What the thread found

• Lens gears secured with zip ties offer a low-profile alternative to traditional gear rings at a fraction of the cost.
• The zip-tie attachment point creates a dead zone where motor placement becomes difficult, but the gear can be slid off and repositioned in 10-15 seconds if needed.
• These gears work well with lenses that have mechanical stops and can be quickly removed by cutting the zip ties for use on different equipment.
• The gear assembly is as low-profile as premium machined alternatives while remaining tight and secure during use.
• Zip-tie gears can be temporarily installed on borrowed lenses without permanent modification, making them practical for occasional use.

Depends on

• The zip-tie positioning limits where follow focus motors can be mounted on the lens.
• Some lenses with mechanical stops may present challenges for motor placement even after repositioning the gear.
• The durability and longevity of this solution compared to permanent gear rings remains untested over extended use.
• Cutting and re-tying zip ties between gigs adds workflow steps compared to permanently geared lenses.

Parts

Follow Focus

Same gear or parts

1. 2026Pulling focus and zoom yourself while operating, especially on live showsOperator practice
2. 2026Swapping an ARRI ALEXA 35 between tripod/studio and Steadicam® mounting: baseplate choice and fastest workflow.FacebookSteadicam operators group
3. 2025LC-1 (Lens Control-1) follow focus system: wired architecture, motors, and early operational experience (1990s).FacebookThe Steadicam Group
4. 2024Modifications to a Steadicam Scout rig for expanded power distribution and connectivityGeneral Discussion