Mattykins
Cute Member
Guys, leave him alone - he shootfs films for world distribution. Clearly much more talented than us.
And I agree with Jack - for what its worth.
And I agree with Jack - for what its worth.
Don't waste your money on a follow focus.
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Zak Forsman
Major Contributor
what's "handheld"?
PhantomVideo
Well-known member
I Agree some beautiful work can be done by keeping a paper thin DOF and moving to find focus, i've got a IndiFocus, as far as FF its very cheap but i still love it for its purpose, when i have an AC the FF is always on, but when i shoot solo hh its all about the rack rack baby, Horses for Courses but saying "Don't waste money on a FF" is just flat out bad advice from a broad perspective
awelgraven
Well-known member
I was watching a behind the scenes bit about Eternal Sunshine, and there was an AC pulling focus with a whip. So idk if that's entirely true.
Easy for a Jedi-Ninja like you.
But nonetheless, whether it's easy for you or not, that's what the tool is for, and for the rest of us uncoordinated slackers, it's a useful one.
All I know is we had a long, incredibly slow, creeping dolly shot with a 35mm adapter attached to the camera. I was racking and tilting to reframe as necessary while moving back on the dolly. Everytime Harris would reach out to the barrel to adjust the focus to the marks as we pulled back, you could see a noticeable bobble in the camera which ruined the effect of our super slow creep back. Follow focus with whip solved the problem. there was just no resistance in the rig for it not to move when Harris turned the barrel.
And yes I know you can shoot all day long pushing the barrel while doing handheld and I've done it too. But for somethings, IMHO there's nothing that compares to whacking the follow focus into the preset hard stop. Your good at it going al fresco. Me not so much. Again, it's a tool, and that's what it's for, so you don't have to be some freak Ninja that hold a boom with one hand, turm the focus barrel with the other, and hold the camera between your knees
To me it's much more awkward to use the barrel.
For you it's easy to do without. But the point of the OP was that the tool was worthless. No the tool works. Some really experienced or talented shooters may not need it, but the tool serves a purpose and works.
Easy for a Jedi-Ninja like you.
But nonetheless, whether it's easy for you or not, that's what the tool is for, and for the rest of us uncoordinated slackers, it's a useful one.
All I know is we had a long, incredibly slow, creeping dolly shot with a 35mm adapter attached to the camera. I was racking and tilting to reframe as necessary while moving back on the dolly. Everytime Harris would reach out to the barrel to adjust the focus to the marks as we pulled back, you could see a noticeable bobble in the camera which ruined the effect of our super slow creep back. Follow focus with whip solved the problem. there was just no resistance in the rig for it not to move when Harris turned the barrel.
And yes I know you can shoot all day long pushing the barrel while doing handheld and I've done it too. But for somethings, IMHO there's nothing that compares to whacking the follow focus into the preset hard stop. Your good at it going al fresco. Me not so much. Again, it's a tool, and that's what it's for, so you don't have to be some freak Ninja that hold a boom with one hand, turm the focus barrel with the other, and hold the camera between your knees
To me it's much more awkward to use the barrel.
For you it's easy to do without. But the point of the OP was that the tool was worthless. No the tool works. Some really experienced or talented shooters may not need it, but the tool serves a purpose and works.
Touche.
Sorry I didn't mean to elicit touche necessarily. I wasn't clear in my initial post which you were responding to either. My post suggested that it was absolutely impossible to do anything tricky without a follow focus and that's obv. not the case for you and not quite what I meant.
I'm just threatened by your operator/DP prowess.
(internet clarification: no sarcasm above)
I'm just threatened by your operator/DP prowess.
(internet clarification: no sarcasm above)
Taylor Rudd
Veteran
Fight.
(sarcasm above)
(sarcasm above)
lol
mastiboulance
Carbonite Member
I did not buy a follow focus just to put it in a bag. I bought it because I read many posts praising follow focus units and because I went to film school which endorses the film camera culture and because I previously shot a feature in 35mm with a Panavision Gold camera and all the trimmings. Moreover I am shooting a feature with a Letus right now and I have a camera assistant who pulls focus. I'm not a superman but just a regular person trying to get the best film done. We have many rack focus situations and the assistant camera pulls focus directly on the lens. So I had to have a FF. Not unlike most people here I had wet dreams about it
Finally the Redrock FF arrived. I'm not trying to criticise Redrock but since I ordered that one I will discuss that one.
