FocusShifter DSLR Follow Focus & Rack Focus

2020-07-27T11:35:43

It works exactly as intended. If you have older, non-af lenses, it's a must have

ADAM R.

2019-05-30T16:09:33

No need for it

JOHN B.

2018-07-24T09:27:45

Not really useful to me

John D.

2018-01-18T14:08:14

It came with the lens I bought, but I wouldn't spend any money on it. The plastic has kind of cheap feel to it.

MICHAEL P.

2018-01-05T04:31:58

But it works well I would buy again

James M.

2017-07-11T12:59:55

never used

JOHN D.

2017-05-21T15:00:37

I love this--so much easier than a regular follow focus--no rails, no fuss! Much easier doing handheld shots and while using my steady cam and gimbal stabilizer.

Richard W.

2017-05-13T11:03:48

Just didn't work for me so I can't recommend it. Maybe someone else has had better luck.

DOUG R.

2016-09-30T12:04:31

Came in a bundle... stuck it somewhere... never even noticed it gone

DONALD D.

2014-05-12T21:00:00

I gave it a 5 rating, because I love it. I don't use it the way that it was intended, I only use the handle with the part that goes around my focus ring, and it work perfectly for me. It is a lot better than turning it by hand. Now when I sit my camera on the ground, all I have to do is open up my LCD, so that I can see what I am doing, and turn the handle, rather than trying to turn the focus ring with my hand. I keep it on my camera. This may not work for everyone, however, for me it is just fine, and exactly what I wanted.

VERNEITTA F.

2013-08-18T21:00:00

I have been shopping for sometime for a good affordable and yet easy to use pull focus that would work with the 50mm f1/8 prime lens, it's hard and most of them are over hundreds of dollars and requires a rail system and such. Then I first found DSLR Solutions' focus system, it was ok, the problem was that the velcro system is hard to tighten it out with the prime lens. During a film shoot, I got so mad at it that I took it off my camera and gave it to my grip (as a gift) lol Then I started shopping again for an affordable one, and ran across that Kickstarter page, I was skeptical, especially not knowing if it works for the prime lens. I emailed them and got a prompt respond. I ordered! It came fairly quickly from Adorama, and very simple! For the prime lens, just put the extra rubber to it and then attach the shifter, and that's it! it works and it doesn't get lose and it was very smooth (comparing to the $$$ follow focus system we also have at the studio). I definitely recommend you to try it out, do some google or just go to their website, plenty of videos to show you how to attach it.

Johnny W.

2013-08-18T21:00:00

I was searching for a simple follow focus that didn't need a rig or rails to attach to. I also wanted it to be quicker to setup than traditional follow focus. This one fit the bill and the price is great. I was a little worried by previous reviews talking about not being able to tighten the belt enough, and there being too much slack. After using it on several different lenses, and running into no issues, I'm pretty sure that they did not follow the directions and were using it incorrectly. There are more detailed directions available on the website that show you how to install it on tricky lenses, like the Nifty Fifty (Canon F1.8). This is the link to the instruction page. http://www.focusshifter.com/follow-focus-dslr/dslr-follow-focus-puller-rack-video-camera-instructions/ I took a closer look at how the FocusShifter lever itself attaches to the lens, and it is not a rubber band as others have suggested. It looks like a fiber reinforced belt, and is not stretchy, and very strong. I had no problem making the lever rigid enough. Rotating the knob allows you to fine tune the tension, and adjust how tightly the lever attaches to the focus ring. The lever works great for fine tuned focus control whether or not you are using the marker board. The marker board does use rubber bands to attach to the lens, but it is secure, and I had no problems with it slipping. I'm satisfied with how it works, but it does have some room for improvements. On very short lenses, the markerboard is so close to the lens, that I can't make any marks on it. However the hard stop clips still work fine. The marker board attachment is not as intuitive as it could be, and takes a little bit of practice. Adding some hooks at the ends of the marker board to loop the elastic bands through might make it easier to attach. Those are some minor improvements that could be made, but overall, and for the price, it works beautifully, and is exactly what I was looking for.

Run&Gun

2013-06-10T21:00:00

I received it about two weeks ago and haven't put it to extensive use just yet as I'm waiting on some more parts for my rig. It shipped in a good amount of time though (a couple of days), and the testing I have done with it has been pleasant enough. Initially I was worried that I would have to send it back because it wouldn't fit on my 50mm 1.8 EF (due to its narrow focus ring that is angled). However I found instructions online to put the spare rubber band that is provided for the marker board onto the focus ring to level it out and provide grip for the FocusShifter. It worked great and I'm able to use it regularly. One thing that I don't get though is the marker board is very small. My camera body (5dmk2) pretty much engulfs the part where your supposed to put your marks. So in that regard its pretty useless however the hard stops work fine. Other then not being able to use the marker it works relatively good. I haven't used a rail system follow focus yet but will upgrade to one eventually. For now though this is a usable solution for pulling focus.

KWAMEL A.

2013-05-21T21:00:00

I had hoped this product would be a quick, inexpensive alternative for pulling focus on my DSLR .. I do a lot of run and gun and with the orientable LCD on my Canon's can get shots quickly without the time consuming and cumbersome traditional rods and follow focus mechanisms. Good idea but unfortunately poorly executed. Both the focus arm and the marker plate attach with heavy rubber bands. No matter how tightly you crank it down there is way too much play between the elements for any sort of critical operation. The clips on the marker plate as stops are again a good idea but the focus arm just pushes right past them due to the flex between the focus arm and marker plate.

DAVID S.

2013-04-24T21:00:00

I thought this might be good quick alternative to a rod mounted follow focus for my smaller DSLR but don't bother. It mounts in two parts (the handle and the marker board) with rubber bands, so there is a LOT of play in both elements. Naturally, they want to push away from each other so it is impossible to achieve a duplicatable rack. The clips on the marker board seemed a good idea but again, the play in the bands defeats the purpose.

DAVID S.

2013-04-02T21:00:00

great item for video

yen

2013-01-04T19:00:00

I have two other brands of follow focus products and of all three, I love this one best. Why? Really easy to use, doesn't slip, and fits all lenses. My $500 follow focus doesn't need rails but it really slips and is like a puzzle putting it together... plus lots of small parts. The other $50 follow focus I have is nice, small, cute... needs rails. I like it, but I don't always like using rails. I have them for my DSLR but don't really like using them. I find them unnecessary. This goes on fast, needs no rails, minimal parts, and works. Is it ugly? Oh yeah. But I'd rather have something that works well than be pretty and not functional (I'm looking at you, $500 follow focus). I liked it so much, I bought a second for my other camera.

Diana L.

2013-01-04T19:00:00

I am a Pro Videographer and I bought two FocusShifters when they first came out. I shoot video on a Canon 7D, and this gives me the ability to pull my own focus quickly and accurately. This is a lot of bang for the buck. Very simply, but effective! After having these for a couple of months, I will buy one to stay on each of my lenses!

VICTOR S.