Fotga DP500-2 Follow Focus & Rails Reviewed - DSLRnerd.com
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ก.พ. 2013
- Follow focuses are stupid expensive, but this one from Fotga along with their 15 mm rods and quick release are great quality at a bargain price. Please visit my blog site, dslrnerd.com
Fotga DP500-2 Rails on Amazon: amzn.to/1cDOgMg
Fotga DP500-2 Follow Focus on Amazon: amzn.to/17qMnvu - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
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Thanks for posting this. I stumbled across this follow focus while searching TH-cam, and I almost can't believe the features you get with this one for the price. The hard stops look awesome, and the build quality (at least from videos) looks top notch as well.
Thanks for watching. I like it, it rocks for the money. I saw they sell a quick-attach version for a little more money. Might be worth the upgrade if you need that feature.
Thanks for the term corrections, the QR plate does not have a lock. So glad you clarified why I have this device, I've had no luck at all opening tuna cans with it.
I've enjoyed all of your videos, thanks! You've pointed out a lot of good (and bad) things for me. It's nice when somebody else makes the mistakes for me!
I picked up this FF, and it's mind blowingly well built. I picked it over the Kamerar, and glad I did. This has better internals (now I've had a chance to compare), and the single post of the Kamerar tends to torque ever so slightly causing uneven contact. This FF begs to be touched!
Completely comparable to some FF's costing a heck of a lot more. I got the one without the Arca plate, and added a Manfrotto QR plate instead. It's slightly different, and has a lens support in the front - which is pretty useless as I use the collar to mount large lenses. I also got the larger lens gear wheel, which makes the movement even finer - highly recommended. Keep up the great vids!
Glad I have helped thanks for the comment.
Good vid, thanks. I'm waiting for mine. I got the non-quick release because I want to add an Arca Swiss clamp so it will work with my L- camera plates. Hopefully it will all line up right. I can't find anyone who's done it.
The DP500-2 is the newer versions of these rails and FF. Looks like online they have the FF at $158. The rails, QR riser, and lens support I show is also the DP500-2 but it seems to be out at A'zon. The DP500 is there for $70 but that's what I initially bought and found the replacement Quick Release piece for $30. Looks like they sell a combo of both FF and Rail System for $250. I like these they are priced well for what you get.
Got it. And it is really awesome.
thanks for the review
@Hillsidesanctuary I haven't seen full rigs that Fotga makes, but you can add to this rail system front handles, some kind of cage or C shaped piece with 1/4 20 mounts on it. A 4 hole bar, to that a shoulder pad and weight. That's the fun of this stuff.
Hey what focus ring/ gear are you using ( before you switch to the fotga one)? thanks
Great review, thanks.
Zachary Mears thank you & for watching
thankyou very much! i've been looking for a set like this for my GH4 and Lumix X lenses. u said u bought those whole set only seventy something, and showed the Page on Amazon 139... But the link below your description from Amzn is 239.99 . (I know u posted in 2013, is it supposed to be cheaper now in 2015 right? ) Would u please post or send me a link where did u buy this rack + follow focus set from Fotga? thanks again. Btw, I'm using Panasonic GH4 with Lumix X G series 12-35mm & 35 - 100mm. hope the diameter of this follow focus set is fit with my. - LIKE
HI, WHATS THat EXTENDED RING MOUNT ON FOCUS what is it called where can i purchase thanks! mate!
Hi. Do I need to buy quick release plate for tripod connecting?
Nice focus setup, good job Nerd lol
Thanks for the review... How would you compare this follow focus to the Kamerar FF-3?
Hi Damian, thanks for the video. I use camranger to focus so I would only use this to operate the lens zoom. In your opinion would this work on the zoom?
Chris Simmonds Sure I don't see why not. The fancy cine lenses have follow focus teeth on both focus and zoom rings. So just put your add-on ff teeth on the zoom ring instead.
@Greg Allen Well I don't own the Kamerar so I can't truly compare the feel of the two. The Quick release of the Kamerar is nice. The Fotga has the movable hard stops. I guess the Kamerar's white ring removes so you can load several with different scenes marked focus? They both seem about the same quality otherwise.
can you attach a follow focus to a tripod without a rail system?
Yeah that's what happened to me. Amazon/The Seller had it mislabeled as the quick release version. It's $65 for the DP500 without QR and $130 for the DP500II with QR. But search Amazon for Fotga DP500II Quick Release and it's sold for $47. So you actually save $13 by adding the QR plate to the DP500, if shipping's free.
At the beginning when I said "Whatever that is" I didn't mean the Mattebox, I was referring to "Arca PU60". I now realize it means Arca-Swiss PU60 compatible.
