Professional perception and practical considerations when choosing between Bartech and Preston follow focus systems

2007Follow Focus forum

19 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

Both Bartech and Preston follow focus systems are technically reliable and capable of producing professional results
Some assistant camera operators show reluctance or skepticism toward Bartech systems despite their functional capabilities, citing familiarity with Preston as standard industry equipment
Assistant camera operators influence which operators get hired by recommending or dismissing candidates based on equipment choices and professional relationships
Operator career advancement can be affected negatively by equipment choices that make assistant camera operators uncomfortable, even when the equipment functions properly
Preston systems command higher daily rental rates than Bartech systems, affecting return on investment calculations for operators
Older or less expensive follow focus units can perform effectively on lower-budget productions and handheld work
Some assistant camera operators who initially expressed skepticism toward Bartech systems became advocates after using them and experiencing their functionality
The investment in follow focus equipment typically pays for itself within approximately 100 working days at industry-standard rental rates

Career stage matters: operators on larger budget productions with higher day rates face different considerations than those on smaller jobs
Geographic location affects which systems are in demand and what rental rates operators can command
Some participants reported specific situations where Bartech saved production time or worked better with certain camera and lens combinations, but these were anecdotal rather than systematic comparisons
The discussion reflects 2007 market conditions and may not represent current equipment preferences or pricing