Pulling Focus

M

morgan_moore

Major Contributor
All the products/threads I can find are for focussing the EX1 with a 35mm adapter

Could anyone point me in the direction of a solution for pulling focus with no adapter

(geared down)

with either no rails or very minimalist rails

S
 
Well if you don't want rods, just grab the focus ring and twist.

If you want a follow focus, you'll need rods, a follow focus unit, and a lens gear.

Zacuto has this gear. Simple design and easily removable with no damage to camera. Price is right too.

For your rods, Zacuto is great but pricey. Cavision is cheap but kinda flimsy. Redrock is reasonable and solid but kinda heavy. The new Letus rods look pretty cool but I haven't used them...

Take your pick of follow focus units. They will all work with the Zacuto lens gear. I think best bang for buck is the new Redrock FF2. $545 and is tighter than the Zacuto or any Chrosziel I have used. Plus the quick release is cool. If you want to spend some dough, get Arri. Hands down the best you can buy but be prepared to spend a LOT.
 
The new Letus rod is pretty good, about on par with the Zacuto as far as functionality. For simple FF use it's totally overkill but it is a good investment if you want to expand the rig down the line. If not, I would say the Redrock rod system is the best bang for the buck for around $350. You can go very cheap and very basic like Indifocus or Cavision, but the RR is the lowest priced system (as far as I know) that incorporates a quick-release plate. That comes in really handy.
 
I find it hard to just grab the ring because near infinity a small move will result in a big move

hence the desire to gear down and also mark strart and stops

Also I have had nikon lenses (stills and 5d) for 15 years so the ex1 goes 'the wrong way' for me

In terms of rods I have letus rods already but I have no desire to build my EX1 into a cinematic monster - to me light and small is good

I would probably go for some really short rods even cut to length if I have to

Redrock looks like the thing

Can anyone tell thier actual experience with specific products

Also does the unit actually 'gear down' the FF experience

S
 
Zacuto and Chrosziel both make new units introduced at NAB that allow you to reverse the focusing direction. For more info call 16x9 about Chrosziel and call Zacuto directly. I'm trying to decide between the two of them myself. I like Chrosziel's new lens gear adaptors to add "teeth" to any size lens. The Zacuto zip gear is also good, but not quite as good as the Chrosziel in my opinion.
 
Shot Transition works perfectly for most static situations. Repeatable, and never misses it's mark.
 
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