Another reason why you're not seeing too many DIY Follow Focus projects anymore, here's another new and cheaper follow focus system listed on the market. Doesn't look pretty but the listing claims it's made of aluminum (mostly anodized black), ABS, and rubber. Comes with a quick release 15mm clamp style mount and universal lens gear.
With the quick release style clamp, It can be mounted on both left and right side of the camera, but the gear on the box is also reversible. It also has both vertical and horizontal height adjustments, overall a decent feature set retailing for only $88 dollars. Obviously it all boils down to how effective the gearbox is in the FF, but you can find more images and information via eBay (Click Here).
Cheap 15mm Quick Release Follow Focus
Keep in mind you'll still need a basic set of 15mm Rails to mount. Your basic set should include two 15mm Rods, a Camera Baseplate (to mount your camera), and a Tripod Mount (to attach the rails to your fluid head) - like this basic set (found here).
15mm Rails Camera Baseplate and Tripod Mount
Metabolics
I ordered mine about 2 months ago, it arrived intact and works perfectly with zero backlash. Yeah its a lot of plastic and typical cheap aluminum but wow for $88.00???? Totally worth it. Also because of the plastic its so much better for handheld work compared to the heavy tank Gini follow focus.
Nick
Mine arrived broken too. BEWARE!
marshall
Mine arrived broken. Both sides of the box were smashed in and when I opened it the gear box was busted and a screw fell out.
Contacted seller.
Would advise to avoid like the plague.
https://s18.postimage.org/6tkppstx5/smashed_side_1.jpg
https://s13.postimage.org/qo6rbrgrb/screw_fell_out.jpg
Josh
@Vizjournalist Thanks for the update. I've been waiting to see what someone had to say before pulling the trigger. It looks like it's not worth it. Wondering if the other over sea ones that are more in the $100-$150 range are any better.
Vizjournalist
Hey Emm and everyone. Well I promised to chime in when I received and tested this follow focus so here it goes. (Quick summery: stay as far away from this as possible) I was initially planning on putting together a small video on this little guy but after using it, I just can't justify the time. Now, I usually don't adhere to the old adage, "You get what you pay for" as I've put into production some really nice discount gear. Unfortunately in the case of this cheap follow focus, I would pay another $88 to never see this thing again.
Issues:
1. There's so much play in this thing it's silly. I can literally move the focus knob 1/4 of an inch in both directions while holding the lens gear. This makes fine focus control very difficult and I'm better off just using my hand.
2. It's actually possible that the unit I was sent is broken. I say this because when the gears initially engage while turning the focus wheel, they slip or jump in both directions internally. This creates a dead spot where torque is not being applied to the external gear that moves the lens.
3. The tensioning bolt on the provided lens gear was tightened so much that it has left a permanent indentation on the lens gear. The damaged teeth are in the direct middle of the lens gear when attached to my 24-105 f4.
All of these issues makes this follow focus more or less useless in a professional setting. Has anyone else had similar issues with this follow focus?
Dave Navarro
I current have the X1 Follow Focus I bought on eBay a few weeks ago. It's great, but it's too short and I can't use my battery grip with it. Which makes it a major PITA to swap batteries out. I ended up spending another $50 on a riser and second set of rods to raise it up. But my rig looks a little ugly now.
I'm ordering this one in the hopes that I can use it with my grip and it's as good as the X1. If it is, I'll post a review.
Vizjournalist
Thanks for posting this Emm. Just picked one up. I imagine these will be a bit rickety but who knows. It's worth an $88.00 roll of the dice. I'll chime in again when it arrives.
Bruce Philpott
I'm looking forward to your post (& the release) of that new variable arm, Emm.
Greg
@Emm Great, I can't wait to see it. I currently use a short naga arm with my DP4, but I've been in the market for a longer arm to support some of my other accessories. They all look the same to me, and I was about to purchase a cheap one, but if P&C has a better quality grip I'll wait 🙂
Emm
Post author@Josh - Actually the one we have has been upgraded where the middle joint it. The teeth have been slightly enlarged to minimize slippage. We tested it up to 10lbs, but of course that's overkill.
Just a little (inside) information, because so many of these arms are on the market, it's hard to find a good quality one. So P&C has actually designed a brand new Variable Arm - exclusive. It will be just a few more dollars more than these, but is completely redesigned from the ground up with even higher quality materials. When you see it, you'll be quite surprised, and even the dealers who have seen it already say it's the best on the market. I'm hoping to have one in this week.
Josh
@Emm- how much weight can the 11" friction arm hold? At that price, I'd buy one. Do you think it could hold a monitor? And what about a led light?
Amazing price. I like the idea of a warranty.
Emm
Post author@Greg - From what I know, these arms are now being made in several different factories so quality is not going to be the same. Not sure where everyone is from, but PhotographyandCinema.com offers these arms with Free Shipping in USA https://www.photographyandcinema.com/collections/all/variable-friction-arm and comes with warranty. PhotographyandCinema.com would be a bit more expensive for International buyers because of added shipping.
Disclaimer: I am part of PhotographyandCinema.com. So not to be biased but I do know the factory where these arms come from and they are both high quality and affordable, and also make sure that we provide a full one year warranty for replacements.
Greg
@Emm Yes, I believe the metal is just soft. I have only used it twice and it must have stripped the threading. That's not to say these products aren't different. Mine just looks very similar (with the same knob at least). I wouldn't be too afraid to try the follow focus though, at that price, for a second camera.
If anyone has this magic/naga arm, I would like to comments on the quality or alternatives.
Emm
Post author@Mike - It does not.
Mike
Does this have hard stops?
Josh
@Greg-kinda makes me not want to trust their other gear, follow focus, arms, ect. I thought the prices were too good to be true, and they seem like it. Now maybe some of what they sell is good quality stuff, but I doubt it.
The d focus is a great way to go for the follow focus. Great reputation, not too expensive, and amazing, I tested it at nab. I would go a bit more expensive, and you can get quality products. Express35, jag35, and brands like that are very good for the price.
Emm
Post author@Greg - Sounds like the threading is stripped out. I wonder what metal they used, because if it's too soft, it would be easy to strip out from over tightening.
Greg
@Josh I don't know about the friction arm, but I bought the rod clamp with a 1/4" threaded hole so I could attach some of my accessories from another vendor (but looks exactly the same) and for some reason when I tighten it, the knob keeps turning and I'm afraid it's either over tightened or too loose. Either way, I'm not sure if I want to trust my monitor hanging from it.
Josh
They have a lot of very cheap gear on their ebay store.
Is it just me, or do the friction arms they sell for dirt, look the exact same as the super strong friction arms that were selling for $40 and $50?
If so, I am going to buy a few!
Anyone else think they look the exact same?
Tom
Looks a little... "d-focus-y".
Can't go wrong for $80.
LTdslr
Are you going to be getting your hands on one by chance? Would be a nice rig for the 2nd 60D. I already use the RJ setup on my main cam.
J Hanna
My brain hurts on how cheap stuff is these days. I freaked the eff out when I got a basic rail set for $150 bucks. Now, paying over 80 is ludicrous. I am super happy with my genus follow focus though.....but I spent 550$ on it!!!
this stuff is crazy. crazy i say.