How important is follow focus w/ stabilization?

Rizzice

Rizzice

Active member
So here's what I have so far:
Canon 7D
Sigma 30mm F1.4
Zoom H4N

I'm planning on purchasing a Z-Finder and Redrock Shoulder Mount System with maybe the counterweight system (and also probably the shoulder offset so it works with the Z-Finder), but I'm wondering if follow focus will be needed if I have this setup? It seems like it will turn out to be pretty stable as it is, but I don't have experience with the shoulder mount so I can't say for sure.

Is it essential that I add a follow focus to my list of "to-gets"? Also, should I get the RR shoulder mount or the Z-Finder first?


Also, this is kind of a silly question, but what do I need to buy to attach my H4N to my 7D?
 
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Depending on your budget really.

If i was you, id get a few more lenses and a cheap rig to start with. For my first 5 projects (4 shorts and a documentary) all i used was a $12 tripod (shooting with my D90)

I recently bought a Glidecam 1000 Pro used on ebay and a rig is my next buy.

My budget is small, i dont have several hundred for a rig, so i will shot around to find one for $100 - 150, or just make my own like this

ryanmodels-1.jpg


http://www.quantumpetshop.com/tutorials/cambrace.asp

Id be worried with just one lens (while it is a great lens), its not super wide. I normally shoot with this setup

50mm 1.8, 28mm 2.8. And i often times wish i had something wider. In your case the 30mm might do, but you might want somethnig closer, like a nifty 50, or an 85mm.

For the price of that redrock stuff, you could easily get 2 or 4 more lenses.

You need to decide what kinda shots you want to get, what your workflow will be etc...

I have done several succesful shots with focus pulls without a "follow focus"

i have 3 or 4 in my latest short thats on vimeo.

My best ones were achieved by sittig the camera on a tripod, and just pulling the focus ring by hand. I also had one shot that was very close, so one person hand held and another ran the focus.

Not ideal, but when your talking about over $1000 of rig and focus stuff, thats quite a sum to some of us.

As for the H4n, there are tons of adapters etc.. you can run to hold it off of the hot shoe, on your rig somewhere, or as i like to do, close to the actors.

I usually just mount the h4n on a c stand and place it close to my actors, if i am running an XLR mic on a boom, i still put the h4n on a c stand, and have someone else put the boom in close to the actors.

Hope this helps some. Im sure many here can shed more light

jon
 
Hi Jon, thanks for the advice.

I definitely am considering some more lenses, mostly just a fisheye and something a lot wider, but most of the areas in between I don't mind covering it by moving the camera to the needed distance. I might just invest in a zoom lens to give myself more adaptability while shooting, but more than anything, what good is 100 different lenses if all of my shots are shakey and out of focus?

With my tests with the Sigma 30mm, I've been able to pretty much get most of the shots I could want for independent film making as a recreation, I definitely am missing out on wide and maybe close, but 30mm is a great normal all-around focal length for my needs thusfar, and I feel I can go without a wide for the sake of proper stabilization first.

Redrock is quite expensive, but at the same time, I've heard some bad reviews about the cheaper/low-grade stuff found on eBay and such. My thought is, if I'm going to pay $150 on a cheapy system that has sub-par stabilization, I'd rather just not buy it at all, save up for an extra month, and purchase the on-par stabilization that I'm looking for. However, if anyone has experience with any DIY stabilizations that are effective with the 7D, I'm more than willing to give it a shot before I dish out $300+ for a system. I've seen DIY merlin lookalikes, as well as the one you linked, but I still have yet to hear how well they actually work in comparison with systems on the market.

Thanks for the response, I'd love to hear more input :)

Also, it wouldn't be around $1000 if I didn't need to dish out for a Follow Focus system, and I'd love to hear that just a handgrip/shoulder mount would be able to stabilize enough to use the lens focus instead of FF..
 
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Rizzice said:
Also, it wouldn't be around $1000 if I didn't need to dish out for a Follow Focus system, and I'd love to hear that just a handgrip/shoulder mount would be able to stabilize enough to use the lens focus instead of FF..
Click to expand...

I'm running the Indierails Pro XV (I can counter weight if needed) and Cinevate matte box with my GH1 and Canon FD primes without a follow focus and can do so with great stability. Stability while pulling focus isn't really the issue if you have a decent rig.

The problem and difficulty is when you try racking focus from two subjects a good distance apart. In this case finger/hand position is vital and you'll fall short of focus if you don't grab enough focus ring. You end up position your hand in ways that make you look "special"...special as in Johnny Knoxville in the Ringer. This is where stability does become an issue and you will get some nasty shake if you're fatigued.

Aside from making focus ergonomics more comfy, it allows you to maintain consistent pulls. Consistent pulls can be accomplished without a FF with stops, but it'll take more takes than you have time for. If you're the director not a huge problem. But if your cam op skills are holding up production...that's a problem.

My next investment is no doubt gonna be a FF.

It all boils down to what you shoot and your style of shooting. For me, a follow focus is the next step because I have a decent rig. I also have 50mm, 28mm, 135mm primes and my kit lens so I'm not worried about focal length variation yet.

You on the other hand, don't have a huge lens selection. That's a lot of walking back and forth to get your frame set and too close for comfort if you need extreme close ups from talent or your sister's (or brother's) cute best friend.

Good luck and happy shopping!
 
The follow focus is only really an essential thing if you have a dedicated focus puller. Otherwise it's just fluff in my opinion.
 
I believe a follow focus is a very valuable tool that can eliminate a lot of unwanted camera movement from your hand touching the lens... it also eliminates the chances of your finger getting in front of the lens and ruining the shot. A follow focus with a whip has saved me a ton! Sure you could get away with not having one, but then you will be worrying about whether or not you will be able to accurately and efficiently keep your focus while shooting... on top of whether your gear will perform, everyone else is depending on you, actors, director, Sound, Editor, etc... so don't accidentally shake the camera or stick your pinky finger in front of the lens while focusing! Good luck in whatever you decide on though.
 
if your going to hold the 7D/zfinder and just press it to your eye then yes i think you will feel your hand interference through the lens somewhat but still can be "fair" but not great. for me i use the Multirig Pro with its mono pod (attached to your belt) and i can get very nice smooth shots with my left hand on the lens. would a fully loaded rail system with a good FF work better...yeah but its still very doable the other way.

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