The Zacuto Z-Drive is a follow focus unit designed for single-operator shoulder mounted rigs. It attaches to a single 15mm rod and features a curved design that creates space and distance from the lens. This extra space provides for more comfortable use when the camera rig is on your shoulder.
The Z-Drive is adjustable for use with a variety of lens sizes, and can be operated on either side of your rig, facing either towards the lens, or backward toward the operator for use with a standard focus whip when on a tripod or dolly. It slides onto a single 15mm rod and tightens into place with a quick-release ratcheting lever. It can also be adjusted towards and away from your lens via a red thumb screw, for use with a variety of lens diameters.
The Z-Drive has a fixed 0.8 pitch gear for connecting to your lens. For lenses that don't have 0.8 pitch gears, like most DSLR lenses, Zacuto ZipGears are available, sold separately. Also available is the Zacuto Tornado, which attaches to the Z-Drive's whip port and provides a mechanical follow focus handgrip.
Please note: The Z-Drive is not compatible with matte boxes.
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Key Features
- Follow Focus for Shoulder-Mounted Rigs
- 60° Curved Design
- Single 15mm Rod Port
- 0.8 Pitch, 1.75" Diameter Gear
The Zacuto Z-Drive is a follow focus unit designed for single-operator shoulder mounted rigs. It attaches to a single 15mm rod and features a curved design that creates space and distance from the lens. This extra space provides for more comfortable use when the camera rig is on your shoulder.
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Zacuto Z-Drive Overview
60° curved design
Slender marking disc for repeatable focus pulls
Standard accessory port for Zacuto, Chrosziel, and Arri whips / cranks
Universal joint and no internal gears, so it won't develop any play
Zacuto Z-Drive Specs
| Included Drive Gear | |
| Rod Standard | |
| Number of Sides | |
| Built-In Hardstops | |
| Witness/Index Mark | |
| Marking Disk | |
| Switchable Handwheel Speed | |
| Handwheel Accessory Port | |
| Dimensions | |
| Weight |
Packaging Info
| Package Weight | |
| Box Dimensions (LxWxH) |
Zacuto Z-Drive Reviews
strong and discreet
By victor audi
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2018-05-17
50/5000 very well armed feels strong and very maneuverable
Smooth
By Vanderpoel
Rated 5 out of 5
Date: 2016-07-13
Works smooth with the 28 to 135mm Zoom Lens on the FS7, useless on Sony Vario-Tessar T* Fe 16-35mm F/4 Za Oss and the Sony Fe 70-300mm F/4.5-5.6 G Oss Lens.
See any errors on this page?
How can I get my matte box to mount with this? ...
How can I get my matte box to mount with this? I'm struggling to make it fit on Canon Cine Primes.
To use a Zacuto Z-Drive (B&H# ZAZDRV) with a Canon Cine Prime lens you may need to add a (higher) riser plate/base plate to your camera so that you can achieve the desired distance between the gear on the lens' focus ring and the gear on the Z-Drive. That is because this particular product is more typically used with smaller lenses.
Date published: 2022-04-03
question
How useful is this design for handheld work (not on shoulder)? I don't find any images of it angled back toward camera operator on left side of camera (just forward for shoulder rig). If holding at chest or waist level, would it be comfortable to focus?(And I assume one can hold the handle of the ff to support the camera? No slip being just on one rail?)(FYI: Would ideally be used on FS5 with no rig.)
I have an fs7, and the configuration you are talking about works nicely, especially if you have the zacuto universal baseplate as the connection point for your 15mm rods, which is what i have.
Date published: 2018-08-25
question
We wish to use the Zacuto Z-drive with the Canon C100 Mark II mounted to the DJI Ronin Gimbal & attached to the EASYRIG CINEMA 3 with the Flowcine Puppeteer. Do you know if it will be compatible?
Using a manual follow focus with a gimbal defeats the purpose of the gimbal. every time you touch the focus handle you will move the camera. What you need for that kind of setup is a wireless follow focus. The other option is to remove the Ronin and mount the C100, with the Z-drive, directly to the Easyrig.
Date published: 2020-03-20