DIY Gearless Follow Focus

Aww, that's just TOO easy! My brain just boggled, because it knew it had registered something similar somewhere in the workshop.
Thank you so much, teddybear! You're indeed a great source of inspiration!!!

The glue you used must've been something REALLY tough stuff, right?
 
actually aside from marine epoxy, I drilled a tiny hole and bolted it through the hose. To prevent it from loosening from torque.
 
Yeah. It will hold, grind down the one end enough to slip it through the metal end of the hose. I grinded it in a way that left a "lip" or a "rim" to allow the epoxy to "grip" onto the piece.
 
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MarcusWolschon said:
I designed a 3d-printed variation of this design:
http://marcuswolschon.blogspot.com/2011/04/printing-gearless-follow-focus.html

Cool idea! Especially as I can switch lenses without touching the follow focus!

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Update:
If you don't have access to a 3d-printer (Kit for about 1-2Keur), can't find anyone who has and there's no Hackerspace/Tool-Shop in your area... you can have the parts made by Shapeways: shapeways.com/shops/marcuswolschon
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wow! Great work!
 
You haven't seen the rest of the 3d printed rig. ;)


accessory-mount
http://marcuswolschon.blogspot.com/2011/04/accessory-holder-for-shoulder-rig.html
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7530

P1000707_display_medium.jpg


audio remote control on the left grip
http://marcuswolschon.blogspot.com/2011/04/audio-remote-for-shoulder-rig.html
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7765

P1050391_display_medium.jpg


display-viewfinder:
http://marcuswolschon.blogspot.com/2011/04/en-display-viewfinder-adapter.html
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7849

P1110235_display_medium.jpg


extra strong connectors (for bumping into doors)
http://marcuswolschon.blogspot.com/2011/04/en-extra-strong-t-connector-for.html
http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7835

P1050378_display_medium.jpg
 
Great thread, lots of links for all the tools. Thank you to teddybear for all his amazing work !

My personnal plan, at first, was to build a belt drive follow focus but when I received my old M42 manual lenses, I realised that there was no way to drive the focus ring in that manner : it is REALLY stiff on all three lenses!
The problem with a belt drive system is that it must not pull the lens too hard on the side.
It may also include an offset or a spring system to get the good tension depending on the lens.

I will build this gearless follow focus as soon as I can have the time and the tools and I will probably need the rubber band for better friction.
 
Hi y'all!

Just moved in to big ol' Texas!
I'm checkin the nearby home depots and walmarts for local stuff to be able to make it easy to source parts for our DIYs!
Stay tuned.

;-)
 
You may have a hard time getting metric nuts and bolts and the industry standard 15mm aluminum rods.
I'm currently replacing my gearless with a geared follow focus. It requires less friction and thus pressure on the lens.
 
hi guys.

when I searching on web I found Ted's DIY FF. It seems to me as a good solution for focus following problem but I wonder can we use it without any rod system?
 
Teddy, I just want to say, you're an amazingly creative, innovative, and generous guy for posting all that on here. YOU'RE AWESOME. I just had one question. I know you said the L shaped metal thingy that holds the wheel to the rail clamp was cut out of sheet metal, right? I think that the only part I don't really know how to do. Tips? :/
 
xxbluejay21 said:
Teddy, I just want to say, you're an amazingly creative, innovative, and generous guy for posting all that on here. YOU'RE AWESOME. I just had one question. I know you said the L shaped metal thingy that holds the wheel to the rail clamp was cut out of sheet metal, right? I think that the only part I don't really know how to do. Tips? :/
Click to expand...

That piece is a 3/4 inch flat steel bar that I bended and shaped by hammering it on a vise. I use the nail puller part of the hammer to twist it to an angle, I hope that helps. :-)
 
Positively awesome. There are no good rigs out there for dslr's. So ridiculously overpriced. I have a question for everyone and anyone. Why are all the rigs designed w the follow focus on the smart side instead of the dummy side? If you're shooting w you're right eye, like nearly all cinematographers, don't you want your'e focus puller to your right on the other side of the camera where focus pullers usually reside? That way you're not all over each other. At any rate, now that you've given us these designs I can change it a little and have it like BK, "My Way". That makes all the difference in the world to me. So for me, this inexpensive solution beats the c$@p out of all the overpriced junk out there trying to pass itself off as professional. Thanks man!
 
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