Follow Focus systems on FX1000 at DVinfo.net

Kevin O'Connor · August 9th, 2010, 08:50 PM

Has anyone used a follow focus system like( Chrosziel, AC-CMB-R20-Z5K3 for Sony HVR-Z5U & HDR-FX1000) from B&H?

The focus follow unit is really expensive. I would like to get a system but I was wondering how well the above product works?

Does any one have a different brand of focus follow that they have used on a FX1000 or Z5?

Jeff Harper · August 18th, 2010, 07:02 PM

Follow focus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Read the fourth paragraph. It would appear the device of which you speak would be wasted on the FX1000.

Robert Turchick · August 18th, 2010, 11:14 PM

I have a MUCH cheaper follow focus (DV City from India about $380) I played with it on my Panny HMC150 but it just doesn't add anything. I bought it for the T2i and for that it's fantastic.

Unless you plan on getting into a DSLR or other system that can do shallow DOF, I think you'd be wasting money even with the cheap one.

If I want to manually focus the Panny, I use my focus/iris/zoom controller. Same would apply to the FX1000

Zach Love · August 25th, 2010, 01:33 PM

Main question is: Why?

Do you have a focus puller? Are you doing lots & lots of rack focuses? Do you have money to burn.

I have a Z7 & there are on screen aids to help tell you how far away the lens is focused. If I need to do a nice rack focus I can zoom in & focus on object A "32ft" & then object B "8ft", then when I pull the lens I know to stop when the screen says 24ft & 8ft. With 1/3" chips, you're using a pretty wide lens (even zoomed in all the way) & so you have a wide DOF, meaning it focus is very forgiving.

The right tool for the right job. There is plenty of gear out there that is worth every penny you'll spend on it. And then there is the gear that people get because it looks cool & professional.

If I can get the best picture possible with the new Barbie-video camera, I'll start shooting with that. I'll add a matte box & french flag to Barbie if I start getting lots of flare from lights & I'm using lots of filters, but I'm not going to just add it b/c it looks professional.

Kevin O'Connor · October 22nd, 2010, 08:55 PM

Thanx for the link Jeff, that was a helpful bit of information. It makes sense now that I understand that true manual focus lenses with have hard stops. Even though my FX1000 has a focus ring it does not stop rotating once it reaches infinity or the opposite.

I think I need to sell my FX1000 and move into a DSLR, given my needs and budget.

August 9th, 2010, 08:50 PM	#1
Kevin O'Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 110	Follow Focus systems on FX1000 Has anyone used a follow focus system like( Chrosziel, AC-CMB-R20-Z5K3 for Sony HVR-Z5U & HDR-FX1000) from B&H? The focus follow unit is really expensive. I would like to get a system but I was wondering how well the above product works? Does any one have a different brand of focus follow that they have used on a FX1000 or Z5?

August 18th, 2010, 07:02 PM	#2
Jeff Harper Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 8,425	Follow focus - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia - Read the fourth paragraph. It would appear the device of which you speak would be wasted on the FX1000. __________________ "The horror of what I saw on the timeline cannot be described."

August 18th, 2010, 11:14 PM	#3
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	I have a MUCH cheaper follow focus (DV City from India about $380) I played with it on my Panny HMC150 but it just doesn't add anything. I bought it for the T2i and for that it's fantastic. Unless you plan on getting into a DSLR or other system that can do shallow DOF, I think you'd be wasting money even with the cheap one. If I want to manually focus the Panny, I use my focus/iris/zoom controller. Same would apply to the FX1000 __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

August 25th, 2010, 01:33 PM	#4
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	Main question is: Why? Do you have a focus puller? Are you doing lots & lots of rack focuses? Do you have money to burn. I have a Z7 & there are on screen aids to help tell you how far away the lens is focused. If I need to do a nice rack focus I can zoom in & focus on object A "32ft" & then object B "8ft", then when I pull the lens I know to stop when the screen says 24ft & 8ft. With 1/3" chips, you're using a pretty wide lens (even zoomed in all the way) & so you have a wide DOF, meaning it focus is very forgiving. The right tool for the right job. There is plenty of gear out there that is worth every penny you'll spend on it. And then there is the gear that people get because it looks cool & professional. If I can get the best picture possible with the new Barbie-video camera, I'll start shooting with that. I'll add a matte box & french flag to Barbie if I start getting lots of flare from lights & I'm using lots of filters, but I'm not going to just add it b/c it looks professional. __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS Last edited by Zach Love; August 25th, 2010 at 02:14 PM.

October 22nd, 2010, 08:55 PM	#5
Kevin O'Connor Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Canton, MI Posts: 110	Thanx for the link Jeff, that was a helpful bit of information. It makes sense now that I understand that true manual focus lenses with have hard stops. Even though my FX1000 has a focus ring it does not stop rotating once it reaches infinity or the opposite. I think I need to sell my FX1000 and move into a DSLR, given my needs and budget.