Need an inexpensive follow focus? Really cheap? We mean $2.50-really cheap!

Posted on 01. Mar, 2011 by planetmitch

Friend of planet5D Travis Guerra just sent this in – from a friend of his Tony Carretti – a $2.50 idea for a follow focus – a unique solution found at Bed, Bath & Beyond. This is possibly a good DIY project – it takes all of going to a website to order (or driving to a store) – but it is an interesting idea! And there’s a bonus – you get different color choices as well! HA

Here’s the demo!

$2.50 Follow Focus Assist Solution!! Cheap Awesomeness!! from Tony Carretti on Vimeo.

The description from Tony

I’ve been trying to justify spending the money on a follow focus system, but considering that I would have to invest in the system itself, rails and what not, I’ve been trying to come up with a more affordable solution for the meantime…

Well, last night while in Bed, Bath & Beyond (shopping for a gift for my mom…) I happened across these little gems for …. (wait for it….) !! $2.50 !!

trudeaucorp.com/us/products/kitchen-tools-gadgets/p–0999025.html

They are:

Cheap
Light
Sturdy
Washable ( you never know….)
Variety of colors
and did I mention cheap?

This fits all my lenses from my 20mm pancake to my Tamron 17-50 VC which is pretty darned thick!

The movement is silky smooth and the consistency of the rubber creates a very nice ease in/ease out for the focus pull itself.

Just thought I’d share….

Tony

BTW, shot this on my Canon HFS100. Really comes in handy for quick stuff like this!

So, what do you think? Does that spark any ideas in your head? Sound off in the comments!

(cover photo credit: snap from the store (no affiliations here))

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About planetmitch

the owner of planet5d.com - the best dslr video website on the planet. we've got a dslr video forum, blog, news, cinema, and more!

14 Responses to “Need an inexpensive follow focus? Really cheap? We mean $2.50-really cheap!”

Chris Perry

01. Mar, 2011

Cool idea. However, after purchasing a few to try out the black compression slider piece doesn’t lock so you really can’t engage a firm grip around wider lenses (ie. Canon L 24-74, 16-35, 70-200 etc.). It sorta works, albeit not ideal. But I guess you should expect that for a cheap piece of rubber.

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- Lawrence Standifer Stevens
  
  11. Oct, 2011
  
  This is just what I need to shoot a down and dirty doc video in Haiti in a few months. Everything else is costing me an arm and a leg to gear up for minimal size and maximal usage equipment. But under 3 bucks for a rubber band follow focus?!? I am there! BB&B is my new camera accessory store.
  
  Reply to this comment
Jason Weaver

02. Mar, 2011

Damn. The price of twist jar openers just went up to $59…making pickles nearly unaffordable

All kidding aside, I could actually see that being useful.

Thanks!

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Peter

02. Mar, 2011

Much better than than a hard metal DIY follow, thanks for sharing!

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Heath

02. Mar, 2011

This is a great, cost-effective way to do it! I have been using filter wrenches for a follow focus and snap zoom. Just hold it on with a rubber band!
www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/251749-REG/General_Brand_Filter_Wrench_Set_of.html/BI/2975/KBID/3910

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Mark Brown

02. Mar, 2011

Great Post! Ingenuity at it’s best!

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Rafael

02. Mar, 2011

So i rushed out to BB&B today to purchase this and unfortunately it isn’t long enough to be used on the 34-105 L kit lens as well as the on the 50mm prime but it’s still usable. if anyone needs a cheap follow focus solution i would definitely recommend it!
i’ll try to make some time to make a response video/ Demo of how it works =)

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Dave

07. Mar, 2011

What a ripoff! Dover, NJ Bed Bath & Beyond has increased the price 20% to $2.99 after reading your post.

Thanks for the tip. I invested in a backup follow focus, just in case

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Giulio Sciorio

07. Mar, 2011

Works great on my Canon 28 1.8, 50 1.4, 85 1.8. Great post!

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Ellsworth

09. Mar, 2011

Clever. Good tip. Thanks

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