Hey Damian,
A few questions:
1) Is there any play?
2) Does it hold well over time?
Thanks for the review. Andrei
Hello, nice review! I am thinking to nuy this setup but I would like to ask you if the plate from quick release is compatible with manfrotto standart? thks for reply!
Thanks for watching! They are plates from different companies so I doubt it. I don't have that Manfrotto head any longer so I can't try it, sorry.
Hi, does the it take Manfrotto 501 plates?
Could you do a little video about follow focus play? Would be wonderful to have a close up of a static camera.
pruskis13 Sure, when I get a chance. By play do you mean how much play is in the knob or how much movement there is of the camera? This is a solid unit, but the hard stops can get in the way, so get one without hard stops if that bothers you, or even better, have your focus puller operate it. The hard stops are handy for solo shooting. There can be camera movement so it's better to have a rig with dual 1/4 20s and/or a plate with an anti-twist bar.
@cubul32 Hello! No play, very solid FF and rails. I have used it only about a dozen times, so I can't attest to daily use over a long period. But everything feels well constructed... I believe this is a solid combo for the money.
@cubul32 No I didn't get the Fotga Matte Box. I kinda want a Matte Box but since I don't use the square mattes I don't think I'll buy an expensive one, just one that shades the lens.
DOES THE QUICK RELEASE WORK WITH A MANFROTTO 501PL PLATE?
Is it good for Sony A7s II ? Thanks
Here's the big question of the day. Now that I watch this again, I noticed the rubber ring fits "closer". Doesn't the difference in diameter [between the 2 different style of rings] affect rotation speed, as the difference in diameter, of sprockets on a bike? The first, larger diameter ring, would be a slower focus wouldn't it? I have a Sony NEX-VG20 and want to make some type of FF rig for it, so I'm shopping options here.
Check Fotga and Kamerar. Fotga has 2 fixed stages and you could add a bottom flag.
On personal-view community I found out about affordable good mattes with two rotating stages: Cinematics, TrusMT and Wondlan. Read around there for more on that.
Thanks and good luck.
Where did you buy the quick release piece?
@philipalexand3r You can get the rings on Amazon or Ebay.
@agus telo I'm not going to buy that for a proper review, but it seems decent for the price. Quick release is useful. The Fotga has settable hard stops which is nice when filming solo though they do make an audible clink sound when it hits. That eBay one you mark with a marker and have to watch when to stop.
Great Review. what if I need to attach a microphone and a zoom h4n to my 5D mark II, any recommendations for a cage or anything? thanks
You could try this www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B012Y63HSE/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I used it when I used to shoot video with my 7D Mark II and it was perfect. I could get my Rode NTG4+, Zoom H4n and Atomos Ninja Assassin on that cage. You can attach a Manfrotto quick release plate to it also.
@TheLimbReaper Well if the gear is larger it will turn slower, but in this case probably not by much. I poked around google. Some said the larger ring introduced some slip and chatter. But sounds like they didn't have it on well. Someone else said the "zip tie" gears made it harder for the FF to reach the gears when a battery grip was on. But the zip ties, once cut to fit the lens, do fit more snug and offer easier lens storage with them on. And they're quicker to put on. I like them both.
How much did you pay for this Fotga rig? Does the follow focus comes with it? Thank s for sharing this review. Cheers!
You might want to try out zip-tie lens gears from half-inch rails. They make your life a lot easier if you're using a follow focus a lot.
That thing is noisy as hell Damian Nice idea and good review I was looking for a B roll rig compatible with our lamparte which is very expensive. But the machining is amazing and all silent operating.
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Hi, thanks for your explain: is it possible to mount a 70-200 lens or it is too much long? maybe i can buy a pair of rods much more than 15 mm after? thank you
Produzioni video natura Thanks for watching. I don't see why not. I don't have that lens yet, just the 70-300mm. But you could totally just order some longer aluminum rails. They key to a follow focus is you want your camera mounted down tight so the torque of the FF doesn't twist the camera. I upgraded to a lens riser that has a strap that goes around the end of the lens to prevent twist. Like this one amzn.to/1I8rRVH
..i image...thank you ! :) keep in touch
You didn't try by any chance their DP500 matte box, did you? Talking about the aluminum two fixed stages one. I've been looking for reviews - almost non existent. The product is scarce too - the matte.
Is that QR plate and base compatible with the manfrotto systems
The QR is Arca-Swiss PU60 compatible. I'm not sure if Manfrotto makes one that fits this.
@Vitality Karpenko Thanks for watching and takes one to know one :)
What is the tripod head you have connected to the rail system ?
Manfrotto Photo Video head.
