Fluid follow focus?

Tomas Riuka

Tomas Riuka

Well-known member
Ok, i got zacuto follow focus, costs a lot of money, but ...

if used with still lenses like nikon, especially the ones line 50 1.4, there is
not "damping"ant focusing is not smooth and can be seens on the screen.

are there any FF systems, which would have fluid or dampened gearbox?
 
i think zacuto makes the best stuff with the exception of the follow focus. way too much play. the redrock one or the newer chroszeil ff's are much better and less expensive.
 
Cheez - you know the Zacuto one is adjustable in regards to play - I can take mine from having lots of play to practically binding on itself. Of course I generally just aim for zero play :)

Not sure about the dampening though, what 50mm 1.4 are you using? An AF one? My old AI manual lenses are silky smooth with my Zacuto FF.
 
make sure the ff isn't pressed up too hard against the lens gear. I know the Zacuto ff is built off the Petroff FF, which tends to tighten up against the lens gear as you lock the ff. Zacuto may have fixed this, but if not, that may be the issue. Also, have you used a wip or speed crank? they help to dampen unwanted vibrations from the hand.
 
Big fan of Chrosziel DV. Dampening. Minimal play. Even though it's not an FF4 many of my union AC's love the thing because of its precision. Cost a bit but worth every penny.
 
I have tried all major brands of follow focus, and some less major. There were two which were perfectly smooth, and both were all-metal - Cinevate and Croziel - get a Cinevate - only metal gives you no lash. It's also easy to mount, because it attaches to a single rail, which can be anything/anywhere. The rest are all just a wee bit less smooth, and it CAN sow on-screen.
 
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