In this episode, we take a look at the Helmsman USB Follow Focus Controller for Canon HDSLRs from Light Craft Workshop, explain how a camera’s aperture and f stops work, and interview Koo from NoFilmSchool and talk about the future of crowd funded films.
Find out more information about Koo’s film project here.
This doesn’t appear to be significantly different than the already existing Oki USB Follow Focus that’s been out for quite some time. You didn’t mention how many pre-set focus points the Helmsman Follow Focus can maintain; the Oki allows you to have up to four separate focus settings to shift between while recording.
One thing to consider with either brand is that the focus step speeds will have to be adjusted every time you change lenses on your DSLR… the speed that works best on one lens doesn’t necessarily work for another. Adds some time to your shooting set-up, and you’ll need to adjust your schedule accordingly.
On F-Stops: I’d advise anyone to be very cautious when using f-stops to get exposure correct because it not only controls the amount of light but also the depth of field of the particular lens. Having vastly different depth of field in shots in a video is distracting when they end up side by side in a linear production. Too often inexperienced shooters will say, “hmm, this is a lot darker than the previous shot, crank open the lens to f1.4” without considering that the shot before it was at f8 or f11, and the entire background was in focus, where on the shot at f1.4, nothing behind the subject’s head is in focus. For continuity’s sake, keeping the same depth of field in adjoining shots (particularly in a dramatic fiction work) lets the viewer focus on the story without the focus getting in the way. In such a case — and considering that shutter speed is a constant — a different ISO setting can suffice (within reason) to get proper exposure. If not, it’s probably better to add or subtract light by using ND filters to reduce it, and additional light sources or reflectors to increase it.
Has anyone tried to connect the USB focus controller through a wireless transmitter receiver (usb Bluetooth, xbee…)?
The interview with Koo was great… His insight and different perspective on filmmaking was very helpful. You’re not so bad either, Tony.
Best “Reality Presentation” from KOO i have seem