Is the rig plastic or metal? It looks almost exactly like the Neewer products (not the follow focus), using the same knobs (that say DP500) but for a much smaller price.
Craig Snedeker It's all metal. The difference between the DP500 and DP500II is the DP500II has a quick release plate.
***** Makes sense. I guess the main difference between this and the Neewer is the Neewer is a plastic design.
I ordered that one with the quick release plate on Amazon. It came today and it was NOT the quick release version. I have a message in with the seller and they better respond that they're sending the correct one, or I'd be ok if they just sent the QR attachment.
I got the DP500-2. It does not work with practically any of my 15 lenses :( When I turn the main wheel on the DP500, the attached lens' focus ring does not turn, or if, a little but incorrectly, and after each focus, less so. There is some mechanism inside the DP500 that disconnects the wheel you turn with the hand from the ring connected to the lens. When no lens is connected, it looks like working "as planned", It is about friction, but my lenses are high quality, and the focus rings, in most cases, is quite smooth. I cannot find any way of adjusting the "counter strength" on the DP500, nor can I find service provider (in Russia, Saint Petersburg).
Does anybody know about this kind of problem? How to solve it? Cheers - gert
Gert Hellevig Are you trying to use the Fotga pressed directly up to your lens' focus ring? That's what it sounded like from your description. You need a rubber or plastic follow focus ring attached to your lens to connect with the follow focus' gear for a smooth turn. Some lenses like Rokinon sell cine lenses with a follow focus gear instead of a regular focus ring. But to adapt other regular lenses you need a tight fitting follow focus ring.
@tornadocapoeira Yes this can work with any DSLR.
The seller offered a refund of $10 to keep it (making it $59 inc shipping), so I took the $10 and bought the QR on eBay for just under $40, so I came in less than $100 total. Not bad, but not as good as the $69 QR rail system they purported to sell. BTW I'm happy with the system and the DP500II follow focus is better than I expected. Works great.
I'm looking at this brand. how did you find the rails for $75?
Hi. I just checked my old Amazon order. Turns out I bought the DP-500 rails which are now $74 then purchased the QR plate from the 500-2 set separately. amzn.to/1on8oTh So it's $74 if you don't care about the QR plate and $115 if you want it.
***** cool. thanks for the info. I'm putting together a rig like this now.
I got it on Amazon, you can do a search for FOTGA DP500 II Quick release base plate, but it's $47. (More than I paid.) Looks like Amazon has the DP500ii rails with that quick release back in stock, and it's $67. (Less than I paid.) Just search Amazon for DP500ii
please what is the name of the quick release plate you used as replacement
?
+Dammy Jay It's also made by Fotga the DP500 2 is the better set
+Damian Dodd thank you very much, i have placed the order now.
+Dammy Jay Awesome hope it works well for you and thank you for watching.
would i be able to use this rigs and follow focus with a canon T5i? thank you.
Juan Carlos Velasquez Sure. The only difficulty is if you try to use it with too short a lens.
***** Thank you for the advice, and keep up the great work on your video reviews.
Juan Carlos Velasquez Thank you it feels good to be appreciated!
Nice! I wonder if the whole combination also works with a battery grip attached to the camera.
Mario Kluser I don't think it will unfortunately. For this configuration the grip will send the lens higher than the tension cog will reach. Although you could rig up additional rods to have it reach.
***** I think this is the problem with all the configurations. I don't like not to use my battery pack. Thanks for your reply!
Mario Kluser Oh I bet you could rig up something to work with a grip.
***** Yes, I believe you are right. What I like about that follow focus is taht it is not all plastic. I think there are a lot of different modules that can freely be mounted together in some creative ways.
***** BTW: The follow focus should work perfect with Cine lenses as you don't need that rubber thingy for them. Have a look at Samyang / Rokinon or the Canon Cine lenses.
Looks like a nice FF. I have the one from Kamerar and this one looks better.
***** It's a very nice FF for the money. For the solo shooter the hard stops are a nice feature.
can it work with nikon
I keep going back and forth with setups I want but the cheaper stuff just doesn't look half as good as if you spend just $100 more. So I keep coming back to these setups. Think I may as well stay there and just do something like this. Think I'll be happier then if I save 80 bucks but get total crap. Lol
What if you are using a battery grip as with my Panasonic GH2?
***** Hi. You could add a 2nd set of small rod via a riser to lift the follow focus and long lens support higher. Something like this: amzn.to/TbSzX2
***** Whatever you do, do some measuring and see what others with battery grip have tried. Post your results here if you would.
