Canon 50mm 1.8 + Follow Focus at DVinfo.net

Evan Agee · April 29th, 2010, 08:18 AM

Hey all, I'm wondering if the Canon 50mm 1.8 will work with a follow focus setup with the focus ring being on the very front of the lens? Does anyone have any experience as to whether or not this will work?

Stephen Henderson · April 29th, 2010, 09:34 AM

Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, I was thinking about ordering the indiFOCUSmini, I'm guessing it will, it's a pretty standard lens.

Brennan Barsell · April 30th, 2010, 10:47 AM

I have the indifocusmini and the 50 1.8. It won't work--the focus ring isn't wide enough to attach the gears

Skye Giebink · April 30th, 2010, 11:59 AM

I've seen people using a rubber band around the focus ring to help mount the gears.

James Donnelly · April 30th, 2010, 02:58 PM

I have held back commenting, as I don't own the follow focus unit in question. However, I am sitting next to my EF 50mm f/1.8, and I have to say, I wouldn't even attempt it.

Your big problem is not only the width of the focus ring's surface (I'd say about 6mm), but the fact that it is not perpendicular to the plane of the lens, instead it tapers/slopes in. towards the lens face.

I have seen videos of the indy's snap gears and general operation, and I would be very doubtful that you could reliably fix the two systems together.

Evan Agee · April 30th, 2010, 03:01 PM

I'm planning to get the Redrock Micro DSLR Cinema Bundle. I guess I'll just have to flip open the mattebox any time I want to set the focus, it's hinged so it shouldn't be a major issue.

G. Lee Gordon · May 2nd, 2010, 12:24 PM

I was facing the same predicament. My solution was that I returned my "nifty fifty" and shelled out the money for a 1.4. The 1.4 is an awesome lens (IMHO). You won't regret the upgrade.

Andrew Allsbury · May 5th, 2010, 04:14 PM

Easy fix guys, just use a friction wheel. I use the nifty 50 all the time with no problem at all on the indifocusmini.

April 29th, 2010, 08:18 AM	#1
Evan Agee Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 93	Canon 50mm 1.8 + Follow Focus Hey all, I'm wondering if the Canon 50mm 1.8 will work with a follow focus setup with the focus ring being on the very front of the lens? Does anyone have any experience as to whether or not this will work?

April 30th, 2010, 02:58 PM	#5
James Donnelly Major Player Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chelmsford England Posts: 287	I have held back commenting, as I don't own the follow focus unit in question. However, I am sitting next to my EF 50mm f/1.8, and I have to say, I wouldn't even attempt it. Your big problem is not only the width of the focus ring's surface (I'd say about 6mm), but the fact that it is not perpendicular to the plane of the lens, instead it tapers/slopes in. towards the lens face. I have seen videos of the indy's snap gears and general operation, and I would be very doubtful that you could reliably fix the two systems together. Last edited by James Donnelly; April 30th, 2010 at 02:59 PM. Reason: Correction

May 2nd, 2010, 12:24 PM	#7
G. Lee Gordon Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 431	I was facing the same predicament. My solution was that I returned my "nifty fifty" and shelled out the money for a 1.4. The 1.4 is an awesome lens (IMHO). You won't regret the upgrade. __________________ "Get Er Done!!!"

April 29th, 2010, 09:34 AM	#2
Stephen Henderson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Austin,TX Posts: 45	Yeah, I was wondering the same thing, I was thinking about ordering the indiFOCUSmini, I'm guessing it will, it's a pretty standard lens.

April 30th, 2010, 10:47 AM	#3
Brennan Barsell New Boot Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Playa Del Rey, CA Posts: 11	I have the indifocusmini and the 50 1.8. It won't work--the focus ring isn't wide enough to attach the gears

April 30th, 2010, 11:59 AM	#4
Skye Giebink Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: South Dakota Posts: 54	I've seen people using a rubber band around the focus ring to help mount the gears.

April 30th, 2010, 03:01 PM	#6
Evan Agee Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 93	I'm planning to get the Redrock Micro DSLR Cinema Bundle. I guess I'll just have to flip open the mattebox any time I want to set the focus, it's hinged so it shouldn't be a major issue.

May 5th, 2010, 04:14 PM	#8
Andrew Allsbury Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 99	Easy fix guys, just use a friction wheel. I use the nifty 50 all the time with no problem at all on the indifocusmini.