SteadiHub
2010Follow Focus forum

Hard focus rings for BFD follow focus systems as alternative to fabric strips

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

What the thread found

  • Fabric strips provided with BFD follow focus units can slide and require fastening, while hard plastic rings similar to ARRI and Chrosziel designs offer faster changes and better stability
  • Hard plastic focus rings can be fitted to BFD systems using the existing screw fastener without device modification
  • Standard 19mm tape adheres well to hard plastic focus rings
  • BFD handwheel diameter varies between units: pre-May 2002 models have approximately 2.917 inch diameter knobs while post-May 2002 models have approximately 2.940 inch diameter knobs
  • Hard rings designed for BFD must account for the different handwheel sizes to fit properly
  • Wider hard plastic rings do not make focus pulling more difficult compared to fabric strips

Depends on

  • Ring diameter specifications noted only for specific handwheel versions
  • Material composition of custom-made rings not fully documented
  • Third-party ring availability and pricing unclear at time of discussion
  • Discussion involves experience with specific motor and lens combination

Gear in this thread

HU3, BFD

Parts

Follow Focus

Same gear or parts

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  3. 2025History of wireless focus and lens control systems for Steadicam®: from cable-based Cinema Products and Seitz to Preston digital, and European solutions by Chrosziel, cmotion, and ARRI.FacebookSteadicam operators group
  4. 2025LC-1 (Lens Control-1) follow focus system: wired architecture, motors, and early operational experience (1990s).FacebookThe Steadicam Group
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