Calling all 1st ac's 7d Question

[Chad Nagel]

Hello,

One of the DP's I work with just bought a 7d and is starting to pull some small gigs with it. As a good friend of his I have been pulling for him. My question is does anyone know a good follow focus system that works with these damn canon photo lenses. With the witness Marks on top of the lens and the focus ring with out a stopping point it is not an easy task to maintain a frame of reference on this thing.
My first thought would me a ring system (red rock) that is mounted to run into the follow focus at the stop point, or possibly a gear system that allows for an increase of rotations on the follow that is less of a move on the lens??? Any ideas???!?!

~Chad

 

[Steve Gal]

Cinetech makes a follow focus that you can put clips on to make stop points. Those canon lenses are pretty free moving so this follow focus should be perfect. You need to order a Canon gear for the follow focus so will mesh with the L-series lenses. I have a used follow focus in stock if you want to try it out.

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Arri MFF-1 and look at the lens gears from Cinevate or Zacuto. The Arri MFF-1 can set hard stops on the FF.

 

[Chad Nagel]

Awesome guys thanks! Steve thank you for your response. I am not looking to buy one and I reside in Los Angeles so I can't come check it out. Thank you though.

Do either of you know Anywhere in LA that rents the arri Mff-1's?

 

[16x9 Inc]

Chrosziel Follow Focus

Chrosziel Follow Focus

My question is does anyone know a good follow focus system that works with these damn canon photo lenses. With the witness Marks on top of the lens and the focus ring with out a stopping point it is not an easy task to maintain a frame of reference on this thing.

My first thought would me a ring system (red rock) that is mounted to run into the follow focus at the stop point, or possibly a gear system that allows for an increase of rotations on the follow that is less of a move on the lens??? Any ideas???!?!

~Chad

Chrosziel's FF system has virtually no backlash. The smaller sized Follow Focus was first introduced almost ten years ago and they continue to work well. The form factor is perfect for hdSLR cameras. The flexible gear ring allows you to use them on almost every lens.

Following are all the accessories we offer for hdSLR's: http://www.16x9inc.com/store/cart.php?m=content&page=12

 

[Steve Gal]

So only the varilock version has stop points?

 

[16x9 Inc]

VariLock

VariLock

So only the varilock version has stop points?

Correct. The VariLock system has mechanical stops. Existing Chrosziel 206-01S FF owners can replace the FF knob for the VariLock knob.

 

[MarkJLyon]

How much does the replacement VariLock knob cost?

 

[Alexander Ibrahim]

Cinevate's follow focus can set hard stops as well, but you have to order optional stops. I haven't tried them out yet.

Also, I have to say Cinevate's rings worked very nicely on Canon's 16-35, and 24-70. I didn't use it on the 70-200.

I regularly use a Nikon 17-35 so , I'll probably be ordering a couple of hard stops.

Then again, many of the manual primes have hard stops, and primes really offer a lot more performance and usability in this application.

I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of an old Nikon 50mm f/1.4 AI lens. Hard stops, very sharp, with a very manageable 270 degree focus throw. Much nicer than I expected. (Of course 50mm is an easy length to design optically.)

So, I really recommend a bunch of old cheap primes over dealing with a modern zoom.

The next thing I'll recommend, especially if your work demands you use a zoom, is a remote follow focus. Most of these let you set focus extents, such that the 45 degree focus throw of your zoom lens can be a 360 degree turn of the follow focus wheel. They can either set hard stops, or more often they'll just ignore inputs outside the range you set up for the lens.

 

[david_winters]

The Canon L lenses slip after a few pulls, so you have to reset marks every few takes. I think it's the manual clutch which slips with use, even if you don't turn past infinity or cf.

 

[Chris Burket]

I think HD Camera Rentals has MFF1's in their inventory.

 

[Zul Y]

The Canon L lenses slip after a few pulls, so you have to reset marks every few takes. I think it's the manual clutch which slips with use, even if you don't turn past infinity or cf.

I agree on this point. This happens especially when doing fast focus pulls.

The 85mm prime is the worst lens to pull focus on. It has the largest degree of rotation so gear rings with hard stops will have problems with the lens.
And the biggest problem with this lens is that the camera must be switched on for the lens internal focus barrel to move.
If the camera is switched off and you accidentally adjusts your follow focus after making your marks, you'll lose your marks.

I like the images the lens gives but I hate its focus mechanics.

 

[david_winters]

Here is the setup I used yesterday, with a 5DII.

 

[Sanjin Jukic]

Arri MFF-1 can do all you want.

Have a look at the presentation video to get more idea:

LINK>>>

One of the options with 7D and Canon 50mm EF f/1.4: