Cinevate Durus vs O-Focus DM?

[Les C.]

I just had a very nice talk with Eric Johnston of OConnor who clarified that the O-Box WM will work perfectly with Canon EF lenses like the 24-70.

He mentioned the friction based O-Focus DM as an alternative to the Durus I was considering.

It certainly would be nice not to have to put those large rings on my lenses with the Durus, but ... that's quite a step up in price.

I'm curious. Other than price, is the decision is a slam dunk for the O-Focus DM?

Are there pros/cons for going one direction or the other? It's quite a bit larger than the Durus and doesn't look like it can be quickly swung away to change a lens, but ... I'm just starting the process of learning about it.

I'll have 15mm LWS rods and be using the Canon 24-70 II and most likely one of Canon's wider zooms.

Thanks!

 

[Nils J. Nesse]

I like the Durus one-sided design, and all I've heard is that it is very solidly built and with minimal play. I've also heard some people say it's clunky, often gets in the way, and it's a problem with lenses where the focus gears are very close to the mount.

The O-Focus DM has more of a familiar form factor, which means that your AC will complain less. I have the CFF-1 and everyone likes it. All the Oconnor accessories I've used have been very solid and well designed. As for the friction gear, I've never used that and have no idea how well it works - but you still have the option of using regular gears with it. The exchangable handwheels for still and cine lenses is also a valuable feature.

For lens changes, the Durus swings away, while the O-Focus has a horizontal slider on the bridge. Both are unproblematic. The O-Focus snaps onto the rods, so it's easier to take on and off. The Durus slides onto the rods, so you'll have to remove your mattebox first.

 

[Paul Nordin]

I'm intrigued with the friction based FF for still lenses. I've used a variety of gears on my canon lenses in the past, settling on the Cinevates. However, there are two issues with them. Firstly, the rubber focus adjustment pad on the lens slips so if too much longitudinal force is put on the gears, they can pull the rubber ring out of alignment. Secondly, I have had to send my Canon 70-205 in for repair twice for focus slipping. I suspect that friction from the focus gear assembly in some way screwed with the lens focus mechanism. So I've left gears off of that lens.