Manual follow focus, no assistant?

[soren k jensen]

Hi; I am a newbie with a Steadicam Flyer that I am practicing with right now. What fun!

 

My budget and other practicalities do not allow me to have an assistan pull focus via wireless. (I do documentaries with children, and need to be alone). When using my HVX200 I expect to use a wired Varizoom remote to pull focus, with the control mounted on the gimbal part, close to where it meets the arm, and a flexible cord connected to the post beneath the stage.

 

Here's the other stupid idea: Can I use my 35mm adapter (MPIC), and its mounted follow focus by controlling the ff manually from the post? -My thought is to mount a remote ff handle on the post, below the red handle, beneath the gimbal. Connection to the ff can be done either via a flexible whip or other type of transmission. This will not affect the gimbal action.

 

I realize that there might be several downsides to this, but has anyone tried something similar?

 

Thanks, Soren

[Dan Coplan]

You should contact Jim Bartell about a solution to this issue. I believe he has, or is coming out with, a focus controller you can mount to your yoke handle which will control the wireless follow focus.

 

jim@bartechengineering.com

http://www.bartechengineering.com/

 

Dan

[soren k jensen]

Many thanks, Dan,

 

I just checked his site on your recommendation and discovered that he has a new gimbal mounted hard wired control for the remote there. I'll have a talk with him. Best, Soren

[Thomas English]

when I had my DV rig... hollywood lite I regularly used the lanc controlled varizoom unit to pull my own focus. Dodgy but ti works. The newer ones have an autofocus button. It s best to know your depth of fields in various lights and "snap" the autofocus quickly when you know your frame will give you the distants u need.