the low tech idea Barry. I was thinking about it and took it one step (and a few dollars) further. One problem with the tape idea is that what if your actor just misses their mark or does alittle improve. I'd ate to be the one responsible for blowing THE great take simply because of a minor technical issue. The tape idea is restrictive. It will bring you to your mark yes but your screwed if you have to suddenly go past it - unless you have crappy tape ;-) Anyways how about something like this. A collar with two independently adjustable plegs (like the one of the zoom ring). It would be located just behind or in front of the focus ring. Move and lock the two pegs to repesent your A & B and then a third peg is on the focus ring. Without looking a single operator would be able to not only feel when they hit their set marks but could push on, if need be, without any hang up. You could even make the pegs have a ramp shape on one side so you could feel yourself coming up to your mark. Hope that makes sense.

-Brett Erskine
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

Exactly Barry - same technique except in one post the discussion was ZOOM positions and in this post it is FOCUS.

We frequently used the tape technique for ZOOM ( especially pre Hayden Controls) but never for FOCUS . Moving objects are dynamic and may need the extra focus tweak to save the take. Not everything and everyone hits marks perfectly everytime.

Obviously a 1st AC solves this problem but in our DVX world I repeat that I would probably use the autofocus if I had not the confidence to eye focus the action myself.
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

Yeah John I hear ya. If you have a AC this would be more than fine but if your shooting by yourself I figured it would be useful to have something that doesnt require the camera operator to turn attention away from the action in the viewfinder/LCD to know they are coming up and then finally hit their preset marks. Something that gives you feedback by touch seems like a good idea. By putting some type of raise markings on the side of the lens you can pull this off. First thought was adjustable/locking rings around the barrel. They could have raised markings to repesent the focus stops. But perhaps theres a better and easier way to do this. Any ideas?
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

Thats what Im still thinking; glad I thought of this idea (Matthew I am so kidding dude!)

What about (and forgive the lo budget approach) some kind of plastic ties? One around Focus Ring, One around Lens (just in front of ring). They are tied tight yet able to slide around.... ?

Thinking out loud
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

[quote author=Shooter link=board=Links;num=1102137074;start=0#11 date=12/05/04 at 12:00:13]We frequently used the tape technique for ZOOM ( especially pre Hayden Controls) but never for FOCUS .  Moving objects are dynamic and may need the extra focus tweak to save the take. Not everything and everyone hits marks perfectly everytime. [/quote]
Well, yeah, I understood that. But we do it for focus too. Works fine. No, not everyone nails their mark, and for pulling focus between humans you do need a skilled focus puller, but when you're doing a tight shot rack between fixed objects (a sign in the foreground, a building in the background where someone's getting out of a cab), and need the focus to "snap" at each end, we use the tape method.
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

[quote author=John Hudson link=board=Links;num=1102137074;start=0#12 date=12/05/04 at 12:09:52]Is a damn Grease Pencil out of the question?[/quote]
What would a grease pencil do for you that the MF00-MF99 doesn't already do?
 
Re: DIY - Camera Stops???

I've got some ideas for this, can't be any harder than making a mattebox or rail system. I'll post some pics when i'm done.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top