I have the simpler version from Smallrig, I like it, it works well, but I would actually pick this new one 100 percent if I could choose. I also spent some money on a big one from another Amazon brand. It was not great. The gear was a bit loose so it had some play to it. A nightmare when trying to pull focus as it was stuck and slow, Like I would drag the wheel, and it would take some force to get it going and it was not very smooth. Sad because the price was more than the Smallrig one lol. I love Smallrig, I buy almost everything there. Even lights. They are ridiculously cheap compared to other brands, and exciting they move on to lights and stuff as well now. I see they have a camera cart in the design stage. I would love that, but I will probably have to buy another one from Proaim as the Smallrig cart is still in the design stage. Great review Armando! 🙂
Been looking all sorts of directions for where to go in terms of solutions, when it comes to my camera and focus control, being someone who shoots on Fuji systems with Sigma lenses = autofocus from hell 😅 This seems like the right solution, without going wireless and having to load up an already heavy rig with powerbanks or batteries, just to power a small focus motor. The fact, that this can switch directions and comes included with the tension knob to mimic the long focus throw of a cine lens, is what sold it to me 🙌🏻
Armando, the Tilta Advanced Right Focus handle is probably the best handle-based solution for BOTH a shoulder and handheld rig. You can simply attach a cable to it and run it directly from a cable, which takes the wireless aspect out of it and still ensures one equipment is usable for BOTH shoulder and handheld.
Just got the F60 because of this. It's an awesome piece of equipment. I absolutely love the handpiece. I wish there were more options for it, though, as I have rather large hands a larger piece would be great to have. Anyway, thank you for your great review.
I’ve used so many and this has impressed me so much and have not had any problems since using it. Also it’s priced very good considering everything you get.
I personally feel that a focusing side handle is the best as it provides that much-needed second stability grip-point on the whole rig, because holding it only from the top handle introduces more shakiness than having that second handle in ADDITION to the top handle while also pulling focus from that side handle. Not to mention that is also less fatiguing to the arms due to the two points of grip.
@@mondobytes ooh my bad, so there is that little palm support on this thing, I guess that makes both this and wireless a must have. Wireless for shoulder rigs and this for handheld.
@@RavikantRai21490 thing about wireless is you introduce way more elements and not to mention price too. I love the simplicity of something that just works and you can “feel” the connection between your hand and lens. This feedback is impossible to replicate on wireless
@@mondobytes I agree, good sir. If only I could maybe figure out how to put this F60 to use on a shoulder rig, cause I can't think of any way to other than losing that second palm's grip on the shoulder handle, then I'd love to actually never use my Nucleus nano and only use the mechanical follow focus like this.
The locks are nice to have but that will only work with cube lenses or other lenses that have linear focus. For non linear focus like photo lenses, it’s not very useful, because the focus pull is not based on distance travelled necessarily, and the amount of focus pulled can be affected by the speed of the pull. So if you pull faster the first time, and then set your locks based on that speed, if you’re shying a non linear focusing lens you’ll notice you won’t be in focus unless you match that exact speed when you pull focus the following time.
I love using a follow focus but I can't seem to find one that works well with my Helios 42-2 because it's so small. The back focus gear is too close to the camera body.
This one works, I’ve used it several times. Only caveat is you can’t use the bi-directional feature because it only works one way. Not a deal breaker just know that if you’re used to pulling reverse it may throw you off
Maybe I missed it - which camera and lens are you using with the follow focus here? Not the camera you used to shoot the video, but the camera and lens actually shown in the video with the rig. I have a sony fx3 and am wondering if thats comptavible. Thanks
@@mondobytes My bad baseplate, not base plate. In my case I need something that will take dual rods so I can mount a matte box. I thought there might be a recommendation depending on one's needs. I want to use a large Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8. Are most base plates the same and will work without issues with the F60? Maybe an odd question but there are so many choices that I went into the overwhelm. Cheers!
No knock on anyone still doing manual focus for run and gun, music videos and docs. I'm just sooooooo happy with Sony autofocus/touch focus that just thinking about manually focusing gives me the hibbie-jibbies LOL I would rather not have to worry about being in focus, especially at fast f-stops, and would rather be focused on the shot composition and/or subject. For those of you still shooting like this, BEST of LUCK to you all. Y'all brave and noble!
Sadly all the amazing lenses are manual focus. The first company that can make an Autofocus lens that has beautiful character will sell a ton! 99% of AF lenses are boring and super clinical. This is why I still own the original 24-70 G Master Mark 1. That lens has character which is odd especially for a zoom lens.
