Photography

DSLR Solutions brings follow focus to film-makers on a budget

DSLR Solutions brings follow focus to film-makers on a budget
The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
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The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
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The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
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The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
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The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
The complete DSLR Follow Focus kit (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
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The complete DSLR Follow Focus kit (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
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One of the challenges faced by serious videographers/cinematographers is the ability to "land" the camera's focus ring on the right spot when shifting focus between two onscreen objects. If you're shifting between a person in the background and a flower in the foreground, for instance, it can often take several tries before getting a take where you don't focus right past the flower, or overcompensate by slowly creeping up to it. Professionals use a device called a follow focus to avoid this problem, but they can often be prohibitively expensive for amateurs and low-budget film-makers. Fortunately, however, those people now have an alternative - the DSLR Follow Focus.

Made by Idaho company DSLR Solutions, the device (as its name implies) is designed for use on digital SLRs.

Unlike electronic systems such as the wire-attached Okii or the Bluetooth Redrock, the DSLR device attaches straight to the lens, and is operated by hand. Essentially just a steel circular spring with a handle, it simply grips the focus ring's finger grooves, allowing the ring to be turned by raising or lowering the handle. This does introduce a "human element" to its use, as shakes or hesitations in the videographer or focus-puller's hand will be transmitted directly into the camera.

The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)

It's still claimed to be better than simply grabbing the focus ring directly with one's fingers, however, for a few reasons.

For one, it places the hand in a more ergonomically-friendly position, in which smooth movement should be easier. The long handle also increases the physical distance that the hand is required to move between focus points, so users won't be struggling to modulate their finger movements when twisting the focus ring just a few millimeters.

Additionally, stop and start points can be placed on the lens. This is done by applying the supplied focus marker strap adjacent to the focus ring, and clipping the protruding focus arrow onto the Follow Focus. Raised markers are then placed on the marker strap, in line with the user-determined start and stop focus points on the ring. When users proceed to move the focus ring via the Follow Focus, its range of movement will be limited by the focus arrow running into the two focus markers. This means that a videographer could simply move it to one marker, start recording, then gently pull the Follow Focus' handle until they feel it lightly touch the other marker - no going past the final focus point, or wondering if they haven't reached it yet.

The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)
The DSLR Follow Focus is a simple, inexpensive device, designed to bring follow focus capabilities to film-makers on a budget (Photo: DSLR Solutions)

The DSLR Follow Focus is available on the DSLR Solutions website, and comes in two sizes, to fit different types of lenses. The original and large size each cost US$59.95, or both can be purchased for $89.95.

The video below explains more about how the device is used.

Source: planet5D

DSLR Follow Focus: Introduction

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4 comments
4 comments
Brillig
A problem with solutions like this with handles that stick out is that the weight of the handle can shift focus if a person is not holding it. It would be better if it were balanced. I\'ve made a few rigs similar to this, but in the end, I found that simply moving the lens directly was the easiest.
GrafxLvr
Neat tool for the hobbyist. But, I wouldn\'t recommend anyone showing up On Set with this unit.
Charles Slavens
Neat.... however, I do focus changes every day when I\'m shooting nature stuff and I find that after a couple practice runs I can usually get what I want. But, it would be nice to have a quick-to-set-up, positive system. This is close....
Chrysoberyl1
This solution may work for those saddled with expensive old lenses. A better solution exists for those willing to invest in new technology. The Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2 (http://www.gizmag.com/panasonic-dmc-gh2/16426/) has a touch-sensitve LCD. It is is similar to my DMC-ZS10, a tap on the screen will instantly change focus to the object of interest.
The GH2, which is due for update to a GH3 in August[?], is known for its versital video performance and has lenses such as 28mm-280mm and 280mm-560mm [35mm equivalent]