Navigating the dynamic world of filmmaking on a gimbal often presents a unique challenge: maintaining razor-sharp focus while in motion. The slightest blur can ruin an otherwise perfect shot, making a reliable follow focus system an indispensable tool for videographers and cinematographers. But with technology evolving rapidly, particularly with the advent of LiDAR, choosing the right system has become more complex. This guide will cut through the noise, comparing the cutting-edge accuracy of LiDAR with the time-tested control of manual (wireless) follow focus, helping you decide which path best suits your creative vision and workflow.
Understanding Follow Focus Systems for Gimbals
Table is empty.At its core, a follow focus system allows you to adjust the focus of your camera lens smoothly during a shot. For gimbal users, this is not merely a convenience but a necessity. The very nature of a stabilized gimbal rig means the camera is often out of direct reach, making physical manipulation of the lens focus ring impractical, if not impossible. Therefore, specialized systems are required to translate your focus adjustments into precise lens movements, ensuring your subject remains in sharp focus, even as distances change. These systems generally involve a motor attached to the lens, which is then controlled remotely.
LiDAR Follow Focus Systems: The Future of Automation
LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology has emerged as a groundbreaking solution for autofocus, bringing unprecedented levels of speed and accuracy to filmmaking. A LiDAR system emits laser pulses to measure distances to objects in a scene, creating a precise 3D map that allows for incredibly fast and reliable real-time focusing.
How LiDAR Works with Gimbals
When integrated with a gimbal, a LiDAR unit typically mounts near the camera and works in conjunction with a focus motor attached to your lens. This setup allows the LiDAR sensor to constantly scan the scene, identify subjects using AI, and command the focus motor to adjust the lens, effectively turning many manual focus lenses into highly capable autofocus lenses. Systems like the DJI Focus Pro and PDMovie Live Air 3 Smart with LiDAR exemplify this innovation.
Advantages of LiDAR Focus
- Exceptional Autofocus Accuracy and Speed: LiDAR excels at quickly acquiring and maintaining focus, even on fast-moving subjects or in challenging lighting conditions. The system’s ability to map distances in real-time ensures precise focus transitions.
- Transforms Manual Lenses: Perhaps one of the biggest benefits is its capacity to imbue traditional manual-focus cinema lenses with robust autofocus capabilities, expanding creative possibilities without needing to invest in expensive native autofocus lenses.
- AI Subject Detection and Tracking: Advanced LiDAR systems can intelligently detect and track subjects, locking onto them and smoothly adjusting focus as they move through the frame. The DJI Focus Pro, for instance, boasts impressive tracking distances, reportedly up to 20 meters (65 feet).
- Seamless AF to Manual Switching: Many LiDAR systems offer an “Automated Manual Focus” (AMF) mode, allowing operators to seamlessly take over manual control from the autofocus system and then just as easily switch back. This provides a best-of-both-worlds approach.
- Ideal for Solo Shooters: For single operators managing both gimbal movement and focus, LiDAR significantly reduces cognitive load, enabling more complex shots that would otherwise require a dedicated focus puller.
Disadvantages of LiDAR Focus
- Potential for Focus on Closest Object: While intelligent, LiDAR can sometimes default to focusing on the closest object within its field of view, which might not always be your intended subject, especially in cluttered scenes or with multiple subjects at varying depths.
- Higher Cost and System Integration: LiDAR systems are often a more significant investment than basic manual follow focus setups. Integration with your existing camera and gimbal can also be a consideration, though many are designed for broad compatibility.
LiDAR follow focus system mounted on a gimbal, precisely tracking a subject in motion
Manual (Wireless) Follow Focus Systems: Precision in Your Hands
Before LiDAR, and still a dominant force in professional cinematography, manual follow focus systems provided operators with tactile and precise control over lens focus. On a gimbal, “manual” invariably means a wireless system, as direct physical adjustment of the lens is not feasible.
