Follow Focus, Matte Box & CameraRig as a Long term investisement : Best choice?

V

vincent thomas

Well-known member
Hi Everyone

Im about to investigate some money to build a serious shooting kit which could stand for years and im looking for your suggestions. My problem is at the moment im sill not decided if i will for Red, Canon , Sony , BlackMagic or whatever other cameras that will come up in the next months. Look like i will keep my DSLR lens for now so i guess no PL lens in a short future. But one thing i would like is not specific to one camera, it's a lot of money and i would like to keep it for years...

Im decided for the viewfinder with the AlphaTron 035W-3G. Im not sure about the remainting items.

- For the Follow Focus, My first choice is the O Connor Ofocus DM. Should i consider an ARRI Follow focus instead?

- Matte Box... Arri , O Connor or ...?

- For the camera rig, i guess here it's more camera specific and so more difficult to give me a clear answer. What will be the best brand to look at ? Any special words here?

Thanks everyone

vince*

__________________________________________________________

Vincent Thomas
Artist for Film / Photograph & Creative Director
http://www.stranger-than-paradise.book.fr/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0859628/
 
O-VER-KILL!

everything you mentioned is fantastic. but crazy-ass expensive. if you are going DSLR or really anything outside of mega-budget productions. there are FAR cheaper and nearly as good products from, zacuto, shoot35, cinevate, etc...
 
Maybe it is yes. But missed a shoot or have to do 3 takes because your follow focus isn't working as good as it should be for example is one thing i will like not to go. Also one thing i consider is not only it could last more, but if one day want to sell a Arri or O'connor Follow focus, well you will never have problem and you will get a fair amount. Try to do the same with your cinevate or so item...

But anyway, im opened to change my mind and go something cheaper off course, im just presenting here my elements of decision... :)

Anyone has tried this one?
http://www.ocon.com/products/camera-accessories/o-box.html
 
Both the Arri and O'Connor gear are top of the line, and built to last (there's a reason they're the two main brands rental houses always include in their camera kits). Barring that I'd probably suggest the Zacuto gear for it's lifetime warranty.

For my own company I opted for the Arri MMB-2 mattebox and MFF-1 follow-focus with Berkey System rig components. It certainly isn't the cheapest route to take, but it only takes a second or two to appreciate the difference in build-quality that the extra money buys you. It's gear that will last a long, long time. Like you say, it's an investment, and in my opinion - one worth making.
 
Nah man nothing is overkill. Theres a reason people put a DSLR on an Arri geared head, because it works hell of a lot better than a damn manfrotto. Buy a overkill gear now and NEVER deal with it (And gain rental points)

Honestly if you've got a good budget to work with, get both an Arri FF and Arri MB, I love both of those. To be specific as Grug mentioned the MMB-2 is good, but I personally like the FF3. Its what I request in those rare occasions I'm as AC :P


For support, get a dovetail baseplate and shoulder rig from WoodenCamera. Ryan makes stuff for a red, but it will work with a DSLR if you buy a seperate baseplate. That way you have a solid 19mm build, a dovetail baseplate (which are awesome) and good gear.
 
Thanks everyone, i noticed the Arri FF3 and MMB1 or MMB2 or MB18 are the most common equipment provided by rental company. Should i prefer the Arri to the O'Connor Follow Focus?

The O'Connor Matte box seem an interesting option with the optional hand grip , i thought quite handy, don't you guys think so?

I was tented to mention WoodenCamera too in my first email, as it seems much praised , especially by Red owner...

v*
 
Thought needs to be put into your matte box as well for future use... Are you going to be happy with a clip on or would a rail mount be more practical? Fixed mount or swing-away? How many filter stages do you need, size, fixed or rotating, rear insert? Do you anticipate purchasing any cine lenses in the future with large front diameter? Just some things to think about. I'm a big fan of buying used to save money. While there's nothing wrong with buying a high end matte box and follow focus if you have the scratch, there is also nothing wrong with buying Chinese or Indian knockoffs if you take care of your gear and store in cases. My thought... I would rather buy nice filters and a cheaper matte box, than to use my entire budget on a very nice matte box and have no money left for filters. Kind of defeats the point of having a matte box in the first place.
 
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vincent thomas said:
Thanks everyone, i noticed the Arri FF3 and MMB1 or MMB2 or MB18 are the most common equipment provided by rental company. Should i prefer the Arri to the O'Connor Follow Focus?

The O'Connor Matte box seem an interesting option with the optional hand grip , i thought quite handy, don't you guys think so?

I was tented to mention WoodenCamera too in my first email, as it seems much praised , especially by Red owner...

v*
Click to expand...

Most common in rental house = very hard to break.

In simple cases most rental houses carry steel dolly track and avoid the cheaper heavy-wall track. Mainly because the steel ones are less prone to damage. So rental houses prefer to get the high-end gear that can take a beating.
The FF-3 is a monster, I actually just have one right now with me that we rented, and I assure you that you'll love it. I've only worked with the Oconnor follow focus once, its nice, but it doesn't beat the versatility of the Arri.

The Oconnor mattebox with hand grips is quite interesting, but you want your arms lower. Long handles and grips are much more comfortable, I just did handheld yesterday on a fully rigged up red, and had handles up top. I REGRET IT!
 
Thanks it's all very good advise.
I have a background in photography, visual effect and writting, im not technicaly aware of the issue i will meet. For the matte box, im still puzzled. For my all my equipment, i would like something simple, pro and versatile. But also more Run' n Gun style.
Considering this, which matte box and camera rig would you take ? Arri MMB-2?
Berkey System rig, Woodencamera Cage Rig, or something from Zacuto?

The O Connor Ofocus DM seems a good one for both cinema and dslr lens while being on a budget. Will i regreat it compare to an ARRI MFF1 or a bigger FF4?

Once again thanks everyone.
__________________________________________________ ________

Vincent Thomas
Artist for Film / Photograph & Creative Director
http://www.stranger-than-paradise.book.fr/
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0859628/
 
I'm a cheap ass, so I bought a nice rail mounted knockoff matte box for low dollars that does everything an expensive matte box does without the price tag. I've had it for a couple of years now without issues. The plan was to replace it down the road, but at this point I see no reason to do so as it works just fine. I'm beyond the point in my career where I'm trying to impress clients with big name products or building impressive rigs with a matte box mounted all the time. The only time I even bring a matte box out of its case is when it's actually needed.

All the Best!

Dave
 
David W. Jones said:
I'm a cheap ass, so I bought a nice rail mounted knockoff matte box for low dollars that does everything an expensive matte box does without the price tag. I've had it for a couple of years now without issues. The plan was to replace it down the road, but at this point I see no reason to do so as it works just fine. I'm beyond the point in my career where I'm trying to impress clients with big name products or building impressive rigs with a matte box mounted all the time. The only time I even bring a matte box out of its case is when it's actually needed.

All the Best!

Dave
Click to expand...


I think for me I'm past the point of impressing clients AND just saying "it works", At the point that my 1stAC will mumble under his breath while he's trying to fix up a rig that isn't very compatible (And then tell me I'm a dumbass for getting crappy rod supports). So now I try to put budget aside for good equipment, and personally ask them what they want, and rent it. You may think an Oconnor 2060 is overkill on a small rig, but I think its a lot easier to work with. And thats what it comes down to: How much time you've wasted on set trying to make a cheap knock-off brand work properly
 
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