Very simple and dirt cheap focus lever

S

steve witt

Member
Some may have done this already but I haven't seen it posted anywhere after a quick search. I went to the local hardware store and got a pack of cable ties (sometimes called zip-ties) I got a pack of the "larger", "heavy duty" ones in both the white, and the black colors. Zip one of these around the focus ring of your lens until it is as snug as possible. Next trim the rest down to a length that you can use as a focus lever (leave about 2 1/2 inches or less). If you got the heavy duty ones that I mentioned, it will be sturdy enough to use as a lever. Just a tiny bit of flex on the make-shift lever as you use it that you may actually prefer and like. Probably have to use a box cutter type knife when ready to remove it completely from the lens...just be careful not to scratch/cut the lens or yourself.

-If you use the black ones - It actually blends with the color of the lens and gives a decent focus lever.

-If you use the white ones - yes, it stands out more, and people know what it is... but the white ones create a dry erase marking surface in addition to making a decent focus lever. The smooth shiny side of the tie should be facing outward and gives an ideal marking surface. The mark is on the moving focus ring so just choose a fixed point on the lens to use as a fixed index to stop your mark at.
 

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Not really genius....but thankyou:happy: I like to use the white ones so I can mark on them. This could probably also be used to control the zoom ring on your lenses too.
 

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Steve:

Funny how a $3 set of zip-ties can turn into a makeshift focus lever. I'm going to try this out this weekend for sure!

Nice thinking on this, well done :)
 
Edweirdo said:
zip ties- is there anything they can't do:love4:
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Thats what she said.
Also, check out http://shapelock.com/
They sell plastic beads that melt in boiling water or microwave, and you can then shape it like play doh. Except when it hardens, no cracks and its stonger lol.

I have a bag of that stuff and have been wanting to make some gear and hooks and such but never get around to it.
With that stuff you could make FF Gears and lens rings, rail mounted parts, anything.

You could get a small strip of that stuff soft but not melted, wrap it 3/4 around your lens focus wheel and then presto, no slip version of above with custom handel.
 
Oh yah, you can use it to make molds too, so I guess you could press a FF ring in there and then duplicate them and save some money
 
more info

more info

Just remember, the shorter that you trim the the zip tie stem (focus lever), the more ridgid it will be. So keep it around 2.5" or less....because I would imagine on HOT days it may become a lot more supple & flexible. I haven't really used it on very hot days yet, but I am just considering the basic physics of it all. Also, sometimes the dry erase marks can be stubborn and you have to apply a little extra pressure with your finger or thumb to rub it clean....but it is usually gone without a trace after. Also, When you put these heavy duty zips on....get them on as TIGHT as possible and there will still be just a little gap there to help cut it free when you are ready to remove it. See the gap I'm talking about in the photo.
 

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I can't afford a real follow focus right now but this does the trick for me in the meantime. The nice thing about this too is that you can just replace the zip-ties when they become too marked up or you don't want it on your lens anymore, really simple. just keep a dry marker and little scissors or exacto knife handy (along with a bag of ties) and you're good to go :)

Yeah, I'm with Edweirdo.... zip-ties rock. I use them for everything (with duct tape as the back-up or vice-versa).
 
Ivan Lee said:
but...aren't they flexible? how can this work as a focus lever?

thanks!
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Ivan, as I described in other posts, these are the thick "Heavy Duty" zip cable ties and when you trim it down to about 2 - 2.5 inches it is very ridgid with only a little bit of flexiblility. Some may prefer this slight flexing like I do, to create a softer control. The shorter you trim it....the more stiff or ridgid it will be for you. They may flex a little more when they are in very hot temperatures. Not bad for about 40 cents a piece.
 
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dalethompson said:
I can't afford a real follow focus right now but this does the trick for me in the meantime. The nice thing about this too is that you can just replace the zip-ties when they become too marked up or you don't want it on your lens anymore, really simple. just keep a dry marker and little scissors or exacto knife handy (along with a bag of ties) and you're good to go :)

Yeah, I'm with Edweirdo.... zip-ties rock. I use them for everything (with duct tape as the back-up or vice-versa).
Click to expand...

I can't spend the money on a real one right now either....that is why I was forced to come up with a creative solution like this. When I do get a real one, it will be the Cinevate Follow Focus. I've had my eye on it for a long time and it gets the best reviews.
 
I know that in the past I have seen glow in the dark zip ties.....tried a search and found nothing so far. I think that this extra feature could be useful for some.
 
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