HVFF Follow Focus System for Canon HV20/30/40 (Official Thread)

[darthpaully]

if we have an older version. Can we upgrade for a discounted price?

Absolutely, but it depends on the upgrade you want. All versions of the HVFF use the same basic components EXCEPT for the HVFF PRO- which has a totally different knob assembly. This means that an HVFF 3, which is compatible with the focus whip, is a simple upgrade- but the PRO is a different story- I would almost say it would be easier to send your HVFF back to me to perform the PRO upgrade. Otherwise you'll have to dissasemble half of your HVFF and swap out a handful of new (PRO) parts. If you have your heart set on a PRO just let me know and we'll figure it out.

The HVFF 3 was designed tp be the "flagship" model because of it's interchangeability with the focus whip and it's an easy upgrade. I'd be happy to do the 3 upgrade for pretty much cost and shipping.... Which version do you have anyway? If not's a 2.5 or higher than you need the full make-over....

Just curious, which model where you thinking about?

BTW- I almost forgot- the extra step-up knob (2.5 version) that comes with the HVFF 3 kit is being replaced with a new, smaller version of the 3 knob. It looks the kid brother! I will post some pics to show it off- I might include it with the HVFF 3 since it matches so nicely!!

[darthpaully]

Here's a few pics of the new stuff including the new small knob and 20" whip that will be available soon...

And some fun pics of my new shop too hehe...


IMG_2230.jpgIMG_2234.jpgIMG_2233.jpgIMG_2231.jpgIMG_2232.jpg

[Almohada]

Wow your workshop brings back my HVFF building memories....

[darthpaully]

After almost 100 HVFF sales, I FINALLY received an order from my hometown- In fact less he's than 10 miles away! So, this weekend I am going to meet a customer in person to deliver their HVFF. The guy is getting into videography to shoot a doc on bulding a plane. I can't wait to meet up wit him- it will be fun to hear about his hobby.

Also, production has picked up the last few days and I've been able to get to the post office a few times this week already. All orders have been received and I'm working OT to get them shipped. Thanks again for your patience and support!

[Almohada]

Congrats Darth!!!!! Do you have any idea what this means???? The HVFF has officially made a round-trip around the WOLRD!!!!! CONGRATS! Go Team HVFF!!!

[cgbier]

Not that I want to burst your bubble, but there are still ten miles missing

[Almohada]

LOL!!! We can fix that.... hey Darth, send one to yourself!!

[darthpaully]

Even crazier is that when I looked him up on facebook, the first friend on his list is married to a guy I grew up with! I even lived next door to them some years back. HOW CRAZY IS THAT!! Yeah, we're in the same region, but still, he didn't have any idea I was right up the interstate.

Small friggin' world!!

[cgbier]

hey Darth, send one to yourself!!

That's cheating!

[drapeama]

That's cheating!

And you think the census is 100% accurate? That's only statistics!

[Almohada]

Okay fine, Darth give me your address, I'll order one to your place!

[Novotass]

Hi, my HVFF Pro arrived yesterday and I'm really excited about it! Thank you very much for this amazing product!

Pic of HVFF attached to my camera.
IMG123.jpg

[darthpaully]

You're so welcome Novotass! It looks great!! We'd love to see some footage!

Don't even hesitate to go over to the webstore and leave a testimonial. Thanks again for your support!!

[darthpaully]

Sold a double HVFF PRO order today for the first time (I think). Good way to save $10.00 by combining shipping. Congrats!

[Almohada]

Lookin' good!!!!!

[darthpaully]

I just sent out a bin full of various HVFF products today- Congrats, you guys and enjoy! I am LOVING my new shop at the new house, and production has picked up a bit. I am almost completely caught up so for some of you that have ordered recently- you may receive your orders a little sooner than expected!

Also, HVFF #100 is just about here- in fact I need to take a count to make sure we don't miss it. I want to have some sort of special offer up at the webstore soon as part of the celebration- A coupon code or free shipping or something, plus I want to do a contest, or offer one up as a prize for a hv20.com contest. I'm open to any suggestions that you may have so let them fly, or PM me.

Finally, the hot selling HVFF 3 kit has a new name- "The HVFF 3 Filmakers Kit" features a new standard 16" whip replacing the 12" version- This adds a little extra flexibility to the whip and takes extra pressure off of the camera. A 20" version will also be made available that adds even more possibilities. Also, the smaller stepup knob has been replaced by a an all-new smaller version of the HVFF 3 knob. Like the larger konb, it has the contoured grip and white disc marker. The HVFF3 Filmmakers kit is BY FAR the best deal and offers you an array of different options for manual focus... I will make these available in the webstore too, perhaps as an option when you order an HVFF 3.

