Focusing SLR lenses on jib arm

taormina

taormina

Hates to Rent
Ever since I got the Letus FE (and awaiting the Extreme) I've had the obvious dilemma of focusing the SLR lenses while using a jib arm. I'm aware a remote follow focus unit would do the trick, but does anyone know of a wired (non wireless) unit that I could use for the arm?

If I have to, I'll spend the 1500 to buy the foveas unit, but I'd like to keep the expense lower since I really do not need wireless in that scenario.

Or am I missing something obvious you guys are doing to focus these lenses on jibs?
 
For the most part, you should try to maximize your depth of field so that if you are off somewhat, it won't be a big deal. I'd consider using the camera lens for those shots and try to match them in post. Otherwise, it's a nightmare.
 
Hey Ramdop, thought of all tht - it doesn't work for my particular scenario. I think I'll just make a remote follow focus. It's not that hard.
 
It's not about being hard or not. It's about being accurate. Redrockmicro has their remote FF unit coming out for $500. Pretty slick deal I say. And the receiver will work for iris and zoom as well. The Bartech FF is expensive and you would have to wait a while. Making your own is great, but be careful or other users on these forums will be begging you for a cheap remote FF unit as well!

Randop: Don't you mean whip?

Taormina: The Foveas is a little expensive but it costs around $1500. http://www.foveas.com/ My suggestion is take the follow focus box you like the best and mod it into a remote FF unit.
 
Joe - I've looked into all the remote FF units ad nauseam. The Foveas looks promising - Kind of expensive, but well built. Redrock looks good to, but for those who really want to understand me......I hate waiting. What are the choices available now?????

I'm not going to 'make a reservation'. I just want to buy it. Frankly , for something that will see limited use, I think I'll just use an RC servo and mate it to my cavision FF.

Another guy on another board (homebuilt stabilizers I think) made a pretty nice one. It cost about 100.

I would actually just spring for the foveas, but believe it or not, I have a problem buying something from Europe. Man - can't they sell something like that here? It's not some 'made in america' rant - I could care less where it was made, but by the time you order, they ship.....at least a month.

A
 
What i'd do is take your Cavision FF, mount a servo gear that connects into the adapter port. Then you still have a normal FF, but a wired adapter external servo as well. You could even make a little perpendicular rails adapter for it.
 
If you're using a wider angle (like a 24mm) at an f-stop of f4 or so, you'll find that everything beyond 10 ft or so is in focus. For tighter shots, you can set focus using the focus marks on your lens (assuming it's collimated!).

We've got several simple units (wired) that will interface with our follow focus but you don't want to hear about them yet. Joseph is pretty much on track with what we're doing :)
 
Hi Joe and Dennis,

What do you mean by adapter port?

I know what you mean with wider lenses, but I want to have full control, especially with a steadicam.
 
The adapter port is a port ("hole") on the knob of the follow focus unit. It's where you would plug in a whip or other device. So theoretically you could attach a device to that port and use that to pull focus on a jib. You see what I'm saying? You could attach a metal rod to that adapter port and then spin that using a motor etc. etc. It'd be rather inexpensive I suppose.
 
Oh, OK. I do have one of those. Actually, I was going to make a bartech clone - i.e. a 360 degree servomotor that drives the FF gear for ease of use and rail mounts. It won't be too bad. Steadicam is the key here - i don't want anything sticking out too far laterally from the rig and it must look pro. Or at least semipro.
 
Hi Joe,

It may not resemble a bartech when it is done, but the functionality should be the same. I really, really don't know why they get such big numbers for those things. Also keep in mind that in many circles, a bartech (5k) is a cheap rip off a Preston. Go figure.
 
Anyone have any idea when that RedRock microRemote follow focus will be available? I think that'd be a nice thing to have... I don't have a jib right now, but I'm probably going to buy the Porta-Jib before year's end and I want some type of a remote FF solution too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top