What Follow Focus Should I get?

D

dbop

New member
I have a GH2, and a Ginirig, under the GH2 is a XLR adapter.
Looking at either the Ikan F3, IndiFOCUSzoom, or the indiFOCUSmini.
Any suggestions? Thanks.
 
I will soon be buying a FF, without testing but after pretty extensive online research I think the best bang for the buck seems to be the JAG35's - D|Focus Version 3
That's where my money will be going as it seems to be the best genuine imitation of the bigger boys, with the closest performance, but with a cheap build that brings the price down.

Initially i was going Indisystem, but then saw terrible reviews and to a lesser degree the same for the Ikan (i'd read some good ones for it as well - but it still seems too limited)
Hopefully this may be of some help unless someone will come along who has direct experience with both units...

Best
LW
 
I have almost the exact same set up and picked up an D|Focus. It's pretty slick and the price can't be beat.

I don't have experience with any other systems, but this should totally meet your focusing needs.

Cheers,
JR
 
Friction based?

Friction based?

Has anyone had any experience with the friction based follow focuses?
 
I was warned away from anything cheaper than a Genus system, so that's what I ended up getting. It's been very solid, but I haven't had a chance to compare it to a D|Focus, so I can't say if it's worth the extra $300
 
I have heard that none of the economy FFs consistently hit the same mark over and over. Obviously, if you're shooting with even moderately shallow focus even a slight inconsistency can be a big problem.

I am saving up for the Shoot 35 FF or possibly the new one from Letus. I would rather risk overpaying ~$400 bucks than risk wasting ~$200 bucks.
 
Ive used chrosziel, redrock, various arri followfocuses (mff-1, ff4, ff2), cavision, zacuto, ect... kinda a snob on this and only really like the chrosziel and arri. I was looking for a chrosziel follow focus on ebay and stumbled upon an off-brand that had a nice design similar to arri mff-1. I decided to take a risk for $399 and bought this on a total whim: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280656089230&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_634wt_1141


I gotta say Im completely blown away with this. Kills every sub $800 followfocus out there and I have no idea why they are selling for $399- maybe introductory pricing? Anyway, only time will tell- but so far- this thing is crazy good and has a great feel- very solid, very well machined - it also comes with 4 gears and a tool kit. (shipping was expensive, but it got here in 3 days I think)

Ill do a complete review on it when I get a chance, but as its looking now- a US company could slap their name on this, sell it for 2x as much- and people would be raving how great it was for the price.

201141023531422179.jpg


Edit: forgot to add, it has hardstops too : )
 
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Did not- just the follow focus, but I did get a printed catalog with my order- may try something else too based on this experience. Although some of it looks like a copy of letus stuff : (
Not sure whats up with that.
 
i just bought the Genus Bravo FF ($519.00) and the Genus shoulder rig ($890.00). i can tell you their FF is exceptional! with no "play" and very solid feeling. i bought an extra gear @ $45.00 which i thought was a bit high but will look elsewhere for compatible gears in the future. i bought it locally and if the FF had been less that perfect i would have probably passed on the whole system and held out for something else. overall the whole rig is tooled very well and for the money spent im very happy.

david
 
hunter richards said:
Did not- just the follow focus, but I did get a printed catalog with my order- may try something else too based on this experience. Although some of it looks like a copy of letus stuff : (
Not sure whats up with that.
Click to expand...

TrusMt was in fact the chinese supplier of Letus for years. Whatever the reason, it seems that they broke their relationship recently. I am an owner of their F.F. and have also the hand grips. I can just emphasize the fact that the follow focus is comparable to others laying in a much higher price range.
See here a video if the smooth gearbox movement, without any backlash:
 
Have you touched the Cinevate FF? Very solid. Red Rock also has almost no play. This Chinese one, I have one and has 3-4mm play. You don't see it much due to the huge drag caused by the type of grease they use, I guess. But 3-4mm play can definitely ruin your shot. Please don't just send good review due to just price. It's an OK FF for beginners who never use a FF before. Buy a RR or Cinevate, stick to the known.

P.S.: No return after you buy it.
 
Interesting to see how 35master uses the same word combination that some fishy new youtube users do, they joined yesterday, both 41 years of age and all the do is say bad stuff about this chineese follow focus..
"3-4mm play"?? strange coincidences.

http://www.youtube.com/user/shooting5d
http://www.youtube.com/user/dslrdaddy

Here you can see my unboxing video and my rack focus test...

UNBOXING:

RACK FOCUS TEST:

The only thing that seems to be able to ruin your focus pulling, is your hand-eye coordination.. whic I seem to lack :p
 
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I recently ordered from Trusmt too, they are really nice folks, great communication. I ordered the T2 FF and their quick release mattebox, haven't received yet but will review for sure.
 
Glad someone mentioned the questionable post by "said" poster 35Master. I checked previous posts and it just does not add up to anywhere near credible. Just another tick in the box for real names on the group. Besides I would take Hunter Richards opinion any day of the week. 2200 posts from a guy who makes films and helps people. Its a no brainer!
 
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