USB Follow Focus at DVinfo.net

John Richard · April 21st, 2011, 08:07 AM

Just started testing out the OKii USB Follow Focus unit.
It seems to work nicely.

It attaches to the Canon EOS (in my case, a 7D) via USB and allows you to adjust focus of auto focus lenses via the camera's USB protocol.

The Okii also allows many other funtions remotely from the controller such as changing the magnification used for focusing; recording stop and start. Check it out. So far I am amazed and what it can do.

Brian Parker · April 21st, 2011, 08:35 PM

That does look impressive.

Do you have more than one lens? How good is it when you change lenses? Do you need to set the "send rate" to match each lens or do most lenses work well with the same setting?

John Richard · April 23rd, 2011, 08:14 AM

I changed the lens to a Canon 35mm 1.4 prime and it also worked for pulling focus as well as all the other functions that the controller handles on the 7D.

I will try a Tokina 11-16mm today and report.

I did some more studying in the manual about how to change the send rate for the USB commands to the camera. The okii came set at sending 10 commands per second and when I started fooling around with changes, the lenses would sometimes freeze up with the wrong send rate. So I am going to spend some more time on changing the send rates. What I imagine I will find is that there will be a sweet spot for each lense for a certain send rate. But for the first 2 lenses I've tested, the 10 commands per second seemed to work.

The coolest feature I have found so far is the ability to preset up to 4 specific focus points. You can then go and hit those focus "marks" by merely by pushing that preset focus point's button. I can do this far easier than marking a manual focus controller and trying to hit marks. And your hands are off the camera and out of the way.

You can of course manually pull focus as well.

There are some wonky moments, but I think that may be from my not being fully familiar with all the functions and how to properly use/set them yet.

Brent Lucas · April 25th, 2011, 07:53 PM

Found there was a difference between the send rate needed by my 50mm and my 17-55. Still playing and will post my results shortly

Brian Parker · April 25th, 2011, 08:00 PM

How about camera noise? Does the camera pick up the sound of the focussing motor?

Where is the most comfortable place to mount it. Do you have it somewhere near the lens? On rails? Would it be usable from the hotshoe?

April 21st, 2011, 08:07 AM	#1
John Richard Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Incline Village, Nevada Posts: 604	USB Follow Focus Just started testing out the OKii USB Follow Focus unit. It seems to work nicely. It attaches to the Canon EOS (in my case, a 7D) via USB and allows you to adjust focus of auto focus lenses via the camera's USB protocol. The Okii also allows many other funtions remotely from the controller such as changing the magnification used for focusing; recording stop and start. Check it out. So far I am amazed and what it can do.

April 21st, 2011, 08:35 PM	#2
Brian Parker Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tokyo Posts: 230	Re: USB Follow Focus That does look impressive. Do you have more than one lens? How good is it when you change lenses? Do you need to set the "send rate" to match each lens or do most lenses work well with the same setting?

April 23rd, 2011, 08:14 AM	#3
John Richard Major Player Join Date: May 2006 Location: Incline Village, Nevada Posts: 604	Re: USB Follow Focus I changed the lens to a Canon 35mm 1.4 prime and it also worked for pulling focus as well as all the other functions that the controller handles on the 7D. I will try a Tokina 11-16mm today and report. I did some more studying in the manual about how to change the send rate for the USB commands to the camera. The okii came set at sending 10 commands per second and when I started fooling around with changes, the lenses would sometimes freeze up with the wrong send rate. So I am going to spend some more time on changing the send rates. What I imagine I will find is that there will be a sweet spot for each lense for a certain send rate. But for the first 2 lenses I've tested, the 10 commands per second seemed to work. The coolest feature I have found so far is the ability to preset up to 4 specific focus points. You can then go and hit those focus "marks" by merely by pushing that preset focus point's button. I can do this far easier than marking a manual focus controller and trying to hit marks. And your hands are off the camera and out of the way. You can of course manually pull focus as well. There are some wonky moments, but I think that may be from my not being fully familiar with all the functions and how to properly use/set them yet.

April 25th, 2011, 07:53 PM	#4
Brent Lucas New Boot Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 5	Re: USB Follow Focus Found there was a difference between the send rate needed by my 50mm and my 17-55. Still playing and will post my results shortly

April 25th, 2011, 08:00 PM	#5
Brian Parker Major Player Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Tokyo Posts: 230	Re: USB Follow Focus How about camera noise? Does the camera pick up the sound of the focussing motor? Where is the most comfortable place to mount it. Do you have it somewhere near the lens? On rails? Would it be usable from the hotshoe?