FreshDV Reviews Five Follow Focus Systems at FreshDV

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FreshDV Reviews Five Follow Focus Systems

Published by Matthew Jeppsen October 1st, 2007 in Featured Content, FreshDV, Hardware, Lenses, Reviews, Tutorials

FreshDV’s full review of 5 seperate follow focus units is in the October print issue of DV Magazine, and also available online at DV.com. While we had the follow focus systems in our possession we also took some time to capture video footage of the units in action. In these video clips, I walk the viewer through the major features of each follow focus system, mount the units to our test rig equipped with a 35mm adapter, measure gear lash, and finally use them to drive a 35mm PL-mount cinema lens. Each unit we tested has unique strengths and weaknesses, we encourage you to view each of these videos and look for a system that meets your unique needs and requirements.

Introduction and Chrosziel DV Follow Focus Review [8:57m]: Download

Cinetech Titanium SL Follow Focus Review [5:32m]: Download

Redrock Micro Follow Focus Review [5:33m]: Download

Petroff Mini Follow Focus Review [7:27m]: Download

Indifocus Follow Focus Review [9:51m]: Download

Follow Focus Accessories [2:16m]: Download

You can view the video reviews in either Quicktime MOV format (links above) or as Flash video streams (embedded below). Note that the above Quicktime versions are higher resolution and quality. You may also be interested in our informative three-part series on the role of a First AC and Focus Puller.

Introduction and Chrosziel DV Follow Focus Review.

Cinetech Titanium SL Follow Focus Review.

Redrock Micro Follow Focus Review.

Petroff Mini Follow Focus Review.

Indifocus Follow Focus Review.

Unique Follow Focus Accesories.

FreshDV would like to thank the following companies for their involvement in making this segment possible:
Zacuto for providing a fully-loaded handheld studio rig.
Fletcher Chicago for providing a Zeiss 85mm PL cinema lens.
Zeiss for providing a set of ZF prime lenses.
Cinevate for providing a Brevis 35mm lens adapter and PL-mount.
Bruce Allen for providing a Sekonic cine light meter.
Bartech Engineering for providing a remote wireless BFD focus system.
Palomar Engineering for providing the M-One focus motor for the BFD.
16×9 Inc for providing a Chrosziel matte box and follow focus.
Ste-Man, Inc for providing a Petroff matte box and follow focus.
Cinetech for providing a matte box and follow focus.
Redrock Micro for providing a follow focus.
IndiFocus for providing a follow focus and dolly system.
Ikan Corp for providing a HD reference monitor.
Lowel for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.
Mole-Richardson for providing a fully-loaded production lighting kit.

17 Responses to “FreshDV Reviews Five Follow Focus Systems”

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1 Aaron Oct 2nd, 2007 at 11:52 pm

Great review Matt (and Kendal)! That is some extremely helpful information you have packed in those videos. I have been looking for a follow focus system and now feel much more comfortable making a decision thanks to all of your hard work. Much appreciated!
2 E.J. Oct 3rd, 2007 at 9:49 pm

The Petroff you reviewed is the MFF-02, which is the ‘economy’ version. The MFF-01 is the same unit with a traditional marking disc. I love the simplicity of this unit.
3 Matthew Jeppsen Oct 3rd, 2007 at 10:06 pm

Thanks for the clarification, E.J.! I agree, it is a very well designed ff unit. Seems to be built rock solid.

-Matt Jeppsen
4 Tong-Len Oct 8th, 2007 at 4:17 pm

extremly helpful and well made reviews !

really enjoyed watching them all the way through…

thanks,
silvio
5 gpcreative Oct 28th, 2007 at 9:27 pm

So after watching all the reviews, my question to you guys is, which one did you like the most?
6 Matthew Jeppsen Oct 28th, 2007 at 11:28 pm

In my opinion, the Redrock really delivers the best bang for buck. Kendal and I both have one, and use them all the time. Given an unlimited budget, I would personally lean towards the Chrosziel as an upgrade. It’s slightly smoother and a bit sexier. Does it work better? I would say only “marginally better”. The upgrade is really in the design and operation of the unit, the simplicity of mounting and unmounting, etc. To sum up, as far as image quality goes, the Redrock is not hindering ME. So it makes the upgrade a bit harder to justify. Hope that helps.

-Matt Jeppsen
7 Michael Nov 30th, 2007 at 1:15 pm

Really well done. Great presentation. Thanks so much for the clear info.
8 Adam Dec 14th, 2007 at 7:12 pm

I wonder why you guys didn’t use the Redrock whip in the review of the Micro FF? I heard their whip is pretty poor, just a notch up from the horrible indiefocus one, but definitely leaves a lot to be desired in comparison to the Cinetech, Chrosziel or Arri. Do you agree?
9 Kendal Miller Dec 14th, 2007 at 9:33 pm

Not at all I have used the RR whips on a number of different jobs and have ZERO complaints at all, it is almost identical to the cinetch the only difference is there is no accessory port in the end of the whip handle. Actually not sure why we didn’t use it I honestly can’t remember.
10 Matthew Jeppsen Dec 15th, 2007 at 1:04 am

I second Kendal’s comments, the Redrock whip is a great performer (even though it lacks an accessory port in the handle). I use the long one all the time and couldn’t be more pleased with how it works. I’m surprised at all the FUD that seems to get out about products for no apparent reason…

-Matt Jeppsen
11 Adam Dec 15th, 2007 at 7:39 am

Thanks Matt and Kendal. So it is not like the Indiefocus whip at all, where you need to load it first, because I think it is not regid enough?
It’s really a pity it has no accessory port, specially after watching your great video on focus pulling and seeing Bob Sanchez tips with the use of a crank I really miss an accessory port. I think they may have done it that way to keep costs down and it sure worked. You can almost buy their whole bundle with 3 whips for the price you would pay for an Arri or Chrosziel. In any case do you guys know if it’s possible to buy a port somewhere? If so it may be worth it to buy it and to a DIY install on the RR whip.
By the way, if you could only get one of them, which one would you get? I’m thinking the 12″ but there are people who swears by the 3″ one. I think the 18″ is probably the least useful. Thanks again guys!
12 Matthew Jeppsen Dec 15th, 2007 at 1:40 pm

You are correct, it is NOTHING like the IndiFocus whip. My 18″ Redrock whip bends smoothly in all directions, but has ZERO “give” when you twist it. So it is just as effective as using the Follow Focus with your hand directly on the unit. Like you, I hope that Redrock updates the whips in the future with the addition of an accessory port on the handle. We’ve mentioned this to them, and they are generally quite open to input. Keep your fingers crossed. :-)

I’m not aware of where you would purchase a port. But I suppose it would be possible to glue or attach on to the whip. Sure would look ghetto, but might work.

I’m pretty happy with my 18″ model, but you’d need something shorter to work in Bob Sanchez’s style. The 3″ model would be best for that. I like that I can pull from the camera shooter position with the 18″ if I have to (we can’t always afford a 1st AC now, can we…). But frankly, RR’s whip combo pack is so affordable, you might just get the whole batch.

-Matt
13 jason.adams Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:24 am

The Indifocus reviewed on here is not the newest one. I have an Indi and the new stuff is cool.
14 Matthew Jeppsen Apr 24th, 2008 at 10:27 am

This is very true, Jason. However, at the time this review was shot we tested the latest model of the IndiFocus, as provided directly from the manufacturer. We have not personally seen the latest model, so will have to take your word on it. Indeed, the word on various forums is that the design has improved over the model we tested. Which of course I am pleased to hear. Many thanks for the heads up.

-Matt Jeppsen