C100: Follow focus choices

C

coutard

Well-known member
Hi

I'm looking into finally buying a follow focus in order to get a proper rig for my C100.
After quite a time of research I found the Fotga ones on ebay seems solid for the price ($130...) and I've been ogling at the DP500 for several weeks...
But now on ebay I discovered they got a new model, the DP3000, a bit cheaper...

here is the DP500 :
Fotga-DP500-Follow-Focus1.jpg

and the DP3000 :
2013-NEW-arrival-FOTGA-DP3000-DSLR-Follow-Focus-A-B-Hard-Stops-for-15mm-Rod-5D.jpg

anyone ever used one of those and tell me if they're well built ?
and someone tried the new DP3000 over the DP500 ?

thanks for any tips
 
Personally, I don't use a follow focus with my C100. However, I used one with my 5D2s in the past and also with the FS-100. I've owned the Cinevate Durus and have had the Shoot35 version 2 follow focus for a while now. I think the Shoot35 was a great value for the money. I haven't used the Fotga or other Chinese knock off brands but I'd probably guess that they have some backlash from cheap gear boxes. YMMV of course.
 
Yep thats what I think of most of all these chinese follow focuses,
but then I've heard this Fotga one is pretty well built so maybe someone ever used it and can confirm ?

I've looked the super 35 gear though, not bad...the baseplate seems quite cheap and compatible with the C100.
 
I looked at these also and thought the DP3000 was an older model? I could be wrong.

There was a C100 owner on here who posted photos of a rig with the Fotga Dp500 a while back. Also a C500 owner more recently. It would be interesting to hear their opinions.
 
I've used the Tilta and TrusMT. Both are pretty good for the price the Tilta edges out but also more expensive and some what heavy. I like my Zacuto Z-Drive. Small and smooth with zero backlash. Great build and is designed for the single operator.
 
I have the dp-500 with the quick release rail block and I really like it.

It's beefy, and well built, especially so for the price/market place.

Mine really doesn't have any play and has been great.

I don't use it a ton, but when I have used it, it's been great.

Definitely worth the money to check out
 
The Fotga DPIIS is actually a nice FFocus. I've tried it with a friend's setup on a MKIII. I guess with a few tweaks you can make it perform at the same level as the more expensive ones.
 
I also have the top DP500 II, but with a quick release where you just clip it onto the rods (don't have to slide it on from the front).

It is sturdy and well built. There is no backlash to talk of, and I even think there is a screw you can tighten somewhere if it builds up. Never needed that.

I can certainly vouch for it for the price.

The one thing is that the hard stops are either in or out. You can't park them out of the way (but you can unscrew them). With Canon lenses it works so that 360 degrees on the FF just barely covers the focus range on some lenses. This is based on gearing where you just put that semi-soft rubber band directly on the lens.

I don't use a FF all the time, but when I need one this one covers my needs for now.

I'm a bit interested in Erik's Zacuto. I wouldn't hesitate to buy Zacuto if it was the right choice, but I prefer not to. Zacuto is kind of like Sushi... where they charge you $8 for a finger sized lump of rice with a cucumber on it…
 
I was indeed thinking about the one with the quick release feature.

Thanks for all your opinions....For that price I think I might give it a try.

Zacuto is 10 times the price, plus I as an assistant camera have worked with some zacuto gear in the past and didn't like very much the conception of it. The baseplates for exemple were kind of dodgy for an heavy rig that I had to use very intensively for a feature in Africa. There was a lot of handheld work and I had Zacuto accessories + Redrock micro shoulder set, and I didn't trust either.

In the future, if I have that kind of money to spend on camera accessories, then I'll go straight forward Arri, O'connor, Chrosziel stuff....expensive but indestructible.
 
I bought the Fotga DP5002S out of curiosity, and the need for a second follow focus. My ff unit for years has been an Arri FF4, so that is what I'll compare it to.

This is really interesting for still lenses, or lenses with very little resistance with the focus helicoil. For older stiffer cine lenses this unit may not work that well.

For starters, the Dp500 2S has no backlash, at least when new. The transmission is surprisingly tight. There is a small screw where you can adjust the resistance. It does have provisions for two hard stops. For myself, these just get in the way, make noise, and I'll take apart the unit to eliminate them. The marking disc is removable and extra discs are available to purchase. For accessories: the speed crank is compatible with Arri cranks. Nothing to report here. The Fotga whip is not worth the expense, however little it is. It is too long, too flexible and the knob is way too small. Overall the build quality is as you would expect- all the hardware is toy quality (undersized- by a lot), typical of the knock off gear being sold on ebay.

The weakest part is the bracket attaching the the transmission to the quick release rod mount. It is much too thin and flexes when pulling focus on a stiffer lens. The Fotga works fine with an OptimoDP zoom I have as the focus is smooth and not tight.

The DP5002S came with a rubber lens gear- and I actually liked it. It's inherently slip resistant and faster to setup then a Zacuto zip gear. Again, for a loose still lens I think it would work and also functions as a lens stop.

Durability is the real question mark with the Fotga Dp500 2S. It actually works great new, as long as your lenses are not stiff. If Fotga cast/machined a heavier z bracket and upped the quality and size of the hardware, this would be a very interesting follow focus unit as the transmission feels tight. Again, all a question of durability. But for the price- it's surprising how good the cheap gear has gotten.

Would I recommend it for regular producton work? No, it's simply too flimsy- the screws will strip out in no time at the hands of union AC's, some of whom will intentionally break gear to replace it with industry standard Arri pieces. If you don't rent it out and use autofocus still lenses this unit may fit the bill nicely.
 
Thank you very much for that great insight.
I'd be using it with rokinon lenses on small budget short films so that would make sense I guess.

but I agree with you for the film industry : anyway when I work on a short or music video that has some budget I rent a true cine lens set, arri gear....and for those I'm not shooting with my C100 :)
 
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