Wireless follow focus

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Perry Wilson

Well-known member
I have been a indie film maker for six years now but I have also been a custom bike builder for quite some time now I have the use of a full machine shop... I am currently working on a wireless Follow focus and it is slow going but getting there. what I want to know is would any one be interested in such a device if it was marketed in the $500-$600 dollar range... I know the varizoom unit sells for $4500
 
try an arduino, a couple of xbees and some servos. Probably a 48 hour project if you've got machining experience.
 
The Varizoom unit is actually Bartech, also priced at $4500 for single channel with the third party M-One motor. Before such an endeavor, you should read Peter Hoare's thread on his "budget" wireless follow-focus.

My bet is that you'll find that it isn't possible to produce such an item (for the mass-market) for less than he did. Not anything that anyone will want to use anyway.

e
 
Erik Olson said:
Before such an endeavor, you should read Peter Hoare's thread on his "budget" wireless follow-focus.

My bet is that you'll find that it isn't possible to produce such an item (for the mass-market) for less than he did. Not anything that anyone will want to use anyway.

e
Click to expand...
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=130124&page=111
http://www.hocusproducts.com/

He's been working on it for the last year and a half. Estimated price is $1500-2000. But then again, he has transformed his focus (no pun intended) in the last several months to making a top-quality product.

One could tap the "ghetto market," offering something far less fancy for $500-1000. But the problem that one will quickly find is making sure that the product performs reliably and accurately. I'd say that at least half the appeal of Peter Hoarp's product is how reliable and durable it's proven to be.
 
well like I said I am still working on it it would be a cnc'd piece so fitment would be perfect... and I would not even think of selling it until a lot of testing was done...(maybe send a few to our senior members)... It would be very sensitive but not so much that it would be hard to handle... What kind of feature would you guys like to see...
 
Perry Wilson said:
What kind of feature would you guys like to see...
Click to expand...
I think that you should limit your features as much as possible in order to keep the cost down, or else you'll find yourself in Peter's position: The better the product got, the more expensive it got.

It should just be a simple wireless FF unit with a marking disc. Think indieFOCUS or D|Focus, but wirelessly controlled.

Perhaps you should PM Peter for advice...
 
Perry Wilson said:
well like I said I am still working on it it would be a cnc'd piece so fitment would be perfect... and I would not even think of selling it until a lot of testing was done...(maybe send a few to our senior members)... It would be very sensitive but not so much that it would be hard to handle... What kind of feature would you guys like to see...
Click to expand...

Keep it simple. Only real "wants" on my end:

- low latency
- either true speed variability, or quite a range of set speeds
 
It will be CNC billit... with a separate unit for electronics and battery just like the varizoom and it will hook to the rails similarly to the redrock
 
I can see that you're serious about this, so I look forward to it! I really hope that you can make a quality product. I'd buy it.
 
silent
no lag
enough torque to deal with stiff MF lenses
0.8/32 pitch gear
settable hard stops
reversible gear
gives short throw lenses (photo zooms) WAY more throw
indestructible
life time warranty

if it's got all that. i'd buy it :)
 
You need an extensive knowledge of lenses

particularly and ability to change the gearing

ie translate a large throw on the device to a small movement on the lens

S
 
ydgmdlu said:
That might be too much to ask. Looks like it's Hocus Focus for you!
Click to expand...

Does the hocus fokus have a lifetime warrenty? He still hasn't cleared up what would happen to the motor if a stiff slr lens was put on there, whether it would burn out eventually.

The controller doesn't have to be bomb proof but the motor on the other hand is where the wear and tear is going to occur.
 
bimdas said:
Does the hocus fokus have a lifetime warrenty? He still hasn't cleared up what would happen to the motor if a stiff slr lens was put on there, whether it would burn out eventually.

The controller doesn't have to be bomb proof but the motor on the other hand is where the wear and tear is going to occur.
Click to expand...

I am thinking of maybe implementing a break away unit within the gear so if you have a lens with more turn than another and you happen to hit the max turn at a high speed it will slip free... and not break any thing...
 
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