Follow Focus question...
- Thread starter Phil
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Phil
Veteran
Re: Follow Focus question...
eh...see...I was all set for the Cavision 4X4...then I changed my mind...and the MatteBlox is cheap...and of course there's always Chrosziel 440 01 (which needs like 200 dollars in centering pieces and mm step up rings from what I hear)
...in the end...I still can't make up my mind...
How much did you say you bought your focus ring for? Have you got it and how useful is it? Which mattebox do you use?
...if you can't tell...No PS2 for Phil?...Phil needs new DVX toy! It's been a month and I'm not flat ass broke yet...it feels weird... ;D
eh...see...I was all set for the Cavision 4X4...then I changed my mind...and the MatteBlox is cheap...and of course there's always Chrosziel 440 01 (which needs like 200 dollars in centering pieces and mm step up rings from what I hear)
...in the end...I still can't make up my mind...How much did you say you bought your focus ring for? Have you got it and how useful is it? Which mattebox do you use?
...if you can't tell...No PS2 for Phil?...Phil needs new DVX toy! It's been a month and I'm not flat ass broke yet...it feels weird... ;D
mickeloaf
Well-known member
Re: Follow Focus question...
I agree, it's way too expensive. I just can't imagine it actually costing more than $100 to manufacture, and even that is a bit high.
My guess is that these devices have been made for high end cameras costing in the 10's of thousands, and due to the specialized nature of this gear, not much competition in the past from the companies making them.
Hopefully, with more demand for these things on the prosumer equipment, prices will come down for that market. Haven seen that happening yet...
I agree, it's way too expensive. I just can't imagine it actually costing more than $100 to manufacture, and even that is a bit high.
My guess is that these devices have been made for high end cameras costing in the 10's of thousands, and due to the specialized nature of this gear, not much competition in the past from the companies making them.
Hopefully, with more demand for these things on the prosumer equipment, prices will come down for that market. Haven seen that happening yet...
TC
Resident Agitator
Re: Follow Focus question...
Phil- No PS2 is a wise decision I think. But only when it's juxtaposed to a new DVX toy! I have the matteblox right now, to be 100% honest I just don't like it. Not being able to use filters is killing me. I really want the 440-01, but I'm not sure if it will work with the rail system needed for the ff. Does anyone have input on this? Anyways, if I can't get the 440-01 I suppose I'll go with the cavision, though I really just don't like the look of those bellows. I did get the gear ring, $300 from Rush. It's awesome, I love it, I can't wait to combine it with the follow focus.
Phil- No PS2 is a wise decision I think. But only when it's juxtaposed to a new DVX toy! I have the matteblox right now, to be 100% honest I just don't like it. Not being able to use filters is killing me. I really want the 440-01, but I'm not sure if it will work with the rail system needed for the ff. Does anyone have input on this? Anyways, if I can't get the 440-01 I suppose I'll go with the cavision, though I really just don't like the look of those bellows. I did get the gear ring, $300 from Rush. It's awesome, I love it, I can't wait to combine it with the follow focus.
Phil
Veteran
Re: Follow Focus question...
No he meant "get a non professionally built follow focus and get un-focused shots"
You mentioned servo...is it a machine? Servo's are found (everywhere) like in remote control planes to move the wings...I was under the assumption that it was just a gear...
Well that makes a little more sense about the price...
No he meant "get a non professionally built follow focus and get un-focused shots"
You mentioned servo...is it a machine? Servo's are found (everywhere) like in remote control planes to move the wings...I was under the assumption that it was just a gear...
Well that makes a little more sense about the price...
Re: Follow Focus question...
[quote author=Shaw link=board=Links;num=1100153636;start=0#11 date=11/11/04 at 09:16:35]Indeed I was under the same impression. Why the servo? I really don't see a need for it. What benefit does it provide?[/quote]
I am so used to working in film with steadicam and wireless followfocus, that I was thinking you guys were talking about a preston or something - that is where the servo comes in.
if you want a standard follow focus that is just gearing and requires the focus puller to stand right there and have physical contact with the barrel, it is not as complex - although it still needs to be very precise for tini amounts of movement that willl not translate to the camera body.
with a camera this light and small, what good is a follow focus unless it is wireless anyway?
