Nikon gearing

[chuck colburn]

Saw this and thought it might be better than those plastic snap on type gear rings.

http://www.jbkcinequipt.com/NIKON812.JPG

[Evin Grant]

Good looking gears, the nice thing about the plastic ones (Besides Price) is that they increase focusing accuracy by increasing the lens diamiter.

[Finner]

Evin do you know what the price of the plastic ones are? Bulk discount?

[Dominic Jones]

Finner - not sure if you're talking about a specific make, so apologies if this is useless information, but I know that Redrock Micro sell cine-pitch FF gears for SLR lenses - check out http://shopping.netsuite.com/s.nl/c.472981/sc.2/category.11/.f

I think they're $60 each, if memory serves ( i should have checked when I looked up the link, but I forgot!). Not sure about bulk pricing, you'd have to email them and see if you could do a deal, I suspect...

Hope that helps....

[Finner]

someone posted a while back really large diameter ones that looked great.

[Jaime Vallés]

Those Redrock Micro gears look really nice, and you can buy 3 for $150. Would they work with any follow focus unit, or only with the Redrock Micro Follow Focus specifically?

Also, does anyone know if their FF unit was fixed? It apparently had a bit of wiggle room, that made it unacceptable. I heard they were working on a fix. Has this happened yet?

[Evin Grant]

I think those were Dan Diaconu's
http://www.dandiaconu.com/newweb/mug.htm

[Alvise Tedesco]

Also, does anyone know if their FF unit was fixed? It apparently had a bit of wiggle room, that made it unacceptable. I heard they were working on a fix. Has this happened yet?

I received yesterday the new gearbox for my Redrock FF. Now it's perfect (before it wasn't). Never used cine pro FF, but I really can't imagine how they could improve over mine

[Jeff Kilgroe]

I had a RedRock FF. It was either the model before the wiggly one or it just didn't exhibit the problem. Either way, I thought it sucked immensely. It was difficult to adapt to different lens diameters, even with their plastic gear rings and just left a lot to be desired. I know you get what you pay for, but even at their relatively low price I felt cheated and I would have gladly paid more to get something that at least worked as advertised.

But I would be interested in knowing what gearing changes were made to the FF. Perhaps mine did have problems I wasn't aware of. I sold it before I saw all the complaints of it being loose or wiggly. Those problems didn't really seem to describe my FF unit. I just found it to be an over-simplified (cheap, amateur) design wit poor overall performance. Or at least that was my opinion and why I didn't hesitate to sell along with the M2 when I had the opportunity. ...M2 is a decent 35mm adapter, but the Brevis is much better.

[Finner]

I received yesterday the new gearbox for my Redrock FF. Now it's perfect (before it wasn't). Never used cine pro FF, but I really can't imagine how they could improve over mine

Does your ff have a dummy side attachment? does it have a 2 speed option?

[Finner]

Thanks Evin those larger gear adapters look like a fairly good option.

[J. Bernard Vallon]

I'd like to hear a comparison between the redrock and the dandiaconu follow focus.

Both are pretty inexpensive, id really like to see a a test of features side by side, and how smooth the gearing is, how much play, etc.

[Alexander Nikishin]

Does your ff have a dummy side attachment? does it have a 2 speed option?

You can flip the ff to the dummy side yes.

No speed options.

The follow focus after re-vamping its gearbox has become a nice peice of equipment. I've used the cinetech and chrosziel but still prefer the affordable and well made Redrock ff. The focus rings are cheap and they create a larger diameter as has been said. The only thing Dan's gears have on the RR's gears is a beautiful cosmetic appearance.

The piece of gear I'm looking forward to using from Redrock is their wireless follow focus. 3 servo ports, focus/iris/zoom. Programable hard stops. Adjustable speed functions, the ability to 360 whip rack. For $500 who could complain about that offer?

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Alexander, so the RedRock FF is a lot better with the new gear box, eh? Hmmm... I might have to take another look then. I would also be interested in the dandiaconu FF and how they compare. Has anyone used the Cavision FF? It's still under $1000 so that might be an option. The thought of spending $3K or more for Chrosziel or Arri isn't that appealing, but I want one that works right and works the same every time.

[Finner]

You can flip the ff to the dummy side yes.

