Zacuto HVX200 Repeatable Focus Ring

[RichardVClark]

"With no options out there, Zacuto has designed and manufactured a repeatable focus system for the HVX200. When mounted, this gives the lens a hard stop at 3 feet and another hard stop at infinity making repeatable focus possible. Without it, every time you focus under 3 feet or move into the infinity range you will lose your focus marks. The unit has a witness mark and allows you to mark focus points on the lens when not using a follow focus. With an industry standard .8 gear, the focus ring allows you to work with most existing Follow Focus units." $390


http://www.zacuto-rentals.com/universal.htm


Look at the very bottom of the page for pictures. It look's like a pretty nice setup to me.

 

[5ive]

Hey RichardVClark, have you had any experience with this ring? From the picture shown, it looks like the fastening ring may interfere with the zoom ring. Thoughts?

 

[Justyn]

This does look cool... how would it be used with a follow focus? Their stuff is nice but seems very pricey... right?

 

[5ive]

I have their universal plate and foam insert for the 1650 case and I must admit it works great for me.

 

[Cynic821]

The zoom ring stops right there and doest go clockwise anymore. From the position it only goes down and to the left, counter clock wise.

 

[RichardVClark]

I unfortunitly don't have experence with their focus ring. All I can say is their build quality is always top notch.

I agree Justyn. It always seems like the simplyist things cost the most.

 

[RichardVClark]

beat me to it 5ive...err I hate work

 

[tomk358]

This might be a good opportunity for a DIY fix- seems like a large hoseclamp on the focus ring with 2 movable pins might be able to be fasioned to act as a hard-stop to the focus ring- it wouldn't be compatible with follow focus, but might work for repeatable focus. Maybe you could have a little bar attached to the screw where the handle attaches, and then set the pins to hit the bar going around each way? What happens when you hit the 'infinity' switch on the focus selector? Would that mess everything up? Or could you reset by spinning your focus to the infinity lock, and hitting the switch again?

Did that make any sense?

 

[Justyn]

A DIY solution might be in order...


Richard... you are right about anything simple and efficient being expensive... Also I think anything labeled for the film industry instantly gets marked up 300 percent.

I mean, I love 'em and want one.. but is a magliner really worth $1500? I've been using a tupperware thing for a while that I got for 80 bucks and its been great...


ahhhhhhh... pirates they be...

 

[dregenthal]

Red Rock's Follow Focus is out. So, for a couple hundred more you get three rings instead of one (and a follow focus to turn them).

 

[Justyn]

Have you used the red rock set-up? does look nice..

 

[RichardVClark]

The Red Rock set-up looks "rock" solid. We need someone from the dvx army to step up and write a review.

 

[Illya Friedman]

The Cinetech Follow Focus has 2x hard stops, and they have been making it for years.

I.

 

[PUNCH]

Hey RichardVClark, have you had any experience with this ring? From the picture shown, it looks like the fastening ring may interfere with the zoom ring. Thoughts?

I got my focus ring the other day. It's nice. It doesn't interfere with the zoom ring at all, it fastens around the band between the focus and zoom rings. There is even a slit in the band that lines up perfectly with the zoom marker. Very easy to install and the instructions are good.

It has a switch that allows you to quickly bypass the stops. The gear itself fits perfectly and there's no tightening down on the focus ring. No slipping, the gear is lined with foam that grabs the focus ring and holds it in place.

Its red, a popular color around here.

 

[5ive]

Punch,

that is very good to hear. Any chance of you posting some pics of your set up?

 

[nsoltz]

I just got the Zacuto rig with follow-focus and ring as well. Since this is an eval unit and since I have a shoot in the AM with it, I did not install the infinite focus ring. It does seem to install quite easily and instructions are good. It just took me forever to install the rig since I was sitting on one of the necessary Allen wrenches and it took about an hour of trying to figure it out until I moved my tush and discovered the wrench. But the rig is serious stuff. I don't find the one ring terribly secure and I don't feel confident about my mounting it. But hopefully someone will take a look at it for me on set.

Ned Soltz