SteadiHub
2010Follow Focus forum

Attaching wireless follow focus motors to Canon 5D cameras with Canon lenses

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

What the thread found

  • Lens gear adapters are required to attach wireless motors to Canon lenses, with most lenses needing a unique adapter that can be rented affordably.
  • Magnetic lens gear adapters that attach as two halves are preferred by some users for ease of use, though they cost more.
  • A lens stiffener is recommended as it helps stabilize the camera when the motor operates.
  • Lens gear adapters can be sourced from manufacturers like Redrock and Zacuto.
  • Modern lenses with infinitely rotating focus rings do not work well with motorized follow focus because the auto-calibrate function requires hard stops on the focus ring to detect position.
  • Lenses with infinitely rotating focus rings can experience slippage between the focus ring and the distance scale during fast focus movements, causing focus marks to drift and become difficult to repeat.
  • Focus movements should be kept slow on lenses with infinitely rotating rings, with frequent checks needed to catch any slippage before it becomes problematic.
  • Stronger motors may damage the hard stops on traditional single-lens reflex lenses, making manual calibration a safer option in some cases.

Depends on

  • This advice applies specifically to Canon 5D cameras and Canon lenses.
  • The behavior of infinitely rotating focus rings with motorized systems appears to be a design flaw not yet fully solved as of the discussion date.
  • The recommendation is based on practical experience rather than manufacturer specifications.

Parts

Follow Focus

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