focus rods? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Alternative Imaging Methods

Alternative Imaging Methods
DV Info Net is the birthplace of all 35mm adapters.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old October 25th, 2005, 10:43 PM   #1
Major Player
 
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Saint John, CANADA
Posts: 633
focus rods?

this is a stupid question. but for a someone to pull focus other than the operator would they use a focus rod?.... anyone have any info on them.. ie: what i'd be looking for purchasing one that would fit etc..
__________________
video : xl2 / letus35xl / bogen 503
photo- canon 1dmkII - bronica etrsi
Andrew Todd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 25th, 2005, 10:58 PM   #2
Major Player
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 427
Check this out. I believe Dan may be offering something.

http://dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=40741
Eric Brown is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 26th, 2005, 02:40 PM   #3
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 804
Hi Andrew,
The guy pulling focus for the operator is a camera assistant, aka focus puller. The most important job he has is to adjust the focus on the lens as the action progresses. He uses a "follow focus" device that engages the gear on the lens and enables him to perform repeatable and accurate focus changes.

Why doesn't the operator pull focus as he is the only one seeing the image?
Because is hard to judge focus on a flickering screen (motion picture) while his both hands were full of pan/tilt wheels of the geared head.

The camera operator has aesthetical (and practical things) to look after:
Nice framing, correct eye line, reflections, cables, boom mic edging the frame (to name a few) to worry about focus (which is a purely technical job- but non the less could be used for artistic FX) and nearly impossible to him to do.

A camera assistant uses his both eyes and practical marks (on the floor) to judge a few inches distance change between camera and talent and adjust focus on the lens accordingly, while the camera operator could not even detect the change (with one eye in the viewfinder) till the film would have been processed and projected on a large screen (and that'd be an expensive test)

A camera mounts on a "base plate" which has a "rods support system". The follow focus mounts on the rods. The rods will support:
a heavier lens (usually zoom lenses)
a matte box
a follow focus
other acessories
and will ensure they all remain lined up relative to the camera and maintain the true optical axes of the lens. Sorry for the "long lecture" but I hope it helps.
Dan Diaconu is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 26th, 2005, 04:34 PM   #4
Major Player
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: (The Netherlands - Belgium)
Posts: 735
And aren't there flexible axes as extra feature on the follow focus so the focus puller doesn't have to touch the camera and can take a position where he has a better view?
Oscar Spierenburg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old October 26th, 2005, 04:57 PM   #5
Major Player
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Posts: 804
Yes Oscar, those would be the "whips" (in different lengths) and yes, they allow focus pulls when the camera is moving (dolly, "rocker", etc) without interfering too much with the operator's moves and/or allowing access in tight corners to focus changes without "boning" everyone for the matter (when a wireless focus is out of the que... hmmm... budget).
Dan Diaconu is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > Special Interest Areas > Alternative Imaging Methods

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 01:10 AM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network