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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 :)

Cinevate Durus or ARRI FF-4 ?

IMO the ability to snap the FF-4 on and off the rods without pulling off any other AKS is a huge time saver. It all depends on your needs but I wouldn't bother with the extra $ for the FF-4 if you're not going to get all the benefits. I think my whole kit cost $4200 new from Abel, including the unit, left hand knob, 15mm studio adapter, prime gear #2 (You have to request this specifically) and a free 18" whip.
 
Evin Grant said:
IMO the ability to snap the FF-4 on and off the rods without pulling off any other AKS is a huge time saver.
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The Redrock Micro FF has this feature as well, for those on a budget.
 
Brandon Fraley said:
The Redrock Micro FF has this feature as well, for those on a budget.
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Right. It appears that RR has taken a piece that Arri and others charge a premium for and made it a good chunk more affordable. When I started ACing those snap on bridges were effectively non-existent...after I used one I thought it was a godsend.
 
Even though it hurt real bad like, I bought an FF-4 today.. Solid piece of gear..
 
Yeah, it's a bit painful. I'm not lookin' back though... No regrets here, should be a FF purchase that stings only once.
 
Zakaree Sandberg said:
i got a ff-2 for 1500 and there is a mod you can get for 200 bucks that will turn it into a snap on
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what mod is this? the rods holes for 15mm/105mm are from the same solid piece of aluminum that makes up the main body. I had to have a machinist carefully cut off the bottom of mine such that I could put it on top of 19mm
 
Yea Zak, speak up. What mod are you talking about? I spoke to ARRI reps, ABEL reps, Redusers, there weren't many options to get an FF-2 onto some 19mm rails other than hacking it off ala the Nelson method, or just going all 15
 
John Pinella said:
So, has anyone USED the Arri MFF-1?
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Trust me, we've sold plenty. A lot of people are either using their MFF-1 follow focuses or put them in a glass cabinet to admire the craftsmanship.
 
I second Blair with the Cavision, not a good FF at al, even at that price, it is not a pro tool , by large, as far as the RRMicro FF, is good for the price but again not a pro tool and not for Cine lenses.

To second Mitch, Abel I just shipped out at my place, here in Vegas the Arri FF-1, for by buddy Luca, and it is a little piece of wonder, and the price it is sure right.

My positive evaluation of the currently available FF exception of the DANAN which I have not touched or used, the Arri FF-1 and Arri FF-4 are the only ones I'm considering.

Btw Mitch please have James put those on my quote as well. Would I be able to use the FF-1 with the RPZ 18-85?

ciao
 
Ketch, the MFF-1 does in fact work well with the RED 18-85 zoom. And Ketch, you should talk to James directly so that we make sure to get the right items on your quote. I'm always happy to help -- just want to make sure we get you the right stuff.
 
Brigham, the issues you had raised in post 29 have been addressed :-) The only thing I'd add to the discussion are these items.

1. We're the only ones of the bunch with a lifetime warranty.
2. The Durus FF can be quickly swapped to both sides, and yes, you'd have to slide off your mattebox to do this. With our rails system, about 10 seconds to do this.
3. Our new focus gears (for lenses without gearing) are simply awesome. Pics in days...
4. Cinevate's Durus FF can be quickly converted on either side of the lens for clockwise, or counter-clockwise operation.

Cheers,
 
Dennis Wood said:
Brigham, the issues you had raised in post 29 have been addressed :-) The only thing I'd add to the discussion are these items.

1. We're the only ones of the bunch with a lifetime warranty.
2. The Durus FF can be quickly swapped to both sides, and yes, you'd have to slide off your mattebox to do this. With our rails system, about 10 seconds to do this.
3. Our new focus gears (for lenses without gearing) are simply awesome. Pics in days...
4. Cinevate's Durus FF can be quickly converted on either side of the lens for clockwise, or counter-clockwise operation.

Cheers,
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Hi Dennis,

Great to hear those couple of small issues have been addressed. They were only small but that's very good to hear as these are the things that will have big impact on the future of the product...imho.
I have had feedback from a couple of AC's now and they all have commented that it's good. Smooth, strong and easy...all were surprised as they don't have great confidence in single rail mount but were all happy to be surprised and gave it a thumbs up.

I have just used it with a set of Zeiss Standards though and have found that even with the larger gear it still would not fit and i had to flip the gearbox to make it fit which means the obvious back to front focusing which is what it is. But it did fit then which is a good thing, but then of course the mattebox wouldn't. This however is a very common thing with such small lenses as these and is part of the reason why they are not too commonly used anymore because of difficulties attaching accessories.

It would be good to know if you sell extra marking rings though and how much? Maybe even have two with each FF sold.
 
OT

OT

You're a bad ham rigger, Brigham Edgar. Great site. But I still haven't figured out your first name yet.:smilewinkgrin:
 
I'm slowly finding lenses and setups that the Durus is suffering from. The main issue is no reverse function. You can flip the FF but everything is then backwards and focus pullers don't like this, at all. In fact the last job the AC took the unit off as it was so fustrating and drove the lens manually. He gave the unit a thumbs up apart from this.

The Durus does work beautifully but has limitations due to this one factor. Would it be possible to design an additional accessory that would add another gear on the other side of the gearbox so there would not be the need to flip the gearbox?
 
Brigham Edgar said:
I'm slowly finding lenses and setups that the Durus is suffering from. The main issue is no reverse function. You can flip the FF but everything is then backwards and focus pullers don't like this, at all. In fact the last job the AC took the unit off as it was so fustrating and drove the lens manually. He gave the unit a thumbs up apart from this.

The Durus does work beautifully but has limitations due to this one factor. Would it be possible to design an additional accessory that would add another gear on the other side of the gearbox so there would not be the need to flip the gearbox?
Click to expand...

i was under the impression that it DID have this "reverse" gear accessory. Was I wrong?
 
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