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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

A follow focus with $1000-$1500 to blow?

Jackson Yeung said:
I have to disagree, the Obox, and the Oconnor follow focuses are terrible. Poor machining and lousy tolerances masked with 'universal compatibility'.

They also do not like to answer any technical questions, nor do they provide technical diagrams for any of those products.

Save up for an FF4. Buy something once.
Click to expand...

Couldn't disagree more. Perhaps you got a bad apple? Your the first person I've heard give either product a negative review. I love mine.
 
I have an O'Connor O-Focus-DM and basically like it but have had some recurring problems with it. The shaft housing of the focus knob has broken twice where it attaches to the bridge. O'Connor replaced it once, now it has broken again at the same spot. I've fixed it for now with some gaff tape and a zip tie but it is clearly a weak point in the design. I also hate the two little thumbscrews that lock the top portion of the bridge to the bridgeplate...they are always under the lens in a very difficult place to adjust. And the fact that the 19mm rod adapter cost an additional $553 still makes me crazy!
 
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sorry to hijack my own thread but I really dont have the cash for the Oconnor. Its really between the Arri MFF1 or a lesser focus unit. SO im really looking for someone to tell me the MFF-1 is not worth the extra cash or should i go for the lesser Movcam/Tilta/Vocas/RedRock unit

cheers

Simon
 
For that much you might as well save up for a wireless solution like a used Bartech or microremote. I can't tell you how many times I wish I had a wireless and didn't. Your 2nd AC will thank you.
 
Simon Knight said:
sorry to hijack my own thread but I really dont have the cash for the Oconnor. Its really between the Arri MFF1 or a lesser focus unit. SO im really looking for someone to tell me the MFF-1 is not worth the extra cash or should i go for the lesser Movcam/Tilta/Vocas/RedRock unit

cheers

Simon
Click to expand...
Simon, the O-Focus DM is under $2K...about the same price as an MFF-2
 
I used the redrock ff blue (the new one) briefly once. It is miles ahead of their older stuff and a good budget option.
 
Hi Tom,

i wasn't aware it was so keenly priced in the US. over here in the UK its quite a bit more... and importing looses all the benefit too. I've got a while to think about it so will read up more about Oconnor. There is overwhelming positive comments so it might be the way to go!
Interesting how no-one is backing the MFF-1 against the MFF-4? Not in features etc, just in general build quality etc.

Simon
 
Just to "end" the thread - i've bought Dustin Heindl's Arri MFF-2 (for sale on a thread here) as it looks in pristine condition and is about £600 cheaper than a new one here in the UK.. Lets hope it gets here safe and sound from the West Coast US...

Cheers all for the input - love the Arri v Oconnor war... grin

Simon
 
For those still cruising through this thread I'll throw in my personal opinions from using the gear and from a rental house standpoint. For ref my experiences range from using a Preston 3, Bartech, CMotion for entire feature to an FF4/5 to a Redrock to using my hand on rinky dink $50K shows, so this is actual experience not judgements from internet surfing.

Arri MFF1 - we use these for all DSLR and "Budget/Student" rentals. They're fantastic compared to the Zacuto, Redrock, Cinevate, etc crowd that is $1200 or less because it works with ALL Arri accessories (gears, whips, etc) minus handwheels. In my opinion, the unit is just as reliable as Arri's bigger units and the hard stop options fit the bill for Canon glass. Students love them because they're universal with Nikon or Canon glass (flip the gearbox) and the price is right without losing quality. The Redrock, Cinevate, Zacuto, Chrosziels lack features and become less dependable when in a pinch. On paid gigs, you know how important it is to nail marks and I wouldn't put my paycheck on the line for those. I consider them the bridge between hobbyist gear and the start of a working piece of machinery for our craft. The MFF1 slips in with just enough features and build quality to work in this margin. I wouldn't put it on the list for any bigger shows because it lacks a dumb side wheel and I can't drop the arm for remarks, witness adjustments, lens changes, so forth.
WHAT I LIKE - Arri quality that works with all their gears. Reversible gear box. Solid indicators for disc marks. Very adjustable. Solid rod attachment to both rods while still allowing quick release.
WHAT I DONT - Uses different marking discs than FF4/5. Hard stop mechanism takes some getting used to. Not reliable for studio config (15/19), especially handheld due to play in the bridge adapter when used with this style of mounting bracket (the base of this follow focus).

O'Con CFF - I've done both versions (cine and DSLR) with good success. I love the ingenuity Eric and those guys have come up with for these units, with a fresh take on the old wheel. With that said, I find the modularity to be its weakest point with regards to durability. The additional knobs and levers needed to allow "attach and detach" to so many parts makes the unit cumbersome in a pinch. Say you want to quickly swap wheels or make quick adjustments to the drive gear. There's pinch points that occur depending on where you position the handwheel and even some play that can occur if you aren't careful in how you make those adjustments. I think it really revolutionizes our options as a focus puller. But then again, quite often I find that if I'm in too uncomfortable of a position as a focus puller, I should go wireless rather than worry about my handwheel being above or below the rods, extended outwards, and so forth. I also do not like the feel of the rubber around the CFF handhwheel and any of the heavily battle torn units I've used tended to further expose the weak points of the system versus a decade old Arri FF that still carries decent tolerances. If you're hoping to rent this, I think you'll have just as much luck as others have stated in this thread. Some guys are open minded and willing to try something new. Other guys want to know exactly what they're getting when they step on set and an FF4/5 does that for them. I can't blame a guy for wanting to stay in his comfort zone when his job could be on the line. A skateboarder wouldn't show up to the X-Games and request a different deck and trucks on the day. Of all the features we've done, there's never been a request for a CFF1.
WHAT I LIKE - Modularity. Clean view of the barrel for witness marks. Easy to swap bridge adapters. Priced well vs FF4/5.
WHAT I DONT - Modularity leads to weak links in system. Handwheel feels cheap in this price bracket with implementation of the rubber and indicator. Knobs can get difficult to reach and adjust. Hard to rent to old school cats.

