Pulling own focus with Microforce V+F3...?

[Kyle Fasanella]

I got this Microforce V+F3 that I am suppose to use for pulling my own zoom durring a show Sat.

 

I know there are preston gimble mounts but this is not that.

 

Anyone ever mount something like this and use it successfully while operating?

[Afton Grant]

This is not the right tool for Steadicam. What kind of camera are you using?

[Osvaldo Silvera SOC]

If it's a broadcast zoom with internal zoom servo, a G zoom or a ZOE-ENG will work out just fine for Zoom. For Focus though, it would be a stanton unit with it's motor attached to the side of the Fuji/Canon lens or a J7 connected to a broadcast lens with it's own internal focus servo ( they do exist although fairly rare to come across them.) or a bartech with the hardwire box velcro-ed or taped to the bottom of your gimbal under your Zoom rocker switch.

Let us know what camera and what lens you'll be using.

 

 

EDIT...

Upon viewing the photo of the unit, You may be using a Cine lens with a mounted zoom motor like a Heden, or Preston motor, if that's the case. someone else is pulling focus and your doing the zoom I would guess, in this case, It may be quite uncomfortable to strap this to the gimbal.

[Kyle Fasanella]

c300

 

Production just threw this at me. I had the same response. just wanted to make sure there was something I didn't know.

If anyone want to rent out a proper setup tomorrow I may be able to get you a rental.

 

I am already using my bartech gimble control device to pull my own focus....

[Lawrence Karman]

I've got a Stanton set-up if you want to get it rented. it works with Video lenses. In LA.

PM me if you need it.

[Victor Lazaro]

Kyle is in NYC.

[Charles Papert]

So now Steadicam operators are supposed to pull their own focus with S35 sensors? Can anyone imagine that ever happening on a 35mm shoot? Oh boy.

[James Davis]

I was just thinking the same thing Charles.

Kyle is there a particular reason why they have you on the C300 and not a more typical Sony/Panasonic broadcast camera?

It's one thing pulling your own focus on those type of cameras where it's often less critical as you have much more DOF, but I think you will be setting yourself up for a very tough day if you try to do the same on a larger sensor camera, especially if you have to work on the tighter end of whatever zoom lens you are using.

Is it too late to insist on a smaller sensor camera or push for a focus puller?

I hope you don't mind me chipping in my opinion but if the same thing happened to me I would be really concerned about production's poor decisions making me look bad.

 

My two pence

 

James

[Victor Lazaro]

So now Steadicam operators are supposed to pull their own focus with S35 sensors? Can anyone imagine that ever happening on a 35mm shoot? Oh boy.

It looks like the title of the thread is wrong. In his post he mentions zooming, and the microforce makes more sense.

C300 is a common camera in the non union world...

[RonBaldwin]

Kyle mentioned in one of his responses that he was already pulling his own focus with the bartech. Oy

[Kyle Fasanella]

Thanks Guys,

 

Everything went well. Ended up on a 15-40mm and rotated around the talent at the same distance with a track. I had an assistant who was only suppose to spot me however I had him pull zoom on the bartech transmitter since I find the gimbal control a bit jumpy on the bartech.