What do you expect out of a wireless follow focus?

George Tsai

George Tsai

Member
As far as wireless follow focus systems go, there really isn't all that many options.

At the low end you have the Red Rock Micro's microremote system. I've played with it at NAB and honestly I'm not all that impressed, you get what you pay for comes to mind. There was a lot of play in the motions, but then again that might have been fixed for production. at about $2,400 and I'm not sure if any units has actually shipped yet.

Then there are Bartech's system. It feels great but unless you have the digital receiver, manual calibration was very annoying to use. I never played with the digital receiver but at least that has auto calibration. I'm not sure about the price but the system costs around $4000? Someone correct me please hehe.

Then there's the Prestons, the industry standard as far as I can tell. Pricey, roughly $10,000 for the basic system? again someone please correct me hehe.

There are couple more systems out there but I think the three above covers the price range quite well. Anyways, my reason for this post is.....

If you are looking to purchase a follow focus unit, what is your ideal price new/used?
What do you expect for that ideal price?
and lastly, if you are not looking to purchase a wireless system for whatever reason, at what price point would you reconsider?
 
David W. Jones said:
I have been thinking of one of these... http://www.rtmotion.com/
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I've only heard of these but never play with them myself, nor have I ever actually seen anyone rent one either. It does look like a great product and would love to hear from someone who has used it and compare it to a Bartech and Preston. Based on no statistical data at all hehe, it seems to me that these are quite the rare breed:-)
 
I have an RTMotion system. I wrote a review on REDUser a while ago, but the gist of it is: Knocks the pants off Bartech, for the same price. SOLID system, powerful, quiet, and has features of $20,000 systems.

The guys who run it are amazing too. I sent a motor out for repair (rental client abuse) and it came back with free stuff! Can't ask for better service than that.
 
andyjar said:
I have an RTMotion system. I wrote a review on REDUser a while ago, but the gist of it is: Knocks the pants off Bartech, for the same price. SOLID system, powerful, quiet, and has features of $20,000 systems.

The guys who run it are amazing too. I sent a motor out for repair (rental client abuse) and it came back with free stuff! Can't ask for better service than that.
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awesome found it hehe (http://www.reduser.net/forum/showth...reless-Follow-focus-review&highlight=rtmotion)

thanks for the great review, I will definitely have to find sometime when I can rent this guy for a test run:-)
 
I have a Varizoom and a Bartech. There is really very little difference between the two units. I will say the customer support at VArizoom in Autin is awesome. We had some trouble with backlash on a unit while shooting in Tombstone last week and the the service guy worked us through the problem on the phone.
 
Paul Hudson said:
I have a Varizoom and a Bartech. There is really very little difference between the two units. I will say the customer support at VArizoom in Autin is awesome. We had some trouble with backlash on a unit while shooting in Tombstone last week and the the service guy worked us through the problem on the phone.
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I own Varizoom Blackhawk cam stabilizer, bought it used in like new condition. Must say it's extremely bulky and clunky, while it works it doesnt seems like it's really worth it's full retail price. Not sure if that build and design quality translates to their follow focus system. I didn't have time to play with it at NAB either. At $6k for their system, it would seem like the more estabilished Bartech is a better deal. But since I havent actually played with it my opinion means squat hehe.

Which one in your opinion was a better bang for the buck? Varizoom or Bartech, since you've got both.
 
George Tsai said:
I own Varizoom Blackhawk cam stabilizer, bought it used in like new condition. Must say it's extremely bulky and clunky, while it works it doesnt seems like it's really worth it's full retail price. Not sure if that build and design quality translates to their follow focus system. I didn't have time to play with it at NAB either. At $6k for their system, it would seem like the more estabilished Bartech is a better deal. But since I havent actually played with it my opinion means squat hehe.

Which one in your opinion was a better bang for the buck? Varizoom or Bartech, since you've got both.
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There is really very little difference between the two. It is almost as if someone from Bartech went to work for Varizoom. Their zoom is far higher quality than most of their other products.
 
Just for completeness; there's the Jag35 one too. Although from what I've seen I'd think a few extra $$ would get you significant improvements. And the noise is terrible...
 
Mitch Gross said:
There's a new system from Heden, maker of lens motors.

http://blog.abelcine.com/2012/06/07/cine-gear-2012-heden-lens-control-system/
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I will have to check this out:-)

Paul Hudson said:
There is really very little difference between the two. It is almost as if someone from Bartech went to work for Varizoom. Their zoom is far higher quality than most of their other products.
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Thanks:-) So since there's very little difference I'll take it that Varizoom has more bang for the buck hehe:-)

kylevant said:
Just for completeness; there's the Jag35 one too. Although from what I've seen I'd think a few extra $$ would get you significant improvements. And the noise is terrible...
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Definitely not familiar with this one, but from the looks of it, my guess is that it uses traditional servos you would find on model planes. Cheap and effective, and as you said noisy.
 
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