No speed options.

The follow focus after re-vamping its gearbox has become a nice peice of equipment. I've used the cinetech and chrosziel but still prefer the affordable and well made Redrock ff. The focus rings are cheap and they create a larger diameter as has been said. The only thing Dan's gears have on the RR's gears is a beautiful cosmetic appearance.

The piece of gear I'm looking forward to using from Redrock is their wireless follow focus. 3 servo ports, focus/iris/zoom. Programable hard stops. Adjustable speed functions, the ability to 360 whip rack. For $500 who could complain about that offer?

Do you hve to pull off the matte box to flip it?

I thought those dans gears were larger in diameter them the rr ones which would help with still lenses. Is this the case or are they around the same diameter? Do you know if there are other companies with large diameter options?

That wireless ff if it is consistantly accurate would be great.

[Dominic Jones]

I would also be interested in the dandiaconu FF and how they compare. Has anyone used the Cavision FF? It's still under $1000 so that might be an option.
I'd like to hear about the Diaconu model too, if just for information's sake. I've got the Redrock FF and it's perfectly usable with SLR lenses, but no good for Cine lenses. Good price to go with for SLR lenses.

I don't know about the Cavision unit, but I've got some rods and other accessories they make, and whilst they're cheap and useable the build quality is not great - I'd hesitate to buy anything that required good engineering from them without trying it first, although for all I know the FF might be great...

Thanks for the link to the gears, Evin!

[Alexander Nikishin]

Do you hve to pull off the matte box to flip it?

I thought those dans gears were larger in diameter them the rr ones which would help with still lenses. Is this the case or are they around the same diameter? Do you know if there are other companies with large diameter options?

That wireless ff if it is consistantly accurate would be great.

Yup you've got to pull the mb off to flip it.

Dan's and RR's gears have the same diameter, just that Dan's have a sturdier build quality and more appealing cosmetic finish.

Not sure about any other companies having larger gear rings.

The wirless FF is said to deliver completely repeatable marks according to Brian Valente of Redrock. Brian has always come through on his promises so it looks like AC's gold to me.

[Martin Drew]

Has anyone used the Cavision FF? It's still under $1000 so that might be an option.

I tried the Cavision at an exhibition. The guy who was demoing it managed to break it in front of me... Didn't inspre confidence in it's ruggedness.

M

[Dominic Jones]

I tried the Cavision at an exhibition. The guy who was demoing it managed to break it in front of me...
Lol, that's not a great advertisement is it?! Looks like the Cavision might be one to stay away from!...

I think that the Redrock is fine for still lenses, and if you want to buy an FF for Cine lens use you're probably best off biting the bullet and going for an Arri or Chroziel unit (maybe s/h if your budget is tight), but that's just my 0.02...

[Jeff Kilgroe]

OK...

Crossing the Cavision off my list. RR is back on the list with a big ? next to it. I figure my camera won't ship until August or so. Gives me time to keep watching ebay for that ARRI FF3. :)

[Bruce Allen]

I'm sure this has been mentioned elsewhere, but I think Dan's gears are being packaged as a follow-focus sytem by Cinevate (www.cinevate.com). They have photos of their prototype here:
http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=3730

I am in no way associated with them, apart from the fact that I was looking at their 35mm adapters.

As for follow focus units, I am in wait-and-see mode myself, based a combination of advice from people I trust and a lack of cash!

That said, if anyone who has used a "real" FF(Arri, etc) wants to compare the lower-cost options, I'd be prepared to donate a small amount of cash toward shipping costs, etc required to get all of those systems to that person for evaluation.

None of the low-cost options (designed for still camera lenses) would be usable if you wanted to use them on cine lenses, right?

Also, what about the remote FF units? Would you only want to use a remote follow focus in situations such as steadicam, jib shots? I remember reading about people using the Bartech remote and liking it so much that they used it on normal shots too ;) Other well-known options are Preston and Arri (of course)... any others? Anyone actually used these?

Great thread, we need to consolidate this with other FF threads, though... such as this one - http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?t=961

Bruce

[LighthouseMEdia]

Redrock FF and other are geared for standard pitched gears and should mate up with Cine lenses just fine. I have used both RedRock, and Chrosziel and there is a definite difference, but there is also an obvious price difference. I guess it comes down to what your willing to sacrifice for price.

