Would a LANC controller fight a Follow Focus? at DVinfo.net

Graham Bernard · July 31st, 2011, 11:51 PM

Wanting to take my game-plan/play up several notches (still waiting for my xf300), I'm scoping for a follow focus.

What I've had at the back of my mind is that would a LANC controller "crash" the gearing of a ff with the mechanically attached ring gear and the 90deg offset block and tackle. Yes I realise I'd be using these 2 contraptions under different situs and therefore I'm possibly asking a hypothetical question, however I still want to know. Does the xf300 need "ff-free" movement IF the LANC (the same as Robin, I have the Frotti "i", love it) is deployed? If I were to operate the LANC would I smash the internal gearing?

TIA

Grazie

Graham Bernard · August 3rd, 2011, 10:15 PM

No takers?

Maybe it's too obvious? I still wish to know.

Cheers

Grazie

Robin Davies-Rollinson · August 7th, 2011, 08:46 AM

The LANC control has no physical effect on the lens barrel itself, ie, you won't see the barrel turning as you focus via LANC.
One thing I've noticed is that in order for the remote to work properly, you must have the camera switched to both Manual in focus and zoom BEFORE you plug in the remote, otherwise it won't work...

Chris Soucy · August 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM

The focus and zoom on the CF are (I think I can safely say it) servo controled, ie turning the focus/ zoom rings sends an electronic signal to the appropriate servo to do it's thing.

Lanc does the same thing using a slightly more involved data path.

Winding the focus ring one way whilst pressing the Lanc controller focus button the other way, the camera servo system will ignore one of the controls untill the first control has stopped sending messages.

There's no gears to trash.

The only issue you may have is remembering exactly which control turned/ pressed in what direction actually moves the lens which way.

CS

July 31st, 2011, 11:51 PM	#1
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Would a LANC controller fight a Follow Focus? Wanting to take my game-plan/play up several notches (still waiting for my xf300), I'm scoping for a follow focus. What I've had at the back of my mind is that would a LANC controller "crash" the gearing of a ff with the mechanically attached ring gear and the 90deg offset block and tackle. Yes I realise I'd be using these 2 contraptions under different situs and therefore I'm possibly asking a hypothetical question, however I still want to know. Does the xf300 need "ff-free" movement IF the LANC (the same as Robin, I have the Frotti "i", love it) is deployed? If I were to operate the LANC would I smash the internal gearing? TIA Grazie

August 3rd, 2011, 10:15 PM	#2
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Re: Would a LANC controller fight a Follow Focus? No takers? Maybe it's too obvious? I still wish to know. Cheers Grazie

August 7th, 2011, 08:46 AM	#3
Robin Davies-Rollinson Trustee Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Gwaelod-y-garth, Cardiff, CYMRU/WALES Posts: 1,215	Re: Would a LANC controller fight a Follow Focus? The LANC control has no physical effect on the lens barrel itself, ie, you won't see the barrel turning as you focus via LANC. One thing I've noticed is that in order for the remote to work properly, you must have the camera switched to both Manual in focus and zoom BEFORE you plug in the remote, otherwise it won't work... __________________ TV Director / Cameraman

August 7th, 2011, 04:01 PM	#4
Chris Soucy Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fairfield, Dunedin, New Zealand Posts: 3,693 Images: 18	Re: Would a LANC controller fight a Follow Focus? The focus and zoom on the CF are (I think I can safely say it) servo controled, ie turning the focus/ zoom rings sends an electronic signal to the appropriate servo to do it's thing. Lanc does the same thing using a slightly more involved data path. Winding the focus ring one way whilst pressing the Lanc controller focus button the other way, the camera servo system will ignore one of the controls untill the first control has stopped sending messages. There's no gears to trash. The only issue you may have is remembering exactly which control turned/ pressed in what direction actually moves the lens which way. CS