Best camera lens rapid-focusing levers according to redditors

Keep in mind, I am just lowly independent filmmaker, so this was a big improvement over my "$50 follow focus". This one is surprisingly solidly built.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AI2AVXA/

It has really made a huge impact on being able to hit focus, not to mention shift focus back and forth between subjects smoothly.

Well for starters, that's really not that fast of a pull, secondly, for fast pulls you would use a speed crank.

SLR zoom lenses are not designed to be used like cine zoom or camcorder power zoom lenses. They don't hold their focus through changes of zoom.

They also don't zoom at a constant rate in relation to how you twist the zoom lens, and have differing levels of resistance depending on which elements of the lens are being moved for that portion of the zoom range.

What might help is using some strap on levers to give you more precise control control. You could also try a follow focus but you'd need to build a rig for your camera using bars in order to support it.

Yes :) here they are:

Handle: link

Mounting plate: link

Manfrotto Quick Release Plate : link

Follow focus: link

Rods(16" & 6") link

Handlegrip: link

Lens support: link

Shoulder pad: link

Rod clamp: link

Cold Shoe mount: link

To hold the battery I used this rod clamp: link and this plate: link

Battery: link

To connect the battery to the BMPCC 4k I used these cables and the charging cable from the camera to make an adapter: link to cables

Magic arm to hold the monitor: link

Samsung SSD 500gb: link

SSD holder: link

Monitor: link

HDMI cable: link

BMPCC 4k cage: link

I'm using the Sigma 18-35mm (Nikon) and the Viltrox 0.71X Lens Mount Adapter: link

I think that's it :)

It can be a real challenge to get smooth video zooms out of still camera lenses.

Back in Super 8 days, cameras (even those with power zooms) had zoom levers - so I bought this [$27.95 Panasonic DMW-ZL1 zoom lever] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004OZOZR6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004OZOZR6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20) to help me to zoom more smoothly with the 14-140. It works, but it has a relatively short lever and is not as smooth as a power zoom.

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably get this [$14.99 zoom lever from lensstraps] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BL9WDI6/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00BL9WDI6&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20), with a much longer lever.

Alternatively, if you want really smooth zooms, you might want to look at replacing the kit zoom with the [14-42 PZ power zoom] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005J5TZVG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B005J5TZVG&linkCode=as2&tag=battleforthew-20).

Or, you can do what Colin Head did and mount a 14x Canon J14a x 8.5B4 servo zoom lens (similar to [this one] (http://rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53200-19255-0/1?icep_ff3=2&pub=5575034783&toolid=10001&campid=5337235943&customid=&icep_item=252225775930&ipn=psmain&icep_vectorid=229466&kwid=902099&mtid=824&kw=lg)) - on his G7, as seen [here] (https://youtu.be/bL2DKxv9hVs).

Hope this is helpful.

Have you looked into making your own?

i was looking at shoulder rigs yesterday and had the idea of maybe doing a diy rig and this is the rough list I've come up with so far.

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Budget. Budget. Budget

Do you have $200 $2,000 $5,000 $10,000?

Can't even start if we don't know how much you have to spend

There's cheap dslr platforms around the 5Dii, there's the pocket magic, black, Canon C300, the Red dragon epic. There's also cheap handicams that point and shoot decent quality.

To shoot low light low noise images like that you'd at least be looking at a 5Diii rig. They probably used at least +$5,000 of gear to shoot that video using a remote operator for those focus racks. It's pretty damn hard to nail focus from a low angle while moving so close to the ground.

You at least need a basic steady cam rig to hold the camera low to the ground steadily while walking. Since it's low to the ground you cant actually it's difficult to have someone operating the camera while it's moving.

You need an expensive sensor and lens to let a lot of clean light in.

Re-watching the video on my laptop they didn't actually need a remote operator, they pulls weren't that accurate or difficult but still shooting clean low light video takes a decent camera.

Also remember non of the audio from that track cam from the camera. That all came out of a recording studio with post production.

Realistically you probably want to get a 5DIII rig with a 24-70mm f/2.8 or f/4 IS lens that'll run you $3,300 new if you go with a 6D you'll save like ~$1,000 but loose some handy buttons but not loose any actual video quality. You can run magic lantern on the camera for focusing tools and additional video settings. And of course buying used will save you a lot of money.

You'll want to get a camera rig to hold it like one of these. You probably want a focus rig they can be cheap or expensive. Or even cheaper but you'll need a 15mm rail system.

For audio you'll probably want a shotgun mic like this

All and all it'll probably cost around $5,000 to record high quality audio and video at night on the cheap end if you use a DSLR platform. There are other options but I'm less familiar with them.

Follow Focus is from Neewer -
https://www.amazon.com.au/Neewer-Cameras-Camcorder-Shoulder-Supports/dp/B00H7WFUVI

Gear rings are from Followfocusgears.com - love them, just had to heat it a little bit to expand and fit like a glove on the focus / zoom gears!

I bought this Fotga follow focus and it's pretty awesome. Great price and solid build. Make sure to get the DP500IIS, not DP500II.
Amazon

Fotga DP500 2S with quick release and Seamless follow focus ring work wonders.

No prob. I should add that I'm not 100% that the follow focus is Fancierstudio, it's just what came with the Fancierstudio rig (the follow focus itself has no branding). This actually looks like it might be it. It also might just be some generic follow focus that several companies sell as their own.

Hey, that's slick... I learned the basic of sketchup to make a pin-registered negative holder for an enlarger. when the part showed up, I was like "this... is the fuckin' future!!!"

