Follow focus needed?

[Daniel Christensen]

Plain and simple question: Do I absolutely need a follow focus to focus a cine lens, or can I do it by hand? Don't most cine lenses come with one of those lever type things for focus, if I needed a smooth rack focus shot?

Thanks...

 

[Bob Gundu]

If you need to hit focus marks, yes. If you just need to focus from the gut, no. BTW, I rarely use mine.

 

[Noel R.]

You don't need one but it is highly recommended. A follow focus will allow you to place marks on the focus wheel. In order to maintain critical focus on your shots those marks help tremendously, trying to hit critical focus by doing it with guess work is incredibly hard, especially if your subject is moving a lot. The follow focus also minimizes vibrations because you are not tugging on the lens.

 

[Daniel Christensen]

If you need to hit focus marks, yes. If you just need to focus from the gut, no. BTW, I rarely use mine.

Funny you would say that, because in all my previous DP work, that's what I've done. Focused from the gut, that is. Sometimes to the chagrin of my actors, who must do a scene perfectly... twice, because I wasn't satisfied with my first pull. Haha but seriously, that's refreshing to hear. Nice to know I'm not crazy.

 

[Nick Morrison]

Considering you can get a cheap follow focus for $500 (the Lanparte), why not just have one? For simple interviews you don't need one, but once things get more complicated...you do. Prepare the for the worst...for when things get sticky....cuz when you really need it...you'll be sorry you didn't have one (trust me).

 

[Phil Holland]

I'm a little different on this subject.

I believe a follow focus is a "must have tool" to both get familiar with and is a standard use thing on set. I do pull wildly a lot without marks, but also pull in more standard ways as well. However, a good cinema lens can be focused by hand, although precautions must be made on how you operate that. I and many others have made plenty of tape marks on lenses in the past to pull on the lens as well.

In terms of the craft and use, a good mechanical follow focus can become an extension of how you operate. I practice pulling wild focus often and keep that skill up. Not because I feel it's the best way to work, but I do enjoy working that way. It's a different energy altogether. If you have a solid technique it becomes a powerful and desirable creative tool. However, that takes practice. It takes more practice if you want to work at T1.3-T2 as well. The better feel you get for that follow focus the more you can do. Sort of like fencing or something similar really. Getting familiar with spatial judgement and accuracy is also a very useful thing here. Also studying how your subject moves and behaves is important here.

I'll agree that having a cheap one is better than having none at all.

 

[Clayton Burkhart]

A follow focus really becomes important when you are no longer working alone.
Having a first assistant is a normal step in the evolution of a DP.
Pulling by hand becomes more complicated without a FF when this step happens.
Hitting marks also becomes more criitical because often the assistant isn't even looking at a monitor.
In fact I generally prefer ones who can judge distance and hit witness marks without a monitor.

Further, I have found that wireless Follow Focus's are now more present on my shoots.
I find myself using less and less even a mechanical FF. It's just more convenient when having to switch setups once one is required.
Once you begin using steadicammers, cranes, sliders and other machinery, it becomes a must have.

So having a FF is a necessary part of the evolution for many in our business.