Best Follow Focus for Canon L Lenses?

[Paul Ellington]

It seems quite clear that Arri FF systems are the cream of the crop, however because I am only looking for a follow focus for still lenses, then I think it seems a bit overkill to get an Arri FF. A lot of support for O'connor, Zacuto, and Redrock as well. Tough decisions to make

Go test them out if you can.

[Paul Cronin]

Wow the Edelkrone look fantastic. Thanks for the info this is going on my C300 Movcam rig with the Zacuto handle extension on the right side. Hands on the handles with everything I need at my fingers.

[stu aull]

Wow the Edelkrone look fantastic. Thanks for the info this is going on my C300 Movcam rig with the Zacuto handle extension on the right side. Hands on the handles with everything I need at my fingers.

Really love mine. Solid build, smooth ops. Amazing price.

Stu Aull
SX 199
Alaska

[Kwan Khan]

Really love mine. Solid build, smooth ops. Amazing price.

Stu Aull
SX 199
Alaska

+++1

[Jacek Zakowicz]

I think it's time to forget about mechanical FF for Still lenses- especially the AF ones.
The EFF offers features that will make AF lenses leap over even the cine counterparts.
Once you start using it there is no going back...
Here is the video link to the demo http://vimeo.com/52483323

[Steve Das]

Jacek..confusion here..even though you are extending the focus throw to a full rotation won't
Canon or any still lenses still breathe enough to make them problematic in shooting
narrative dramas ? What is the Optitron doing that a remote focus control does not ?

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Steve I'm glad you asked: time to bust this myth.
Breathing on lenses is something that has been around for ever and only begun to be alleviated in last 12 or so years.
It's a buzz word.
Lets see: UPs breathe and it did not stop Peter Jackson from using them- in stereo!!! where it really matters
Cookes S4 breathe
The first lens that did not breathe was the Optimo about 12 years ago. Does that mean that all films prior to that were "problematic"?
UPs and S4s are used on biggest productions with huge budgets "problematic"? I don't think so.
Sounds to me much more like buzzword or fad....
No offense Steve but unless you shoot Optimos (and they too have distortion issues that can get "problematic") or MPs you are dealing with breathing.
But back on topic:
1. Image stabilization
2. easy setup and low power draw- no external motors, cables, power sources.
3. Auto calibration and consistency- no need to manually set end stops and mesh and calibrate gears every time.
4. No mechanical stress on lens barrels- Still lens barrels and rings were not designed to deal with forces pressuring them from outside- these forces affect the optical performance like focus and image shake and wear out the fragile mechanical parts. These lenses have mechanics only to supplement their primary focusing method with the motors. For light duty only (the mechanics) We actually operate these lenses the way they were designed to. That's why we get such a good results.
I knew that with this product I'd have to bust some myths- I don't mind...

[Uli Plank]

And remember that Fincher did a lot of re-framing on the GWDT. If breathing is noticeable or disturbing, you can always re-frame in post with a RED.

[Björn Benckert]

Steve I'm glad you asked: time to bust this myth.
Breathing on lenses is something that has been around for ever and only begun to be alleviated in last 12 or so years.
It's a buzz word.
Lets see: UPs breathe and it did not stop Peter Jackson from using them- in stereo!!! where it really matters
Cookes S4 breathe
The first lens that did not breathe was the Optimo about 12 years ago. Does that mean that all films prior to that were "problematic"?
UPs and S4s are used on biggest productions with huge budgets "problematic"? I don't think so.
Sounds to me much more like buzzword or fad....
No offense Steve but unless you shoot Optimos (and they too have distortion issues that can get "problematic") or MPs you are dealing with breathing.
But back on topic:
1. Image stabilization
2. easy setup and low power draw- no external motors, cables, power sources.
3. Auto calibration and consistency- no need to manually set end stops and mesh and calibrate gears every time.
4. No mechanical stress on lens barrels- Still lens barrels and rings were not designed to deal with forces pressuring them from outside- these forces affect the optical performance like focus and image shake and wear out the fragile mechanical parts. These lenses have mechanics only to supplement their primary focusing method with the motors. For light duty only (the mechanics) We actually operate these lenses the way they were designed to. That's why we get such a good results.
I knew that with this product I'd have to bust some myths- I don't mind...

Sorry you are wrong, MP's breath as well, they only breath a little less... :)

The only true way to get rid of breathing completely would be digitally... so if RED started to write the lens data into each frame then we could easily "De breath" any lens to 100%... That an and a digitally extended focus throw on quality EF glass or such would easily outperform any non digital PL lens...


With the above in mind... I can not wait to see the RED mote pro... I think that would make most 3D rigs run with EF glass.

[Jacek Zakowicz]

Sorry you are wrong, MP's breath as well, they only breath a little less... :)

The only true way to get rid of breathing completely would be digitally... so if RED started to write the lens data into each frame then we could easily "De breath" any lens to 100%... That an and a digitally extended focus throw on quality EF glass or such would easily outperform any non digital PL lens...

Thank you Bjorn
So non breathing primes are a myth!!!!
I thought MPs with their complicated design including "zooming" element to minimize breathing would do it... Apparently not.. So Optimos only. There you go : Breathing myth busted!!!!