[quote author=Shaw link=board=Links;num=1100153636;start=0#11 date=11/11/04 at 09:16:35]Indeed I was under the same impression. Why the servo? I really don't see a need for it. What benefit does it provide?[/quote]
I am so used to working in film with steadicam and wireless followfocus, that I was thinking you guys were talking about a preston or something - that is where the servo comes in.
if you want a standard follow focus that is just gearing and requires the focus puller to stand right there and have physical contact with the barrel, it is not as complex - although it still needs to be very precise for tini amounts of movement that willl not translate to the camera body.
with a camera this light and small, what good is a follow focus unless it is wireless anyway?
Bill__Turner
Well-known member
Re: Follow Focus question...
While most of you may know this, to clear up any possible confusion, the picture is of a Chrosziel follow-focus drive. Century makes a gear that mounts on the camera, with built in hard stops at infinity and close focus, but does not manufacture a drive unit that meshes with our gear.
Bill Turner
Century Division
Schneider Optics
While most of you may know this, to clear up any possible confusion, the picture is of a Chrosziel follow-focus drive. Century makes a gear that mounts on the camera, with built in hard stops at infinity and close focus, but does not manufacture a drive unit that meshes with our gear.
Bill Turner
Century Division
Schneider Optics
MDKfilms
Well-known member
Re: Follow Focus question...
Just thought I would throw in my two cents on this.
1- These are specialty items, so they don't make millions of them, like say toasters, so that drives up the cost.
2- While they look simple these things are precision gears, that mesh together with high tolerances.
3- The casings can be CNC machined or maybe hand milled on a milling machine.
Well there are my two cents. I have tried making one, they look easy but are deceivingly hard.
Just thought I would throw in my two cents on this.
1- These are specialty items, so they don't make millions of them, like say toasters, so that drives up the cost.
2- While they look simple these things are precision gears, that mesh together with high tolerances.
3- The casings can be CNC machined or maybe hand milled on a milling machine.
Well there are my two cents. I have tried making one, they look easy but are deceivingly hard.
Bill_Bolton
Well-known member
Re: Follow Focus question...
Because the DVX is so small, I recommend a flexible extension (called a whip). This allows your focus puller to stand a bit further back away from the cam while still being able to control the focus. The next thing you will need is an external monitor ( like a Nebtek) so that the puller can see what you see.
Most of the pics show the handwheel on the left side, but since the Chrosziel will mount on either side, I usually put the puller on the right side where it's a bit less busy.
Because the DVX is so small, I recommend a flexible extension (called a whip). This allows your focus puller to stand a bit further back away from the cam while still being able to control the focus. The next thing you will need is an external monitor ( like a Nebtek) so that the puller can see what you see.
Most of the pics show the handwheel on the left side, but since the Chrosziel will mount on either side, I usually put the puller on the right side where it's a bit less busy.
Phil
Veteran
Re: Follow Focus question...
Thanks for the tip about having it on the right side, We have a 10 inch LCD that's really sharp so it'll be easy and not so clustered around the camera.
Anyone have prices on Follow Focus or mini rods? I know Jarred mentioned Cavision dual handle carbon fiber rods that looked pretty well built.
Thanks for the tip about having it on the right side, We have a 10 inch LCD that's really sharp so it'll be easy and not so clustered around the camera.
Anyone have prices on Follow Focus or mini rods? I know Jarred mentioned Cavision dual handle carbon fiber rods that looked pretty well built.
Z
Zoomforce
Guest
Re: Follow Focus question...
Mad Doug is right.. the price is high because they invest alot of R&D into making them and they need to make that all back.. when you only can sell maybe a 1000 units and spend $50,000 in development, you gotta charge 1000 bucks to make a profit. Its not hard to make though, I went through trying to make one almost a year ago, and the material cost was about $40.. the most expensive part actually was the bevel gear box with the correct ratio, ended up being half the cost. I even bought a little manual metal mill but it took me 18 hours to cut out 3 pieces of aluminum that i dropped that hobby really quick.
Anyways, Clairmont makes a version and Panavision has too.. those places have in house mills that make all sorts of cool stuff. We just need to get a machinest on here.
Mad Doug is right.. the price is high because they invest alot of R&D into making them and they need to make that all back.. when you only can sell maybe a 1000 units and spend $50,000 in development, you gotta charge 1000 bucks to make a profit. Its not hard to make though, I went through trying to make one almost a year ago, and the material cost was about $40.. the most expensive part actually was the bevel gear box with the correct ratio, ended up being half the cost. I even bought a little manual metal mill but it took me 18 hours to cut out 3 pieces of aluminum that i dropped that hobby really quick.
Anyways, Clairmont makes a version and Panavision has too.. those places have in house mills that make all sorts of cool stuff. We just need to get a machinest on here.