Reddit mentions: The best camera lens rapid-focusing levers
We found 31 Reddit comments discussing the best camera lens rapid-focusing levers. We ran sentiment analysis on each of these comments to determine how redditors feel about different products. We found 18 products and ranked them based on the amount of positive reactions they received. Here are the top 20.
1. Fotga Upgrade DP500IIS Quick Rlease Dampen Follow Focus A/B Hard Stop for 15mm Rail DSLR Rig 5DII III IV 7D D90 D5 D500 D850 DSLR Camera, A7 A7R A7S II III A9, GH4/5/5S
- DP500IIS follow focus is upgraded based on the previous DP500II version I follow focus.More elegent apperance,more practicable. Quick-release version,easily attach and detach.
- There is an improvement on its inner structure to reach a high level in this field,which permits much less backlash,even better than the previous DP500II follow focus and most follow focus on the market.There is also a button downside can adjust the tension of of the gearbox to reach 2 dampen level.
- This improved Follow Focus Integrated with A/B Hard Stops which have easy begin/end setups for fast repeatable racking between two points, and make focusing lenses that have no hard stops (such as Canon EF lenses) much easier. Further more,the gear wheel on it can be detached and insalled in other side,which makes it suitable for both left-hand and right-hand photographer.
- The white mark ring is made of magnet material.It can be detached or attached very easliy and quickly on matel-made follow focus.You can also buy additional mark ring.
- The particular part of this follow focus is it can use different size gears.It can work with 3 different size gear to meet your different need with various lens: 38T (38 teeth) 0.8mm pitch,diameter is approx.28mm (not included) 43T (43 teeth) 0.8mm pitch,diameter is approx.31mm (included) 65T (65 teeth) 0.8mm pitch,diameter is approx.49mm(not included)
Features:
Specs:
2. Fotga DP500III Follow Focus with A/B Hard Stops,15mm Quick Release Rod Clamp for Film Movie Video Making Canon Nikon Sony Olympus Blackmagic DSLR Cinema Camera Video Mirrorless Camera Cine Lens
- 【No Backlash,Sturdy Metal Made,Comfortable Rubber-covered Handwheel】Material: Sturdy Metal CNC Machined,New design on its inner structure to reach a high level, while the damping gives virtually zero backlash(<0.5mm).Handwheel is covered with well-made rubber,this would bring comfortability on operation especially in extremely weather as well as preventing slipping
- 【Well-made Gearbox,Tightness Adjustable】Long-life precision engineered gearbox enables accurate and reliable focusing,2 levels adjustable damping.Drive gear can be mounted from both side.(Works for both right-handed and left handed),Drive Gear Interface: Compatible with JTZ X Type Interface Standard
- 【A/B Hard Stops,15mm Quick-release Rod Slider】Integrated with A/B Hard Stops, stoppors can also be detached and then stored in the slots within the follow focus itself.
- Multiple Gear Size for Option】Can use different size gears to meet your need with different lenses. This set comes with 3 size gears.(M0.8-38T/M0.8-43T/M0.8-65T),you can also buy extra 0.5 78T and 0.6 64T gear for extension.
- 【Standard 12x12 Connection Port,Flexible Gear Belt】Work with speed crank and speed whip with standard 12x12mm connector.Flexible gear belt can be adjusted from 46mm to 110mm to be compatible with different lens.
Features:
Specs:
Color | DP500III A/B Follow Focus |
Height | 3.543307083 Inches |
Length | 13.779527545 Inches |
Weight | 1.10231131 Pounds |
Width | 3.93700787 Inches |
3. Neewer A-B Stop Follow Focus C2 with Gear Ring Belt for DSLR Cameras Such as Nikon,Canon,Sony DV/Camcorder/Film/Video Cameras,Fits 15mm Rod Mounts,Shoulder Supports
- Completely gear-driven design for slip-free, accurate, and repeatable focus movement
- This Follow Focus Integrated with A/B Hard Stops which have easy begin/end setups for fast repeatable racking between two points, and make focusing lenses that have no hard stops (such as Canon EF lenses) much easier.
