Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

I took advice from a guy who recommended to use it in tandem w/ Redrock Micro gears and have no regrets I followed. The price of FF is unbeatable, the quality and overall design is pretty solid. Only one suggestion: on Canon 5D Mark II w/ Zeiss ZE lenses follow focus unit barely fits under the lens barrel. If it wasn't for Redrock Micro traction ring's enormous width it'd fail to connect properly. It's peculiarity of Zeiss lens design and Cavision base plate riser that kind of both don't let FF to be moved as close to Canon body as possible. Keep it in mind if you plan to use it w/ Zeiss glass and Cavision rig.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

I use this FF with my T2i, Nikon primes, Redrock lens gears, and Zacuto SLR base plate and it works great.

Using the shorter Nikon primes, its an issue getting the FF close enough to the camera in order to use it. With this FF you can switch which side the gear is on, enabling you to get the FF very close and use shorter lenses. The build quality of this product is very good. Its aluminum construction keeps it light weight for smaller rigs but is heavy duty enough to handle the rigors of everyday shooting. Lastly, the price was perfect for me as an independent film maker. This is the most inexpensive professional FF I've found and I couldn't be happier with it.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

Got this about 9 months ago, it is build really solidly for the price. Other units online costing the same have lots of plastic or dinky parts that will not withstand serious use on set.

This is all solid metal and feels solid in your hand. For abuse it will handle it.

My 1 gripe: The adjustment slide for moving closer or further away from the lens gears seems to need some lub, the metal on metal slide likes to get stuck when trying to move it away to do a lens change. But a little lub should fix that problem, just put 1 drop dont use a spray.

There is some play in the FF but not enough to make you miss anything. You gotta remember the price of this unit is amazing for what you get so cant really complain.

Also remember this is not a full size, its rotating grip is smaller making it less intrusive on smaller camera setups. The marking disk is removable and flippable which is nice.

The next step up would be a full size RedRock-Micro at around $600 after tax/shipping.

Good little gear for the price, and nice starter piece for a first time FF buyer.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

i almost gave this 4 stars because i ordered this while i am on the road and have not actually held it yet. my wife set it up via skype and it looks like exactly what i wanted. small, solid and effective. i use it with my redrock focus rings. i am selling my redrock follow focus and buying another one of these. because of it's compact design, i can use two, one for focus and one for zoom.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

Works great on a dslr but not on my Sony f3 only because you can't adjust the up and down movement. For the money its hard to beat.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

Great follow focus for under $350. It has a solid metal frame and adjusts quickly. No problems with backlash, I have it paired with a d-focus universal gear ring for my lenses. Looks and performs pro. Its compact enough that two will fit on a rail system so you could use one for zooming. I wish the actual gear on it was a little higher quality (it's plastic) but overall I'm happy with my purchase.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

This follow focus is perfect for the low budget film makers such as myself. I needed a follow focus for film making but didnt want to drop the crazy amounts of money so I went with this and it hasnt let me down. I love this follow focus and its very easy to put together especially on my rails. Its horizontal slid is sweet but I wish it could go a little farther outside so more space between lense gear and actually follow focus gear itself. Other than that its a great product and I would recommend it to anyone.

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

This is the cheapest "serious" (ie small metal enclosed gearbox) follow focus currently available. The gear is reversable (to the other side of the shaft), and the unit slides in/out (not up/down) to allow contact with our gearing. This version has the standard 0.8 tooth gearing needed for HDSLR rigs.

There is a very small amount of slop/backlash (seemingly between the plastic gear and the metal shaft, not from the gearbox itself, but hard to tell for sure) but it's a nice smooth unit, that is metal and more compact than many more expensive models.

Mine had a small amount of fine rust between the screw and shaft that hold the gear wheel on, which is a pity, but won't effect performance.

Worth spending more to get this, than the home baked entry level FF's out there. Of course there are nicer units, but with remote & USB FF on the horizon, how much do you want to spend now?

Comments about Cavision RFD15BM Basic Mini Single Wheel Follow Focus for Film Cine Lens:

The RFD158BM was purchased for use on a Canon 5DMII. I use the following lenses with the camera for video production: Zeiss ZE 50mm, Canon L 70-200 f4, and my old Nikkors including a 24mm, 35mm, and 105mm with EOS adapter rings.

The first time I put the 5DII on a dolly and had to do a follow focus move, I knew i needed a follow focus system. I wanted to keep the rig as light and compact as possible, so I got the Cavision follow focus. I already had a Cavision DSLR rails system, and this device fits right into that compactness.

I wanted to stick with the cine gearing, and for some reason Cavision only makes their cine pitch ring gears in one size. So I bought the Redrock Micro ring gears for all my lenses. The Cavision meshes perfectly with no backlash at all.

The unit is compact and heavier than it looks. It's very well built and operates smoothly. Left and right adjustment is solid and easy. Fore and aft is also good but a little more difficult to access the thumbwheel unless you have small fingers. I have enough fore and aft adjustment in the quick release plate to slide the camera as much as needed for most of my lenses, so I don't have to use that thumbwheel much. The only time I need to move the Cavision forward is for the 70-200 lens, which is much longer than my primes.

Cavision has made follow focus and rail systems for heavy broadcast cameras for years. They've managed to keep the same high quality in a compact, inexpensive system for DSLR shooting.

The drive gear is interchangeable, but the one that comes standard is perfect for still camera lenses. Although my manual Zeiss and the Nikkors have a good focus throw compared to all the Canon L lenses, it's still not great for video. The Cavision drive gear combined with the large Redrock Micro ring gears extend that throw very nicely. On my Nikkor 35mm, I get a full TWO revolutions of the focus wheel from closeup to infinity.

There are more expensive systems out there, and of course they are going to be better. But this one feels great, does the job smoothly and looks like it will last a long time. That's why I give it a 5 star rating. The low price tag is a bonus, and so is the fact that it can stay mounted to my rails system when I put it in the case. I don't think there's a better deal for the money.