follow focus or not?

J

janixpacle

New member
Hi all, i was wondering what's the benefit of having a follow focus other than it has markers and probably ease of focus?

thanks! i'm new to the forum btw.
 
ergonomic, steadiness, and speed. in simple term, it a tool to make your life a hell lot easier than doing it w/ your hand.

just like any other tools on this earth, its created to make our life easier.
 
janixpacle said:
Hi all, i was wondering what's the benefit of having a follow focus other than it has markers and probably ease of focus?

thanks! i'm new to the forum btw.
Click to expand...

While a follow focus makes work easier. -and I'd probably use one if i can. I have been able to get by without one, and Ive been shooting with a lens adapter for more than 4 years already.

I work with a small crew and have used it on jibs, dollies, handheld. So far, just marking it with tape and pen works just as well. Even with a mattebox.

I must add also that racking focus is not something you do in most shots, maybe one or two or three in a project (i do TVCs and short corporates). In most cases, focus is fixed to a certain mark on the scene. Sometimes I track a moving target where the distance to cam is also maintained.

I'm not saying follow focus is unnecessary, I'm just saying that its possible to get by without. Its one of the DIYs I'm planning on next.

Ted
 
it's important if you shoot humans.

i don't care how much prep you do before a shot. measure and mark all you want. actors NEVER hit their marks perfectly. no biggie on a wide lens, but a CU on an 85mm gives you extremely shallow depth and you need to be on that focus like white on rice. it's just tough to do without a FF. now that the prices have dropped it's not such a big deal to get one. i just picked up the newly updated redrock FF and it's great. zero play and great feel. only $550 but i think you can get 10% off right now if you ask for the nab deal.
 
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