An interesting idea for follow focus... - Now Cheaper :)

What do people think of this?

EDIT: They're re-launched with much cheaper prices now, phew!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/24shots/silencer-follow-focus-system

Just to be clear, I'm in no way affiliated with the creation of this.

There's been a few of these knocking around. I dunno, I think a lot of it depends on your market and how many ACs are around. I do know that when i am shooting, I much prefer having a 1AC-- not only just so they can deal with focus, but also the camera department so I can focus on working with the G/E departments-- overseeing it all. Further-- An AC can anticipate moves where as when you're operating all you can really do is react to them. For me, personally, I would much rather focus on the frame and have that 2nd set of eyes there to know focus, to see how the actor is moving and not having to have their heads buried in an EVF (which may or may not have a lag) ect.
That said, for the price, it's not bad. i would worry a bit about the belt system slipping, and also how you'd interface it with anything but a stills lens- but it's substantially cheaper than other systems. Were I you, however, I'd wait for it to come out into the wild and rent it, and then buy it. It may look great in the video; but that doesn't tell you how much it'll set you back in production trouble shooting, charging, belt slipping ect.

I don't buy that since it's based on tension-- loose the tension, part wear out on the locking mechanism to keep it from wiggling on the rods, and I can see it slipping.

Pretty much so any of those places-- or on the ring itself connecting to the lens which may or may not be toothed properly. I have plenty of stills lenses and a few c mount film lenses where this just woudln't grasp at all.
Don't forget, this isn't something that is locked in place and left for awhile-- it's something popped on and off multiple times per day with lens changes.

That's the part that worries me-- properly tensioned belts. I don't feel confident that can be attained in a real production environment. I get that on paper it's a brilliant idea, and in a controlled situation it'll work very well-- but production environments are not really controlled situations.

Hi everyone its Bob with 24shots. Great points about the Silencer. I just would like to offer a few things. The current system does use a tooth belt, and on some lenses it will slip and this is why we include the ring band that fits snug around the lens ring. With the ring band it works perfectly. Also we do plan to offer as an upgrade the 0.8 gear assembly that simply mounts to the current motor. This will allow for quick change over from belt to gear setup on the fly. I hope this helps with your questions. Thank you again for sharing your inputs on the forum. Bob

Sure Geoff, Great question. Our motor drive rail has a slipper clutch that when it detects end stop the clutch slips disengaging the drive pulley. We are applying this clutch to the gear drive setup as well. This allows the use of the entire travel of the lens. great question. Thank you Bob

Wow, along with the great news of the 4K price drop this week, these guys have dropped their price and re-launched too! My pledge dropped from $850 to $450

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/24shots/silencer-follow-focus-system