- Mounts onto 15 mm Rod Support (60mm center to center difference).
- Gear drive can be mounted from both sides
- The white mark ring is made of magnet material. It can be detached or attached very easily and quickly on metal-made follow focus.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Blue |
Height | 3.7401574765 Inches |
Length | 7.480314953 Inches |
Weight | 1.15 Pounds |
Width | 3.93700787 Inches |
Release date | August 2014 |
4. Follow Focus or Zoom Control Polished Finish
Made from 6061 Aluminum contains 1 pulling rod and 2 strapsStraps are releasable and reuseableCan be used as an affordable follow focus solutionAbsolutely the best solution for zoom controlWorks great in conjunction with a follow focus
Specs:
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 10 Inches |
Width | 6 Inches |
5. FOTGA DSLR Zoom Follow Focus Handle Lever + Flexible Gear Belt Ring (Grgy)
Material: rubber and plastic,Easy to make adjustment,fast lockingSuitable for all DSLR Cameras,video cameras,DV,HDV,HDSLR.Gear module: Film industry standard 0.8. Flexible Follow Focus Gear Ring Belt fits any lens with diameter from 46 to 110mm.Lever length:Approx.60mm. Color: Black gear ring+ Grgy ...
6. Neewer Follow Focus with Gear Ring Belt for Canon Nikon Sony and Other DSLR Camera Camcorder DV Video Fits 15mm Rod Film Making System,Shoulder Support,Stabilizer,Movie Rig(Blue+Black)
- Compatible with Canon Nikon Sony and other DSLR Camera Camcorder DV Video; Fits industry standard 15mm rod mounts and 60mm center to center distance
- Easy to mount and take down; Gear drive can adjust camera focus in a more accurate and smooth way
- Gear ring belt suitable for less than 100mm diameters lens
- Non-slip design with grooved knob; White mark ring made of plastic and used to mark the scale on follow focus
- Note: Only follow focus, camera and other shoulder rig are not included
Features:
Specs:
Color | Blue |
Height | 3.3 Inches |
Length | 7 Inches |
Weight | 0.6375 Pounds |
Width | 5 Inches |
Size | 7 x 5 x 3.3 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
7. Lonker 2pcs SLR Camera Focusing Ring Zoom Ring Focusing Ring and Focus Ring Handle Focusing Lever Follower Gear Belt
- Easy installation to camera lens
- High quality Aluminum alloy grip, durable.
- Non-slip design, and smooth design is no harm to your camera.
- Suitable for any lens with diameter from approx. 52mm to 86mm(2.0-3.4in)
- Special used for follow focus. Suitable for most shooting situations.
Features:
8. Neewer Follow Focus CN-90F with Gear Ring Belt for DSLR Cameras of 65mm-103mm Lens Diameter Such as Nikon,Canon,Sony DV/Camcorder/Film/Video Cameras,Fits 15mm Rod Mounts,Shoulder Supports
Completely gear driven design for slip-free and accurate movement.Ideal for video taking with HDSLR cameras such as Canon EOS 600D, 60D, etc.Adjustable locking system. Gear drive can be mounted from either sideImproved design, with a pair of stops on the ring for adjustable focus indication. You can...
Specs:
Height | 3.7007873978 Inches |
Length | 7.2047244021 Inches |
Weight | 0.33 Kilograms |
Width | 5.118110231 Inches |
9. Movo Photo FF200 Manual Follow Focus/Zoom Control Lever Lens Clamp for DSLR Video Cameras
A simple, affordable follow focus / zoom controllerUniversal design to fit almost all lensesEnsures focusing or zoom is smooth and preciseDurable, convenient and lightweight1 Year Warranty
Specs:
Height | 1 Inches |
Length | 1 Inches |
Width | 1 Inches |
10. Morros DSLR Follow Focus With Gear Ring Belt for DSLR cameras and Camcorders
- Completely gear-driven design for slip-free, accurate, and repeatable focus movement.
- Adjustable slide-mounting mechanism to fit large range of lens diameters, including video camera lenses.
- Industry-standard 15mm lightweight (60mm spacing) rod mount. With quick release clamp.
