Looks like I found what I needed for my FS100...

moldcad

moldcad

Veteran
I have been after simple, lightweight and durable solutions for my Sony FS100 for quite some time. I've tried many different solutions - from the first quality, but expensive and heavy RedRock stuff, to some cheap but low-quality Indian matteboxes and Follow Focus devices... Today I’ve come across this website, and can see I have found what I need!

- The D|Focus solution looks great (especially its flipping capability)
- The D|Zoom device looks perfect for zooming my camera’s kit lens (the SEL18200)
- The D|Matte also looks like it – lightweight, and with 2 trays for ND filters this camera lacks…


Is anyone already using their stuff, and can share an opinion?
 
Redrock is expensive and heavy? I would have never described them that way. They seem to offer gear at a GREAT price.

Anyway....I did look at the D|Matte. There is a giant light leak in the back that completely messes up the core concept of a matte box - keeping light off of the lens and filters to reduce flare. That box would be terrible in sunlight which is where you need a matte box the most. Is this a fashion statement or a tool? I come from the old school discipline where camera accessories in general should enhance the performance of the camera or the person operating it all while being robust enough to take some drops and hits and still work. Just my opinion of course.
 
I have an RJ Follow Focus and tbh it really isn't the best, I am thinking of trying the D|Focus, anyone had both and can compare? or atleast do a mini review on the d.focus?
 
It's my understanding that 4mm glass filters will not fit in the filter trays of the D|Matte. I enquired on the Jag35 site for clarification but received no reply.
 
I have a dFocus that I used I my 7d. When I bought my FS100, I put it away in a box and told myself I would buy a better one when I could. The build quality isn't so good and there is a lot of "play" which sucks for pulling focus. No matter how much I tightened everything, I couldn't make it better. Granted, the price was dirt cheap, but this is really an example of "you get what you pay for".
 
Damien Collier said:
I have a dFocus that I used I my 7d. When I bought my FS100, I put it away in a box and told myself I would buy a better one when I could. The build quality isn't so good and there is a lot of "play" which sucks for pulling focus. No matter how much I tightened everything, I couldn't make it better. Granted, the price was dirt cheap, but this is really an example of "you get what you pay for".
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Doesn't sound a whole much better than what I have then, I am interested in the gear's though, as what I have is pretty bad, and when having to pull focus quick, it will slip (on the lens, because you cannot tighten it enough), did you find the gears attach to the lens enough so they won't slip at all?
 
I did not have any problems with the gears that attach on the lens or with the large gear on the follow focus that engages with that. I had issue with the small gears that are on the follow focus unit itself.
 
moldcad said:
I have been after simple, lightweight and durable solutions for my Sony FS100 for quite some time. I've tried many different solutions - from the first quality, but expensive and heavy RedRock stuff, to some cheap but low-quality Indian matteboxes and Follow Focus devices... Today I’ve come across this website, and can see I have found what I need!

- The D|Focus solution looks great (especially its flipping capability)
- The D|Zoom device looks perfect for zooming my camera’s kit lens (the SEL18200)
- The D|Matte also looks like it – lightweight, and with 2 trays for ND filters this camera lacks…


Is anyone already using their stuff, and can share an opinion?
Click to expand...

If you want to get not expensive, but good FollowFocus, I would reccomend this one, from India:

PROAIM Follow Focus V2 with Gear Set, 15" whip and Speed Crank

SonyFS100_014.jpg


It's coming with all this - Gear Set, 15" whip and Speed Crank ... - I mark with red arrow "lens" gear wich I use on Sigma 50mm/1.4, 24-70 and Sigma 150mm Macro
So, you can ask the seller give you 3 of them .. instead two biggest you see on right corner - they are for big lenses as 400mm/2.8.. I never use it ...

02FFV2.jpg



The most important is TWO sides where we can place the "drive" gear - at FRONT of the FF or at the BACK side.. or even both:

04FFV2.jpg



... and option to use DIFFERENT SIZE of the "drive" gear - small .. or large:

06FFV2.jpg


07FFV2.jpg


Here is internal view of this FF :

03FFV2.jpg


with little wrench you are able to adjust a "play" ...

..and ALL of this will cost you ONLY $275 + Shipping ! .. ( I pay $400 + S&H 4 years ago :cry: ..but now price go down and marker wheel become conical ! ) ->


FFV2-2.jpg


Here the link you can order it: http://www.dvcity.com/dvshop/product.php?productid=17572&cat=253&page=1
--------------------------------------------

maybe Red Rock Micro is better, but is more expensive ( $545 WITHOUT ANYTHING !!! ),with "drive" gear at FRONT position only and have the bolt at the button ->

673186.jpg


this bolt don't give me the option to take the RIG from my Tripod to Skater or other device without move FF out of it's position...
..and keep in mind - you will need to pay each lens gear additional $45 .. plus crank and whip ....

..and it's MUCH better, than D|Focus.. which maybe useful as ZOOM drive... if it gonna stay still on it's position... I'm not sure - only one rod support seems not enough for it..
 
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I own the D|Focus V3 and the Redrock microFollowFocus|Blue. For around double the price, you get way more than double the quality with the Blue. It's built for precision and to last. The D|Focus has so much play and is mostly plastic. The RRM|Blue weighs a good deal, but it's solid and can take the beating of a constant shooting. The D|Focus just doesn't have the build to last - mine has a warped gear, and the extension that you use to secure it to the D|Mount or a Jag35 rail block is almost stripped to nothing.

I still like the concept of the D|Focus - very lightweight and can be mounted to the camera without the need for rails - but it's just not lasting quality.

I still buy my lens focus gears from Jag35, though. The 4 different feet sizes that come with each gear allows me to make the gears as wide as possible, which gives me greater focus throw per lens and more precision when using a follow focus.
 
Just wanted to pop in to let you guys know that if your D|Focus (assuming we are talking about the V3) should have almost zero backlash in the gearbox. If your unit has backlash, or has developed backlash, its usually a quick easy fix. If not, we would be more than happy to repair or replace it as per the warranty.

Someone also mentioned a warped drive gear. That was an issue we were having for a bit but its resolved now and we will of course replace any bad gears.
 
SergeSmArt said:
Where is it?? if I follow your link to E-bay - there is something like US $1,250.00 ... can you show me a link with exact $200 price?
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I have confirmed that one Asian seller bumps up his price to an insanely high price when he is out of stock, and then lowers it back down to where someone will actually buy it, when he has more to sell.
 
Thank you guys for all the comments and recommendations.

What I can say is this:

- I do have both the RR FF v1 and D|Focus V3, and I can tell you that yes, the RR device is very well made, and of very high quality materials. Unfortunately - even though not used much at all - it's developed quite a large play which is impossible to be eliminated using the method described by the Producer. Also, it's very heavy and I simply cannot use it in my rigs which - for personal reasons - need to be compact and lightweight.

On the other hand, my D|Focus has ZERO play (so far), is reversible and extremely versatile. Pity my local re-seller makes a huge margin on this stuff, so it's not that cheap at all...

Of course this is jsut my humble opinion; with just two small cameras like the EX1 and FS100 - what do I know about film-industry gear:)
 
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