My first surprise when I opened the box was its weight. This thing is really heavy and adds substantial front end weight to your camera (Especially when you have a rod support system and a long zoom lens).
My second surprise was that it is quite ackward to slide it back and forth. Since the zoom lens is not at a constant length but becomes shorter or longer depending on the zoom position, I had to remove the FF everytime I wanted to adjust zoom. Putting the FF back in place also meant risking loosing the zoom position as the lens is quite sensitive. The very reason I use a zoom is to not have to go through the pain of trying out lenses until I have the right one and/or moving the camera for fine tuning. The FF just sets me back as I now have to add/remove and adjust something which wasn't there before.
My third surprise was the FF lens gears on the lens. The lens gear has to be removed and put on again everytime one changes lenses. I made the mistake of not ordering one lens gear per lens (But that's just another level of expenses and pain in the behind). The lens gear also prevents the lens from fitting through the Matt Box opening. Finally, the lens gear prevents pulling focus without FF as markings can't be inscribed on the lens while the lens gear is on. Bottom line, it's a pain to have to deal with it.
This leads me to my ultimate surprise: The assistant camera told me he prefers to pull focus directly on the lens because on low shots he does not have to bend down to see the FF markings. Morevover it is easier for him to put a straight piece of tape around the lens than various bits and pieces on the rounded FF.
And finally, when I pull focus directly I know where the lens is by feeling the rods. This allos me to play around with the lens by instinct in feeling the camera and the lens at the same time. It is definitely more practical to zoom in and out, set focus and hold the camera all in one.
Bottom line: the FF looks great, but on actual location shooting it is about as useful as a stranded whale. I would not recommend it for any reason but one: impress clients. Be aware that once you start shooting it will probably stay in the bag. It's a great piece of equipement in theory but totally impractical on the road.
One definitely does not need a FF.
So it has been written, and so it shall be done.
Finally the Redrock FF arrived. I'm not trying to criticise Redrock but since I ordered that one I will discuss that one.
My first surprise when I opened the box was its weight. This thing is really heavy and adds substantial front end weight to your camera (Especially when you have a rod support system and a long zoom lens).
My second surprise was that it is quite ackward to slide it back and forth. Since the zoom lens is not at a constant length but becomes shorter or longer depending on the zoom position, I had to remove the FF everytime I wanted to adjust zoom. Putting the FF back in place also meant risking loosing the zoom position as the lens is quite sensitive. The very reason I use a zoom is to not have to go through the pain of trying out lenses until I have the right one and/or moving the camera for fine tuning. The FF just sets me back as I now have to add/remove and adjust something which wasn't there before.
My third surprise was the FF lens gears on the lens. The lens gear has to be removed and put on again everytime one changes lenses. I made the mistake of not ordering one lens gear per lens (But that's just another level of expenses and pain in the behind). The lens gear also prevents the lens from fitting through the Matt Box opening. Finally, the lens gear prevents pulling focus without FF as markings can't be inscribed on the lens while the lens gear is on. Bottom line, it's a pain to have to deal with it.
This leads me to my ultimate surprise: The assistant camera told me he prefers to pull focus directly on the lens because on low shots he does not have to bend down to see the FF markings. Morevover it is easier for him to put a straight piece of tape around the lens than various bits and pieces on the rounded FF.
And finally, when I pull focus directly I know where the lens is by feeling the rods. This allos me to play around with the lens by instinct in feeling the camera and the lens at the same time. It is definitely more practical to zoom in and out, set focus and hold the camera all in one.
Bottom line: the FF looks great, but on actual location shooting it is about as useful as a stranded whale. I would not recommend it for any reason but one: impress clients. Be aware that once you start shooting it will probably stay in the bag. It's a great piece of equipement in theory but totally impractical on the road.
One definitely does not need a FF.
So it has been written, and so it shall be done.
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Oooh. Film.
It weighs much less than an ARRI FF-4. If you think that the RR is heavy, then I'd love to see what you used on that Pana Gold.
Not the fault of the FF. The Fault of whatever zoom lens you have.
Your mistake, indeed. Should have ordered more. I can say that you may not be able to see markings, but you do not have to adjust the FF if you place each gear in the right place so that they all match.
That's what the disc is for. Mark it with a pencil (like a normal AC would) and pull off of marks.
Can't argue with that. practice.
Operator Errors don't quantify equipment. Not sure how any of this differs from your 35mm Film Pana Gold shoot. It's all the same basic idea.
