Follow Focus Systems
Follow focus systems are useful for creating smooth, high-precision focus transitions within video footage. Rather than relying on jumpy, imprecise, or unpredictable twist focusing with a lens’s built-in focusing ring, this system allows you to upgrade the quality of your video content and make focus shifts with ease.
How do follow focus systems work?
Whether you’re using a top level cinema camera or a traditional DSLR, a follow focus system adapts your camera’s lens with a collection of gears and knobs for easy and precise focus adjustment.
Most follow focus systems consist of a gear ring, a wheel, and a control knob. The gear ring attaches to the camera lens’s own focusing ring and features teeth that interlock perfectly with the teeth found on the system’s wheel. As the wheel turns, the interlocking teeth turn the lens’s focusing ring. The control knob connects to the wheel and is manually turned by the camera operator to achieve precision focus shifts.
Some follow focus setups offer operators the ability to mark specific positions for easy transitions from one position to another.
Selecting a compatible follow focus system
With so many video-capable cameras on the market, from complex, high-end cinema cameras to budget friendly DSLRs, it's important to select a follow focus system that is compatible with your existing gear.
Some universal follow focus systems will work with a variety of DSLR-style cameras from popular manufacturers like Sony, Canon, and Nikon. Other systems are specifically designed for popular cinema lenses and camera systems like Fujinon MK lenses.
If you’re not sure what follow focus setup is right for your gear, you can filter your search results by compatibility. Or, you can get suggestions and recommendations from our customer support team.
Components and accessories
Most follow focus systems come with everything you need to get started, but Adorama also offers a selection of robust kits with a variety of accessories to help you make the most of your gear.
Products like the Tilta TT-03-GJ Rig kit include not only the focus equipment itself, but also a collection of lens gears to work with lenses of various diameters, a portable base plate, a handle, a carrying case, and more.
Top brands in follow focus systems
We know that filmmakers need innovative, reliable equipment to do their best work. That’s why we offer great brands like Cinegears, Cavision, Chrosziel, and other top manufacturers in the filmmaking industry.
