Need advice on Follow focus Kit

[Jay Ryde]

I very recently did a short film using a 5D mkII mounted on my SC Pilot. They work beautifully together. However I did this without any kind of remote focus. As u can imagine, I had to be incredibly precise with the DoF during many of the tracking shots. To be honest, it was harder than it should have been.

 

Can anyone recommend a quality (not too expensive) remote focus kit that would work with a 5DMkII inc. similar cams. ?

 

thanks,

 

J.

[Mike Germond SOC]

Any camera package that is using fixed lenses will require a Seitz/Bartech/Preston unit (in order of cost). You might be able to find an used Seitz that will work for your needs, but more than likely you are going to want a Bartech for the long run. If you get a strong client base going, it can eventually become the backup to a Preston..

 

I should note that there are cheaper/other options out there, but I can only speak for the long standing tried and true hardware.

Edited December 19, 2009 by Mike Germond

[Erik Brul]

Hey Jay,

Try the HoFo from Pete:

 

www.HocusProducts.com

 

He is a nice guy, gifted and build his own system.

 

Best, Erik

[Louis Puli SOC]

I very recently did a short film using a 5D mkII mounted on my SC Pilot. They work beautifully together. However I did this without any kind of remote focus. As u can imagine, I had to be incredibly precise with the DoF during many of the tracking shots. To be honest, it was harder than it should have been.

 

Can anyone recommend a quality (not too expensive) remote focus kit that would work with a 5DMkII inc. similar cams. ?

 

thanks,

 

J.

Hi Jay

Value for money you can't go past the BFD system .Have a read in the follow focus folder all the pro's and cons are there for all to read.

Good luck

Louis

[Peter Hoare]

Hah, I was the one that gave you that job Jay!

 

The whole point of me doing the shoot was to use the HoFo on a 5D and get some photos of it. Unfortunately, I fell behind on HoFo assembly so had to pass it on.

 

Glad you could do the job, let me know if you want to test the system out.

 

 

Pete.

 

www.hocusproducts.com/shop

[Charles Papert]

"incredibly precise" is barely scratching the surface when describing pulling focus for the 5D. A highly responsive remote focus system is the right start but the rest is all about the focus puller's skill. As systems like Peter's become available, folks with small stabilizers are going to be able to do shots that aren't all super wide angle or heavily stopped down, but that doesn't mean that shallow aperture shots will be manageable from a focus perspective. I generally try to shoot at a 5.6 with that camera to give the focus puller a fighting chance. That roughly equals a 2/2.8 on 35mm cine format (assuming the same field of view). You'll still see that sexy (aka trendy, on its way to becoming trite) shallow depth of field effect on all but the widest lenses yet there's a much better chance of maintaining focus.