Bartech Remote Follow Focus System Review and Setup at FreshDV

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Bartech Remote Follow Focus System Review and Setup

Published by Matthew Jeppsen February 6th, 2008 in FreshDV, Hardware, Lenses, Reviews

FreshDV took a close look at a number of popular follow focus units in 2007. We also spent some time working with the Bartech Focus Device (BFD) from Bartech Engineering. The BFD is a wireless remote-controlled system that drives the 35mm lens on your camera rig. It allows Steadicam operators to move freely, can help control a camera mounted on a jib, or simply frees up space next to the operator in tight shooting locations. Bartech’s system is designed to work a variety of motors, but they recommended that we review the system with the M-One motor from Palomar Engineering. We found the M-One to be a compact and lightweight design with incredible torque and accuracy. Bartech claims that they have not found a lens that the M-One motor cannot move. It can move very fast when you need it to, but most importantly it responds to remote commands immediately and without drift. In the following video review, Kendal Miller shows how the Bartech BFD system assembles and mounts to your camera rig, and takes the unit through it’s paces.

Bartech Focus Device Review and Demonstration [9:58m]: Download

Traditionally, remote focus solutions are pricey. There are only a few options available, and the BFD package is arguably the most affordable professional solution on the market today. It is also surprisingly well built, as you will see in the video. If you tuned in last year for our extensive NAB 2007 coverage, you may remember Bartech’s Jim Bartel from this segment. You may also be interested in our informative three-part series on the role of a First AC and Focus Puller.

FreshDV would like to thank the following companies for their involvement in making this segment possible:
Bartech Engineering for providing a remote wireless BFD focus system.
Palomar Engineering for providing the M-One focus motor for the BFD.
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.
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.

9 Responses to “Bartech Remote Follow Focus System Review and Setup”

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1 DaNni Feb 6th, 2008 at 9:53 pm

Very nice and thorough description of the unit. There’s a couple of things that come to mind.

Firstly, you say it’s affordable but you don’t mention the actual price. It wouldn’t hurt :)

Second… is that a cine lens in the video? I noticed the front part grows and shrinks forward and backward when you focus, and also that the image “breathes” (zooms a little when focusing). Aren’t these two characteristics (or lack of them) supposed to be the main advantage on using cine lenses vs slr ones? Is that “growth” a problem for mounting a matte box?

Thanks!
2 Matthew Jeppsen Feb 6th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

The Bartech BFD is currently listed at $2100 on their site, that does not include the motor. If you go with the M-One motor from Palomar (which I would highly recommend doing), it will set you back another $2100 (as shown online). For $4200 you end up with a bulletproof remote focus (or iris) control. And if you’ve ever priced the Arri remote focus or a Preston unit, you’ll agree that is a killer price point.

Yes that is a Zeiss 85mm PL-mount cine prime lens, and yes it does breathe a bit. The “growth” isn’t an issue with a decent matte box that is equipped with the appropriate lens ring/hood, but I do agree that both characteristics are not exactly desirable. I guess it goes to show you that even relatively expensive glass isn’t perfect.

-Matt Jeppsen
3 Kendal Miller Feb 6th, 2008 at 11:34 pm

How the heck did I forget the price LOL!! Its around $4,200 I believe with the Palomar One motor ($2,100). Now the lens is a Zeiss super speed 1.3 85mm. Cine, lenses are generally better glass but they still can breath like still lenses, and depending on the design the lens barrel can travel as focus is adjusted.
4 DaNni Feb 6th, 2008 at 11:47 pm

Haha, thanks for your synchronized answers!
5 Kendal Miller Feb 7th, 2008 at 3:25 pm

Dang thats funny lol….
6 Jim Bartell Feb 14th, 2008 at 7:41 pm

Thanks very much for the nice review! A few tiny corrections/clarifications:

1. The run/stop switch doesn’t have anything to do with focus. It is to remotely Run a film camera or put a video camera in record mode, or to stop them. It requires a camera specific run/stop cable. The motor will move in response to the knob regardless of what position the switch is in. It is perfectly acceptable to use the BFD without using this function at all.

2. After moving the calibration knobs to the start position, the calibration switch should be clicked towards one of the knobs before interlocking the motor to the lens. This causes the motor to move to the center of its range of travel, where it should be prior to interlocking to the lens at its center. That way you guarantee to cover the entire range of lens travel.

Thanks again for the great review. Sales are at an all time high!

Jim Bartell, Owner
BarTech Engineering
7 Matthew Jeppsen Feb 14th, 2008 at 7:51 pm

Many thanks for the clarification, Jim!
I’m happy to hear that they are still selling like chicklets, it’s a testament to the BFD’s rock-solid performance and reputation.

-Matt Jeppsen
8 Dennis Sas Feb 15th, 2008 at 11:58 am

Hello,
great review, one question, the motors seem to make a lot of noise making live sound recording
troublesome. I would like to keep my remote focus on the camera and use it like a traditional follow
focus shooting the scene and switching to steadicam mode as quick as possible. Does anybody have any experience
experience with live audio recording?
Thank you
9 Jim Bartell Feb 18th, 2008 at 5:48 pm

While the M-One can make noise when moving at full speed, it is quiet at slower speeds. Since full speed moves are almost exclusively used in near focus to infinity shots, they are shot outdoors where noise isn’t an issue. On sounds stages, focus moves are slow, constant speed moves where the motor noise is low enough to be acceptable. M-Ones are used on sound stages every day.

Jim Bartell