[chuck colburn]

All the FF rigs I've seen are designed for use with cine lenses and since 99% of still camera lens barrels rotate in the oppisite direction the focus knob is going to be turning in a non standard direction. This is going to be very hard for an experienced puller to cope with. An exception to the rule is that many of the Contax lenses do rotate the same as motion picture lenses. Two ways that this could be corrected are, one, add a third gear to the FF unit and two, replace the gear box used on some units with one of the oppisite hand.

[Finner]

All the FF rigs I've seen are designed for use with cine lenses and since 99% of still camera lens barrels rotate in the oppisite direction the focus knob is going to be turning in a non standard direction. This is going to be very hard for an experienced puller to cope with. An exception to the rule is that many of the Contax lenses do rotate the same as motion picture lenses. Two ways that this could be corrected are, one, add a third gear to the FF unit and two, replace the gear box used on some units with one of the oppisite hand.

A remote ff might work well as you could just mount the motor backwards to get the proper rotation direction of the wheel for still lenses.

[chuck colburn]

A remote ff might work well as you could just mount the motor backwards to get the proper rotation direction of the wheel for still lenses.

Yeah Finner thats right. You could also probally install a reversing switch in the hand unit and just leave the motor alone. I just brought the subject up because of the general discussion of this thread.

Chuck

[Anders Holck]

I have Dan's rings on my Nikon Primes.
They are superior to the redrock ones on these accounts:

- No blind spot. The redrock rings have a blind spot where the screw mount is. That means that you cannot engage a servo or FF gear from both sides without unscrewing the ring and rotating it. Dan's rings has a 360° continuous gear because the ring has an inner and outer sleeve.

- Alu construction. The gears are very durable and will nor get grinded by a berserking servo.

- Colorcoding. Dan's rigs come in 6 different colors. MAkes it very easy to spot a specific lens, even when mounted on the camera.

[Bruce Allen]

Thank you for being so patient with me, guys!

Would the ARRI LFF-1 work? Supposedly you can change direction:
"Its swing arm can be rotated a full 360°, and the drive direction can be quickly reversed by flipping the unit over. That way, the LFF-1 can be used above or below the lens, on camera right or left, with the drive direction preferred by the assistant."
(http://www.arri.com/prod/cam/lff/lff.htm)

But it wouldn't have the right gear ratio for cine lenses, though? How bad would it be? Guess I'll have to go to Clairmont and find out.

Sad, their FF-5HD has better gearing for short-throw lenses but doesn't seem to be reversible... maybe I just don't know what I'm talking about, though ;)
(http://www.arri.com/prod/cam/ff-5hd/ff-5hd.htm)

Guess I'll have to see what that Redrock automated thing is like... I'm not planning on going to NAB (and I don't know if they'll have finished it by then) but maybe they'll have it in time for the Cinegear expo in LA in June... I promise to give a report back and lots of photos, although I highly suspect there'll be a few more Red users there with a lot more DP knowledge than me ;)

Ah man... I was planning on getting a nice follow focus & MB for my HV-20 + 35mm adapter + Nikon combination that would be usable on the Red, but I fear that maybe I should go for cheaper stuff now and just rent the Arri equipment when I rent the Red. Looks like there's nothing wrong with the Diaconu gears, though... at least I can get those and some good glass and not kick myself in 5 years' time ;)

[Dennis Wood]

Bruce, you are correct in that we are handling Dan's focus rings, and also in the final stages of production with his rather elegant FF design. We're working on ensuring the equipment works with the RED setup, including some swanky carbon fibre 15mm rods. We have a remote system (wired) for use with the gears coming too. The setup will work with cinema lenses as it is capable of unrestricted rotation, and we will be offering several gear ratios to help with the increased turn ratios of these lenses.

Cheers,
Dennis Wood -Cinevate.com

[tj williams]

Finner.... perfect means different things.....ArriPanavisionwaybadbecauseitisanalog


http://www.petroff.ws/product.htm

nice matte boxes and another one sided light weight follow focus. I've had and used Bob Petroff's pieces for several years and not only is it well constructed, but I have had a lot of personal help, when I needed a special gear, or broke parts of it. Good features, and really nice customer service.