Welcome to our community

Be a part of something great, join today!

Log in
  • 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 :)

Follow Focus Discussion

Ryan Chapman

Ryan Chapman

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 1, 2011
Messages
457
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Brooklyn, NY
I'm having a tough time picking between the available follow focuses for the Scarlet, and I was wondering what other people's thoughts were on the various models.

These are what I've been looking at, from high price to low:

Arri FF4 - $2800 - high end industry standard, wouldn't have to buy another, EXCEPT I'm looking to eventually get the REDmote pro, which might make me pull focus almost exclusively wirelessly. It also seems like it might be a little overkill, considering the camera is only $10,000, unless you already have an amazing lens set and are just looking to perfect your package.

Chrosziel Studio Rig FF - $2500 - I see no reason to get this over the similarly priced Arri

Chrosziel HDSLR FF - $1800 - Still, too closely priced to Arri for an indie-level product

Cinevate Durus - $1250 - This is the one I'm really paying attention too. Read some really great reviews, seems versatile, great for price, seems to have tight mechanics. Any thoughts? Why isn't this more popular?

Redrock Blue FF - $800-$1100 (Studio version) - Great price, but have used them, and hate the play in the gears.

D-Focus v3 (just for fun) - $140 - Insane price, can anyone actually vouch for this? I've heard it actually has less play than the Redrock FFs. Seems like a feasible temporary solution, though it might not look good on set.
 
Ryan Chapman said:
...
D-Focus v3 (just for fun) - $140 - Insane price, can anyone actually vouch for this? I've heard it actually has less play than the Redrock FFs. Seems like a feasible temporary solution, though it might not look good on set.
Click to expand...

Got one of these for my Canon 60D. Works OK for the price but it is a little stiff and not perfectly smooth. I'd say it does the job for this context. The only other FF I have worked with extensively is an ARRI on a RED ONE with Nikon lenses. Of course, much smoother - then again it's a LOT more expensive. :-)

Bottom line - not sure I'd really recommend the DFocus but I know I'd also balk at the ARRI level pricing for what I do.

Hope that helps.
 
I'd throw in another to consider @ the bottom end . (I just covered this in another thread )

Gini Rig's "I focus" a lot of people have been commenting on the build quality & specs, it is very similar to the "Durus". I have ordered one for $285 with all metal precision engineered construction, no plastic gearbox, in fact tailored made all metal gearbox includes airmail freight, grand sum of $285. Whilst I would not use with high end cine glass I will use for EOS mounted glass which should be fine. Hasn't arrived yet I'll let you know what I think when it arrives .

P.S. Worth a gamble at the price. If I don't like it I will dispose of on ebay.
 
Sascha Rossier said:
Dont forget the Falcon Follow Focus (http://www.hangrip.com/index.php?pa...ategory_id=13&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=72) ... i had these working under severe conditions already ... rock solid and cheap as chips
Click to expand...

Hi Sascha. Been looking for a budget rig! Just need something to give me some flexibility while I save for the clutch. Have you had much experience with these Hangrip rigs? From the looks of it, they seem to tailor to DSLR's so maybe not the best solution for Epic/Scarlet.
 
I am happy with my durus. The big wheel is very comfy. I use it now on lightweight 15 with a Red 17-50 AF100 setup. I would love a 19 studio setup, but not in the budget for now. I ordered the 19mm arm Cinevate offers for it with my Scarlet. I think it will go well nicely. Should note though, buy the large gear for the Durus, it pushes the unit out more so its more comfortable and has more clearance. Gap is minimal, mm's so that is the main good point.

edit- would also like to mention build. It is solid! This will last a long time and you don't have to worry about grabbing it or anything. For quick handheld it is a decent grab point to hold the camera up.
 
JosefGatti said:
Hi Sascha. Been looking for a budget rig! Just need something to give me some flexibility while I save for the clutch. Have you had much experience with these Hangrip rigs? From the looks of it, they seem to tailor to DSLR's so maybe not the best solution for Epic/Scarlet.
Click to expand...

I don't know about their rigs. I just use their Falcon Follow Focus and although with a plastic housing, this sucker is though as terminator. Just love it. My trustee Budget-RigSupplier is Jag35.com ... i was able to copy all these new Hurlbut-Cinema-Master-Series-Setups for a third of the bucks just using
Jag35 Parts ... ;-)
 
From my personal experience, I tried cheaper options and ended up with the Arri. Though the OConnor seems pretty nice.
 
From my personal experience, I tried cheaper options and ended up with the Arri. Though the OConnor seems pretty nice.
Click to expand...

But if you had to choose a cheaper option? I spend lots of time shooting steadicam and handheld, and would prefer not to blow all my money on an Arri when I also need a wireless FF.
 
Ryan,

Are you going to be using PL or Canon glass?


BTW, my favorite is the Oconnor CFF1, it's a beauty!
Click to expand...

Right now I'm using Zeiss ZE glass, but will be switching to probably RED 17-50 in the next few months (especially if they get the Redmote Pro working..)
 
The Cinevate Durus does not work with the Epic/Scarlet and small lenses like Zeiss Super Speeds. The camera body is wider than the Red One and the LCD plug next to the lens mount gets in the way. It's a shame because the Cinevate is really solid, but I just upgraded to an Arri MFF-1 and I'm really happy with it.
 
Hmm. Didn't foresee a problem with the Durus on Epic/Scarlet. Even if you flip the wheel on the other side it still doesn't fit?

The Durus has been good to us as well but we have threaded lightweight 15mm rods. Because they are threaded the Durus can loosen them as the day goes on. This has been annoying a bit but we have clamped rods for our Epic-X, that is when it gets here.

Fortunately right now we just have a zoom so the Durus sounds like it will work but I'm getting closer to picking up a set of primes.
 
I got the MFF-1 with the MMB-1 as a kit for my 5d2. By the time they arrived I'd already picked up a used R1. They worked great on that and are even nicer with the Epic for creating a really light rig. The MFF-1 has a slight amount of play when you're reversing but it's really smooth. The gear is easily swappable front to back, gearing can be reversed for Nikon if you want. I also dig that you can set stops on it... makes pre-setting focus marks flawless.
 
Mike Garrick said:
I'd throw in another to consider @ the bottom end . (I just covered this in another thread )

Gini Rig's "I focus" a lot of people have been commenting on the build quality & specs, it is very similar to the "Durus". I have ordered one for $285 with all metal precision engineered construction, no plastic gearbox, in fact tailored made all metal gearbox includes airmail freight, grand sum of $285. Whilst I would not use with high end cine glass I will use for EOS mounted glass which should be fine. Hasn't arrived yet I'll let you know what I think when it arrives .

P.S. Worth a gamble at the price. If I don't like it I will dispose of on ebay.
Click to expand...

I bit on one of the gini rigs. For $400+ I got a ton of kit, including the I focus

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250932041259?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649

I can vouch for the ruggedness. The build quality is definitely better than Redrock and on par with much more expensive Zacuto rigs. Haven't tested the play on the follow focus yet, but it's built like a tank!
 
I've got a Durus, very happy with its super solid build and zero lash.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top