By technical editor Matt Allard:
Genus Superior Follow Focus Review from Matthew Allard on Vimeo.
In cinema, the follow focus is the traditional way to achieve smooth and precise focusing. With the rise of DSLR video and now large sensor camcorders, many shooters have a follow focus of some description in their kit.
The Genus superior follow focus system with advanced mounting system (G-SFOCMKII) is designed for DSLR or professional video cameras. It mounts to standard 15mm rods systems and allows you to easily change lenses as the gear and focus knob are mounted on a sliding bracket.
This second iteration of the Superior follow focus also features a new clamp-on quick release bar which allows it to be detached easily without removing the other components from a rig.
A cine-standard 0.8 pitch gear and flexible lens gear ring are included with the system. This works with most cine lenses such as Zeiss Compact primes as well as cine-modified stills lenses from people like Matt Duclos or Technical Farm in Japan.
The pitch of the gear can be changed with other Genus pitch gears. Four different sizes of pitch gear are available: 0.8W, 0.8, 0.6 and 0.5. The interchangeable gear pitch means that the Superior follow focus can be used with Canon and Fujinon broadcast lenses as well, unlike budget units.
The focus gear can also be flipped to allow reverse rotation for Nikon lenses that focus the opposite direction to most cine lenses. In common with most professional follow focus units it has a reusable bevelled marking disc allowing you to mark your points of focus.
The Genus Superior follow focus has a retail price of $1094 and can be purchased here. Owners of the older version of the Superior follow focus can buy an upgrade part to turn it into the quick release model. You can download the instruction manual for the Superior follow focus here.
About Matthew Allard, Aljazeera Team Leader Cameras, Kuala Lumpur:
Matt has been a Camera/Editor in TV news for more 22 years, previously working for both Channel 9 and Channel 10 in Australia. Twice Network Ten Australia’s cameraman of the year as well as being a Walkley Finalist for outstanding camerawork in 2006 (for coverage of the Cronulla Race Riots) and a Logie Finalist for outstanding news coverage 2006 (Bali 9). He has won 14 ACS (Australian Cinematographers Society) awards. His Sword Maker story that was shot on a 7D won the prestigious Neil Davis International News Golden Tripod at the 2011 ACS Awards. He has covered news events in more than 35 countries, from major sporting events to terrorist bombings. Based out of the Kuala Lumpur broadcast centre in Malaysia he is an avid user and follower of new technology, shooting stories on HD broadcast cameras, the Sony FS700 and F3 as well as Canon DSLRs.
