» Posts Tagged ‘followfocus’
Wireless follow focus systems are slowly getting cheaper, but when you’re dealing with wireless, quality is still the most important aspect. Hocus Products, who makes the Axis 1 Wireless Follow Focus System, has been developing the device for several years, but they are now finally about to ship to users. I’m told from those who have used it that it should stack up nicely against the much more expensive Preston systems which can run over $30,000 for a complete kit. Click through to check out the FreshDV video with Peter Hoare from Hocus: More »
Every once in a while I see a filmmaking product, and I can’t help but think “why didn’t I think of that?” due to the genius in the simplicity. Well, today is one of those days. Take a look at the new Cinemecanix C1-PRO-RIG, a two-level rig that allows you to film with two cameras simultaneously. See it in action in the video below. More »
There are plenty of interesting designs for follow focuses out there, and some just take the basic design and make it cheap and sturdy. Edelkrone is known for coming up with fascinating solutions to problems that exist with filmmaking gear, and the FocusONE PRO is no exception. If you’re using DSLRs and doing all of the shooting yourself, this looks like it could be a really innovative way to get marks quickly that can be repeated relatively easily. More »
We all remember that feeling — learning how to ride a bike for the first time. Most people can get right back on a bike and start riding again even if it’s been years. That sort of muscle memory is the idea behind the SnapFocus Follow Focus System from MidasMount. Take an item many are familiar with (bicycle handles in this case), and apply it to filmmaking to get the most intuitive follow focus ever designed. The Kickstarter project has already been backed by people like J.J. Abrams and director Jimmy Hayward, and the price-point for the entire rig is well within the reach of independent filmmakers. More »
While you can find plenty of follow focuses online, some are hefty but fairly expensive while others are of a less-than-desirable build quality and rarely have the filmmaker in mind when they are being designed. This Lanparte follow focus caught my attention not just because of build quality, but also the price — for around $400 (depending on where you buy it), you can get this model with hard stops and a handy quick release system that makes attaching and removing simple. Below is a video review of the follow focus. More »
We’ve already shown off one of the cheaper wireless follow focus systems from JAG35. Now Redrock Micro has partially redesigned their microRemote Wireless Follow Focus system by developing their own motor and creating a new controller (in addition to the iPhone controller). They’ve also got a rig system called the ultraCage that is designed to be form-fitting to cameras like the Canon C300 or the Canon 5D Mark II and 5D Mark III. I had a chance to talk with Brian Valente and Loren Simons at the Redrock NAB booth, and you can see that video embedded below. More »
JAG35 at NAB 2012: a $1300 Wireless Follow Focus, Friction Follow Focus, RED Rig, and Slider
JAG35 makes one of the cheapest wireless follow focuses in existence. Now they’ve improved upon their design and made the entire system much more durable. They also are introducing a clever follow focus that is friction based for newer lenses, but doesn’t have to be mounted to the side like many other friction-based follow focuses. I talked with Jehu Garcia from JAG35 and he introduced those products, as well as a custom RED Scarlet/Epic rig and a new slider they are developing. More »
As with any NAB event, new devices and prototypes are always being announced. I’m sure we will be seeing even more DSLR products than we saw last year, and Manfrotto is attempting to get in on this popularity by announcing new rigs specifically designed for small cameras. While it seems that we get a new DSLR rig every single day, Manfrotto is also going to be announcing other devices that are far more useful and necessary for Canon DSLR owners. More »
In the past year Okii has put out two interesting tools for Canon HDSLR filmmakers – the Okii FC1 USB Focus Controller and the MC1 USB Mini Controller. They are both notable for being among the first camera controllers for Canon DSLRs to use the USB protocol — this means you can keep the live view on, either in camera or via monitor, while remotely adjusting camera settings. Now, although using the USB protocol presents pros, it also has its cons:
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I’ve always thought Kickstarter, IndieGoGo, and other crowdfunding platforms are actually “best” suited for gadgets and technology products where you pre-buy something out of self-interest (as opposed to helping someone make something, as you did with me). Despite this, on Kickstarter Film & Video was the largest category in 2011, which is a testament to the generosity and connectivity of the filmmaking community. Here are a couple of filmmaking-friendly products for DSLRs on Kickstarter, both of which are looking to lower the price point for follow focuses and remote-control helicopters: More »
There are a couple of USB follow focus controllers out there — the Okii FC1 and Helmsman come to mind — but not all controllers are follow focuses. Instead, some simply let you start/stop recording, adjust exposure, and change settings. Here’s a preview from HD Cam Team of the Okii MC1 USB controller (though at the time of the video the brand had yet to be revealed): More »
I’ve been keen on Redrock Micro’s microRemote powered follow focus system since it was first announced at least year’s NAB. Redrock makes all manner of DSLR accessories, but their suite of follow focus products could be a breakthrough both feature- and price-wise when they make it to the market later this summer. When I visited the Redrock booth the futuristic iPhone controller was on its way down, but it wasn’t the fancy remote I was interested in: it was the $95 wired finger control that I wanted to get my hands on. Here’s a look at the complete device in action from HDSLR Shooter: More »
The guys from NextWaveDV stop by the Jag35 booth and check out their new Wireless Follow Focus, which starts at $500. They also stop by the D | Focus booth: More »
I’ve still not written the long-missing follow focus section of the DSLR Cinematography Guide, mainly because I don’t own a follow focus. I’ve had my eye on the forthcoming Redrock microRemote for a while, but since that unit has yet to see the light of day — and since I haven’t been in production on anything necessitating a follow focus in the meantime — the section has remained neglected. Here’s word of an innovative approach to a follow focus, however, one that uses the USB port on your DSLR to control your lenses (note that you must have the right electronic Canon lenses for this to function). Check out Okii’s new Follow Focus in action: More »
Jag35, known for ultra-affordable DSLR accesories, has jumped into the electronic follow focus game with a very aggressively-priced unit retailing for under $200. It’s initially available in a wired version, with a wireless unit available sometime in the future. How does the Jag35 measure up? More »
For a long time I’ve been looking for a way to shoot handheld with BOTH hands on the camera support handles, to maintain a balanced handheld aesthetic similar to that of indie cinematographers like Andrij Parekh (Half Nelson, Sugar, Cold Souls). It looks like Redrock has this functionality in mind with their crazy new microRemote wireless follow focus, which is why I picked the thumbnail at left; however, the real star of the show (certainly from a wow standpoint) is their ingenious use of an iPhone as a control surface. This is a follow focus like you’ve never seen (unless, of course, you’ve seen it before): More »
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