Which follow focus?

All the options you listed appear to have build issues that will bug the you know what out of you with continuous operation & use.

IMO a better bet & For less dollars try the shoot35 Cine focus, arri build quality dlsr pricing.
 
Its the arm the gearbox hang off, had a go of this type of design & was not impressed. If you are committed on your 3 listed, then movcam offers the best build quality . ( their gear is solid)

Can't comment on the alphatron as it appears new (?) , but it appears like there is one tightening lock for both the rail and the gearbox ?
 
I looked at the Shoot35 V3. One question though...The system doesn't seem to slide from left to right (like many others). Instead, it's the little arm (with the kind of flimsy pivoting lock) that pivots to accommodate different size lenses. But what's the purpose for this...Wouldn't a sliding system would be more rugged? At first, I thought that the Shoot35 v3 had both features (sliding and rotating arm)...that would've been great..I think. What do you guys think?
 
The adjustable arm with a drive cog at the end is what separates the good from the not so good.

As a rule with pro systems they never "slide" from left to right for adjustment. If your rails are set up right (they should be centred on the lens centre of your camera @ a certain height ) you don't need to "slide" the unit to dock with the lens .....that is the purpose of the arm, fast accurate repeatable. The arm and locking mech of this unit are anything but flimsy. This is pretty popular FF you may be able locate one in your area and have a play, make up your own mind before buying.
 
Surf it Mike said:
The adjustable arm with a drive cog at the end is what separates the good from the not so good.

As a rule with pro systems they never "slide" from left to right for adjustment. If your rails are set up right (they should be centred on the lens centre of your camera @ a certain height ) you don't need to "slide" the unit to dock with the lens .....that is the purpose of the arm, fast accurate repeatable. The arm and locking mech of this unit are anything but flimsy. This is pretty popular FF you may be able locate one in your area and have a play, make up your own mind before buying.
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Thanks!
and what about their matte box? Are they good?
 
I owned the V2 of the Shoot35 Focus, I eventually sold I and regret it. Great unit. I also owned their Mattebox, cannot be beat at current price/quality.
 
I've used the Alphatron. I purchased one and returned it after the first try. It had inconsistencies in the gearbox. Got a second unit which ended up having the same issues and returned that one again. The other problem I found with the Alphatron was that the gear box has flex in it. Once you reach your mark, the focus wheel bounces back slightly. Can't see this system lasting for years personally. I've used the Movcam also and though the build quality was great, the gearbox suffers from bounce back also though and the gear box cannot be adjusted for backlash compensation. As for Genus, I've never been a fan of their designs or build quality...

I bought a O'Connor O-Focus DM Cine in the end and it's well worth the price. gearbox is solid and smooth and no bounce back in the handwheel. Backlash is also adjustable in that unit. Super simple to use and it's build like a tank. You can find some used ones for a reasonnable price.
 
jameshealey said:
I've used the Alphatron. I purchased one and returned it after the first try. It had inconsistencies in the gearbox. Got a second unit which ended up having the same issues and returned that one again. The other problem I found with the Alphatron was that the gear box has flex in it. Once you reach your mark, the focus wheel bounces back slightly. Can't see this system lasting for years personally. I've used the Movcam also and though the build quality was great, the gearbox suffers from bounce back also though and the gear box cannot be adjusted for backlash compensation. As for Genus, I've never been a fan of their designs or build quality...

I bought a O'Connor O-Focus DM Cine in the end and it's well worth the price. gearbox is solid and smooth and no bounce back in the handwheel. Backlash is also adjustable in that unit. Super simple to use and it's build like a tank. You can find some used ones for a reasonnable price.
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Thanks for the info!
 
i like the shoot35 products too. but id also look into the zacuto and tilta offerings. have used and very much like both. about the best thing ive found shy of arri / o'connor level gear.
 
im using the trusmt v4 , bought it on ebay. quick to change and adjustable focus marks work great. gear box is perfect on zeiss cp lens. no back lash and it has a stiffer turn to the gear box. like it was packed more with grease or something. i like it. the combination of that stiffness with the stiffness of the zeiss cp focus ring gives me the smoothness i like in that effect. and it was like $400.00 u might be able to find a used one. i sold my second one on ebay for cheap. I wanna go wireless
 
Just ordered a cinefocus V3 from Shoot35. I couldn't justify the purchase of the Oconnor ff.
 
Received my Cinefocus from Shoot35 about 10 days ago...quite impressed with it. Did a 2 day shoot with it and it worked flawlessly. Really happy with it!
 
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