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which wireless follow focus to buy?

Mitch Martinez

Mitch Martinez

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Hi All,

I'm looking at buying a wireless follow focus unit for my kit and wanted to know your thoughts, suggestions, experiences on quality and price of what's out there. Here's what I've found so far (info, links and pricing).


View Factor - One Motor Kit - $2700:
http://www.viewfactor.net/index.php/products/one-motor.html
I haven't heard too much about their unit since NAB 2009 (I missed 2010's NAB). The pricing is great but they also seem to be indefinitely backordered. I e-mailed them a few days ago to see how long it will be out of stock and haven't received a reply.

Bartech Focus Device - $4600-$4700:
http://www.abelcine.com/store/Bartech-Focus-Device-Focus-Style/
http://www.abelcine.com/store/Palomar-M-One-Focus-Iris-Motor-with-Cable/#tabs
I've never heard a bad thing about Bartech's quality or reliability. Obviously more expensive than the View Factor but you're probably getting what you pay for. In stock and available from various vendors.

Chrosziel DigiFox - Price?:
http://16x9inc.com/store/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=668
I know nothing about this but saw that someone from 16x9 mentioned it in another thread. Chrosziel is traditionally good for quality. Has anyone used this unit? Have any thoughts? I really kind of hate that 16x9 doesn't list the price and makes you call or e-mail to find out how much it is...

Arri WCU-3 - $5300 without motor:
http://www.abelcine.com/store/Arri-WCU-3-Wireless-Compact-Unit/#tabs
Arri makes awesome gear but $5K+ without the motor is simply out of my price range. I have no doubt that this unit is great.

Varizoom VZ-WFF - $4549:
http://varizoom.com/products/controls/vzwff.html
No information other than what's on the page... Looks a lot like the Bartech unit with about $100 savings.

C Motion c1 Focus Standard - Approx $14,000:
http://www.cmotion.eu/index.php?mod=special&modid=2&id=36
As stated by Tobias below, it's really expensive. The website doesn't even list the item for sale - only where you can rent it. That usually means it's definitely super pricey.

Redrock Micro Wireless Follow Focus - In development:
http://store.redrockmicro.com/microremote
Some of the features like the digital distance read-out and on-board measuring sensor look interesting. So far, I haven't really been thrilled with any of the Redrock quality for pro gear uses - but we'll see what they come up with; maybe it will be gold...

Hocus Focus Professional - Approx $5500:
http://www.hocusproducts.com/shop/
The Hocus Focus Pro wireless focus unit, meant for use with cine lenses, will be coming in 2011. The lower priced unit on their website is the Hocus Focus Standard wireless follow focus which is a servo based system meant for SLR and broadcast lenses.

RT Motion Pro 1-Motor Kit - Approx $2000:
http://www.rtmotion.com/product/rev-pro-bundle1
I received a message from Kris at RT Motion with the information that they are shipping a lot of MK2 units now and we might be hearing some feedback soon. Also, they will have proper US distribution shortly so servicing and other needs for US users will be easier. I'm interested in seeing how this unit performs.

Preston Cinema Systems - Focus/Iris Unit - $11,360:
http://www.prestoncinema.com/Products/Typical One Channel System.pdf
"the industry standard for a reason. Granted you'll spend more but it's really the best investment as far as usability and resale value. nothing beats Preston for pure knock about durability and rock solid signal." - from Evin Grant's post below

Scorpio/Service Vision SB92 Focus - Pricing?:
http://www.servicevisionsystem.com/index5.html
Couldn't find any pricing information on their website but there's some interesting looking features and specs with the unit. I'm interested to know more.

Cineroid Wireless Follow Focus - Pricing?:
http://cineroid.com/index.php
Couldn't find any pricing information on their website. There's some interesting looking buttons and LCD readout on the unit that could be helpful.
 
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cmotion is amazing, but really expensive. http://www.cmotion.eu - have a look at it for some gear porn. Forget ViewFactor if you want to get your unit soon. Bartech is always reliable, never had a problem with it. Arri - yes.
 
I have been looking at the Varizoom TOC and wondering about that one? Anyone used one or even seen one? A little more expensive, but $13k with three motors isn't bad if it works good.
http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vztoc.html

The Viewfactor does not exist. There are a lot of us (me included) who have paid for it a couple years ago and still waiting to get it. Hopefully someday it will ship. So that is not an option.

Bartech is very common.



Dusty
 
I have to throw in the Hocus Focus, I'm going to be "testing" one in about a week, but so far looks great.

The HofoPro is going to be perfect for cinema lenses.
 
The Chrosziel is an absolute must. It is very intuitive, external motors are very easy to calibrate and you can very quickly spread or reduce the lens travel/lens scale if you want.
I use it regularly for steadicam work. It is an absolute pleasure to work with.

In case you have to use it in combination with an ENG/EFP -lens, you can even power the (small) receiver trough that lens (if there is an internal focus motor in the servo unit present) ! There is a motor reverse function, the battery lasts for a full day (!) and everything is memorized (even with power off). You can hard wire it (BNC) or use the antenna (goes really far), and it doesn't interfere with other remote controls, video links and computer networks.

The receiver/motor control unit has a power input 9-37 V DC, automatic motor calibration sets scale limits and torque, camera start/stop function.


to summarize :

- Digital lens set up
- Camera light dimmer function
- Camera start/stop function
- Digital scale expansion or compression
- Serial interface

I really can recommend it !
 
Zac - are you buying the unit? or testing at a shoot location? Or renting somewhere? What lenses are you throwing at it?
 
I bought the chrosziel used from an east coast reduser... works great, despite some early hiccups learning how to calibrate it. Very smooth.
 
Dustin Cross said:
My understanding is the Varizoom VZ-WFF is a rebranded Bartech.


Dusty
Click to expand...

I'd believe that. It looks almost identical. With the minimal price difference, I'd probably just go with Bartech and play it safe since it's a proven wireless follow focus unit.
 
When you buy it in Europe with the current exchange rate ... yes. But I do think/hope that companies in the US like 16x9 sell it in a similar price range (in USD).
 
I just bought the rev follow focus from a new company, rtmotion. They recently switched from a plastic to a metal casing. It feels very solid. I'm waiting on a 4-pin lemo to draw power from the camera, so I haven't tested yet. I'm hoping it is the affordable solution I've been praying for.
 
M Munoz - please keep us posted as to how it works out for you. what lenses will you be throwing at it?

Also, for everyone also shopping around for wireless FF units, I'll be keeping the initial post updated with pricing, links and information.
 
15 replies and no mention of Preston? They are the industry standard for a reason ya know. Granted you'll spend more but it's really the best investment as far as usability and resale value. The C-motion is also very nice but nothing beats Preston for pure knock about durability and rock solid signal. They do make a more affordable one channel unit too.
news08_05.jpg
 
Evin Grant said:
15 replies and no mention of Preston? They are the industry standard for a reason ya know.
Click to expand...

Industry standard? I have no idea why that would be.

I have VERY bad experience with the Prestons. In two different cases with two different steadicam operators that used them on their rigs they acted very funny or not acted at all. Then, one of them, hours later walk up all by itself and started working! This can't be a coincidence and i am generally a lucky guy. :-)

I am sure many here must have good experience with them but i am not one of them.
 
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