Follow Focus without using gears?

G

Grury

New member
Hi,

I've been wondering if using the lens gears is really necessary. On my Canon 24-105 the follow focus seems to work just fine without having to put the lens gear on, at least I dont see any difference.
Is there any reason not to use it directly on the lens ring, apart that it may get damaged?

Cheers,
 
IDC makes a follow focus designed around this idea. Pretty lame though if you use anything other than Canon lenses and then of course you have to deal with the fact that there are no hard stops on Canon lenses....
 
It's only really necessary if you're building a cinema-rig that is designed for a follow focus. I usually pull my own focus on the 7D, but with more complex shots I've found that I would really benefit from having a 1st AC handle the job instead - and for that you do need a follow focus and gears, especially if you're on a faster lens than your zoom.
 
My question wasnt so much about the need for using follow focus, but if theres a reason to actually use gears when using it. I do have a rig and I'm using the Proaim V2 FF, I didnt see any difference using it with or without lens gear.

So I wonder if theres a need for the gears, or its just something that was enherited from traditional film rigs.
 
I suppose on a lens with a rubber focus ring that has little resistance it will work, on lenses with metal bodies it will most likely slip.
 
Thanks for your replies.
I guess I'll have to do some proper testing and see if theres any slipping.
I just hate those bulky plastic gears, been thinking of ordering Zacutos zip gears, although they pretty expensive, especially with shipping to europe.
 
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