Fotga FF models

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Seems nice. You can't mount gear on both sides from gearbox, but it seems to be fixed better with less play.
If you are bored with price hike and shipping delays with other follow focus model, it can be very good deal.

Sellers:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DSLR-Follow-focus-FF-f-15mm-rod-support-HDSLR-HDV-Film-/180692118367?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1216eb5f

or

http://cgi.ebay.com/Follow-Focus-FF-15mm-rod-Canon-Nikon-Sony-DSLR-Film-/330585278201?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4cf86b06f9

svart

That *looks* nice.

I definitely need being able to mount gears on both sides though.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Ask them.
Here is their Alibaba presence: http://nicna.en.alibaba.com/productlist.html
Here is contacts: http://fotga.com/contactus/contact.htm

stoney

The other cheap FF's play is mostly coming from the dual side design. Making dual side design with much less play will cost more money.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Look a this
http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/470770409/Professional_Camera_Focus_Controller_DSLR_Follow.html
They are also present at ebay.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

Skeptikal

Some of the play in the "other" FF was also due to the silly way the main knob was attached to the gear shaft. The grub screws simply sat on the shaft...no retaining indent in the shaft. Thus with use the play in the knob became annoying.

Easy to fix but should have been done during manufacture.

A well designed/engineered dual side unit should show no more play than a single side FF...forces are basically the same. But the interchangeable wheel needs to lock firmly (another problem with the el cheapo FF I recently bought on Ebay).

I guess they'll get better...so far we are their Beta testers.

Just had a quick look at the one on Alibaba...crikey it's pricey for a Chinese made unit! I guesstimate it would cost them about US$50 at the most to make (based on stuff I get CNC'd all the time). They are getting greedy...

Vitaliy_Kiselev

@Skeptikal

You must understand that usually this things are made by factories who do not completely understand cruicial points to look at.
They copy stuff and after this learn from feedback that is wrong, fix in next version, again look at feedback, etc.
But they learn fast, believe me.

last_SHIFT

Yes - fast and cheap which is good for folks on a budget :-)

Skeptikal

@Vitaliy_Kiselev

ponyatno...And they copy very well...

Vitaliy_Kiselev

New variation of same FF, now with improved mount, with $200 price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/DSLR-Follow-Focus-15mm-Rod-Support-5DII-60D-600D-/280716110519

stefanos

if anyone is interested, I made the seller an offer of 170$ http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180692118367&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

he accepted it so I think it's a very good deal at 170$ , little money considering the type of mount. Just payed so hopefully it will arrive soon so I can review it.

brianluce

Yes, that mount looks better. I have the old style, it's usable but not ideal. But only $150!

Jive

Anyone test with a crank or whip yet? Just curious if the Fotga has a standard size accessory port.

kronstadt

After trying to make a few DIY follow-focuses, I decided to buy one of the cheap ones. Based on reviews, my final choice is down to either RJ or FOTGA. Which one would you advise that I should get??? Which one would you yourself get from these very-low-budget FFs???

These are factors to take into account:
* I have a GH1(3) - so it's the smallest video DSLR.
* Plus I have a few old (from 1970s) second-hand primes from eBay - they are excellent and all made of metal and therefore focus ring is not as loose and easily rotating as with the new cheap plastic lenses.
* Plus, I have one of those tiny Fujian 35mm 1.7 lenses, which I've grown to love and use a lot. Will something like FOTGA or RJ follow-focus work with that Fujian lens and GH13 ???
* The cheaper the FF the better...

soundgh2

Buy shyte buy twice - and I have (lots)! Still think the TrustMT 2 version looks worth the tiny extra expenditure - also like the way they do seem to respond to marketplace feedback - a lot of companies could learn a lot from this! Customer forever >> than 1 quick buy for me, in all spheres of business.

Vitaliy_Kiselev

svart

I finally got a Fotga brand DP500 with the original mount, not the quick release. You can get them now for ~100$USD. Much better than other FF model out there. Nice and solid. I took it apart and tightened all the screws for the gears as they were a little loose and causing play. The only complaint I have is that the white plastic is the same as the other "cheap" FFs being sold and is NOT compatible with dry erase markers as they stain the plastic. Grease pencils work ok though.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

Tags in Topic

Top Posters