Follow Focus and 2,5" HDD

[Trevor Meeks]

Fare enough, and you're absolutely correct about lots getting lost in translation via text/posts. Perhaps I did read more into your tone/intentions than you intended.

and I'll admit it may be a bit of both... I certainly prickled up with that little cut from Brian. No worries, man.

[Slobodan Milivojevic]

Hi, I have received new Redrock FF system (before our Scarlet came) and first impression is that it is rock solid, and much better than old FF system. It looks much better, and overall feeling is that it is more professional device.
Hard stops for focus are great innovation, specially for our EF Canon lenses.....
We have tested it with Canon 5d setup, and it works great, even without lens gears on lenses.

Will keep you posted, with some photos from few sets.

[Slobodan Milivojevic]

Hi, just to update everyone on REDROCK FF. I wrote a small review after few months of heavy usage in very harsh environment (desert, sand, dust, heat...).
FYI, RedRock is not paying me for this :)

Having a lot of REDROCK MICRO products for our Canon 5d and 7d setup (CINEMA RIG, SHOULDER MOUNT RIG, Micro Follow Focus) I was very well informed with the overall look, feel and functionality of their products. They are ok. They are good value for the money. I didn't liked their quality of plastic parts on cinema rig, and FF - somehow my feeling is that it looks cheap. Also, their Micro Follow Focus was not a heavy duty player - after some time it becomes loose and loosing precision as well...
Keeping that "preset" in my mind about REDROCK MICRO series products, I have received demo piece of RR MICRO FOLLOW FOCUS BLUE series very fast after we made our initial contact over RED USER forum.
First impression was - WOW! - Its a complete new look and feel. This one looks like a big player - for far more less money than it's competition.
The body is made of aluminum, it's very solid, and the finalizing was done perfectly! It is not comparable with their previous release at all!
There was a small issue at the start, at 1st day of our shooting - the small screw on gear was loose, so our gear was falling 2 times from the Folow Focus unit, until we have realized how to tighten it.... So, my opinion is that there should be some small manual included with the package as well.... Later, we have realized that the gear can be moved on axis, so it can be adjusted to individual lenses and their focus ring positions.
Gear is drastically improved from last version. It's very smooth, .8 , and works well and smooth on both Cinema style lenses (we have tested it with Zeiss Cp.2) and photo lenses with attached RRM lens gears. Our focus pooler was very happy when he saw the new HARD STOPS which makes his life much easier. In further testing phase we have tested them on 5d with Canon Photo AF lenses, and they really bring DSLR focusing to a new dimension. I can say that this feature is a great innovation from RRM.
Focus wheel is also drastically improved - starting from rubber focus knob which fits great in your hand, trough marking ring which have an option to hold "Flares" inside for night or low ambient light shoots. Simply - It ROCKS! :)
Another interesting feature - the rod clamp. Mount in onto rods without sliding. It's very easy and handy - you can control the clamp by loosening or tightening the side knob. Just bring it down to your 15mm rod system, tighten it, and its ready to focus!
Some extra features like reversible gear, and possibility to make a double sided Follow Focus setup by adding one more wheel on the opposite side, together with the price which is below 800 USD are putting this system on the top, together with many bigger players, making it affordable choice for many Cinematographers worldwide!

[daniel caruso]

I liked the idea of Redrock putitng out the studio version, as this is what I am upgrading to, but need 19mm. I wish my budget allowed for the CFF1 studio bundle. I also wish Redrock made a 19mm studio rod support for their studio focus, without having to add the raised 15-19 adapter. Plus the added adapter brings the overall price up and doesn't make it worthwhile for me. Redrock, if you are reading, please make a 19mm studio rod support, and I will purchase.

I really like the swing arm design, being able to tuck the arm under the lens and have a huge view of the marks is great. I am tempted to try the Cavision dual mini in 19mm, it is a new product and service is in Canada. It looks like a good unit, but the arm is belt driven, can't say until I try it.

That being said, I am really liking the look of Movcam's Mf1/2 for a LTW 15mm setup. Looks solid and versatile. But as Trevor puts it, if you have the money I don't see a focus unit better than the CFF1, other than maybe FF5 (but thats not in the picture).

[Loren Simons]

Hey Daniel,

With the 19mm microFollowFocus Adapter you can actually remove those 15mm knubs you see on top and get a small adapter that allows you to swap the bare 19mm clamp with 15mm Clamp that comes standard on the | blue. So the end result is a much lower 19mm microFollowFocus | Blue as seen below:

19mm-microFollowFocus-Comparison.jpg