Cheap Film and Video Gear from China Floods the Industry

Singapore, Apr 9 2012
For Immediate Release.

Gt35pro keeps ahead with low cost motorized electronic remote follow focus kit.

The  high definition video capable DSLR revolution in 2010 brought many changes to the industry. Expensive equipment once only available in the film and movie industry are now very affordably priced thanks to these video capable DSLRs.

Before the entry of the video DSLR into the mainstream market, there was the 35mm Depth of Field adapter which allowed many film makers the freedom to use the commonly available (Canon Nikon Olympus) SLR film lenses with the standard DV and mini DV camcorders and later the HDV camcorders to obtain shallow depth of field, very much like the high end 35mm movie lenses. These were pioneered by companies like

Letus, Brevis and Redrock Micro whom all had their roots in the DIY user groups of dvinfo forum. Lower cost versions of these devices came later from innovative individuals like Jag35, gt35pro and many others who offered alternatives to the more costlier offerings of the big boys.

 Now that the high definition video capable DSLRs are here, many of these companies turned to selling DSLR accessories like rod support, matteboxes, follow focus kits. Jag35 has also abandoned the 35mm adapter product range. Hungry Chinese companies jumped on this bandwagon and started producing very low cost copies of these American made support kits and matteboxes.

 In order to beat the competition, gt35pro of the 35mm DOF adapter fame has just released a low cost motorized electronic  follow focus unit to stay in the game. This unit has features present in higher end offerings costing up to 3 times more. The follow focus unit is a manual follow focus unit which can be converted to a remote motorized follow focus when required. But the most amazing thing about

it is that it is programmable with a 2 position memory capability and the ability to have total control of the focusing speed when it is in automatic rack focusing mode. A user can control the speed from a super slow crawl to a high speed crash rack focus movement offering endless creative shooting options. This would be really useful on a Jib arm or slider. Manual realtime electronic control is also available at the flick of a switch.

 The only downside to this is the sound from the servo motor. This makes the microphone on the camera useless. Most units in this low cost price range are also plagued with this problem. Movie makers usually have a boom mike for shooting so this is not a problem. This is also useful for shots in which the audio will be removed and replaced with a soundtrack, much like many TV commercials we see today.

 Manual normal follow focus configuration can be restored by removing the motorized gear module and re-attaching the standard focusing knob.

 Since this is aimed at the entry level market, a silent version will not be produced, according to gt35pro. However, a higher end product with a silent motor will be in development soon, also dependent on demand.

Youtube footage shows Greg Tay of gt35pro demonstrating the product.

 Gt35pro develops and builds all their products with very little subcontracting in Singapore. All products are designed, built and machined with 2 different cnc routers, a lathe and a 3d printer for creating small difficult to build parts in ABS plastic. Customization of parts is also possible. Please contact Greg Tay to know more.