Follow Focus for Reversing Nikons at DVinfo.net

Dan McCain · August 13th, 2007, 10:07 PM

I have a chrosziel DV rig follow focus system, that I use with my mini35. Does anyone know how to modify this rig to reverse it so that I can focus nikons the same direction as cine lenses. Switching back and forth is driving me crazy.

Ben Winter · August 15th, 2007, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan McCain

I have a chrosziel DV rig follow focus system, that I use with my mini35. Does anyone know how to modify this rig to reverse it so that I can focus nikons the same direction as cine lenses. Switching back and forth is driving me crazy.

That would be quite a modification. You'd have to add an extra gear in the system. I'm not sure that's really feasible without destroying the rig.

Claude Mangold · November 28th, 2007, 07:56 AM

Dan, we've got the same problem with a VOCAS followfocus. beautifully made but poorly designed.
we've asked them for a remedy but they are not at all forthcoming !
we'll just have to get rid of it and get an arri or some other really adaptable item
just a thought: one should never buy a followfocus without trying it out beforehand on our equipment.

Bob Hart · November 28th, 2007, 04:32 PM

From looking at the Chroszeil, the relay drive gear might be available as a part as it seems able to be detached. It might be possible to make a modified pillar stud to replace the existing one which mounts this gear, swing another relay arm off this and run the spare gear as a reversing intergear on this.

Just a thought and a wild one at that.

Bob Hart · December 5th, 2007, 07:19 AM

On reflelction and after bit more thinking the question arises.

Are there made, cog belts of the same pitch as follow focus gears. At a pinch, if cog belts of the correct pitch could be found, wrapped around the Nikon lens and around the follow focus gear, with a clearance maintained between the two gears and the belt drawn tight by the follow focus gear swingarm, a reversal could be achieved without any metal cutting or other vandalism. It might just require two added special washers to go either side of the follow focus gear on the swingarm.

Ben Winter · December 13th, 2007, 01:44 AM

Belt-driven FF's are easily reversible. Simply replace the belt in a figure eight position on the two cogs.

August 13th, 2007, 10:07 PM	#1
Dan McCain Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 65	Follow Focus for Reversing Nikons I have a chrosziel DV rig follow focus system, that I use with my mini35. Does anyone know how to modify this rig to reverse it so that I can focus nikons the same direction as cine lenses. Switching back and forth is driving me crazy. __________________ Dan McCain Owner/Operator Mini35 Package Atlanta, GA www.danmccainproductions.com

December 13th, 2007, 01:44 AM	#6
Ben Winter Trustee Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 1,675 Images: 1	Belt-driven FF's are easily reversible. Simply replace the belt in a figure eight position on the two cogs. __________________ BenWinter.com

November 28th, 2007, 07:56 AM	#3
Claude Mangold Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Berlin and Geneva Posts: 259	Dan, we've got the same problem with a VOCAS followfocus. beautifully made but poorly designed. we've asked them for a remedy but they are not at all forthcoming ! we'll just have to get rid of it and get an arri or some other really adaptable item just a thought: one should never buy a followfocus without trying it out beforehand on our equipment.

November 28th, 2007, 04:32 PM	#4
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	From looking at the Chroszeil, the relay drive gear might be available as a part as it seems able to be detached. It might be possible to make a modified pillar stud to replace the existing one which mounts this gear, swing another relay arm off this and run the spare gear as a reversing intergear on this. Just a thought and a wild one at that.

December 5th, 2007, 07:19 AM	#5
Bob Hart Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: PERTH. W.A. AUSTRALIA. Posts: 4,477	On reflelction and after bit more thinking the question arises. Are there made, cog belts of the same pitch as follow focus gears. At a pinch, if cog belts of the correct pitch could be found, wrapped around the Nikon lens and around the follow focus gear, with a clearance maintained between the two gears and the belt drawn tight by the follow focus gear swingarm, a reversal could be achieved without any metal cutting or other vandalism. It might just require two added special washers to go either side of the follow focus gear on the swingarm.