I won't review the FF4/5. I think you nailed it going with the MFF2. It works with literally all the existing Arri accessories and still carries a sub $2k pricetag. I carry an MFF1 with me on almost all jobs just for the sake of a stripped down 15mm setup and flexibility. The MFF2 can compact itself down even more so.
 
Hi All,

My name is Steve Turner and I am the product manager for OConnor.

I Just want to answer a couple of concerns posted on this thread.

The first is regarding the handwheel housing. Both Tom Greenberg and Jason Osterday mentioned this being sub par and breaking in this thread.

When researching this product we discussed making this part out of aliminum or a composite material we call 'O-Fiber' that we use on the Mattebox sunshade. The feedback came back that 'lightweight' is what was needed. This material is 50% glass fiber and is extremely stiff and strong and is ounce for ounce much more expensive than Aluminium, however the moulding parameters have to be just right. We had a small batch that was incorrectly moulded that we recalled but perhaps one slipped through the net? I had fears over this happening again as the OConnor brand is associated with very high quality and so we have recently switched material to safeguard against this happening again. On units shipped today this part is made from anodised 7000 series aluminium. Please contact me directly if you are still having problems.

John Carr - You observed that the bridge clamp knob is difficult to access. You are not the first to mention this, and in hindsight, I agree. When in the product roadmap we come to look making changes to this product again, this will be one area to address. I hope this small oversight does not detract too highly from your experience.

Jackson Yeung - I am sorry that you feel there are problems with the machining and tolerances. All of our parts are very highly toleranced on important dimensions and are machined to very high accuracy's. The O-Focus deliberately has very few connections within its transmission to reduce accumulated tolerance build up and backlash. The 2 shafts within the main bridge are individually measured for end float with a dial test indicator and then shimmed. It sounds like you have a defective unit and so please send it back to me personally. I apologise if you feel you have not been supported technically. Please send details and I will do all I can to help.

Simon - I am sorry for hijacking your thread. I think the O-Focus photoset lists at €1667. Not sure what price you got through your dealer. This product is actually fully sourced and manufactured in our manufacturing facility in England. I have spent a lot of time looking at follow focuses in this price bracket and am sure you will find one that suits your needs. Good luck in your search.

Steve Turner
Product Manager - OConnor
 
Steven Turner said:
Hi All,

My name is Steve Turner and I am the product manager for OConnor.

I Just want to answer a couple of concerns posted on this thread.

The first is regarding the handwheel housing. Both Tom Greenberg and Jason Osterday mentioned this being sub par and breaking in this thread.

When researching this product we discussed making this part out of aliminum or a composite material we call 'O-Fiber' that we use on the Mattebox sunshade. The feedback came back that 'lightweight' is what was needed. This material is 50% glass fiber and is extremely stiff and strong and is ounce for ounce much more expensive than Aluminium, however the moulding parameters have to be just right. We had a small batch that was incorrectly moulded that we recalled but perhaps one slipped through the net? I had fears over this happening again as the OConnor brand is associated with very high quality and so we have recently switched material to safeguard against this happening again. On units shipped today this part is made from anodised 7000 series aluminium. Please contact me directly if you are still having problems.

John Carr - You observed that the bridge clamp knob is difficult to access. You are not the first to mention this, and in hindsight, I agree. When in the product roadmap we come to look making changes to this product again, this will be one area to address. I hope this small oversight does not detract too highly from your experience.

Jackson Yeung - I am sorry that you feel there are problems with the machining and tolerances. All of our parts are very highly toleranced on important dimensions and are machined to very high accuracy's. The O-Focus deliberately has very few connections within its transmission to reduce accumulated tolerance build up and backlash. The 2 shafts within the main bridge are individually measured for end float with a dial test indicator and then shimmed. It sounds like you have a defective unit and so please send it back to me personally. I apologise if you feel you have not been supported technically. Please send details and I will do all I can to help.

Simon - I am sorry for hijacking your thread. I think the O-Focus photoset lists at €1667. Not sure what price you got through your dealer. This product is actually fully sourced and manufactured in our manufacturing facility in England. I have spent a lot of time looking at follow focuses in this price bracket and am sure you will find one that suits your needs. Good luck in your search.

Steve Turner
Product Manager - OConnor
Click to expand...

Hi Steve,
I have got to ask you. Concerning the O'Focus DM, after having spoken with Jim Elias as well...
Do you have any plans to revisit the gearing ratio for the Photo hand wheel?
You realize of course it is virtually unusuable for the vast majority of stills lenses?
There are very, very few with such a small rotation that the hardstops are actually usuable.
On any photo lens with 70 degrees of rotation or more (the vast majority) your gearing ratio creates a more than 360 degrees result.
So the hardstops are pointless.
On some Canon AF lenses now too with decent throws I have now almost 4 rotations as a result as well.
Completely useless. No one can use a system which introduces so much throw.
The gearing ratio needs to be pulled back a little to make a more usuable product.

Please take a look at this.
 
FF4 or FF5 or go home. In fact I prefer the FF4 and typically ask it to be swapped out in at rental houses. I need the follow focus to work 100% of the time or I am fired. I accept no substitutes. Though in full disclosure I own a shitty Tilta single side follow focus. I keep it in my bag as back up, on the occasion something goes horribly wrong with a job that only has a wireless setup and I need to hard focus. It's better than pulling off the barrel, plus for the low price I don't even bother keeping it anything other than a soft bag.
 
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