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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 :)

Follow Focus Discussion

After using the redrock FF and having worked with an Arri numerous times I went with the Shoot35.com FF as I found it more robust and also affordable compared with the redrock. I'm very happy with it, essentially no play on the gears. I've had it for over a year now and its still like-new.
 
Luke Grandmont said:
We hear ya! Yes, the Durus, though robust, is a bit bulkier than some other FFs. I'll ask (and possibly recommend) if anyone who owns the Durus and has issues is using the standard drive gear or our larger drive gear? The Large Drive gear was designed specifically with the RED in mind for this very reason - the gear box would run into the camera body. The standard gear that ships has a 1 1/2" diameter while the Large Drive gear has a 2.26" diameter. Though I can't say we've tried it on Scarlet, we did have the Epic in not too long ago and everything seemed savvy. What you guys think - 2.26" big enough for clearance?

*edit - Jeremy beat me to it! :p
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I guess the answer is no.

Two things, the Durus does not work on the left hand side of the camera if using the battery grip. secondly if having short lenses the durus is so fat (in the direction of the lens) so when using short lenses it does not fitt in between mattebox and camera, (or rod holder under neat camera)

Antothe thing... The focus wheel is very close to the gear box... it does make it hard to grab in between mattbox and camera even on longer lenses and even when top mounted.

The large gear wheel runs not smooth enough, since the ratio then is to high.

Im sad to say I would if I could rather have half the money back and return my durus, since I think it's at least unusable as a rental, all focus pullers that worked around the camera does go for another option even if the durus is included in the camera package. All comment I got about it is that it's basically un unusable.

There are some mods that you could do to make it more versatile. The rod holder needs to be more narrow. Also the fat axis going trough the gear box needs to be shorter, and shorten the clamps that goes around the gearbox. The wheel / grip needs to be at least possible to extend out from the gear box so it's not so close to the lens, for most lenses it gets to cramped up between camera, EVF cable and matte box.

Sad to say but we been trying to use whips and other solutions to make things work better but normally it ends up with the durus being tossed back in the case and we pull focus directly on the lens instead....
 
Ryan Chapman said:
You might want to test the play! http://vimeo.com/28914272
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That video is from 3 months ago. I guess he improved the new ones because both of the ones that we got in the last month are tight with zero play. He updates and improves his stuff all the time. We are amazed at how good they are for the $$.
 
HOw important is critical focus to you?

How can anyone go discount or budget with a FF is beyond me... make a MB out of corrugated CB... buy an FF-4 ONCE and never worry about FOCUS again.

THE MFF-1 is OK... and the best of the LW... the rest do not stand up - I know. I bought and (quickly) sold every single one of them. Chrosziel a close second... but for the $
the ARRI is far superior and will last forever.

There are also a couple WONDERFUL older but nice FF-2 for sale on here that will outperform all that low budget JUNK... and it IS junk - for any kind of rental business. For owner
operators who pull their own focus... well... anything will work... a lens zip gear from Zacuto and a needle nose pliers works too.

Skimping on FOCUS is like skimping on MEDIA... makes one seriously scratch their head why anyone would try to pinch pennies in those uber-critical areas.

All those cheap ones are good for about a month... then they ALL develop too much play... in my direct experience in 4 years of rentals
 
Rob Castiglione said:
How is the play on the Genus Superior follow focus? I tried one and was a tad disappointed. I was really interested uptil then.
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I've had no issues with it in terms of play, but that may decided upon what you feel play means. I have more trouble with the short focus throw of Nikon lenses :)
 
Thanks Paul. Because I was using Nikons with the short throw I went with the chrosziel studio which extends the rotation of the throw considerably and gives you excellent control. In relation to the Durus follow focus, even though it is very robust and well made, it is a bulky and awkward unit unsuitable for small lenses. As noted, the gear box is very big on it. I also did not like the feel of it - a bit agricultural compared to the smooth dampened feel of the chrosziel and other high end units. I am sure that it would work well with larger cine lenses.
 
