FF turns

[Joseph S.]

I just did a quick FF test to see how smooth it is. Is it normal to turn two full turns to get somewhere? Assuming it's a matter of gears.

Had to turn two full turns to go from the middle scene (power pole), to front scene (screen window).

http://vimeo.com/38526411

EPIC-X 5K, 100MM RPP, f/1.8.

 

[Matt Ryan]

Sounds about right. You might want to invest in a speed crank.

 

[ericyoung]

It's a matter of both lens construction and follow focus gearing.

Speed crank as suggested by Matt, and/or try an Arri FF3 dual speed follow focus.

 

[Joseph S.]

Thanks a lot guys. I actually used a speed crank as you can see in my setup below.

I guess it's a matter of getting use to it. I was worried that any faster and the camera would wobble.

Generally speaking, was the time it took for focus too long in that video test?

 

[Ryan De Franco]

You are on a 100mm lens, this is as it should be--depth of field is quite shallow at wider apertures, sometimes just a few inches is in focus. As talent moves in out, literally as they breathe, turn, react while "standing still," you want your AC to have enough motion to compensate without overdoing it.

Your aperture setting does not affect the length of the rotation from door to window. A long rack like that is rare in narrative cinema, but when you need it, you have the crank.

This incredible range of motion with lots of standard placement witness marks, collimated to exact inch measurements, is exactly what everyone with a photographic lens is dying for. Be happy!