Ok I will
1 week ago I ordered a
FOTGA DP3000 Offset Riser Rail Block Clamp for 15mm Rod D... (321419183373) I was thinking on the same lines as you thanks for the info
@DjDrop1 No the Fotga is smaller.
can you send me the link to the quick release plate?
amzn.to/1wRUD9W
Thanks alot! I have one coming in the mail this week
Amp Ent Bought from my links I hope? I've turned in to an affiliate beggar lol.
@cubul32 Great! Enjoy. I really like this product. And a fair price.
Hi please the name of the tripod camera ? thx
+Alexandre Sagirand The camera is a 5D mark III with a 17-40mm L f/4 lens
thx, and the tripod plz ?
+Alexandre Sagirand Manfrotto 055XPROB and Manfrotto Photo/Video head. The sticks are great, but I'm not super impressed with the photo/video head especially if you put a lot of weight on it. By a lot I mean 5Dmk3, grip, L lens and a Zacuto EVF. Thanks for watching.
+Damian Dodd Thx !
PS: I have my DP500IIS FF with the rig on its way ;)
How does it connect to the tripod?
+OppedCinematics MC 1/4 20 thread (also 3/8th). Thanks for watching.
+Damian Dodd So is that a standard camera connection? For example, how the camera would connect to the tripod?
+OppedCinematics MC The two standards are 1/4 20 and 3/8th yes (Rarely an Asian brand has something that isn't). Most cameras are 1/4 20 so most tripods are 1/4 20. You do get some things in 3/8th however. Most microphone holders are 3/8th and therefore so are the end of boom poles. Some equipment come with adapters, but you can also get them separately.
+Damian Dodd A word of advice about follow focuses. They push on the lens and can create torque (they can slightly turn your camera on it's mount). So anything you can do to stop the torque is a good thing. So some tripods let you use two 1/4 20 mounts, or 1 1/4 20 and 1 3/8th. If what your camera is mounted to has 2 holes (like I think this Fotga does if I recall) then no torque. Your camera doesn't have 2 holes probably, so if you can mount your camera in something with anti-twist plate.. bingo. If you can't do any of this they make a lens riser/brace that mounts to the 15mm rods, to stop the torque from the lens end. Especially needed for long lenses.
Fotga stuff is ok until you need to replace or buy a part. So don't break or loose a part such as a camera plate because you have to buy the whole unit to get you part.
@Kwenaethata Lepang - Assume you meant they "can't" ship to you. That sucks man. These are well built for the money. Maybe you can get a friend to mail you one.
This is a fine follow focus, for any price.... makes it very hard for American made to compete, but $500 plus is absurd for a follow focus.... I have a couple of these and they are heavy and well made... Now Damain, are you loaded? I noticed the beer in the shot.... why would you demonstrate the focus with the rings untightened? Would you demo a car with loose lug nuts... yeah, try staying sober for your videos... :)
Jim Hancock I film my reviews at night when I've got some precious free time away from a very demanding toddler. It's my free time and I choose to spend it having a beer and helping others with camera gear reviews. I probably didn't tighten the focus rings to save time and just get the point across. It takes a lot more than one beer to get me "loaded." But one beer does relax me enough to let out my off sense of humor.
Hey, looking to hook this up to a magic arm such as this video vimeo.com/35955552 This seems like a solid follow focus but would a 3/4" thread work?
Hi ***** I have heard that FFs supported by one point of contact are not going to be as stable as those supported by two 15mm rods. Zacuto is coming out with a really cool geared follow focus, but that looks heavier than just using a magic arm. This follow focus makes some pretty good torque. I've tried several types lens rings attached.So all the support can be needed (like use two 1/4 20s on your camera's QR plate.)
What you are doing in the common vernacular is called "rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic." Good luck with that... "has" for "have" come on!
damm! they can shipp to my country Botswana Africa
raise the baseplate so you fully rotate the lens, you know so it doesn't hit the rails. simple fix.
@TheLimbReaper Haha Yeah
*"Does the QR HAVE a lock..." not "Does the QR has a lock..."
Dude, it's not a "lens holder" it's a lens "support." Does the QR has a lock to prevent it from losing your camera? Can the placement of the QR plate affects the CG? These "guys" are rail locks. It's not the "focal length" it's a "stop" or the end of focal travel. There not "tightening rods" they are "hard stops" or the chief reason for a follow focus. Basically you're doing a review without the faintest idea of what you're talking about or the reason for having the device in the first place
Can't be too much of a nerd if you're drinking a Blue Moon while doing a review.
Yeah, he didn't use the most correct terms, but neither did you...
First of all, he said "focal points" not "focal length".
You said, "prevent it from losing your camera" Losing your camera? So you're asking if the QR lock will keep track of your camera so it doesn't wonder off and get lost?
*have
*they're
Basically you're making a comment in English without the faintest idea of how to use the language.
Nerd