iDC Follow Focus

P

PixelWrangler

Well-known member
Has anyone ordered this FF from iDC? - they just released a version for the GH1/GH2. I had the chance to play with one on a Canon 60D and it felt real smooth with his Sigma lens. He had it setup on a DIY two handled cage sort of FigRig that had the perfect left hand placement to steady the rig and focus at the same time. It made going hand held pretty do able. Here's a link to the site - I think the price is very reasonable and I like that it's a quick setup and adjustable.

http://www.idcphotography.com/kart/index.php?p=catalog&parent=42&pg=1
 
IDC Follow Focus

IDC Follow Focus

I have the IDC follow focus for the GH2. It's not a piece of crap. It may be expensive, but it is far from crap. In fact, it is probably one of the most useful tools in my production kit.

I use the riser block with the basic system zero. The unit is well engineered and nicely finished. (An example is that the mounting plate to the camera has a small machined lip on it that fits the GH2 body so it won't turn on you when you tighten it down. Compared with the original "Run and Gun" solution they had over a year ago, the new system is better thought out. Attaching holes and adjustment areas have all been refined, and the ability for the follow focus friction wheel to be adjusted is extremely useful.

The mounting block on the camera allows for battery changing on the camera when mounted, and with the riser block, I can mount the camera easily to my Juiced Link and have easy access to change the focus wheel to met a variety of lenses. I use the 7-14 and the 14-140 Lumix lenses and almost all of the Minolta MD lenses from 20mm - 300mm. The all fit using the IDC system. The change is quick and easy, and it works VERY well. Actually once you get parts of the IDC system, they become very interchangable with other set ups with other cameras and situations. I also use the "U-Boat commander."

I looked far and wide for solutions to be used as a follow focus on my camera, and recently scoured NAB for all solutions that were there. Unfortunately there aren't many that are good, user friendly and cheap. I chose IDC because their product is high quality and the people give excellent customer service. The user friendly aspect is a big plus for me because shooting DSLR has so many other little attentions to detail, such as proper audio, focus, lens changes etc. that I didn't want the follow focus unit to be another area I have to concentrete on to make sure all things worked and came together while shooting. Especially with many lens changes, this friction wheel design is actually very inventive. I also leave my rig on the camera all the time. It goes into my camera case assembled and adds a little more weight and control for my hands when I hold the small camera as a hand hold unit.

I will say I am not paid or have any association with IDC. I just believe that the product is well engineered and the system has become in a short time, very well thought out.
 
First of all I'm not sure what the point of using the follow focus with wired focus lens ( panasonic 14-140 & 7-14)
Secondly , the IDC is not follow focus , It does not have a gear assembly, no marking disk,
it's just a ring that wears off your lens focus ring (with reverse direction).

P.S.
can you use IDC system with focus ring of Nokton 25mm .95? I don't think so.
 
P.S.
can you use IDC system with focus ring of Nokton 25mm .95? I don't think so.[/QUOTE]

...I think yes....

It's just a idea:

you can use Silicon Rescue Tape on the Nokton... http://www.rescuetape.com/ (IDC wheel has now contact to the silicon tape protected Nokton)

http://youtu.be/AZwIMxshZNE

without adhesive, just a self-fusing silicon tape

"Never gets gummy or sticky like electrical or duct tape - No messy cleanup!"

..and of course.....also available in Nokton black ;-)

Scope
 
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IDC Rig

IDC Rig

I can put cam tape on the focus wheel and place marks to pull focus on just fine. The advantage of hte IDC system is that it quickly will adapt to many lenses on the GH2 body.Panny GH2 Rig 2.jpgPanny GH2 Rig 1.jpg
 
THanks for the in depth first post and follow up pictures gk16blman. When I tested the Follow Focus on the 60D he said that it was the first generation and it had a white skate board wheel for the focus wheel - I like the look of the new black wheel, can you tell us what is it made out of? Also so he didn't show how to change the positioning of the wheel to a different slot, but I did see that it was quick from viewing one of the Kobal vids from a previous post.
 
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