2" pvc does fit.
2" pvc does fit.
It also looks like the focus wheel is a bottle cap and the gear is a scroll wheel from a mouse or a piece of foam cut round
Just when we all thought this thread was dead.... I too started working on a simple FF design, a la Shane 88's, using Home Depot parts and am getting very close to something functional... I found an electrical clamp with a rubber cover that fits very nice and snug over the front of the camera, OR, over the slider ring on my fotodiox lens hood- I prefer the latter because it can be mounted and removed with the lens hood. It would also go nicely over a WA lens. It looks MUCH more pro than a PVC job, which I think just looks so chinsey, and it's SO simple and fits and works great right off the shelf with a few 1/4" -20 bolts.
I already made a fully functional follow focus that connects to my camera bracket, and works well, but I wanted the FF to be able to clamp on like Shane 88's so that everyone could use without extra hardware. It sucks starting over again. All said and done, I'm trying to find a way to make this thing completely machine free, and with parts that anyone can get. A few more days and another home depot trip and I'll probably have it. It's amazing what you can get at home depot or lowe's if you look at EVERYTHING. In the pics you can see all the nuts, bolts, washers, spacers, brackets etc. laying around my workstation, including my bracket cage (which I love). All of these parts are SO cheap- which makes my new hobby even better. Plus, I can DIY something that cost hundreds (even thousands) and get the same results. Steadicam next...
http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ollow%20Focus/ - sorry the focus is bad- i think my still camera is screwed up...
Tell me what you guys think. I'll rebuild the FF bracket mount if anybody is interested in pics. I do like Danristei's design, but I can't stand PVC pipe- plus the rubber lining on my clamps are PERFECT. I can make it look much more pro without cutting anything too. Maybe we could combine designs or something. Who knows, maybe we'll inspire Shane 88 to jump back in the game. Either way, we are VERY close to something cheaper and more usefull than the IRV MF ring. Keep it up everybody, let me know what else I can do.... BTW Shane 88 and Danrisei, you've been challenged!!! HAHAHAHA
That looks pretty effective. 1 wheel is all that is needed in my opinion.
One wheel is not enough because of two reasons.
1 It is easier to operate a wheel that is perpendicular to the camera
2 Gear ratio
2 wheels is definately better. Still, one big wheel gives you plenty of extra running with that MF dial, and it is smaller and has fewer parts. I'm still working on the FF, but I was hoping to team up with you guys. Hey Danristei, did you see the clamp I'm using with the rubber lining? I love your gear but I don't like using PVC- the clamp I found looks like it was designed for what we are doing.
I also found this guys concoction, there are pics toward the bottom of page 1, AND more on page 2.: http://www.hv20.com/showthread.php?2...t=follow+focus -
There are a bunch of 'Manual Focus' or 'Follow Focus' threads, but a better compilation of the "bare HV follow focus" trials is long overdue.
Now that's wheel but just very slightly too big.
In my opinion that pipe clamp is too bulky.
Man, DarthPaully's design looks amazing! Out of all three designs on this thread, I'd definitely go with his. It looks pro and secure. Even though it doesn't have the perpendicular wheel, it is still much better than the stock focus wheel and I'm pretty sure we can easily add the perpendicular wheel on to there. How much did that cost you Darthpaully? $5 bucks at the most? Wow, great job. If you're thinking of selling them I'd get one (hopefully with second wheel) but I wish someone would be kind enough and post the parts so everyone will have access to make one themselves.
Thanks for the props Almohada, and I hope we can get that second wheel on there too. It's only a matter of time. Remember, all these parts come off the shelf and cost a few dollars at most, so what if we found a smaller more streamlined clamp to use? You'll have to break my arm before you convince me that cutting up PVC is going to look and work better. It definately COULD be smaller, but as it is, it works very nicely.
Looks fine to me the way you made it. Who cares what it looks like. If you're going to be professionally shooting a film or whatever with the HVxx, then you should probably invest in something more professional looking (if you're concerned about how your rig looks.) This is not for everyone. So I don't really mind it being bigger. Looks really pro with the silver clamp and black rubber. Don't listen to them
Idea for 2nd wheel:
Step 1: Nothing
IMG_1526.jpg
Step 2: Add bracket (forming 90 degree angle)
2.jpg
Step 3: Add wheel (perpendicular to 1st wheel)
3.jpg
Still selling it shane_88? I'm interested.
Good luck. Shane_88 hasn't responded in months. Look into above posts for the other DIY FF systems we're working on.Originally Posted by birchof
Here is the final product. I can also make it using the stronger pipe clamp for who is interested. If you want one let me know.
Last edited by danristei; 2010 November 16th at 08:28.
