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Scarlet-X With Canon Lenses - Follow Focus Capable?

Kamal Kyrala

Kamal Kyrala

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I remember seeing in a post that you can't do follow focus with lenses on the Canon Mount. Is that correct?
 
Kamal Kyrala said:
I remember seeing in a post that you can't do follow focus with lenses on the Canon Mount. Is that correct?
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Equip your lenses with focus rings that feature hard stops (like Zacuto ZipGears) or buy a follow focus unit that features a hard-stop function (you still need focus rings, just regular ones) and you will be able to use an FF with Canon lenses just fine. The focus throw will be shorter than on regular cine-lenses or Zeiss primes though, so your AC will have to be more precise.
 
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Demetri Zuev said:
Equip your lenses with focus rings that feature hard stops (like Zacuto ZipGears) or buy a follow focus unit that features a hard-stop function (you still need focus rings, just regular ones) and you will be able to use an FF with Canon lenses just fine. The focus throw will be shorter than on regular cine-lenses or Zeiss primes though, so your AC will have to be more precise.
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Thanks Demetri! That's sort of what I thought, but I wasn't sure if there was something I was missing.
 
Demetri is 100% correct. Brands like Zacuto, Redrock Micro, Shoot35 all make lens gears that you can attach to each lens. I use all three of those brands gears. I like the fact that the Zacuto and Shoot35 gears can live on the lens and still be tucked into a compact bag/case. The RedRock Micro gears provide more surface area for more "normal" focus throw and common diameter.

Some people get their lenses modified or even rehoused by companies such as Duclos to make their still lenses more production friendly.

The biggest differences between still lenses and cinema lenses in terms of pulling focus is the gear ring size, focus throw, and accurate focus distance markings on the lens.

Over time I started using speed cranks attached to the follow focus to get better control over smaller movements. I might have a six and twelve inch speed crank made because I desire even more subtle control, especially important at 4k. With most still lenses a single full rotation of the follow focus dial covers a massive distance. Nice for speedy rack focus shots, not so good for tracking a subject at a given distance.
 
Does Red make a follow focus system? I don't see anything in their store.
 
Welcome to the arcane world of follow focus units. Good luck finding reliable information. What you need is a follow focus that can accommodate the much shorter throw on still lenses. The best (after trying quite a few) in my view is the Chrosziel studio video/film unit. With the larger gear it can also be used quite effectively on cine lenses as well (though Chrosziel also make a unit specifically for cine use as well). This will actually give you good control. It is virtually useless using a cine style follow focus unit
 
Björn Benckert said:
Or you can use the red mote and pull focus like when using the birger mount for red one. see www.briger.com
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Hi Bjorn, have you ever racked focused with a Redmote?
I have one on order, but I'm assuming if I can, that I still wont be able to control the speed at which the focus is actually pulled?
I will still be using a FF, but wondering for when it's up on jib or the like?
Anyone who can advise on this would be greatly appreciated.

Best
Lliam
 
The RR microFollowfocus Blue has the hard stops as well. And it is reasonably priced.
 
REDMOTE Pro is supposed to have a full sized follow focus wheel and should have the same (if not better) functionality as the birger mount. I believe it will recalibrate each lens to have longer focus throws and have programmable, repeatable FF moves. Pretty amazing. I hope it comes out soon.
 
Rob Castiglione said:
Welcome to the arcane world of follow focus units. Good luck finding reliable information. What you need is a follow focus that can accommodate the much shorter throw on still lenses. The best (after trying quite a few) in my view is the Chrosziel studio video/film unit. With the larger gear it can also be used quite effectively on cine lenses as well (though Chrosziel also make a unit specifically for cine use as well). This will actually give you good control. It is virtually useless using a cine style follow focus unit
Click to expand...

I have used this set up for a long time and it works great :)
 
I use the Shoot35.com follow focus and find it well built and works as advertised for a competitive price. Shipping is a little pricey to North America though.
 
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