FocusShifter DSLR Follow Focus & Rack Focus

SKU: ENFSHIFT

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Questions & Answers

JERRY U : Does this include theShortShift Counter Balance?ADAM R : no. Just what it says it comes with. handy little device, if not slightly overpriced.KWAMEL A : No its just the FocusShifter.VELTON B : No, this one did not come with the counter balance.ALLYSON B : No it doesn't and it also doesn't work well with zoom lenses, when you try to shift the lens it pushes the bands off the front. it's not very stable, I suppose the counter balance might help with that, but it's really annoying without it. It's probably worth it to either DIY make your own follow focus with the money or shell out a little more money for a better one. Unless you use only prime lenses. I find I have to set the focus bar at the top facing up to counter the balance and it makes it hard to focus because you have to reach up and over blindly, that usually shakes the shot. Not my best purchase. Sorry to be so negative, hope this helps! :)GREGORY D : NoDAVID S : No. It's basically nothing more than a rubber band through a handle and a marker plate also held on with a rubber band. I found the product completely useless as the bands, however tightened, allow too much play and no accuracy whatever. I returned mine immediately and do not recommend the product. Buy a real, rod-mounted follow focus instead.
Shopper : Will it work on a Kodak z5010?BRADFORD Y : The F.S. will work on ly lenses as long as it fits the diameter and slides on... works great on all my lenses so far and couldn't be happier.
Shopper : Why Did You Choose This?JOSHUA F : For better focus controlMIN T : making my focus pulling easierJOHN D : works, but a bit clumsy

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2020-07-27T11:35:43

Rated 4 out of 5

Quick Focus pull

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

ADAM R.

2019-05-30T16:09:33

Rated 1 out of 5

Will never use it

No need for it

JOHN B.

2018-07-24T09:27:45

Rated 1 out of 5

focus shifter

Not really useful to me

John D.

2018-01-18T14:08:14

Rated 1 out of 5

Use it as next year's while elephant gift

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

Rated 4 out of 5

Very inexpensive

But it works well I would buy again

James M.

2017-07-11T12:59:55

Rated 3 out of 5

Never used

never used

JOHN D.

2017-05-21T15:00:37

Rated 5 out of 5

Awesome tool--portable

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

Rated 1 out of 5

not very precise, awkward in the field

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

Rated 2 out of 5

I'm not even sure where it is

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

DONALD D.

2014-05-12T21:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

I love it! :-)

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

Rated 5 out of 5

Great portable focus rack

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

Rated 5 out of 5

Perfect Run and Gun Follow Focus

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

Rated 4 out of 5

Cheap but effective follow focus

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

Rated 1 out of 5

Rubber bands ...

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

Rated 1 out of 5

Buy a real follow focus

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

Rated 5 out of 5

great item

great item for video

yen

2013-01-04T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Great Little Follow Focus

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

Rated 4 out of 5

I bought TWO FocusShifters!

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.

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About FocusShifter DSLR Follow Focus & Rack Focus

FEATURED REVIEWS

Great portable focus rack

By Johnny W.

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...

View full Review

Perfect Run and Gun Follow Focus

By Run&Gun

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. T...

View full Review

FocusShifter is a stand-alone Follow Focus and Rack Focus with a focus marker board that can be used on any camera lens. No extra equipment is required. It's perfect for filmmakers, photographers, and anyone wanting to step-up their production capabilities with an inexpensive focus puller. It gives you professionalism without breaking your budget.

The Shifter and Focus Marker Board attach quickly and easily to any lens ranging in diameter from 56mm (2.20in) up to 98mm (3.86in). If you're measuring circumference, distance around the lens, it fits from 176mm (6.93in) to 308mm (12.12in). It even works well on the popular Canon 50mm f1.8 lens, which is notoriously difficult to attach a follow focus to due to the design of the focus ring. Note: The "mm" markings on the lens are not the outer diameter of the lens. You must measure the outer diameter.

FocusShifter DSLR Follow Focus & Rack Focus Features

  • Nail Your Focus: The re-useable Focus Marker Board allows you to create marks for your focus points using a dry-erase marker. The arrow on the Shifter facilitates quick and easy transition between focus points. Pull focus like never before.
  • Hard Stops: Using simple clips that attach to the focus marker board, you can set hard stops which allow you to shift between 2 focus points by feel without ever looking at the marker board.
  • Simple to Install: To attach the Shifter, simply slip it over the lens, onto the focus ring and tighten it down with the ball end. The Focus Marker attaches to the lens with an elastic band, and has over-molded rubber feet to hold it in place.
  • Easy and Smooth: The Shifter allows you to smoothly pull focus without any jarring starts or stops. The ball design is easy to grasp so you can avoid twisting your hand into uncomfortable positions when pulling focus. For a lens with a narrow focus rings, you can prevent fingers from falling into the frame, by keeping them at a safe distance.
  • For Photographers Too: Using the Shifter improves manual focus speed and accuracy when taking photographs. It's especially helpful with lenses that have a shallow depth of field, and need fine adjustments. Get another one to use for zoom.

Key Features

  • Nail Your Focus
  • Hard Stops allow shifting between focus points by feel
  • Simple to Install
  • Easy and Smooth
  • For Photographers Too

What's in the box:

  • FocusShifter with Mounting Board
  • Counter Balance
  • Focus Marker Board with Mounting Bands
  • FocusShifter Board Marker
  • 2x Hard Stop Clips
  • Carrying Case
  • FocusShifter Lifetime Limited Warranty