3 Reasons Why You Need a SmallRig Follow Focus for Your Next Shoot

If there's one thing many directors dread when shooting a scene, it's the task of maintaining focus on a moving subject. Of course, it's always a challenge to keep a moving subject in focus while trying to balance other critical aspects like composition and lighting.

This manual focus problem is quite common among creatives, but it can be avoided. One way to mitigate these issues is through follow focus. Follow focus will allow you to film moving subjects while keeping your camera rig stable, meaning your subject always remains in focus.

A follow focus device allows you to control focus when shooting video. Unlike most cameras, which are fixed focus and require manual focus adjustment with the lens, a follow focus device allows for smooth and precise focusing when shooting.

Adding follow focus to your video rig allows you to adjust your camera's focus from a more convenient position, other than directly from the lens itself. This helps you easily pinpoint focus to create sharper shots while filming.

The principle behind follow focus is simple. It works by attaching it to a motorized ring on your camera's lens mount (or sometimes directly to your lens). You then use this ring like a joystick to manually move the lens left or right while filming—this allows you to change the focal length of your shot without touching the camera lens, which is incredibly useful in situations where there isn't much room to move around an actor (or object), such as inside an office or small apartment, or when using large telephoto lenses that require more space than usual for focus adjustments (such as with long zoom lenses).

There are two main types of follow focus systems: geared and gearless. Geared follow focuses were the standard for many years, but recently gearless systems have become more popular due to their ease of use, reduced maintenance, and lower cost.

Geared follow focuses use two gears, also called rack and pinion, meshed together and allow you to control your rig's focus with a large side knob. The gearless feature is always at your fingertips as it requires no gear adjustment. Users can simply activate the motorized ring, press record, and start filming. The crucial parts of a follow focus that allow you to adjust your focus manually seamlessly are:

– Rod collar: This is essentially the basis of the follow focus and will often be 15mm or 19mm.
– Arm: The arm is attached to the rod collar, and it is the key to the flexibility of your follow focus.
– Gear: The gear serves as the connecting point between the arm and the lens knob for follow focus. The gear allows the knob to find the perfect focus plane by moving it from its minimum to maximum distance.
– Focus Knob: The focus knob helps move the lens gear ring. Users can change focus in smooth movements and transitions with the focus knob.

When shooting video, you've likely encountered focusing issues at times. Watching your footage and seeing the focus shift from one subject to another can be frustrating. The SmallRig Follow Focus 3010C solves this problem by making manual focusing easier in the following ways:

1. Suitable for handheld and tripod shooting scenes
Whether you're shooting handheld or on a tripod, follow focus helps stabilize your manual focus. SmallRig follow focus follows the movement of your lens, making it easier to maintain sharp focus throughout your shot. Setting up SmallRig follow focus makes it easy to track what's in focus while keeping an eye on your framing and composition.

2. Offering maneuverability
Whether you're right-handed or left-handed, the SmallRig follow focus allows you to mount the follow focus on either the right or left side of your lens, allowing you to capture the best shots without limiting your use of other accessories.

3. Improved versatility
Do you have different lenses for different shooting scenarios? The SmallRig follow focus has you covered with its multiple interchangeable gears (standard 0.8 MOD), compatible with different lens sizes.

The SmallRig 3010C Mini Follow Focus is a lightweight, portable, and easy-to-use follow focus system designed for filmmakers who need to create stunning footage with ease. The product is made of high-strength aluminum alloy, and the gears are made of stainless steel. And the best part is, the mini follow focus sits comfortably under the 100$, with the following robust features:

– The mini follow focus has adjustable AB
– Markings to easily switch between AB focal length and total focal length
– Multiple interchangeable gears (standard 0.8 MOD), compatible with various lens sizes
– Tie-style gear ring for added versatility
– Easy assembly and mounting with its rod collar (with NATO rail)

At SmallRig, you can be assured of accessories of the highest build quality. SmallRig is the perfect choice for all your camera filming equipment. We offer a wide range of products designed to help you get the most out of your camera gear, whether you're shooting on a budget or with high-end equipment. SmallRig products are made with high-quality materials, so you can rest assured that your camera will be protected from bumps or scratches and will remain in working order for years to come.

For more information, visit our website and start your SmallRig adventure.