How Wireless Manual Follow Focus Works
A wireless manual follow focus system consists of a small motor that attaches to the focus ring of your lens (often via a gear ring if the lens doesn’t have native teeth). This motor is then controlled remotely by a hand unit with a focus wheel. This allows an operator, whether a dedicated focus puller or the gimbal operator themselves, to make precise focus adjustments from a distance, just as they would with a traditional follow focus on a tripod. Popular choices include the Tilta Nucleus-M and various SmallRig systems, along with high-end options from ARRI. Many gimbals also offer proprietary follow focus modules that can be controlled directly from a wheel on the gimbal handle.
Advantages of Manual (Wireless) Follow Focus
- Tactile and Precise Control: Many cinematographers prefer the physical feel and direct feedback of a handwheel, allowing for highly nuanced and repeatable focus pulls. This is particularly valuable for creative focus shifts or “rack focus” shots.
- Professional Standard: Wireless follow focus has been the industry standard for decades, and professional focus pullers are highly skilled in its operation, making it reliable for complex production environments.
- Universal Compatibility: With the addition of simple gear rings, these systems can work with virtually any lens, from vintage glass to modern cinema primes and zooms, offering immense flexibility.
- Reliable and Proven Technology: These systems rely on direct motor control, which is robust and less susceptible to the environmental or computational variables that can sometimes affect autofocus systems.
- Range of Price Points: From entry-level options to high-end FIZ (Focus, Iris, Zoom) systems, there’s a wireless manual follow focus solution for nearly every budget.
Disadvantages of Manual (Wireless) Follow Focus
- Requires Skill and Practice: Achieving smooth and accurate focus pulls manually, especially on a moving gimbal, demands significant practice and skill. For complex shots, a dedicated focus puller is often necessary, increasing crew size.
- Challenges with “Focus-by-Wire” Lenses: Many modern still photography lenses use “focus-by-wire” mechanisms, where the focus ring electronically communicates with the lens motor rather than being mechanically linked. This can lead to inconsistent focus responses based on rotation speed, making precise, repeatable focus marks difficult to achieve with a traditional follow focus motor. Some cameras/lenses offer a linear focus response setting to mitigate this.
- Increased Rigging Complexity: Adding a motor and potentially a separate hand unit can increase the overall weight and complexity of your gimbal rig, requiring careful balancing and cable management.
- Less Suited for Solo Shooters: While possible, performing complex manual focus pulls while simultaneously operating a gimbal can be extremely challenging for a single person, limiting the ambition of certain shots.
A videographer using a wireless manual follow focus system with a camera on a gimbal
LiDAR vs. Manual (Wireless) Follow Focus: A Direct Comparison
To help you visualize the key differences, here’s a detailed comparison:
| Feature | LiDAR Follow Focus Systems | Manual (Wireless) Follow Focus Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Control Type | Primarily autofocus (AI-driven) with manual override | Direct manual control via remote hand unit |
| Focus Mechanism | Light detection and ranging (3D mapping) | Motorized gear physically turning lens ring |
| Setup Complexity | Moderate; involves unit, motor, and calibration | Moderate; motor, gear ring, hand unit, calibration |
| Ideal User | Solo shooters, run-and-gun, fast-paced environments | Teams with focus pullers, narrative filmmaking, precise creative control |
| Cost | Generally higher (newer technology) | Varies widely from affordable to very high-end |
| Accuracy | Excellent, especially for tracking subjects | Excellent, depends on operator skill and lens type |
| Speed | Very fast autofocus acquisition and tracking | As fast as the operator can pull focus |
| Learning Curve | Lower for basic operation, higher for fine-tuning | Higher, requires significant practice for precision |
| Lens Compatibility | Converts manual lenses to AF; best with compatible lenses | Works with nearly all lenses (with gear rings if needed); ideal for cine lenses |
| Tactile Feedback | Minimal in AF, some (e.g., AMF) in manual override | High, direct feel from the focus wheel |
A comparative diagram illustrating the pros and cons of LiDAR vs. manual focus for gimbals
Choosing the Right System for Your Gimbal Workflow
The “best” system isn’t universal; it’s the one that aligns perfectly with your individual needs, budget, and creative approach.
