Filmcity HS-2 Follow Focus (HS-2)

This is one part of my rig that I was quite excited about. Being able to pull a steady focus from one point of interest to another without missing the mark gives peace of mind. The Filmcity Hard Stop (HS-2) Follow Focus is a high-quality, affordable answer to hitting those focus pulls with professional accuracy.My HS-2 Follow Focus was quickly delivered in a quality, no-nonsense, unmarked cardboard box with hard foam dye-cut inserts.At first glance, you can see its' great build quality. A fairly heavy, solidly built item and a great addition to your rig.ABOUT:The slider rail (to adjust horizontal adjustments) was a dove-tail design. AWESOME! Using a knurled wheel instead of a lever-styled locking method was a great choice from designers. The 15mm rail locking method is again a great design. Utilizing an open bottom design for removal without the need to take everything off of your rig to remove it. A second knob is used for tightening. The spring-loaded design keeps the FF from falling off during the removal process. The HS-2 has a snap-in handy focusing lever that pops in and is removed easily. There is a tiny bit of play here, but nothing most won't overlook.- The white marker ring is replaceable. Great. I did find that the ring comes off a bit too easily and might be knocked off. The good news is that it only goes on one way so you won't need to re-mark your stops. Although this might look a bit unprofessional if it happens in front of the client. Only use will test this, so I'm not taking away any stars - yet. I imagine you can order a second or third ring for multiple focus pulls. Just pull one ring off and pop on another. No need to mark, clean, remark and mark again. It would be great if two or three came in the box.The tension on the focus knob is perfect. Not sloppy, loose or wiggly. You can expect great slow pulls using the knob or faster/longer pulls with the handle.I would like to have seen a better lens ring, but the supplied one should work for a while. Again, only use will determine quality.QUICK LOOKPros:- Great build quality.- Dove-tail horizontal adjustment.- knurled knobs instead of lever screws make adjustments easier.- Quick-focus handle snaps on/off- The retaining system holds the rig on the rails preventing falling parts when removing/setting up.- Great friction when pulling focus - keeps it smooth.Cons:- Lens ring could be better, but it works.- Won't reach lenses where the camera may be on a battery grip or elevated for use with a matte box. No height adjustment.- Marker ring can fall off.I RECOMMEND this follow focus to anyone looking to provide that extra help in pulling focus like a professional - and it looks great. It will provide professional results without costing $1,000 or more.NOTE: I suggest making this one of the last things you order when building a rig. Not that it's a bad product, only that you will want to make sure that when mounted to your rig, that it will reach the lens. If you have a tall mount or a camera on a battery grip, you'll need to figure out an alternative mounting system. I've needed to build a second rail tier using a riser and 4" rails to mount my follow focus. That's added weight and cost. I have contacted the manufacturer on this matter and I hope that a timely solution can be reached.Suggestion to the manufacturer:I love the added security of the dove-tail design. Great work overall! However... I would like to see an option for cameras mounted on a battery grip like the Canon 60D (or simply lifted to utilize their matte box).Perhaps making the arm longer and angle steeper or adjustable using the Rosette locking style in conjunction with the dovetail slider to fit more builds.I've had to purchase and build a second mini-rail tier to hold the FF up to engage the lens. This is added weight and cost.I'm pretty sure that this new offering from Filmcity would be warmly welcomed from customers that already enjoy your products.Also, please include measurement and limitations documentation for future consumers.

This product is very well made, but because it is missing an angle adjustment I can only give it 4 stars.

Top quality and craftsmanship. Let's face it...when we think of Chinese or India for products, we think of cheap quality...not this time. With my 40yrs in the film industry working small to large budget films, I've worked with top quality equipment. All my follow focuses through the years have been $2500 FF made in Germany considered the best. My budget these days don't allow for that. I have tried several FF from Amazon only to be amazed at the lack of quality and steadiness. I got this unit and right away, the crank is as high a quality as my $2500 FF. Although I don't need a gear belt, it two was the best I've seen. It tightened easily and secured fast. My amazement was when I lifted the unit itself out of the box. Solid, heavy, precise quality. It mounts firm and easily...without having to disassemble the rig to slide it on the rails. This is important when you have to change from operator side to Focus Puller side of the camera rig. It moves onto the gears with a smooth and precise motion and locks firm. The focus gear is smooth and the double hard stops are quality. If you've never used hard stops, you have to use them to see how much easier it makes racking a shot.Notice in the photos that one is the $2500 FF and the other is FilmCity...both can change their gear side but only the FilmCity has hard stops and quick rail mount.To sum it up...this unit is a quality machined aluminum device worth far more than it sells for. The truth is I'm selling my $2500 FF and using the money to replace all my FF with these units.Once again FilmCty(Cinecity) comes through with top quality that satisfied even the toughest of critic's as myself.Get yourself a good whip such as the one I reviewed, and you're set to go.R.G.IAWFilmWorks

I still can't believe how good of a deal this is. Amazing quality. Super solid all-metal construction. The knob is smooth, precise, and doesn't wiggle at all. You can switch the gear to whichever side you want, which is great. The way it clamps onto the rails is incredibly useful. It secures firmly in place, but can still be easily detached, so I can change a lens without disassembling any other part of the rig. The speed crank wiggles a little when it's attached, but it's not a problem. I find myself using the speed crank nearly all the time, especially when I'm shooting on a tripod. The level of precision it enables is unmatched.If you're looking for a professional follow focus at a low price, look no further. This thing is the best.Note: My first order got lost in the mail, but the seller was very helpful and sent me a replacement free of charge as soon as I reported the package as missing. Would definitely buy from them again.

Very big, interferes with Matt box

It feels well made, it works well, but every time I want to take it off, it's always jammed and doesn't loosen. I have to slide and work it off, in order to take it off.