GH2 You've got $600 to spend: what rig and follow focus setup would you get?

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peripatew

Well-known member
I'm to the point where I'd like to try a support rig and follow focus. I'm not certain how they will work in my workflow, so I don't want to go crazy and brake the bank on my first experience.

What would you get? (I know there are DIY options, and the Cowboy Studios should rig, but I'm not really interested in those). I don't mind upgrading to something better later.

I'll be using my GH2, w/ 7-14mm, 20mm, 45-200mm, and a handful of FD primes.
 
ive got a small set of rails and a follow focus from indisystem. theyre pretty cool for the money. the snap gears especially work great. im not sure the gears will work with the pancake lens tho. dont expect any support from them at all tho. there was a set screw missing from my follow focus and i called and emailed then called and emailed again and never got a response.
 
I suggest you to have a look at shoot35. I've ff, rods and some other stuff and I find them really good. Definitely better than cinecity (I have a shoulder support kit which weighs a lot and is taking dust on a shelf). Shoot35 doesn't produce shoulder support and handles though, so you should look elsewhere for them.
 
I got a Field Runner with Zacuto rods from Jag35 and a D|focus. I'm still waiting for it but it fitted the bill nicely and for the price the FF looks great; it can even be reversed for my nikons!
 
Ivanhurba said:
I got a Field Runner with Zacuto rods from Jag35 and a D|focus. I'm still waiting for it but it fitted the bill nicely and for the price the FF looks great; it can even be reversed for my nikons!
Click to expand...

Are the Zacuto rods lighter? Why did you choose the Field Runner vs. something like the Run-n-Gun trio from Express35?
 
peripatew said:
I'm to the point where I'd like to try a support rig and follow focus. I'm not certain how they will work in my workflow, so I don't want to go crazy and brake the bank on my first experience.

What would you get? (I know there are DIY options, and the Cowboy Studios should rig, but I'm not really interested in those). I don't mind upgrading to something better later.

I'll be using my GH2, w/ 7-14mm, 20mm, 45-200mm, and a handful of FD primes.
Click to expand...

I would check out the "Bulldog" bundle from Indisystem. It works great, light, and unexpensive. Never had a customer service problem with them.

Hope this helps.

Carlo Zanella
www.santafetvshow.com
 
peripatew said:
Are the Zacuto rods lighter? Why did you choose the Field Runner vs. something like the Run-n-Gun trio from Express35?
Click to expand...
They are a couple of milimeters smaller so clamps and addons will fit better, as in not so tight and easier to remove; I also took the handle option and I like how the shoulder pad can be moved forward or backwards in the rail; plus, I can attach a counterweight after the pad or add another rail later to the offset to get a different configuration.

But of course, nothing is perfect and I forgot to ask for the tripod plate. So I ordered it from Express35 and the 90º blocks to extend the handles when needed as the price was a little more affordable. The good thing about this stuff is that you can get what you need from different places and it will work as long as you´re a little careful.
 
I think best bet is new IndieSystem rigs. May be even slightly old UltraCompact rig.
And save money for Shoot35 follow focus (or Genus FF), for about $700-800. Plus IndieSystem Span Gears.
Never ever save money on FF.
 
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