Great video and great follow focus from what it seems. Now, I've been looking at a wireless follow focus and I can't make up my mind between the new Tilta or the Smallrig FIZZ which one would you pick between the two? Thank you!
How is the backlash? Arguably the most important specification of a follow focus is the backlash. If the backlash is poor then it doesn't matter how many nifty features are built into a follow focus.
I've been a solo shooter for 15 years and I never use a manual follow focus. Just pull off the barrel and save yourself the weight and complexity. The only time it's worth it is for Nikon lenses that focus in reverse or some cinema lenses with too a long a throw to pull off the barrel.
There’s no complexity and it weighs 8.8 ounces 🤣 no matter how skillful you are, when pulling from the barrel there’s always jerks from your hand even if they’re minor.
@@mondobytes Yes, this is 100% true. I have shot so many times using my hands, it causes these horrible jerks that have ruined shots. There is usually a full-body camera shake that is introduced as the camera loses that second point of contact coupled with that sudden movement of your hand reaching forward. Maybe you can get away with it on really wide lenses but my god is it a visual atrocity on anything 27mm and up.
![State of Play | September 24, 2024 [ENGLISH]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/fVs0suPHAX8/mqdefault.jpg)
That bi directional focus alone is huge for manual focus pulling. Love the vid! Curious how many other companies will copy this feature🤔
Yes! Also how quickly you can make adjustments is also great.
I have the simpler version from Smallrig, I like it, it works well, but I would actually pick this new one 100 percent if I could choose. I also spent some money on a big one from another Amazon brand. It was not great. The gear was a bit loose so it had some play to it. A nightmare when trying to pull focus as it was stuck and slow, Like I would drag the wheel, and it would take some force to get it going and it was not very smooth. Sad because the price was more than the Smallrig one lol. I love Smallrig, I buy almost everything there. Even lights. They are ridiculously cheap compared to other brands, and exciting they move on to lights and stuff as well now. I see they have a camera cart in the design stage. I would love that, but I will probably have to buy another one from Proaim as the Smallrig cart is still in the design stage. Great review Armando! 🙂
That’s actually genius 💯💯
Great review Armando. Smallrig continues to amaze with their products!
Been looking all sorts of directions for where to go in terms of solutions, when it comes to my camera and focus control, being someone who shoots on Fuji systems with Sigma lenses = autofocus from hell 😅 This seems like the right solution, without going wireless and having to load up an already heavy rig with powerbanks or batteries, just to power a small focus motor. The fact, that this can switch directions and comes included with the tension knob to mimic the long focus throw of a cine lens, is what sold it to me 🙌🏻
Armando, the Tilta Advanced Right Focus handle is probably the best handle-based solution for BOTH a shoulder and handheld rig. You can simply attach a cable to it and run it directly from a cable, which takes the wireless aspect out of it and still ensures one equipment is usable for BOTH shoulder and handheld.
Just got the F60 because of this. It's an awesome piece of equipment. I absolutely love the handpiece. I wish there were more options for it, though, as I have rather large hands a larger piece would be great to have. Anyway, thank you for your great review.
Such a small gadget but has everything you need on focus plus quick settings
Yup wasn’t planning on making this video but it’s such a good FF that it’s worth buying.
Sold buying one for sure. Just need a lower budget tripod/fluid head now for a rigged out bmpcc og.
Armando! This has been a great video to watch since I am looking for a great follow focus to use and it seems like this might be the one!
I’ve used so many and this has impressed me so much and have not had any problems since using it. Also it’s priced very good considering everything you get.
I've put my order in! Thank you for the great review! Im excited to use it! @@mondobytes
I'm in the market for one, appreciate the video!
Thank you
This is what I've been waiting for! Awesome stuff
Is it worth the higher price vs other follow focus systems?
I personally feel that a focusing side handle is the best as it provides that much-needed second stability grip-point on the whole rig, because holding it only from the top handle introduces more shakiness than having that second handle in ADDITION to the top handle while also pulling focus from that side handle. Not to mention that is also less fatiguing to the arms due to the two points of grip.
Watch till the end of the video 😉
@@mondobytes ooh my bad, so there is that little palm support on this thing, I guess that makes both this and wireless a must have. Wireless for shoulder rigs and this for handheld.
@@RavikantRai21490 thing about wireless is you introduce way more elements and not to mention price too. I love the simplicity of something that just works and you can “feel” the connection between your hand and lens. This feedback is impossible to replicate on wireless
@@mondobytes I agree, good sir. If only I could maybe figure out how to put this F60 to use on a shoulder rig, cause I can't think of any way to other than losing that second palm's grip on the shoulder handle, then I'd love to actually never use my Nucleus nano and only use the mechanical follow focus like this.