For doing stuff that attaches to cameras and has to be aligned with the lens, and be able to slide back and forth - look at cinema-style rail setups. They've gotten so cheap these day if you shop around (here's a good quality one from Amazon but there are tons out there). On eBay there are Chinese vendors selling literally hundreds of special little parts, cheap. It's standardized, 2x 15mm rods centered 60mm apart, and you attach things to one or both rods. For video we stick follow focus, matte boxes, lens supports on 'em, but if I ever get the big 360mm lens for my RB, I'll use one of these if I can't find the lens support (which can be rare).

here is a cheap one

You will need a base with rails as well to mount the follow focus

How much do you want to spend? You can go from mild to wild with shoulder rigs. I use this PNC shoulder rig: https://photographyandcinema.com/products/prime-video-rig-kit with this follow focus: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01AI2AVXA/

As a backup follow focus, I own/use/like this one too (a few $ cheaper): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZWL940/

If I had to do it over again though, due to wrist issues I'd probably get something nicer and with more articulated hand grips. I'd like to eventually upgrade to an Ikan Cinefly or something for the more adjustable hand grips and the better shoulder support.

I agree with external mic. A rode Video Mic kit with a boom pole will run you $150 and you can plug that right into a phone with a trs to trrs adaptor.

In terms of noise from the auto focus, most narrative film is going to use manual focus anyways. So look at something like this. https://www.amazon.com/Movo-FF200-Manual-Control-Cameras/dp/B00ISH33JW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468454413&sr=8-2&keywords=Focus+puller

>https://www.amazon.com.au/Neewer-Cameras-Camcorder-Shoulder-Supports/dp/B00H7WFUVI

Probably a wide angle lens on a cell phone.

I might have used the wrong word— I was thinking of this type of calibration kit: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07JNDPTFJ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Pv6sDbWEBHNBG

I got mine off amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G34QGAU?cache=f2f18173533f8bc36eefcf4ec3cd8b88&pi=SY200_QL40&qid=1409522019&sr=8-1#ref=mp_s_a_1_1

https://www.amazon.ca/FOTGA-Follow-Focus-handle-flexible/dp/B00FRA2DGC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1486877082&sr=8-1&keywords=follow+focus+handle

Here's some budget friendly pieces to get you started.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005HTMYTO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAJK2CS/ref=od_aui_detailpages03?ie=UTF8&psc=1

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-System-Handle-Stabilizer-Follow/dp/B00CRLBXTC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1420818004&sr=8-3&keywords=FOTGA+DP500+Rail+Rod+System

Two suggestions:

1. Better follow-focus: I tried the one you're buying and it did not feel solid. The cheapest, good FF I found is this one: http://www.amazon.com/upgrade-DP500IIS-Rlease-dampen-follow/dp/B00EAJK2CS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1410786393&sr=8-1&keywords=fotga+dp500ii
   
   Even though it's under $200, I'd put it up against any FF at any price for general use.
   
   
2. What do you want to accomplish with the external monitor? It's resolution is so low and it's color so bad that you're better off with the built-in flip screen. It's going to be nearly useless for focusing. Personally, if I couldn't squeeze the SmallHD 7 into my budget, I'd either wait or maybe get the SmallHD 4

The click, depending on how defined the detent is, may or may not be visible during filming. Many lenses can be 'de-clicked however, though I don't know if that particular one can. Alternatively, increasing your leverage on the ring will help overcome the detent, and allow for finer control. A simple lever will probably do the trick.

I'm looking over what i said, and i have some corrections to make. 2x hard drives might be overkill if you're keeping it all on your laptop and one external hard drive, and some of it on the SD cards.

As for camera rigging I'd get I'd get this rail system http://www.amazon.com/FOTGA-DP500-support-system-follow/dp/B009GFZSZC and this follow focus
http://www.amazon.com/CAMTREE-Solid-Follow-Focus-FF-SG/dp/B00JIMG4HE
And a monitor http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00FG709H6/ref=mp_s_a_1_7?qid=1458692747&sr=8-7&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&keywords=dslr+monitor&dpPl=1&dpID=41Xo2K9h6qL&ref=plSrch

On your rails, because hotshoe mounting leads to instability on small cameras.
http://http://www.amazon.com/c/product/1157794-REG/manfrotto_244micro_244_micro_friction_arm.html
Attached to


This rail block http://www.amazon.com/Smallrig%C2%AE-Lightweight-Female-Threads-Spaced/dp/B007GWFN8E

It's a device that attaches to your lens. Here's a link. It really helps and in some cases you can even have an assistant act as "focus puller." http://www.amazon.com/ePhoto-Reversible-RS-Mount-ePhotoInc-FOLLOW2/dp/B005Y0SJOK/ref=sr_1_4?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1348857332&sr=1-4&keywords=follow+focus

Why would I troll r/filmmakers?

This is what I don't understand: if all we're doing is turning the focus on the camera, why wouldn't this work? And what is the difference in the last 2?

$10: http://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Adjustable-Follow-Lenses-diameter/dp/B008PP3LY4/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1452523234&sr=1-4&keywords=follow+focus

$30: http://www.amazon.com/65mm-103mm-Diameter-Camcorder-Shoulder-Supports/dp/B00G34QGAU/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1452523630&sr=1-4&keywords=follow+focus

$120: http://www.amazon.com/Kamerar-FF-3-Follow-Focus-Release/dp/B009ZWL940/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1452523711&sr=1-1&keywords=kamerar+follow+focus

You can still make markings for exact stopping points. You still focus from Point A to B. Besides a better quality material, what am I missing?

Also, with a cheap arduino and some minimal coding I could control the speed and put in hard stops.