Hats off, Danristei, your product is just beautiful!! You've succesfully defeated the evil IRV B focus wheel and restored faith in manual focus to the galaxy!! Boy Shane 88 is really missing out. The PVC ring doesn't look too bad, and I think that part is most easily changeable. The only thing I would suggest is to paint it ALL black and somehow get a hold of the knob that Shane had on his FF. These things are of course only cosmetic, but to sell them it would look a lot more pro, and could demand more $$.
Thanks a lot for all the pics and nice webpage too- did you use a piece of aluminum for the U bracket holding the wheels on? That seems to be the most critical piece.
Oh, and nice addition to my design, Almohada, I've worked with almost exactly what you added, but in order to make the second wheel effective, the focusing wheel must be a lot smaller (Like Danristei and Shane 88's) otherwise the gear ratio isn't right and it would stick out too far. BUT, interestingly enough, based on the small size of the HV20/30/40, it works REALLy nice like the IRB would work except you don't need to wrap your hands around the camera.
... which is a big selling point!
I didn't use a button like shane because it doesn't have enough grip.
P.S. Thank you for your appreciation darthpaully.
did you try it with a smaller focusing wheel? If your design works with the 2nd wheel, then I will definitely get one from you. I like your bold design
I wonder how much actual FF knobs go for. Not to knock what you accomplished danristei at all, but I think the knob is what really makes the thing look MUCH more pro (as in Shane's case), and I'm sure you/me/we could figure out something close. Believe me, I'm a function over looks type of guy, but we've come so far- it just wouldn't make sense to cut corners. I guess I'll google 'knobs' for a while and see what we come up with. What did you end up using danristei? It looks like a screw-top lid of some sort...
Thanks Almo, I like 'Bold'. And yes actually, I'm busy working on the smaller wheel for the actuall FF unit. If I can make it work with this newer design, it would be quite small and lightweight. The problem, as Danristei stated, is that the measurements have to be perfect to maximize functionality, and geting the small wheel just right is tricky. I [I]could[I] machine something, but for me that defeats the purpose of making it a no cutting/drilling/gluing idiot-proof aparatus (that looks pro and everyone could have or use). I'm going to try smaller nuts, blots, and bracket parts and see what I come up with. I'm taking my family to disneyland next week, so I'm not sure how far I'll get, but it sure would be nice to have my FF for the trip.
Hey Almohada, I'll post some more pics of the parts (clamp, metal and rubber washers, plastic or nylon spacers, nuts and bolts etc.) when I have a minute so you can either build it or add to the general idea collective. And thanks again Danristei for the pics. It's nice to be able to see into the guts of the FF. I still can't believe how simple and functional the thing is. . . just like my old Fender Telecaster!!
Thanks, let me know what happens. Looking forward to seeing the pictures
Lego "type" wheels are a good possibility. There's a lot of variety and the specs are pretty precise in the descriptions:
Example: Google Image Search lego rubber wheels
brought me to search google products for Solarbotics Rubber Wheels
...because of finding ( $1.00 or so USD ... 9mm OD, 1.5mm ID, 7mm wide )
----------------------------------------------------------
eventually leading to : Site
Searching "wheels" at that site produces many options that are very clean looking.
OR:
Lego Individual Parts
Choose Category "Wheels"
Go to page 2 and find Tyre Normal Wide Ø14.6 X 9 at $0.24 USD each.
OR:
Google Image Search "Control Knobs"
Last edited by Steve_Karl; 2010 November 17th at 00:11.
A few hours away from the FF project gave me some time to refresh and rethink things- I ended up with this: http://s267.photobucket.com/albums/i...ollow%20Focus/
This one is so simple and cheap it's SHOCKING. I appologize for my stupid camera, but I think you can see what's going on. Off the clamp is this little metal (electrical??) thing with a step up and two perpendicular holes, just perfect for the clamp. I used washers (rubber and metal) for the big wheel and a rubber disc (honestly can't remember which aisle at home depot) for the small wheel. It took all of 5 minutes to assemble it, and although it needs help (bigger knob, better gear ratio, black matte finish on the whole thing) IT WORKS!!
BINGO- A functional follow focus for the HV- smaller and lighter than the others and and usable with the lcd. It DOES require the use of the fotodiox lens hood or lens for the extension at this point but I never take mine off anyway. (Raynox 6600 for x-mas yay!) If can find a skinnier clamp, it's perfect. BTW the clamp is fully adjustable and could easily be configured for other consumer camcorders.
I've thought about raiding my kids' lego bins too Steve- there was a thread with a guy that built a follow focus for his 35mm rig. The plastic factor has kept me away so far, but the wheels are something I should look back into- your control knob search is yielding some decent results. It needs to be a good size knob- at least 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Somethin for a disc marker too maybe.... The pro FF knobs are like $300 or more it's ridiculous. The hunt is on... This thing is still way under $10, let's keep it that way.
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