- Your Budget: Entry-level manual systems can be quite affordable, making them a great starting point. LiDAR systems represent a more significant investment but offer advanced features. Determine your maximum expenditure and explore options within that range.
- Your Shooting Style: Are you a solo operator who needs reliable autofocus while managing a gimbal? LiDAR could be a game-changer. Are you part of a team with a dedicated focus puller who values hands-on precision for narrative work? A high-quality wireless manual system will be preferred.
- Lens Compatibility: Consider your existing lens arsenal. If you mostly use manual cinema lenses, both systems are viable, but LiDAR adds an AF dimension. If you primarily use focus-by-wire photography lenses, understand the limitations with traditional wireless follow focus and investigate if your camera/lens combination offers linear focus response settings.
- Desired Workflow: Do you prioritize speed and automation, wanting the system to handle focus as much as possible? LiDAR is your answer. Do you crave absolute creative control over every focus transition, enjoying the art of focus pulling? A wireless manual system is the way to go.
- Gimbal Integration: Some gimbals offer their own proprietary focus motors and control wheels that seamlessly integrate, often through a USB connection to the camera. This can be a compact and efficient solution, especially if your camera is compatible.
Tips for Maximizing Focus Performance on Your Gimbal
Regardless of the system you choose, a few best practices will elevate your focus game:
- Proper Calibration: Always ensure your focus motor is correctly calibrated to your lens. This is crucial for accurate and repeatable focus marks.
- Practice, Practice, Practice: Especially with manual systems, consistent practice is key to developing the muscle memory and timing required for smooth focus pulls. Even with LiDAR, understanding its behavior and limitations will improve your results.
- Pre-Focus and Zone Focus: For certain shots, especially with wider lenses, pre-setting your focus or utilizing zone focusing (keeping your subject within a defined depth of field) can simplify your workflow on a gimbal.
- Mind Your Aperture: While wide apertures create beautiful background blur, they also yield a shallower depth of field, making precise focus more challenging. Balance your aesthetic choices with practical focus considerations.
- Use a High-Quality Monitor: A sharp, bright external monitor is essential for critically evaluating your focus, whether you’re using an automated or manual system.
Conclusion
Both LiDAR and manual (wireless) follow focus systems offer powerful solutions for achieving critical focus on a gimbal, each with distinct advantages. LiDAR represents the cutting edge of automation, providing rapid, intelligent autofocus that can empower solo shooters and transform manual lenses. Conversely, wireless manual systems offer a tactile, precise experience that remains the standard for many professional film sets, valuing human control and artistic nuance.
Ultimately, your choice hinges on a thorough evaluation of your specific shooting requirements, budget, and desired level of creative input. Invest the time to understand both technologies, consider your lenses and gimbal, and then choose the system that will most effectively help you tell your story with unparalleled clarity. What kind of focus pulls will define your next cinematic masterpiece?
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I really need a follow focus system on a gimbal?
Yes, for most video productions on a gimbal, a follow focus system is highly recommended. Directly adjusting the lens is impractical, and while some cameras have good native autofocus, an external system provides more reliability and creative control, ensuring your subject stays sharp throughout dynamic movements.
Can LiDAR work with any lens, even old manual ones?
Yes, one of the significant advantages of LiDAR follow focus systems is their ability to add autofocus capabilities to almost any manual focus lens, including older cinema lenses, by driving an attached focus motor based on distance data.
What is Automated Manual Focus (AMF) in LiDAR systems?
AMF is a feature, notably found in systems like the DJI Focus Pro, that allows the user to seamlessly switch between LiDAR-driven autofocus and direct manual control of the focus motor, often with tactile feedback on the focus wheel itself, combining automation with human intervention.
Are wireless manual follow focus systems difficult to set up?
Setting up a wireless manual follow focus involves mounting a motor to a rod system, attaching a gear ring to the lens (if needed), and pairing it with a hand unit. While it requires some initial calibration, modern systems are designed to be relatively user-friendly, though mastering focus pulling itself takes practice.