@@RavikantRai21490 I feel for shoulder rig wireless is probably the only way.
Thank you this is amazing ! 🤩
The locks are nice to have but that will only work with cube lenses or other lenses that have linear focus. For non linear focus like photo lenses, it’s not very useful, because the focus pull is not based on distance travelled necessarily, and the amount of focus pulled can be affected by the speed of the pull.
So if you pull faster the first time, and then set your locks based on that speed, if you’re shying a non linear focusing lens you’ll notice you won’t be in focus unless you match that exact speed when you pull focus the following time.
I love using a follow focus but I can't seem to find one that works well with my Helios 42-2 because it's so small. The back focus gear is too close to the camera body.
This one works, I’ve used it several times. Only caveat is you can’t use the bi-directional feature because it only works one way. Not a deal breaker just know that if you’re used to pulling reverse it may throw you off
Maybe I missed it - which camera and lens are you using with the follow focus here? Not the camera you used to shoot the video, but the camera and lens actually shown in the video with the rig. I have a sony fx3 and am wondering if thats comptavible. Thanks
Great review and I have watched a lot of them on the F60 but no one mentions what base plate they are using with the F60.
What do you mean by base plate?
@@mondobytes My bad baseplate, not base plate. In my case I need something that will take dual rods so I can mount a matte box. I thought there might be a recommendation depending on one's needs. I want to use a large Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8. Are most base plates the same and will work without issues with the F60? Maybe an odd question but there are so many choices that I went into the overwhelm. Cheers!
@@toddw4488 check out the new Kondor Blue one that just released, it’s adjustable and has great features
Thank you Bro great vid, looks cool for that price it's hard not to buy one. Thanx again very helpful..... stay safe.
Can this be used for zooming in/out on a photo lens?
Of course
No knock on anyone still doing manual focus for run and gun, music videos and docs. I'm just sooooooo happy with Sony autofocus/touch focus that just thinking about manually focusing gives me the hibbie-jibbies LOL I would rather not have to worry about being in focus, especially at fast f-stops, and would rather be focused on the shot composition and/or subject. For those of you still shooting like this, BEST of LUCK to you all. Y'all brave and noble!
Sadly all the amazing lenses are manual focus. The first company that can make an Autofocus lens that has beautiful character will sell a ton! 99% of AF lenses are boring and super clinical. This is why I still own the original 24-70 G Master Mark 1. That lens has character which is odd especially for a zoom lens.
We are indeed brave and noble. Continuously breathing footage and approximate light transmission? No thanks. 😏
Great video and great follow focus from what it seems.
Now, I've been looking at a wireless follow focus and I can't make up my mind between the new Tilta or the Smallrig FIZZ which one would you pick between the two?
Thank you!
I'm not a fan of the Tilta, it's very gimmicky and when I used it extremely laggy hence why they've delayed it so much.
The palm support is a big deal - just like on the mfc-2 but without the pricetag - clearly very vocas "inspired" :-)
DJI destroy all of these
Just picked it up, needed an upgrade and your breakdown helped! Also, good TTI shirt 👍
Haha glad someone knows about TTI 👊🏽
Excellent, thank you sir!
How is the backlash? Arguably the most important specification of a follow focus is the backlash. If the backlash is poor then it doesn't matter how many nifty features are built into a follow focus.
I've been a solo shooter for 15 years and I never use a manual follow focus. Just pull off the barrel and save yourself the weight and complexity. The only time it's worth it is for Nikon lenses that focus in reverse or some cinema lenses with too a long a throw to pull off the barrel.
There’s no complexity and it weighs 8.8 ounces 🤣 no matter how skillful you are, when pulling from the barrel there’s always jerks from your hand even if they’re minor.
@@mondobytes Yes, this is 100% true. I have shot so many times using my hands, it causes these horrible jerks that have ruined shots. There is usually a full-body camera shake that is introduced as the camera loses that second point of contact coupled with that sudden movement of your hand reaching forward. Maybe you can get away with it on really wide lenses but my god is it a visual atrocity on anything 27mm and up.
@@mondobytes whenever someone says "just pull off the barrel/lens" I assume they always shoot on a tripod or something
Love the re-directing. Even just for the sigma photo lenses that just do weird stuff
Also for Nikon lenses which are reversed 😅
After I I saw this review I right away bought it