Today we are taking a look at an innovative product – the Smallrig F60 follow focus which has a few tricks up its sleeve including the ability to work with more or less any still lens without the need for additional focus gears.
Smallrig
SmallRig’s innovative designs have taken their products from simple grip solutions to rig add-ons that you just can’t live without. Today, we’re looking at a new mechanical follow focus that shows off some of SmallRig’s innovative spirit.
Concept
We’ve worked with a number of mechanical and wireless follow-focus units both by SmallRig and others. While they all do the job, there are always limitations. This new SmallRig follow focus brings in innovations in a segment of the market where it’s pretty hard to surprise anybody plus some additional useful features.
The SmallRig F60 follow focus system with its rubber ringÂ
Innovations
SmallRig F60 is a compact mechanical follow focus that stands out by improving ergonomics, including a quick-release direction switch, and adding tension control. The most surprising addition to this unit is a silicone ring that enables controlling lenses without a gear ring.
The grip and wooden handle
In the box
SmallRig ships this unit in a semi-hard case that includes the follow focus itself, a rail with a small mount and extension, a grip, a gear ring and a friction ring, and a set of tools and screws.
Design and build
The unit is lightweight, even though all the moving parts and the rail clamp are made of metal. The bottom cover and the marking plate are made of plastic. The hard plastic hand wheel comes in a grooved wood finish – kind of a dubious choice next to their previous design, but it’s a matter of personal preference.
The F60 now comes with a quick-release direction switch. It’s a small metal tumbler that flips to release the mechanism and turn it to the other side. There is also a tension control wheel now that allows for precision movements.
The new grip can be added optionally, but it’s a great idea since it helps to support the camera and also allows for more precise wheel control. The minimalist design is great, but it’s a bit short. SmallRig should also think of offering other designs for larger hands.
The rail mount is the same design that SmallRig included in the MagicFiz follow focus. It’s solid and now comes with an extension to accommodate different size lenses.
Can work like a traditional geared follow focus
In use
All these innovations would be pretty pointless if the unit didn’t provide smooth movement. That’s usually the main limitation for these systems. And the detachable gear ring sometimes gets in the way. For photo lenses that don’t come with grooved rings, the F60 comes with a friction ring.
It’s a detachable silicone ring that sits over the grooves and provides smooth turning. We tried it with a number of different size lenses, and it worked seamlessly. We actually placed this ring on SmallRig’s previous follow focus, and it was a perfect fit. We would love to see SmallRig’s solution of a friction wheel for their wireless follow focus.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the F60 is a great addition to our kit. It’s well-made and offers add-ons that set it apart from other similar units. Mainly, it’s more versatile and can provide smooth focus racking on a wider range of lenses with its friction wheel and grip.
Small, compact and innovative – SmallRig F60
Pricing
As for pricing, the `follow focus sells for $160, and if you already own SmallRig’s older mechanical follow focus, you can pick up the friction wheel for just $10
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