What Follow focus for 19mm?

[Rupert Hopkins]

Hey,

I'm getting pretty lost into what might be the best mid priced follow focus to use on the epic. I plan on running 19mm rods.

I have a budget of £600-£1800. Ideally I would like something that attaches properly to 19mm rods without an adapter.

I have looked at the Arri mini 15mm and the O'Connor O focus Cine Set.

Does anyone know the how the O'connor may attach to 19mm rods?

Anyone have any other suggestions?

Thanks

 

[Skip Hobbie]

I just use a 15mm follow focus on a simple adaptor to put it on my 19mm rods.

 

[Nick Gardner]

Are you married to 19mm rods? You may consider 15mm. Also, what type of lenses are you planning on using? I would say 95% of my work I live on 15mm LWS rods instead of studio. The only time I go studio is for big zooms which I seldom use.

Nick

 

[Rupert Hopkins]

Hi Nick,

I hadn't considered using 15mm, since I get annoyed that the rods hit the bottom of the matte box. I'm using Schneider Xenon FF lenses. I'm not to bothered about getting an adapter. As you say maybe 15mm rods would be better.

Its a lot to think about I really don't know which rod system would be better. The 19mm look so much sturdier, but the 15mm would save a lot of hassle.

Most importantly what would you suggest as a good Follow focus at the £1500 price mark? Arri Mini vs O'connor vs Bright tangerine? Any ideas?

 

[Rupert Hopkins]

So lets suppose I go with 15mm. I have a 15/19mm matte box and then ill buy a 15mm follow focus so they would clip on nice.

Would you suggest I don't order the 19mm bridge plate? http://woodencamera.com/Bridgeplate-19mm.html

The only problem is I'm left with no bottom Arri dovetail so would have to clip my tripod plate to the bottom of the epic riser. Saves me like 700 quid but I would no longer have the dovetail to slide along for balance etc

Whats the standard 15mm setup?

Thanks

 

[Nick Gardner]

I find that the vast majority of the time, I have the quickplate for the tripod bolted right on to the bottom of the camera/riser with 15mm lws. I have my battery mounted on a rod based bracket on top rods so I can slide it back and forth to help with balance. I have always been able to balance on any tripod with a sliding stage - ie cartoni sachtler etc.

In a perfect world, you have all the options, which I do, but I very rarely find my self having the camera built up on a dovetail. I don't want that when I go hand held, and not on steadicam, so it saves time to work in a way where it's not necessary.

As far as FF goes, I would ask your AC. But from back in the day when I pulled focus, it was hard to go wrong with arri or chrosziel.

 

[Linda Barzini]

I use a Lanparte follow focus. You can get them on ebay for about $500. I initially thought I was going to upgrade to a more expensive one, but I love it. There is zero play between the dial and the gear. It is very solidly built. Avoid the cheap ones for a couple hundred dollars. I found they have too much wiggle.

It is probably the only piece of gear (other than a Dana Dolly) that was modestly priced and works great that I have found.

 

[Ryan Skeete]

Does anyone know the how the O'connor may attach to 19mm rods?

I used the Oconnor CFF-1 on my 19mm Red One setup for a few years without any issues. It's designed to fit on both 15mm and 19mm without needing separate brackets.

 

[Daniel Soderberg]

Arri and Chrosziel make the best ffs in my opinion. Chrosziel being the cheaper slightly less solid option.

I used the Oconnor CFF-1 on my 19mm Red One setup for a few years without any issues. It's designed to fit on both 15mm and 19mm without needing separate brackets.

 

[Ulf Krentz]

Arri and Chrosziel make the best ffs in my opinion. Chrosziel being the cheaper slightly less solid option.

+1 for the Chrosziel, get this one

http://shop.chrosziel.com/shop/details/1052/

will perfectly fit in your budget, very well build, will work on 15mm and via an adaptor on 19mm. Focus Knob has two adjustable hard stops (love them), can be equipped with various sizes of drive gears.

Cheers, Ulf

 

[Rupert Hopkins]

I use a Lanparte follow focus. You can get them on ebay for about $500. I initially thought I was going to upgrade to a more expensive one, but I love it. There is zero play between the dial and the gear. It is very solidly built. Avoid the cheap ones for a couple hundred dollars. I found they have too much wiggle.

It is probably the only piece of gear (other than a Dana Dolly) that was modestly priced and works great that I have found.

Actually i'm upgrading from a lanparte one. I loved it to bits, couldn't believe how nice it was. However a year into using it the gear broke inside and it just slips every few turns so its uselss. I contacted the people I bought it from. I was told that it was becuase I was using cinema lenses??? and that with the dampaneing it allready had there was too much presure and I couldnt return it. I tried to find out if I could get it fixed but apprently they are too hard to fix as the unit is extremly difficult to open as parts are welded shut. Altogether very happy avoid to avoid them now. (wich is a shame as there 19mm one fits the bill).
Ryan, the CFF-1 looks awesome but out of my price range unless someone can sell me it second hand. I was looking at their basic Cine FF which i have now learnt simply requires a 3rd party adapter to connect to 19mm.

I will have a look at Chrosziel, first impressions it looks good.

Thanks!

 

[Isaac Marchionna]

Arri all day everyday.

 

[Scott Auerbach]

OConnor fits either 19 or 15, and is just flat-out superb. I have one for sale on the forum here, in nearly-new condition at deep discount.

 

[Rupert Hopkins]

I have decided to go Arri after hearing some reviews and trying it myself.

I'm going for the FF5 with the 19mm adapter.

I am using Schneider Xenon FF lenses would you suggest the Cine model FF5 (short swing arm) or the HD model FF5 (long swing arm).

Thanks.