Focus control instead of follow focus

smelni

Veteran
Hey all ,

if you havent seen this http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrockpzfi.html

looks great - focus, iris, zoom and record all on one unit.

Question - do you think the focus on this will be accurate enough to use instead of a follow focus? It will allow the puller to be much further from the camera - possibly in front of a large production monitor.

what thinks yee?
 
That is an awesome tool. Here is a suggestion I wrote that they could maybe offer us. Varizoom is an excellent company and they listen, which is cool. My suggestion would make the focus pulling have a slower change. Changing the gearing in essence.


----As usual Tom,

You make awesome gear. I know if I have a HVX200, your ( VZ - RockPZFI ) will be in my tool set for sure......

Tom, is it possible for I to attach a larger wheel ( slips over maybe ) to the focus knob so the rotations are longer and slowing down the speed of the focus changes?---

Tom Mckay's response:

Thanks Michael,

It certainly possible. I don't think this style control is well suited for a or large knob. Too much leverage and something is gonna break. I know some focus wheels are bigger then this entire control.

I'll make something up and run it by you in a few weeks.

Thanks,

Tom

www.varizoom.com
 
I too would like to find out the possibility of using this device as a focus puller. Especially when shooting 24p using my glidecam. I'm not sure if i'll be able to fly, compose, zoom, focus, iris at the same time.

I would also like to know what kind of response time it has, is it equivalant to using the manual focus ring or is it slow to respond...Maybe I'll write varizoom and ask them directly.

Look forward to hearing the possibilities,

(M)
 
What I want to knwo is whether it's an aboloute (like a FF) or a proportional (like a zoom control) contorl. Describled simply: can you mark the stops on the wheel? and repeat moves. or is it just a "throttle" control like zoom with no repeatablity?

- Mikko
 
Here's the super quick response I received from VariZoom.

-------
Both the focus and iris dials are instantly responsive and completely smooth with no steps or hitches. All functions can be used in combination simultaneously. It is our full intention to give the filmmaker powerful tools to use at their discretion.

Feel free to quote me on the forums, I hope this answers your question. We appreciate your interest in VariZoom products and let me know if you need anything else.

Nate
VariZoom
Lens Controls
-------------

Nice!

(M)
 
hey Mommaerts
can you forward Mikko's questions to varizoom as well - very good questions.
 
Focus Iris control

Focus Iris control

Mikko, It is fully addressable and accurate for both focus and iris. Repeatable to the marks you may make on the wheels everytime. Just like controlling a professional Fujinon or Canon lens.

All three functions are independent from each other and may be controlled simultaneously.

Tom

www.varizoom.com

vzrockpzfi_02.jpg






mikkowilson said:
What I want to knwo is whether it's an aboloute (like a FF) or a proportional (like a zoom control) contorl. Describled simply: can you mark the stops on the wheel? and repeat moves. or is it just a "throttle" control like zoom with no repeatablity?

- Mikko
 
Good gosh, this is a MUST have piece of kit! I would like a larger knob with marks as well, would challenge or surpass rod mounted follow focus in many situations.

I can see hooking a stepper or slow motor up to that iris knob to slowly close or open the iris for time-lapse sunrise/sunset shots (if it's totally smooth and step-less, that is).

Jim Arthurs
 
Tom McKay said:
Mikko, It is fully addressable and accurate for both focus and iris. Repeatable to the marks you may make on the wheels everytime. Just like controlling a professional Fujinon or Canon lens.
Tom,
Thankyou very much for your answer.

I'm used to working with focus demands, and I really coudln't imagine it beeing anythign else but I wanted to be sure.

This is GREAT news. It puts the 100B and the HVX in another class as fanstastic lightweight steadicam cameras too thanks to simple follow focus. It also opens them up as low end studio/EFP cameras. Thanks to good lens controls. :thumbsup:

Next, I'd like to put forward a request/sugestion: Can we have a larger focus only control, for studio environments?
I'm sure you are familier with this:
602.jpg



Now manke a wireless one and you'll have a(nother) killer product...

Goos stuff Tom / Varizoom. :beer:

- Mikko
 
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