As always, feel free to email me if you have any questions...

[EvilBastardProductions]

As promised, first video shot entirely with the HVFF PRO. (be warned, its a hardcore/metal band)

http://www.vimeo.com/evilbastardprod...tainkillerlive

[Aaron Shirley]

Very nice Darth. Looking good. The HVFF is a solid product that works great. Nice to see your success with it, congrats.

[darthpaully]

Great Job EVP!! Thanks so much for posting an HVFF user video- you've reminded me that I need to finish the HVFF demo video!!

I have shot a few live videos myself and have found the HVFF to be a very useful and artistic tool for this purpose. And, as proven by your video, the HVFF works great handheld- in fact I think it gives you a lot of extra stability when shooting handheld.

BTW- Did you use two cams or just clever B-roll? It has a nice multi-cam feel with different angles that make it SO much more Pro. If that's only one cam then I'd love to hear how you did it!!

[darthpaully]

Very nice Darth. Looking good. The HVFF is a solid product that works great. Nice to see your success with it, congrats.

Thanks so much Aaron, I never get tired of hearing nice things, nor do I tire of appreciating them. You know, seeing the HVFF used so many different ways just makes me giddy!! I don't get as much time to shoot anymore, especially since most of my "video hobby" time goes to building HVFF's, but, just knowing there are HVFF's all over doing all kinds of work makes me feel very productive.

I love to hear about what people use the HVFF for- there are so many different uses. Here's a short list of some of the HVFF's adventures!

-Deep sea fishing boats
-Hunting trips
-Air shows
-Family vacations
-Films sets
-Music video shoots
-Skateboarding
-Ski and Snowboarding
-Weddings
-Baby videos
-Sporting Events
-Misc. Event Videography

I think I have heard and seen it all by now, but it never gets old hearing about new ways you can use the HVFF... Did I miss anything?

[EvilBastardProductions]

Thanks Darth! Yes, definately a lot more stable handheld (especially since half the time I was holding the camera over my head while in the middle of the crowd lol). Just built a shoulder rig so should be even better on that level next time.

Single cam, shot & captured in HD and edited in DV so I could re-frame at will. I did 2 jobs like this previously (before the HVFF), and on both of these I was syncing to CD audio (so more of a film clip than a live vid in the end), so I just synced what I could and grabbed whatever other shots from the rest of the gig that synced well to fill in the gaps where either the timing was too different, or the focus took too long with that stupid little wheel.

With the one I posted here, I was using live audio, so no sync problems (plus its a different vocalist on the CD, which I dont think is fair to have see one guy and hear another), and with the HVFF there was only a couple of shots I had to replace, one because I got hit in the back by a bloody "hardcore dancer", one because I had to move around people and couldnt hold the stage for a few seconds, and only one because of a focus issue- basically band members moving before I get a chance to focus.

But yeah, I was going to just cut around different shots to make it more interesting like I did before, but I felt that's not a very true representation of them "live" so I just cheated and brought my HD footage into a DV comp and played around with the framing a bit. I found that If its reframed differently and carefully enough, for example hard left in one shot, and hard right in the next, maybe scale the next to 45% so its the whole frame again, etc, It can simulate the multi-cam feel pretty well, and apart from those 3 shots I mentioned before, the whole thing is basically just a re-framing of one continuous shot. Now I just have to do the same thing all over again with another band from the same night :/

[EvilBastardProductions]

-Deep sea fishing boats
-Hunting trips
-Air shows
-Family vacations
-Films sets
-Music video shoots
-Skateboarding
-Ski and Snowboarding
-Weddings
-Baby videos
-Sporting Events
-Misc. Event Videography

And has anyone used the HVFF for porn yet? Is'nt THAT meant to be how ya know you've made it lol

[darthpaully]

Another bin full of HVFF's are out! Congrats!! Enjoy the best accesory you can get for your HVXX!! We are now inching toward HVFF #100- coming down the final stretch!! AHHHH!! You guys have been kicking my butt!!

I'm almost all caught up again, so now is a good time to order, LOL!!! Every time I say that I get another 10 orders!!! Who's next?!?!

[Almohada]

And has anyone used the HVFF for porn yet? Is'nt THAT meant to be how ya know you've made it lol

Yes someone has!!! Hahaha just kidding.

Hey darth, did you get my last PM a couple days ago? It might have been a week already... hey btw I was up north over the weekend, about an hour away from you.

[darthpaully]

hey btw I was up north over the weekend, about an hour away from you.

Why didn't you tell me? I maybe could've met you somewhere..

Oh well, next time we go to Disneyland FOR SURE!!