For me Gini "I focus" will be fine for the modern Canon, Zeiss, Tokina stuff . But it appears I'm going to have problems with my tiny Leica's, as "I focus" is similar in size to Durus, Jeeze there's hardly any room in there between the camera & the MB , may need to get something else.
 
Rob Castiglione said:
Thanks Paul. Because I was using Nikons with the short throw I went with the chrosziel studio which extends the rotation of the throw considerably and gives you excellent control. In relation to the Durus follow focus, even though it is very robust and well made, it is a bulky and awkward unit unsuitable for small lenses. As noted, the gear box is very big on it. I also did not like the feel of it - a bit agricultural compared to the smooth dampened feel of the chrosziel and other high end units. I am sure that it would work well with larger cine lenses.
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The Cinevate Durus works GREAT with larger lenses. It is rock solid with zero play in the gear box. With my RED ONE I never had a single issue with it. The only issue right now is with my Epic, there is an LCD plug right next to the lens mount so the Durus doesn't reach when the lens focus ring is really tiny and close to the lens mount (as in a 14mm Zeiss Standard Speed).
 
I have several follow focus units, and the O'Connor CFF-1 is the best I've ever used. You can build it into any configuration. I've mounted it off of top rails, underslung... all sorts of weird configurations, and once you have it set correctly there is zero play.
 
Hi Brad.

Concerning the Shoot35 follow focus, what lenses do you use with it? It has received some really good reviews given its incredibly modest price.
 
I've used mostly older Nikon and Canon lenses. They tend to be a bit stiffer than their newer autofocus counter-parts but still not true cinema lenses so I can't speak to how well it would stand up to a proper PL lens. I have faith that it would work well as it is a well-made piece of gear especially for the price. Of course, for about double the cost you can get a used Arri FF2 kit which, while bulkier, is a great follow focus so it just depends on what your budget allows. If I didn't already own this FF I would be seriously considering the FF2 kits for sale in the marketplace.

I regularly use a whip and speedcrank on the Shoot35 FF and everything works great, I would love to get my hands on some PL glass and once my scarlet arrives I will get there sooner than later.
 
Just got my D-Focus, from jag 35 bought it when they were doing black friday so I got it for $111, AMAZING follow focus, build quality is amazing, and smooth as can be. NO backlash AT ALL
 
update for anyone thinking cinevate. Tried it on a Scarlet built with 15mm lightweight rails. Worked beautifully. Lens was Red 17-50, gear box had almost a 3/4 inch of room to the body left to slide back. I have the large gear wheel which is a must to push it out more. Unfortunately no photos, we took it off and the cold got the best of me, forgot to get one. But it does work well and at the mid priced FF group it is great and will last. good luck.
 
Steve Murray said:
That video is from 3 months ago. I guess he improved the new ones because both of the ones that we got in the last month are tight with zero play. He updates and improves his stuff all the time. We are amazed at how good they are for the $$.
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i just got mine in two weeks ago and same thing, zero play. truly incredible for the price.
 
In the market for a new follow focus as well... About to pul the trigger on the Arri ff-4 but I really like the ability to create hard focus stops on the new redrock. Any unit with similar quality to the ff-4 but with the hard stops? or am I looking into this to much?
 
Ok my FF "I focus" arrived from Gini Rig today. Man this is one big, huge FF unit, quality metal engineered gearbox. Build quality exceptional. I was expecting something large but not this large! This thing would be at home on 19mm rods . It will work well with cut delrin or metal geared still modern lenses, plastic zip gear & the like I wouldn't even bother. I Paid $285 including shipping. My only problem is I have a suite of Leica's & this unit is overkill for these tiny lenses.

If I was going PL route I would use another system (pro) but for still lenses this unit should be fine.
 
i was wondering what gears are people using? ive been looking at the Jag35 universal gears but i still not sure
 
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