Why follow focus

smelni

smelni

Veteran
I am having a hard time understanding what the purpose of a follow focus is.

I recently shot a short film and I set focus points on the dvx with tape and changed the focus with the ring using the tape marks as reference - actually my AC did that while I was tracking the shot - I think I got good results. Is the main purpose of the follow focus unit to make this action much more precise or is there something more that the unit can do?

thanks for any help understanding - this is just another piece of the puzzle while I am thinking about the micro35.

seth
 
The precision will be much more of a factor with a micro 35, as you have access to a significantly more shallow DOF. The DVX by itself gives you a bit more breathing room. I'm not sure exactly how shallow the DOF is, but it's got to be at least a foot or so. With a micro 35 I would imagine you could measure it in inches.
 
smelni - you have the basic idea of a follow focus, but consider the following:

you may shoot more complicated shots, where you may have 3 or 4 different marks you have to hit. Suddenly the tape + marks on the dinky dvx isn't so easy to follow.

"I think I got good results" may not be good enough. Many folks shoot professionally and need great results. Follow focus allows you to be more precise. This is especially true when you add 35mm lenses with a shallow DOF, where focus is suddenly critical. It's less noticeable on the DVX, but stick a 100mm prime on there, and suddenly focus is at a whole new level.

Easier to work with a focus puller - no one wants to have a full time job of working around the cameraman. The follow focus unit is separate from the camera body, so you don't have to worry about the focus puller jostling the camera.
 
I can't tell if you are joking...

The DVX in 24P doesn't have auto focus. It has a focus assist, which works much more slowly. In addition, you run into the problem of the camera not always knowing what to focus on, (or knowing what you want it to focus on) and it's next to impossible to create a shallow DOF with the DVX in auto focus.
 
That's what I thought. In that case I'll change my answer.

You can use auto focus. It's what all the pros do. You just need to by a digital focus adapter ring. You can get it a broadway photo for about 1300 bucks. :)
 
In fairness it's better to ask the question here - at least someone gets the straight answer (okay, with a little wells-style spanking :) ).
 
Oh yeah--The Digital Focus Adapter Ring. . .

Oh yeah--The Digital Focus Adapter Ring. . .

B00009X46R.01-A1PY46IM1CBEG3._SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg

I thought to myself, dang, $1300 bucks for that then I decided, hey man, if that's what the "pro's" use then they must know something i don't. I placed an order for two of 'em... Then, they told me the "digital" part was separate, and I figured they wouldn't lie to me, so I bought two of 'em digital featuress too. I'm pleased with my purchase from Broodway Photoghg.
 
did you get the wireless battery pack? It's a pain to keep them plugged in to the wall when you are doing a run and gun shoot. I think they only cost about 700 extra.
 
i'm lergic to electrowave radiation (the kinds emitterd from them wirelest battries) so i'm just have to put the "inconvenience" off reguller battry paks less my alergy goes way.
 
Well, if you're already in for that much, drop an extra grand and get the wireless wave shield. It comes in designer colors now and it's guaranteed to shield both your brain and reproductive organs from any electronic emissions. THe only catch is that it starts to chafe after a while.
 
Too bad, they're already closed for the day.. Maybe I'll try them again tomorrow.
They said my order won't leave their store for another week anyway. :undecided
 
Hey Brian, I posted somewhere else yesterday a question to you about Redrock Micro's plans to manufacture a Follow Focus unit, basically asking if that's still in the works, I know James mentioned it somewhere in the recent past, any idea if that's still in the cooker?
 
In short, yes. Redrock is developing a follow focus unit, including SLR gearing. While we cannot discuss the specifics at this time, it will follow the spirit of the micro35 - to bring great quality cinema accessories at reasonable prices to digital filmmakers.

Thanks for asking. As you probably know, if you go to micro35.com and register to receive our newsletter, you can will be kept up on all our product plans

Cheers

Brian
 
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