Idc Photography Follow Focus

A

andrew00

Well-known member
Anyone tried one of these - http://www.idcphotography.com/kart/index.php?p=product&id=125&parent=30

I'm looking for a run and gun follow focus setup and on paper it seems appealing, and people's comments seem to suggest it's a decent alternative - not one for studio work, but for handheld stuff it does the job.

I've seen some people say it's good value, but I think it's incredibly expensive - you're paying $360 + shipping for a baseplate and skateboard wheel. For me, in the UK that's £220, but you've prob got tax on that to take it to £250+.

I'd like something to take my hands off the lens barrel, as it's the biggest source of shaking in my footage, and I'm considering the IDC as there's few alternatives and I'm not really manual enough to make something myself or equivalent quality, but it still seems verrrrrrrry expensive to me.

Anyone got any thoughts?
a x
 
Have it and love it. If you're doing your own focus pulling this is a get. if you have a focus puller get the standard focus wheel.

Reasons why i love: Excellent build quality, ease of use, works with most of my lenses, and I have a lot, can be left on camera and u are able to place tripod mounting plate under neath, no focus rings necessary keeping it more low profile and if you have a bunch of lenses it saves money and time.

One thing if you're using the z-finder: there is a small metal strip that keeps the camera and wheel from changing position. The mounted z-finder blocks the bottom area of the camera slightly where this metal strip needs to rest. You may have to file that metal strip down just a small bit. Not a big deal as its aluminum and a couple of strokes with the file gave clearance for that metal piece.

Note that some lenses may not work. Best to contact IDC.
It is truly a badass piece of equipment.
 
Hey, thanks for your reply, I was beginning to think no one had used one!

It seems you're certainly a fan, and that's a good thing because it's damn expensive! And if I'm going to spend the cash then naturally it has to work well heh. Would you say it's worth the money? Ignoring the whole 'it's a skateboard wheel' thing, do you feel from a usage point of view it justifies the expense?
 
For the price and what the thing is, it really is overpriced . But thats nothing new in this business right ?

I'll say this if I lost it, I would buy it again for sure. It makes shooting so much easier.

I think sometimes people give good reviews to expensive but useless purchases because it helps them psychologically to get past laying out the expense. But I'm looking at this from an ease of use place and I couldn't do some of my shooting without it.

I have a bunch of rigs for different setups and situations like a heavily modified redrock captain stubing with my marshall monitor, the idc works so well with that setup I couldn't focus without it.

I've had mine for months now but if you're one that needs the seal of approval of a Philip Bloom , he just reviewed it.

Also look at IDC's return policy if you don't like it.
 
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Thanks for you reply, I've decided I'm gonna buy it!

The price was basically putting me off as it seems a neat little thing to have, but at that price? Yikes!

However, from what you've said, yes the price is high for what it is, but the value you get is pretty good considering you can't really use an alternative ffocus with such run and gun ease, you need rails or it sticks out to the side etc etc.

Thanks for your balanced view, appreciated!

Also, whilst I think of it - I've also got a Captain Stubling and have a lilliput monitor arriving soon. Can you please tell/show me how you've modded it and added the idc to the setup please? I like the stubling but it's not light so I'm dubious if it actually gives me a more stable shot handheld, hence looking at the idc. Well, in fairness, the Stub is good when you need to move the camera as that'll always bring issues handheld w/tilting etc, but I wouldn't say it's more stable w/stationary shooting.
 
Remember some lenses might not work check first. don't want you to be frustrated for the expense just on my recommendation.

here is my stubing rig pics:

http://img34.imageshack.us/i/img0348mo.jpg/

http://img64.imageshack.us/i/img0347x.jpg/


Camera is mounted off the redrock dslr baseplate. I basically just added a 9" rod off the handlebar clamp to place the marshall behind the camera and a redrock arm to connector to another rod to get a top handle. there is another handle on the other side that you can't see in the pics in the stubing way. My thumb and forefinger on the right hand can reach all the relevant buttons and the fingers of my left can easily get to the wheel to get focus which the marshall makes much easier with its peaking feature.
 
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Ah good to see, that's getting pretty complex heh. I don't like the handle bar grip for the Stubling, firstly it moves about, I know that's the design, but I don't see WHY it does it, the last thing I want is something moving mid shot. Secondly, if you sit it the right way up, i.e. where the M is facing correctly, it hangs so low I can't attach it to a tripod! Even with the tripod adapter scrim kit the screw isn't long enough to screw it in, gotta source a new one somehow now which is an annoying oversight.

I've got a speed crank too, actually the shoot35 one, which fits the micro focus fine but can't really use that w/the Stubling, which is a shame b/c I find the ffocus quite bumpy, whereas the crank is smooth and easy.

I've ordered the idc, which is cool. DAMN expensive for what it is, but if it does the job who am I to complain!
 
The things I like to keep in mind when buying new equipment is:

What will I be shooting?
Do I want to be able to upgrade using existing equipment or buy all new rigs?
How important is functionality, durability, price, and appearance?

RESEARCH. Short films definitely require a different set of gear than a live event/wedding would use, so look at what other people are shooting with before you take the plunge.

With that being said, I will ALWAYS get something that is modular and will work on 15mm rods, will interface with what ever lens I choose to buy, etc... You will be upgrading your camera and lenses before you will be buying new hardware, so make take the time to think about what you will be investing in and how it will benefit you. There are a lot of great companies out there, I use redrock gear and it fits the criteria I layed out above for what I shoot. I have had really good experiences with this company, so I will continue to use them.

I hope this helps in any future purchases you wish to make.
 
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