- Gear drive can be mounted from both sides for left or right hand use.
- Made of durable anodized black aluminum and ABS. Compatible with all DSLR cameras, video cameras.
Features:
Specs:
Is adult product | 1 |
Height | 1.1 Inches |
Length | 5.3 Inches |
Weight | 0.62 Pounds |
Width | 3.2 Inches |
11. ePhoto DSLR On Camera Reversible Follow Focus w/ RS-Mount NO 15mm Rod needed by ePhotoInc FOLLOW2
- The Quadra Merge is MIDI-powered and requires no batteries or power supply to operate
- A MIDI indicator LED lights up when the product is powered and flashes when MIDI data passes through it
Features:
12. Neewer Adjustable Follow Focus Gear Ring Belt for DSLR Lenses/HDSLR Follow Focus, fits any lens with diameter from 65mm to 105mm
- Adjustable Flexible Follow Focus Gear Ring Belt
- Fits any lens with diameter from 65mm to 105mm.
- Color: Black. Only the ring belt is included
- Ideal for DSLR Lensed/HDSlR follow focus FF. Special used for follow focus
- FODSLR brand
Features:
Specs:
Height | 0.393700787 Inches |
Length | 3.7401574765 Inches |
Weight | 0.06875 Pounds |
Width | 3.149606296 Inches |
Release date | March 2015 |
13. Neewer Follow Focus with Gear Ring Belt for Canon Nikon Sony and Other DSLR Camera Camcorder DV Video Fits 15mm Rod Film Making System,Shoulder Support,Stabilizer,Movie Rig(Red+Black)
- Compatible with Canon Nikon Sony and other DSLR Camera Camcorder DV Video; Fits industry standard 15mm rod mounts and 60mm center to center distance
- Easy to mount and take down; Gear drive can adjust camera focus in a more accurate and smooth way
- Gear ring belt suitable for less than 100mm diameters lens
- Non-slip design with grooved knob; White mark ring made of plastic and used to mark the scale on follow focus
- Note: Only follow focus, camera and other shoulder rig are not included
Features:
Specs:
Color | Red |
Height | 3.3 Inches |
Length | 6.3 Inches |
Weight | 0.61068046574 pounds |
Width | 3.9 Inches |
Size | 6.3 x 3.9 x 3.3 inches |
Number of items | 1 |
14. FOTGA DP500 II DSLR 15mm Rail Rod Base Plate Support System for Follow Focus Matte Box,DSLR DV Camera 5D II III IV A7 A7R A7S II III GH4/5/5S Blackmagic Cine Camera 4K
- Measurements : Complete rail system is made of Metal. Color : knobs is blue and all other is black. Rails length : 250mm ,Rails dia : 15mm, Rails center-to-center distance : 60mm, Camera height riser adapters legth : 85mm
- Thickness of height riser adapters : 8mm, Lens support length : 65mm, Tripod mounting plate length : 80mm, Tripod mounting plate thickness : 20mm Screws thread : 1/4 & 3/8
- Features : Standard 15mm rails also advantageous for other 15mm accessory attachments Back and forth / side-to-side adjustments The height adjustments in all parts Camera Mounting plate, Lens Support and Riser is possible through Allen-key bolt mechanism
- The camera Riser for Vertical and Horizontal adjustments of the camera Quick Lock Mechanism makes easy and quick assembly of the system. The plate comes with 1/4" camera mounting screws. Hence the large variety of
- Package including: DP500 II rod support X 1 (as pictures show)
Features:
15. CowboyStudio Follow Focus Speed Crank Handle for DSLR Rig Universal Standard 12mm x 12mm
- One (1) Speed Crank for DSLR Rig Follow Focus
- Made of durable Aluminum.
- With precise design, small size and durable.
- Detachable, not the rough soldering joint part.
- Smooth surface to prevent scratch your hand.
