Episode 40: Using a Follow Focus with Magic Arms

January 31, 2012

in Custom Rigs,Gear,Podcast Episodes,Tutorials

So check it out, remember the top handle rig I talked about? Well using the same parts you can mount any follow focus with a 1/4 inch mounting point to your Magic Arm! Check out the video to see how I did this with my D|Focus.

Quicktime File.

Parts List

Affordable Manfrotto Style Base Plate

Not as many mounting options as the cinevate baseplate, but it is a fraction of the price. Get a couple if you can so you can use the same baseplate on multiple rigs, tripods etc.

Friction Adjustable Arm

These are great. There are so many uses for these arms so if you every switch up your rigging you will always have a use for one of these.

Related content:

  1. Episode 39: Building a Flexible Top Handle Rig
  2. Reader’s Top Handle Rig Configurations
  3. Episode 20: How to Make a DSLR Anti-Twist Plate
  4. Episode 42: Accessories From 4 DSLR
  5. Episode 43: Nikkor Lens Guide – Adapting Nikon to Canon and Other Camera Mounts

Tagged as: D|Focus, Follow Focus, Rig

  • http://www.learningdslrvideo.com Dugdale

    Wow another great idea Caleb! I am going to have to try this.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Thanks Dave!

  • Jay Windland

    Nice. These friction arms just keep finding new uses. Question though – how useful is a follow focus when you are shooting without an assistant to pull focus? My understanding is that the real use for these is measured, repeatable focus pulls for controlled shooting -like where actors are hitting pre-determined marks in a blocked scene. Even then, you can use gaf tape on the lens with focus points marked and have an assistant pull focus off the lens. So what do people use these for when they shoot run and gun? I’ve never understood this and figured I’m missing something because everyone is running around with these things (and matte boxes for that matter) and don’t seem to be using them in the intended way. Please fill me in.

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike

    Your right. They are really designed for an AC to use along side the operator.

    I can’t speak for everyone but there is something so brainlessly easy about using a FF on sticks (w/HD monitor and full HD feed from the cam). Just like the little FF units on fixed broadcast cams. But when I am on a monopod or handheld the FF just gets in the way to me.

  • Todd Clouser

    Caleb, great idea. I’m relatively new to the dslr video scene and don’t have a huge budget. This is the kind of stuff people like me need!

    I shoot video for work projects in some very difficult situations (mostly very high light, like close ups of live arc welding). I just picked up a variable nd filter. Do you have any other suggestions? You can see what I shoot here: http://youtu.be/IBg84md1Ut0?hd=1 the actual welding starts about 1/2 way through.

    Keep up the good work!

  • K90211lee

    Very clever! I like it, small and compact, less intimidated.  Where can I get the follow focus? Seem expensive.  

  • http://dslrvideoshooter.com calebpike
  • Tim

    Hey Caleb, do you know how much the diameter of the friction arm is? It looks pretty close to 15mm in the video. This could be another mounting idea to use the arm itself and the 1/4 inch screw. Thank you, Tim

  • fica

    what version is your D focus?