Ikan F3 or IndiFOCUSzoom friction focus systems and the HF S Vixias... at DVinfo.net

Iker Riera · December 28th, 2010, 01:59 PM

does anyone here have or has had any experience with these two types of follow focus systems?

I see people here always trying to improve the manual focusing of the Vixia camcorders and these seem to maybe be able to work with them mounted on a rod support system.

indiSYSTEM - indiFOCUSzoom

ikan F3 - Friction Follow Focus

i'm currently looking for a solution to improve the manual focusing on my HF S21 so i'm researching at all the options available.

Any feedback is welcome

Gerry Gallegos · December 28th, 2010, 04:22 PM

Looked up your camera, it appears there isnt a focus ring on this camera, is that correct? if so then neither of these will do you any good, as there i no way to interface the gear drive to your camera.

Iker Riera · December 28th, 2010, 05:19 PM

actually the HF S series has a focus knob right next to the lens and it works just like a focus ring, only smaller. You can see it in this pic:

This systems are friction based, not gear based like most follow focus units.

Gerry Gallegos · December 28th, 2010, 06:23 PM

if youre talking about the tiny little rotary encoder by the button near the bottom of the LCD screen? you might be a little optimistic on FF working to turn that, at least not with any repeatability.

these FF are designed to turn a much larger radius lens focus.

not to mention either will keep you from even opening the LCD.

December 28th, 2010, 01:59 PM	#1
Iker Riera Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 164	Ikan F3 or IndiFOCUSzoom friction focus systems and the HF S Vixias... does anyone here have or has had any experience with these two types of follow focus systems? I see people here always trying to improve the manual focusing of the Vixia camcorders and these seem to maybe be able to work with them mounted on a rod support system. indiSYSTEM - indiFOCUSzoom ikan F3 - Friction Follow Focus i'm currently looking for a solution to improve the manual focusing on my HF S21 so i'm researching at all the options available. Any feedback is welcome

December 28th, 2010, 04:22 PM	#2
Gerry Gallegos Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 262	Looked up your camera, it appears there isnt a focus ring on this camera, is that correct? if so then neither of these will do you any good, as there i no way to interface the gear drive to your camera.

December 28th, 2010, 05:19 PM	#3
Iker Riera Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Caracas, Venezuela Posts: 164	actually the HF S series has a focus knob right next to the lens and it works just like a focus ring, only smaller. You can see it in this pic: This systems are friction based, not gear based like most follow focus units.

December 28th, 2010, 06:23 PM	#4
Gerry Gallegos Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 262	if youre talking about the tiny little rotary encoder by the button near the bottom of the LCD screen? you might be a little optimistic on FF working to turn that, at least not with any repeatability. these FF are designed to turn a much larger radius lens focus. not to mention either will keep you from even opening the LCD.