2015Follow Focus forum
Evaluation of TILTA wireless follow focus system and alternatives in professional cinema
What the thread found
- The TILTA wireless follow focus system experienced significant delays in production and availability as of 2015, with no confirmed shipping dates provided to group buyers.
- Established alternatives with proven track records include systems from ARRI, Preston, C-motion, Bartech, and newer options like Heden Carat, Axis1, and Microremote.
- Bartech digital units are noted as reliable no-frills wireless follow focus options with good reputation among users.
- C-motion systems with ARRI compatibility offer professional-grade reliability and can be found used at significant discounts.
- TILTA's touchscreen interface raised durability concerns among experienced operators regarding field reliability in demanding shooting conditions.
- Handset ergonomics and weight distribution are important practical considerations when evaluating wireless follow focus systems.
- System behavior during power loss is critical to evaluate, as some designs create failure modes such as uncontrolled focus motor movement to minimum focus distance.
Depends on
- This discussion occurred in 2015 and TILTA product status may have changed significantly since then.
- Opinions about TILTA system design were based on promotional video review rather than hands-on field testing.
- Most direct comparisons were between TILTA and higher-end professional systems rather than same-tier products.
- The digital Bartech recommendation was noted as reliable but older technology compared to TILTA's promised feature set.
Gear in this thread
Parts
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