OConnor CFF1 a little bit "loose"

[AndreasOberg]

Hiya,
I just tested the CFF1 for the first time. What I notice that when you change direction there is about 1mm "gap" for the wheel. Basically you can rotate the wheel 1mm back/forward without it affecting anything when you change direction. Is this expected?
I would have hoped that one wouldn't feel any gaps like this.
Best
/Andreas

 

[Kemalettin Sert]

i have same problem on cff1.when you re-adjust screws it gets loose in a month again

 

[Shervin Mandgaryan]

Never had that happen... sound's like it's faulty/defective. I'd get in touch with O'Connor for a replacement.

 

[Gunleik Groven]

Seen this a lot on the arri FF's, not on O'Connor... Yet.

But I also haven't used an O'Connor FF with as many hours of abuse as the Arri's I have had the pleasure of playing with. But to me, tightness has been one of the main cool things with the O'connor.

Have you checked other places in the chain for play?

 

[kylebainter]

I've had to send one of my wheels back for them to fix it... it started getting "loose".

 

[AndreasOberg]

All the cogwheels that I can see seem to sit very snuggly. I suspect that it's the wheel where it connects to the first connection point that is not sitting completely tight. It's not a major problem but it has this unpleasant feeling when you change direction that there is 1mm where it doesn't do anything so you have to be careful.
Is this a fairly normal thing on follow focuses? I haven't used a follow focus of this caliber before so I dont really know what to expect.

Are there any special places I should look in the chain?
Cheers
/Andreas

 

[Steven Turner]

CFF-1

CFF-1

Hi,

The CFF-1 has a belt to offset the transmittion from the main axis and to allow the wheel to be swiveled to different positions.

An indiosncracy of belt drives is that they can periodically become loose as parts bed in or stretch.

What you are descriping sounds like a little hysterisis / back-lash from the belt in the handwheel.

Try removing the handwheel, then;

To 'take up the slack' there are 2 screws on the rear of the handwheel that sit in slots rather than plain holes. Try backing these screws off slightly, applying pressure to the housing that holds the screws so that the tapered end of the housing moves toward the edge of the handwheel (so that you are effectively moving the wheel axis and the mainbody conection coupling axis away from eachother) and then re-tighten the screws.

Make sure that when you connect the handwheel to the main bridge that you push it into place with light pressure before tightening up.

This will resolve the issue.

If it does not ,or you have difficulty understanding what I have written...I've struggled to explain myself in words, please contact me directly.

Steven Turner (Product Manager - OConnor)

 

[AndreasOberg]

I just wanted everyone to know that I'm talking to Steven Turner from OConnor so I'm in good hands.
Otherwise the CFF-1 is a fantastic piece of engineering, it's a pleasure to setup.
Best
/Andreas

 

[AndreasOberg]

Update: OConnor were kind enough to send me a Follow Focus in express. The new one is completely perfect, its very smooth.
I have also found out a way of putting down the whole Epic with lens, follow focus, PagLink battery and rods with the 9" screen in a backpack that can go on an airplane. It's very cool since it's so fast to whip it out and begin shooting when you don't need to assemble anything. I'm using the Kata 610 backpack and have taken out most components so it better suits the setup.

Can post some images if there is interest.
Best
/Andreas

 

[Joost Kelderman]

Some photo's would indeed Be appreciated, always good to see how people solve that jigsaw (-;

edit: autocorrect is a b***h