Yes, 90% of the problem you mentioned have nothing to do with the follow focus.
1)You chose to use a zoom lens that doesn't work well with the lens gear & the FF itself. That's a problem specific to your situation. I use prime lenses on mine and I have to adjust the FF slightly every time I change lens; it takes about five seconds, no trouble at all.
2)You SHOULD have order a lens gear for each individual lens, this is not the FF's fault. This is the equivalent of only having one battery and complaining that the camera doesn't work all that well because you have to recharge every few hours.
1)You chose to use a zoom lens that doesn't work well with the lens gear & the FF itself. That's a problem specific to your situation. I use prime lenses on mine and I have to adjust the FF slightly every time I change lens; it takes about five seconds, no trouble at all.
2)You SHOULD have order a lens gear for each individual lens, this is not the FF's fault. This is the equivalent of only having one battery and complaining that the camera doesn't work all that well because you have to recharge every few hours.
philip bloom
Veteran
If you are doing ANY focus changes during shots not having a follow focus is foolhardy.
I did it once on a drama "The Echo" as my follow focus was out of action and it was the hardest thing have ever done, had to be so light handed and gentle. Made it work but will never do it again.
That's all I am saying on the matter.
I did it once on a drama "The Echo" as my follow focus was out of action and it was the hardest thing have ever done, had to be so light handed and gentle. Made it work but will never do it again.
That's all I am saying on the matter.
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I think you're basing your opinion on the frustrations of your particular set up and shoot. It sounds like it truly was a time waster for you. And if it was not working for you, and you didn't see the advantages of it, it probably was best not to use it.
The problem my friend is that you started off the thread on a broad generalization and you're continuing on some incorrect generalizations. There's a reason that people, including many people here, will pay thousands for solid follow focus gear and its not just to look cool. For future shoots, I would keep an open mind to the validity of having an AC and follow focus as part of your productions.
The problem my friend is that you started off the thread on a broad generalization and you're continuing on some incorrect generalizations. There's a reason that people, including many people here, will pay thousands for solid follow focus gear and its not just to look cool. For future shoots, I would keep an open mind to the validity of having an AC and follow focus as part of your productions.
mastiboulance
Carbonite Member
I'm not naive. I know many people here endorse or represent equipment manufacturers. So I'm obviously swiming upstream. I just tend to post threads which I believe could have been useful for me prior to purchasing anything. So I hope others can benefit from my point of view before embarking on a spending binge. I truly believe follow focus for a 35mm adaptor is an unecessary piece of equipment. That is what I believe. Now I'm not posting this for money or to please Redrock. I post this as additional information for those who are thinking of buying a FF. Now it's up to them.
Jason Adams
Section Moderator
in the spirit of this school of thought here are other equally unnecessary production tools
Boom mic - you have to plug it into the camera and have someone hold it. Its frustrating. It stays in the bag. You can just use the on camera mic and have your actors talk louder if they are further away.
Tripod - You have to take the camera off of it when you move. It needs leveled every time. It stays in the bag. You can just hold it really steady.
Boom mic - you have to plug it into the camera and have someone hold it. Its frustrating. It stays in the bag. You can just use the on camera mic and have your actors talk louder if they are further away.
Tripod - You have to take the camera off of it when you move. It needs leveled every time. It stays in the bag. You can just hold it really steady.
mastiboulance
Carbonite Member
The tripod is essential because it is impossible to go handheld on an adaptor setup. You do not need to take the camera off every time you move it.
The boom is necessary because the microphone needs to be as close as possible to the actor.
jason.adams, neither the tripod nor the boom are optional. Both are necessary. Stop these ridiculous comparisons to a follow focus which is truly optional and I believe unecessary. This is not a school of thought but an honest conclusion based on hands on experience.
The boom is necessary because the microphone needs to be as close as possible to the actor.
jason.adams, neither the tripod nor the boom are optional. Both are necessary. Stop these ridiculous comparisons to a follow focus which is truly optional and I believe unecessary. This is not a school of thought but an honest conclusion based on hands on experience.
philip bloom
Veteran
You can easily (with the right gear, I used Zacuto rig) do handheld with an adaptor. Much of this was handheld. http://philipbloom.co.uk/films/35mm-films/the-trench/
Strobe Media
Well-known member
i'm very ignorant in the field of follow focus, so disregard this question if it's too retarded
why can't you use the camera's auto focus feature?
why can't you use the camera's auto focus feature?
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