World class follow focus unit

[jake stutheit]

no posts for a while on this topic. any progress? anyone? i really need a decent FF for an upcoming shoot.

[Dennis Wood]

Jake, the FF is definitely going into production but right now, so early in the game, it's impossible to provide a timeline.

I do have a prototype remote focus unit and controller (wired) that we should have here in about 2 weeks.

[Dan Diaconu]

C'moon Dennis...
stay positive....

[Dennis Wood]

Well, I've got a great cheerleading team!

[Philip Bloom]

How will it compare quality and price wise with the Redrock version?

[Dennis Wood]

Target pricing is in the $500 range. I've never seen one of the RRM units, however Dan's design reflects many years of experience working and teaching in the film industry. His insight and attention to detail plays out in many subtle nuances that will go unnoticed by 90% of users, as they should. This will not be released until we can guarantee that the quality of the prototype will be maintained in production. When used with the universal focus gears, I can virtually guarantee zero fitment/interference issues.

[Jarek Zabczynski]

My concern is "play" meaning there is space within the gearbox of the follow focus which causes a slight lag when turning the knob to the gears actually moving. Any "play" makes a follow focus completely unusable in my opinion. So far all the "cheaper" units have too much "play" for my taste. Indifocus and RRM included. If you can get me a $500 ff with no "play" then I'm sold.

[Jon Wolding]

My concern is "play" meaning there is space within the gearbox of the follow focus which causes a slight lag when turning the knob to the gears actually moving. Any "play" makes a follow focus completely unusable in my opinion. So far all the "cheaper" units have too much "play" for my taste. Indifocus and RRM included. If you can get me a $500 ff with no "play" then I'm sold.

This is why I ended up purchasing a used Arri FF. But Dan's FF looks pretty decent... I don't believe it uses a gear belt (the likely culprit in the cheaper models).

[steve witt]

this follow focus sounds pretty neat so far. I don't know much about them at all but was wondering if this one will be remote control capable???

[Dennis Wood]

We're actually working on a remote FF unit in tandem with Dan's design.

[Jon Wolding]

Wow, that's cool. I'll probably buy one if it's built solidly.

[steve witt]

Still a little confused Dennis. Do you mean that you are working on two totally separate FF units and one will be remote and one will not ......or did you mean you are working on a unit to work with the one we see the picture of?

Thanks.

[Dennis Wood]

Steve, the wired remote unit will be a standalone. In some respects (like being able to put the controller whereever you like), it will have advantages over the manual one. The biggest is that you will be able to change drive ratios without touching a gear..all done electronlically. The downside is that it will require power..but we're working on that too. I have the prototype drive parts in hand and things are looking very good. The mount, and some gearing work still need to occur. At this point, price is projected in the $600 range.

I also have some news on the FF unit. It will be a few months until we see it in quantity, and it will almost certainly be 100% CNC aluminum parts..no plastic. It will be manufactured to a very high tolerance.

[vincent scotti]

I know you a knee deep in work at this time, but any news on the FF. I'm really looking forward to this puppy.

Vincent

[Dennis Wood]

I'll have an update for you early next week. At this point, I have given the prototype and drawings etc up to the manufacturer and am awaiting word on the production schedule. We're not rushing this one as expectations are high..ours and yours They will be perfect.

I am so, so missing the prototype.

[Chad Terpstra]

Hey, Dennis. Just wondering that now that the MB is out (and looking very solid), do you have an estimated time for the FF? I know you're doing a blitz build this week (for which I'm very pleased as I think my adapter is in that run), but after this wave of orders is processed? Looking forward to it!

[Dennis Wood]

Chad, the ff is being manufactured in a very different process than everything else...so consequently, it's taking a lot more time. Our biggest concern here is having enough capacity to take care of demand..and that's what we're working towards. The timeline for these is quite independent of everything else, and it's critical that we get it right the first time. We're planning to have these stocked before the end of 1st quarter 07.

[Brian Buschmann]

def interest in my camp . quality and meeting order demand sounds like a good plan to me. cheers, brian

Chad, the ff is being manufactured in a very different process than everything else...so consequently, it's taking a lot more time. Our biggest concern here is having enough capacity to take care of demand..and that's what we're working towards. The timeline for these is quite independent of everything else, and it's critical that we get it right the first time. We're planning to have these stocked before the end of 1st quarter 07.

[steve witt]

Thats just what I like to hear. Take your time and get it right. From what I have read over the past several months it sounds like all your product so far perform very well and are built with lasting quality. Don't stop now!!!

[Chad Terpstra]

I was wondering if the FF will be able to work with video lenses such as the HD100 lens? Would this require a different gear? Thanks!