Here's a genius little way to add hard stops to a follow focus. While working on his AMC Contest Video (seen here), Chris Weiss decided to remove the white marking disc from a Gini Follow Focus (as seen here) and added a couple of cheap binder clips. As you can see, it's fully adjustable hard stops so you don't over/under pull. Great tip. [Thanks Chris]
Tommy Williamson had problems getting his D|Gear Universal Lens Gear to stay on the Canon 50mm F/1.8 lens. Who wouldn't? That focus ring is pretty slim. His solution was to dip the tips of the spokes in Plasti-Dip (normally used to coat the handles of tools). The Plasti-Dip is some very durable stuff, and comes in a variety of colors. [Thanks Tommy] The Black on Black looks invisible and keeps the unit looking the same. If you ask me, this should be something offered coming right from the factory. Pretty simple idea, but seems to make a world of difference to prevent the spokes from slipping out.
Word on the street is that the Budget Follow Focus (RJ Follow focus) does not come with an industry standard mount for a Crank or Whip. Jonathan throws together a simple DIY wooden version. [thanks Jonathan]
If you're looking to tackle a home made Wireless Follow Focus project, you might want to give VImeo member Phillip James a holla. For the past few months, he's been working with Arduino to design his own WFF, and seems to have worked out all the bugs. It definitely looks like all the parts are in the right places, and appears to be very precise in movement. Take note that one thing inexpensive WFF's are known for is the amount of noise it can generate. WFF's have a place and sound should always be captured seperately (like on real sets).
If you're not up to the task of a DIY the most inexpensive one to first hit the market was from Jag35. Although it worked pretty well, it's been polished up quite a bit lately. Pricing is unbelievably cheap if you've ever shopped around a for one. Prices are available following the link below.
An interesting start to a DIY DSLR shoulder rig inspired by the twist handle shift method. This time YouTube member geedubya101 uses a grip shifter from a bike and runs the firm cable to the lens. Another piece being used is a rotating flash bracket to add a side handle and some extra mounting options for accessories. Everything you need to know is all in the video, and it looks like it will be a cool little shoulder support when it's all done.
Submitted by one of our readers in the comments section [Thanks Jerry]. Here's an interesting video on a DIY Lego follow focus from YouTube member havok2. Small, Lightweight and stable. It is attached directly to the lens, and variable sizing helps to adjust for other lenses. Taking it even further, there's a complete 3D Rendered video tutorial on how to put everything together. Additional photos can be found via slideshow https://slideshow.havok2.imageloop.com/en/index.htm. To help you get a better idea, you can check out the video description, questions, and additional comments at the video page.
3D Rendered Build Video
Once Eric received his Gini Rig, he went straight to work on designing a custom DIY Follow focus. Made from milled plumbing parts on his metal lathe, here's the build set and final product. Damn this looks better designed than some of the other Follow Focuses on the market. Check out Eric's Flickr page for more information, he's even included a few videos to see how it all comes together. Comments to Eric can be left at this article. Thanks Eric, so when do we see this for sale? LOL.
Here's two videos showing some innovation around DIY Follow Focus projects. This first one (above), sent to me by Phuong H., is a DIY follow focus designed for the Sony NEX-VG10 Interchangeable Lens Handycam Camcorder. This is probably the first DIY project ever on one of them fancy shiny new camcorders. There's not much information on how you can DIY yourself, but this video might turn on a few light bulbs in your head.
The second video (below), shared by Robert J. takes the simple hose clamp DIY follow focus idea and drums up a new way of adding dry erase focus marks, so that you can wipe them down and start all over.
Above - Ted Ramasola's DIY Follow Focus from DVXUser.com
I've seen many versions of a friction based Follow Focus, most of them designed similar to the IDC FF. Above, is a very early example found at the DVXUser.com forum posted by Ted Ramasola. It's been a good foundation for other ideas, and many people have refined it into their own.
Macro Rail available via Amazon
Using the same idea with Canon Lens rear caps and a skate wheel, it looks like DSLRExperiment.com is busy working on a DIY friction based follow focus with a simple way of mounting camera and adjusting the FF to fit different sized lenses. Using an inexpensive Macro sliding rail for XYZ adjustments and a tweaked metal L bracket, this looks like it could be a simple weekend project. Check out the video below from Vimeo member Mathieu Bujold.
These Macro rails are available via Amazon, but if you're looking for something at half that price, you can locate them via eBay. Here's the style Macro Rail that is used in the video: Macro Focus Rail Slider for Canon Nikon Sony Panasonic
click image for pricing on Macro Rail
Plasti-Dip Multi Purpose Rubber Coating
