Ed Kishel
Veteran
HMC150 owners know that the focus ring on the camera is shaped such that it is difficult to get focus gears attached and use a traditional follow focus. Now the camera does have a port for using electronic focusing devices like those from Manfrotto and Bebob Foxi- but those cost $270 and $460 (respectively).
But for those who may be looking for a manual focus aid for around $100- consider the indifocus zoom: http://www.indisystem.com/products/indifocus_zoom
It uses the rubber "grip" approach instead of gears. I bought one for my T2i becuase I didn't need a bulky FF and I wanted something inexpensive that would keep my focusing from shaking the camera. I was please to discover it works on my HMC150 as well. The flat edge of the 150's focus ring is wide enough to make contact with the rubber grip of Tim's device.
Now it doesn't have stops or a white ring to draw focus points, but the 150 does use MF numbers on the LCD so that you can note your foreground and background focus areas. Or you can place small bits of gaffer's tape on the tapered side of the 150's focus ring (the bumpy teethy part) and onother piece on the barrel next to it- for a more traditional use. The gear box can also be oriented for use on the left or right sides of the camera.
Much easier (for me anyway) than trying to grip the focus ring of the 150 and do manual focus adustments. It's very smooth when in use. The thing I don't like is that the knob should inlcude a foam sleeve or something to make it easier to grip with your fingers. Hasn't been a problem yet, but it would be nice for my huge sausage fingers.
It does use a standard rod system to support it, but you would need one for a traditional geared FF anyway. So... just a friendly FYI for those who might be interested.
thanks
But for those who may be looking for a manual focus aid for around $100- consider the indifocus zoom: http://www.indisystem.com/products/indifocus_zoom
It uses the rubber "grip" approach instead of gears. I bought one for my T2i becuase I didn't need a bulky FF and I wanted something inexpensive that would keep my focusing from shaking the camera. I was please to discover it works on my HMC150 as well. The flat edge of the 150's focus ring is wide enough to make contact with the rubber grip of Tim's device.
Now it doesn't have stops or a white ring to draw focus points, but the 150 does use MF numbers on the LCD so that you can note your foreground and background focus areas. Or you can place small bits of gaffer's tape on the tapered side of the 150's focus ring (the bumpy teethy part) and onother piece on the barrel next to it- for a more traditional use. The gear box can also be oriented for use on the left or right sides of the camera.
Much easier (for me anyway) than trying to grip the focus ring of the 150 and do manual focus adustments. It's very smooth when in use. The thing I don't like is that the knob should inlcude a foam sleeve or something to make it easier to grip with your fingers. Hasn't been a problem yet, but it would be nice for my huge sausage fingers.
It does use a standard rod system to support it, but you would need one for a traditional geared FF anyway. So... just a friendly FYI for those who might be interested.
thanks
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