Follow Focus on gimbals effective?

[Ki Rin]

I want to buy my first gimbal, and I'm wondering if the focus dials that some of the new ones (crane 2, moza 2, weebill lab) have are actually practical and useful. Having never used one, I can't really judge this for myself unfortunately. 

So is there anyone here who has used the focus dials on the newer gimbals, and do you think they actually work well and are essential?

If not, I might as well save some money and get an older gimbal without it, since that seems to be the major improvement as far as I can tell. 

Thanks a lot for your advice! 

 

 

[androidlad]

Depends on your experience and skill level. A lot of people struggle with just operating the gimbal, let alone pulling focus while operating it.

 

[thephoenix]

first it depends on what camera you have, the follow focus on gimball doesn't work with all brands

[UncleBobsPhotography]

24 minutes ago, thephoenix said:

first it depends on what camera you have, the follow focus on gimball doesn't work with all brands

Most of these gimbals have mechanical focus servos, which works with any lens capabal of manual focus. Unfortunately no first hand experience myself yet. WeeBill is on backorder ?

[Ki Rin]

40 minutes ago, thephoenix said:

first it depends on what camera you have, the follow focus on gimball doesn't work with all brands

I'm using a Sony A7RII and GH5. But I was under the impression I could use it as a manual system attached to the lens. 

[Anaconda_]

1 hour ago, UncleBobsPhotography said:

WeeBill is on backorder

My Weebill follow focus is due I arrive this week. I have the gimbal already so I’ll be sure to heavily test focus pulling and report back.

[liork]

I guess it takes a lot of practice. Also, some lenses use focus by wire, some linear, some don't - what makes it more problematic...

[zerocool22]

Better invest in the tilta nucleus-n.

[DBounce]

Couldn’t imagine pulling focus with any degree of accuracy while l supporting the weight of the gimbal rigged with camera. I think you’re better off with AF or a dedicated focus puller.

[Dan Wake]

8 hours ago, thephoenix said:

first it depends on what camera you have, the follow focus on gimball doesn't work with all brands

does it work with black magic pocket 4k? thanks

[thephoenix]

i90% supprot sony and or panasonic

fuji and blackmagic... neh

i was asking because some of them work with an usb cable plugged into the camera and control the focus threw the camera itself, like sony and pana

if t is external then all lenses are supported of course but i don't think you can use the gimball wheel to focus with external systems