GH5 Follow Focus recomendation for Panasonic Lumix GH5

tokun1

tokun1

Well-known member
Hello,

I'm looking for a recommendation for a good/better follow focus. I just purchased the Fotga DP 3000 II, it has smooth ring but unfortunately moves the lens and camera slightly when trying to rack focus, and with camera movement it doesn't make for a good rack focusing, it is super frustrating. I'm using the Panasonic Leica 12-60 mm lens, not the smoothest focus ring so that is probably the issue. Maybe there is a better follow focus that won't move the camera so much during focusing or switch to a cine prime lens with a smooth focus ring?

Any recommendation would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.
 
video652 said:
Take a look at the Gini Rig iFocus. I have the original one which is the same, but a little larger than the current iFocus. Both have almost zero backlash. The youtube review is the original that I own. I will consider selling it because I don't use it at all. PM me if interested and I will send you photos.
http://www.ginirigs.net/product/ifocus-follow-focus/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wrxvtchpP0
Click to expand...


How much are selling it for, and how much use has it had would you estimate? Thanks.
 
Due to their non-linear focus response LUMIX, & Olympus, m4/3 lenses are not great choices for working with a follow focus.

If you use lens that's better suited, such as a Veydra, you'll need either a lens support that keeps the lens from twisting, &/or a follow focus with hard stops. Without one of those solutions the follow focus will cause the m4/3 lens mount to torque when hitting the outer limits of the focus range, causing the image to shift, & potentially damaging the mount.

On a side note: If you were to choose a Veydra be aware their lens support leaves little room on the rods for a follow focus.
 
Thanks for the reply, and yes, it does torque the lens so I will stop using it before I do permanent damage to the camera. I've been reading good things about the Veydra Lenses.
 
When using a FF is is imperitive to have the camera body perfectly alligned with whatever rail system you use...that way the lens is always a constant distance from the gear of the FF...I use a Lanparte FF with hard stops, with heavy Nikon AF-S 2.8 zooms with zero movement, and no lens support, but a Lockcircle cage that wraps the front of the camera really tightly and close to the actual mount itself...it makes the magnesium front of my GH5 body very rigid...if you do use a lens support, you have to be sure not to "lift" the lens beyond perpendicular to the mount, as that will throw your FF off as well...personally with the Leica 12-60 I would opt for the Focus Transistion feature instead, as focus by wire is not reliably repeatable, and that camera/lens combo can be done as a rack in the camera.
 
I bought the Shoot35 Cine Follow Focus recently and really love it. It's on special currently so it's great value if you want a solid option:

http://www.shoot35.com/CINEfocus-Pro-Follow-Focus-p/cinefocus-pro-followfocus.htm


Here it is mounted on my GH5 8Sinn cage and rods:

IMG_20170511_190324s.jpg


Highly recommended :)

Cheers,

Paul :)
 
I just bought a Wooden Camera Universal Follow Focus. Haven't had much time to work with it, but it doesn't appear to torque the camera mount when using Veydra lenses. No clearance problems with camera or matte box. It is also very versatile in that you can mount the gear on either side and have the focus ring on the other side, or keep both on the same side.

Kevin
 
I can second the Shoot35 Follow Focus. I've had mine for years and it works like a charm. Depending on your setup, it may be a little heavy - it's meant to compete with full size FF rigs. But it's smooth as butter and has next to zero play.

-DES
 
I'll chime in here, but with 2 questions (that may also be solutions):

1. Using native M43 glass, how might the all manual Voigtlander series work with a follow focus?

2. Anyone have experience (or thoughts) on the Edelkrone Follow Focus Rig, the Focus One? It's geared towards solo operators. (https://www.edelkrone.com/us/p/504/focus-one)
 
filmguy123 said:
I'll chime in here, but with 2 questions (that may also be solutions):

1. Using native M43 glass, how might the all manual Voigtlander series work with a follow focus?

2. Anyone have experience (or thoughts) on the Edelkrone Follow Focus Rig, the Focus One? It's geared towards solo operators. (https://www.edelkrone.com/us/p/504/focus-one)
Click to expand...
I had one of these and got rid of it because it is only mounted on one rod, meaning that that rod had better be super tight, otherwise the follow focus torsion will rotate it away from the lens.

Better to get a follow focus which mounts on both rods for torsional rigidity. Ideally have it be removable without needing to slip off the end of the rods.

Also, the Edelkrone default position seemed to be for use with Nikon lenses, not standard direction lenses, so I had to use the little reversing gear as standard, meaning there was extra play.

Finally, the Shoot35 follow focus I recommended only costs 249 EUR currently, which is a bargain for such a good piece of equipment!

Cheers,

Paul :)
 
I’m real happy with the Edelkrone Focus One, I’ve listed how our GH5 is set up below.

Our Fully Rigged Panasonic GH5-4K Camera Package is available with a Movcam Camera Cage Kit, a Olympus 12-40mm f2.8 pro lens, a Olympus 40-150mm f2.8 Pro Lens, a Edelkrone Follow Focus, a Genustech Matte Box, 4-Camera Battery’s, a Battery Charger, 4-64GB SD Cards, a Manfrotto Tripod & Fluid Head, a Porta Brace Hard Camera Case and a Manfrotto Tripod Case
 
I have the Shoot35 FF on my GH4 rig and every time I use it, I am tempted to sell my Bright Tangerine Revolvr and my OConnor CFF-1 and get another Shoot35 for my Epic. It is the best FF for under $3000 I have ever used.
 
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