What is the best FF under $300?
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Martti Ekstrand
Veteran
Starshine Video
Well-known member
Tim has a couple over at Indisystem.
Amuse-WS
Carbonite Member
I really hate to bad talk any company, as I think it's unethical - but I must share my experience to better inform fellow hobbyists and professionals alike.
Pros:
+Cheap
+Does it's job
+Gears don't drag
+reversible gearing
Cons:
-Wiggles even when fully tightened
-Extreme amount of play in the unit
-the Focus wheel pivots loosely, even when tightening the screw all the way
-very cumbersome to re-adjust. So if swapping a lens, and you need to adjust it, be ready to spend some time doing that.
-advertised to have minimal backlash when focusing, but it actually has a ton of it.
For $140 a pop though, its a great deal, but dont think you'll be getting redrock or zacuto quality here. You'll definitely learn why it's very cheap. The Pro Aim follow focus is actually better than the D|Focus, though, even the ProAim FF is more expensive as well.
Pros:
+Cheap
+Does it's job
+Gears don't drag
+reversible gearing
Cons:
-Wiggles even when fully tightened
-Extreme amount of play in the unit
-the Focus wheel pivots loosely, even when tightening the screw all the way
-very cumbersome to re-adjust. So if swapping a lens, and you need to adjust it, be ready to spend some time doing that.
-advertised to have minimal backlash when focusing, but it actually has a ton of it.
For $140 a pop though, its a great deal, but dont think you'll be getting redrock or zacuto quality here. You'll definitely learn why it's very cheap. The Pro Aim follow focus is actually better than the D|Focus, though, even the ProAim FF is more expensive as well.
designbydave
Active member
Amuse are you talking about the D|Focus V2 here? All of these cons you listed make me think you have (or used) a unit that was damaged or not set up properly (or was an original D|Focus and NOT the current V2 model.) There really is nearly zero backlash in the gearbox.
Not sure what you mean by "the Focus wheel pivots loosely" and "very cumbersome to re-adjust." It's no more so cumbersome than any other follow focus. Single thumb screw to tighten it down onto the rails.
oh and
Depends on which version of the Pro Aim you are talking about. I had one of these - http://thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=12&cat=275&page=1 and it had a significant amount of backlash (about 2 degrees, may not seem like a lot, but it is.) I can confidently say that I am much more pleased with the current version of the D|Focus than that Pro Aim one I had.
Not sure what you mean by "the Focus wheel pivots loosely" and "very cumbersome to re-adjust." It's no more so cumbersome than any other follow focus. Single thumb screw to tighten it down onto the rails.
oh and
Depends on which version of the Pro Aim you are talking about. I had one of these - http://thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=12&cat=275&page=1 and it had a significant amount of backlash (about 2 degrees, may not seem like a lot, but it is.) I can confidently say that I am much more pleased with the current version of the D|Focus than that Pro Aim one I had.
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MadHMC150
DVXuser Sponsor
I have one on the way, V2 i believe... seems like a great value - should know more soon.
dominichicks
Active member
news?
longshanks
Well-known member
You guys will love the DFocus, got mine about two weeks ago and its really solid for the price. I will say though that lens gears is really cheap but works. You might be better off finding some other 3rd party lens gear. Plus there really isn't room for marking discs because they way the wheel is designed, other than that I'm really happy with it. I also haven't noticed any play or wiggle at all, so I' m not sure what Amuse is talking about.
designbydave
Active member
I am curious as to what makes you think the lens gears are "cheap?" They are really the only professionally, purpose manufactured part of the D|Focus (except the new drive gears, those are also injection molded.) But if you don't like them then, yes, any other standard 32 pitch (0.8 mod) lens gears will work just fine.
Huh? The marking disc is now a standard feature. The wheel isn't "designed," its a modified off-the-shelf component. A purpose built knob is on the "road map," mostly to reduce the amount of time it takes to put these together. The current number of steps to modify the knobs is taking way to long (and a big reason for the current ~4 week back order.)
Glad you like your D|Focus!
longshanks
Well-known member
The lens gears are made of a very lightweight, soft plastic. Seems to me it would be better if they were made of a hardened plastic or lightweight aluminum. But in any case, its very minor and it sounds like you just changed the manufacturing process.
Also, I just bought your DFocus about two weeks ago so I was expecting room for the kind of disposable discs you can slip over the knob. Maybe make a black knob that is not as large in diameter and sticks out more? Like the cinecity? http://www.thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=147&cat=0&page=1
Again, I love your product though, I've been recommending it to all my video geek friends!
Also, I just bought your DFocus about two weeks ago so I was expecting room for the kind of disposable discs you can slip over the knob. Maybe make a black knob that is not as large in diameter and sticks out more? Like the cinecity? http://www.thecinecity.com/tcc/product.php?productid=147&cat=0&page=1
Again, I love your product though, I've been recommending it to all my video geek friends!
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