Hi there,
I've spent the last couple of years making small movies, docs and one feature with an XL2. Since I have budget constraints (as most Indy Filmmakers), I needed some sort of device for racking focus on the standard 20x lens.
There are options out there, but the effective, cheap and reliable way I have discovered is:
1. ZR1000 - Lanc controller for the XL2
2. Marking the Lens.
With the ZR1000, you can use the following simple steps to rack focus on a dolly or other shot:
1. Zoom in and focus on point A.
2. Zoom in on point B.
3. Click the focus button (F or N) to focus on point B, but keep track of the number of click (eg. 5).
Now click 5 times in the other direction and you have point A in focus.
Click 5 times in the direction of point B, and it's back in focus.
Really, really nice.
Marking the lens is also handy and simple if you follow these steps:
1. Put lens on default mark (mark lens and screw and align the marks)
2. Zoom in and auto-focus on point A.
3. Put back in Manual Focus and Zoom in on point B.
4. Rotate the lens till point B is in focus - Mark it.
Now rotate back to the default mark and point A is back in focus.
Rotate back to point B's mark and it's in focus.
I've used both these techniques myself and with amateur camera operators with much success.
I've spent the last couple of years making small movies, docs and one feature with an XL2. Since I have budget constraints (as most Indy Filmmakers), I needed some sort of device for racking focus on the standard 20x lens.
There are options out there, but the effective, cheap and reliable way I have discovered is:
1. ZR1000 - Lanc controller for the XL2
2. Marking the Lens.
With the ZR1000, you can use the following simple steps to rack focus on a dolly or other shot:
1. Zoom in and focus on point A.
2. Zoom in on point B.
3. Click the focus button (F or N) to focus on point B, but keep track of the number of click (eg. 5).
Now click 5 times in the other direction and you have point A in focus.
Click 5 times in the direction of point B, and it's back in focus.
Really, really nice.
Marking the lens is also handy and simple if you follow these steps:
1. Put lens on default mark (mark lens and screw and align the marks)
2. Zoom in and auto-focus on point A.
3. Put back in Manual Focus and Zoom in on point B.
4. Rotate the lens till point B is in focus - Mark it.
Now rotate back to the default mark and point A is back in focus.
Rotate back to point B's mark and it's in focus.
I've used both these techniques myself and with amateur camera operators with much success.
