Many filmmakers have greatly been expressing their concern for buying the best follow focus system for their DSLR camera.
Why should you choose a follow focus system?
There’s no doubt about the fact that a follow focus system plays a vital role because auto focus capabilities cannot be found in DSLR cameras. Even if a DSLR camera had these capabilities pertaining to auto focus, they would not do any good to a videographer because auto focus is seldom used in the world where professional film-making is involved.
What is a follow focus?
A follow focus is a focus control device that’s stringently used in film-making using film cameras and in the production of television with professional video cameras. This mechanism is designed to reduce discomfort, but it may not be necessary all the time. It’s a set of parts that work together so it can allow one to focus more accurately and conveniently for video work. It’s main function is to allow focus so it can pursue the action.
If we were to talk about the “follow focus” system in other sense, it would not contribute to the basic performance of a camera. Instead, it will help the operator become more focused and competent.
The technique of pursuing the action using the best follow focus is called “racking focus.” It is also known as pulling focus, and the person who’s skilled at pulling focus is called the focus puller. Know that this person plays an important role in the camera department, and is generally the First Assistant Cameraman.
The fact remains true that the functional design as well as mathematics of focus are complicated and delicate. When a person uses his hands for making adjustments on the camera body while filming, they should know that this habit can be detrimental to follow.
No doubt it will lead to the cutback of the perceived production value of your video. This is due to the fact that the camera is extremely lightweight that they are not able to soak the shock of delicate movements. And the result you get is shaky footage, soft focus and harsh focus transitions. You never know when you might get a combination of all three.
In the same way, because you cannot use the focus assist feature on your DSLR camera while filming, your competence to “eye” the focus of each shot will probably be somewhat off. Well, this may work to your advantage if you happen to shoot a documentary film.
Why? This is because audiences generally ignore such technical faults. However, for those filmmakers with a keen interest in short films, music videos, feature length films as well as commercials it’s necessary for you to measure out each scene. Using a focus puller to make sure that each scene is fresh and in focus is what you should consider.
