Recommend - Must have follow focus accessories, lens gear and focus gear teeth size?

[analogs]

I have decided to buy a Fotga DP500IIS follow focus and would like to know from people with experience using one the following;

- What follow focus accessories is a must have and why? Speed crank or whip?

- What lens and focus gear size combo or type are they finding working best especially if they are using a DSLR with battery grip such as the Canon 5D and has a quick release plate attached to the DP500 baseplate system, so it gets pretty tall? I will be using typical Canon lenses such as 50mm 1.4, 70-200 2.8 IS, 16-35mm II. I was considering buying the 65T of the focus gear but I was unsure as to how it would affect the turning. Would it be too much of a small throw. I currently ordered the 43T focus gear and will be using just the rubber lens gear that comes with it and will order 2 more for my other lenses.

- Any tips on how to use one well and how to make the most of it?

- Also which follow focus accessories are a must have for single shooters?

Thank you.

 

[analogs]

Also what usually wears out in these systems? Does the focus gear or lens gear last long??

Should people buy backups and what are reasonable amount of backups to buy?

Are there any usual maintenance things owners should do to ensure it lasts longer?

 

[Michael Carter]

I have the Fotga. It's remarkable for the $$.

Amazon sells replacement focus stop screws in a kit that includes the center register screw for $10. I'd get two if those, as the stop screws can fall out pretty easily in a case.

They also sell the larger gear if you want one, it's dirt cheap so might as well.

When you get it, make sure the gear is firmly attached - mine was loose when it arrived, and you don't want the plastic gear rubbing against the steel post. It's not a super-positive contact where the plastic meshes against the metal, and a little wear on the gear and you'll need a new one.

You'll want a gear ring for every lens you use, optimally. There are several chinese sellers on eBay with redrock-style gears for $10 or so if you can wait a week or two. I've used the same lens gears for years.

Unless you have a really serious rig with serious glass, a focus whip is pretty much mandatory. It's really easy to jar the frame during a focus pull, and on telephoto shots it's maddening. My experience tells me that many still camera lenses aren't designed to be 100% stable when focusing and lens elements can shift - doesn't affect stills but ruins video takes. And a 15mm rig with, say, a one-screw DSLR QR plate and "affordable" parts, or a lens adapter, and you end up with plenty of places where some play can come in. So practice, and practice with a whip (which absorbs a lot of shock). Practice focus pulls with a tele and look for bumps and shifts in focus.

 

[analogs]

Michael, thanks for the reply.

Are you able to attach two gears on the fotga at the same time? One at the front and one at the back of the drive.

I was considering the redrock-style gear but I need to use the camera in photography and want to attach lens gear that I want to attach once and use for both video or photography. The red rock is too bulky for photography use.

I just read an article by what you mean about the benefits of using the whip. It sais that it can minimize vibrations when turning the focus knob. By jarring, do you mean when you start turning the knob, there's a little vibration happening? I am still new to all this and I am trying to get as much background info to prevent wasting buying the wrong items.

What is a suitable length whip that could be useful for both a one man show or with a focus puller. I am considering 15' but I am worried it might be too long for good control for both myself or focus puller?

Also, what gear are you finding you are mostly using - 35T, 43T or 65T?

 

[Michael Carter]

Michael, thanks for the reply.

Are you able to attach two gears on the fotga at the same time? One at the front and one at the back of the drive.

I was considering the redrock-style gear but I need to use the camera in photography and want to attach lens gear that I want to attach once and use for both video or photography. The red rock is too bulky for photography use.

I doubt the Fotga is much different than the RR as far as size goes. The fotga looks like you could put a gear on each end of the gear box spindle, but why? If the FF aligns with one lens with the front gear, the odds are pretty low another would happen to align with the rear. It just takes seconds to slide the unit for or aft, mesh the gears and lock the unit.

But a FF is designed for letting someone else pull focus, for setting repeatable marks, and for moving the focus point during a shot - doesn't really apply to stills. I've show a lot of product, publishing and catalog stills with a DSLR, and have done it with my full rig (need a quick shot and don't want to tear it all down) but it's cumbersome and kinda silly, at least from my experience. I think you're perhaps overthinking things or have the wrong idea of how an FF works? Or it may be awesome for how you shoot.

I just read an article by what you mean about the benefits of using the whip. It sais that it can minimize vibrations when turning the focus knob. By jarring, do you mean when you start turning the knob, there's a little vibration happening? I am still new to all this and I am trying to get as much background info to prevent wasting buying the wrong items.

What is a suitable length whip that could be useful for both a one man show or with a focus puller. I am considering 15' but I am worried it might be too long for good control for both myself or focus puller?

They're certainly cheap enough for everyone to own a couple - there are eBay sellers doing a set of 3 sized. I don't know if a 15 foot whip is made, or I assume you meant inches? (Apostrophe = feet, punctuation mark = inches, see "This is Spinal Tap" for an example...). I think mine is 12" and works for me solo or a puller.

Also, what gear are you finding you are mostly using - 35T, 43T or 65T?

I just use the stock gear. A larger or smaller gear can change how the FF aligns, but I've never had issues in years. It will also change the gearing ratio. For lens gears, you buy them by the diameter of the focus ring (which may be larger or smaller than the filter diameter).