Follow Focus Shootout

[Steve Sherrick]

It's been a while since I posted a poll, so here goes. Which follow focus system would you choose if you had the following requirements. If the one you are thinking of doesn't hit all of the requirements, make a case for why you would still get it. And I'm sure I missed some requirements, so add those too.

1. 35mm Cine and still lenses compatible
2. Reversible rotation
3. Easiest to adjust when making lens changes
4. Can be used on either side
5. Least amount of play
6. Easiest to mark
7. Offers enough features to use for your own shooting and rent out to other productions
8. Vertical and horizontal adjustment
9. Durable
10. Costs less than $3000

I had to throw that last one in there. Otherwise it makes the game too easy. We all know what the answer would be. If you have used one of the units that have not officially come to market, those are fair game. Ones that have just been marketed that no one has used yet, probably don't qualify.

Have at it.

 

[Costelloe Michael]

Steve,

I heard that Arri are making a FF and Mattebox for the 'indie' sector at 'indie' prices, but I haven't made it to Cinegear this year, can anyone comment? Maybe this fits the bill?

Mike C

 

[Alexis Hanawalt]

Absolutely, without a doubt, ViewFactor. I tried everything on the market at NAB, and the ViewFactor system had less play than traditional manual units.

 

[Mitch Gross]

We showed the new Arri mattebox and followfocus combo at CineGear, mounted to a Sony EX1. They were originally designed to work on this camera but can work for many others. I've already tested and found that the mattebox will cover the RED 18-50 no problem, although Arri needs to make a 114mm ring to physically mount it correctly (coming soon). The mattebox is a 2-stage 4x5.65 with the rear stage rotating. There is a rear bellows that holds a 4.5" round filter (same size as the front of the Red lens) but it is unclear if there would be room to use this and still cover out to 18mm (still testing) the mattebox can be used as a clip-on on mounted to lightweight 15mm rods (with 3rd party adapters you can go to 15 or 19 bridgeplate rods and Arri may make something as well). The follow focus is great too, with a unique double-joint adjustment that allows it to fit just about any lens. It uses standard Arri gears and there are many of these available. Best yet, the combination kit will be available for under $4K -- we're hoping for a good amount under. The units will be available seperately as well, but the price won't be quite as nice. First production units should be available in a few weeks.

 

[Brandon Fraley]

Absolutely, without a doubt, ViewFactor. I tried everything on the market at NAB, and the ViewFactor system had less play than traditional manual units.

view factor would definitely be the way to go... if it was available the delay keeps getting longer and longer and the price keep creeping higher and higher. We gotta buy something at some point.