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 2 inches |
Length | 2 inches |
Width | 2 inches |
16. FOTGA DSLR Zoom Follow Focus handle Lever + flexible gear belt ring (Black)
- 15 Amp
- 125 Volt
- NEMA 5-15R;Total_power outlets:1
- 2P
- 3W
Features:
17. ePhoto Shoulder Support DSLR Steady Rig 15mm Mount Follow Focus for Canon Nikon Panasonic RL02F
- This set includes flexible gearbelt can be used with any zoom or prime lenses with a wide range of lens diamter
- Mounts onto 15 mm Rod Support (60mm center to center difference)
- Compatible with industry stand 15mm rods
- Gear drive can be mounted from both side
- Suitable for: All DSLR cameras,video cameras
Features:
Specs:
Height | 5 Inches |
Length | 9 Inches |
Weight | 1 Pounds |
Width | 5 Inches |
18. JJC Professional Camera Lens Auto Focus Calibration Tool Chart,Help Fine Tune Focus of Lens via Select DSLR Camera Has AF Fine Tune AF Micro Adjustment Function to Achieve the Greatest Image Sharpness
Made of durable plastic, compact & lightweight, with integrated bubble level and 1/4"-20 tripod mount, making this the most convenient way to adjust your own camera gear, leanr more from the video link here: https://youtu.be/ad8_hFDvcPcFast, easy solution for your interchangeable lenses and recent D...
Specs:
Weight | 0.35 Pounds |
Size | Calibration Tool |
🎓 Reddit experts on camera lens rapid-focusing levers
The comments and opinions expressed on this page are written exclusively by redditors. To provide you with the most relevant data, we sourced opinions from the most knowledgeable Reddit users based the total number of upvotes and downvotes received across comments on subreddits where camera lens rapid-focusing levers are discussed. For your reference and for the sake of transparency, here are the specialists whose opinions mattered the most in our ranking.
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.
Two suggestions:
Even though it's under $200, I'd put it up against any FF at any price for general use.
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
u/kong1126 - for white balance, find someone with a white shirt (or wear one yourself), and hit the manual WB button before every shot.
If that's too much hassle, get a $10 white balance calibration card and wear it around your neck.
And, hopefully, your camera has a servo zoom speed adjustment? If so, use it.
If not, a zoom lever can help with executing smooth manual zooms . They're only about $13 [Referral Links].
Hope this is helpful and good luck with your internship!
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 actuallyit'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.
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 :)
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).
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!
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.
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.
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&amp;psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0036NMQ7S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00EAJK2CS/ref=od_aui_detailpages03?ie=UTF8&amp;psc=1
http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-System-Handle-Stabilizer-Follow/dp/B00CRLBXTC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1420818004&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=FOTGA+DP500+Rail+Rod+System
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&amp;qid=1468454413&amp;sr=8-2&amp;keywords=Focus+puller
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.
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&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1348857332&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=follow+focus
here is a cheap one
You will need a base with rails as well to mount the follow focus
Shipping shouldn't be more than $20 and those follow focus gears are the best.
I use them with Fotga DP5002S with quick release. This follow focus adapts to different ring diameters in seconds, so no need to worry about keeping gear diameter same.
Well for starters, that's really not that fast of a pull, secondly, for fast pulls you would use a speed crank.
I got mine off amazon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00G34QGAU?cache=f2f18173533f8bc36eefcf4ec3cd8b88&amp;pi=SY200_QL40&amp;qid=1409522019&amp;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&amp;qid=1486877082&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=follow+focus+handle
>https://www.amazon.com.au/Neewer-Cameras-Camcorder-Shoulder-Supports/dp/B00H7WFUVI
Probably a wide angle lens on a cell phone.
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.
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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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&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452523234&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=follow+focus
$30: http://www.amazon.com/65mm-103mm-Diameter-Camcorder-Shoulder-Supports/dp/B00G34QGAU/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452523630&amp;sr=1-4&amp;keywords=follow+focus
$120: http://www.amazon.com/Kamerar-FF-3-Follow-Focus-Release/dp/B009ZWL940/ref=sr_1_1?s=photo&amp;ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1452523711&amp;sr=1-1&amp;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.
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'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&amp;sr=8-7&amp;pi=AC_SX236_SY340_QL65&amp;keywords=dslr+monitor&amp;dpPl=1&amp;dpID=41Xo2K9h6qL&amp;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