lego follow focus

ok, help me out, what in the heck are you guys making and buying? And what for?

I would suspect that these devices will either automatically or manually allow you to focus the camera as it moves in on or away from an object being filmed. It gives more control than simply using the typical auto-focus found on most cameras. I know that some really cool effects can be done as well. For example moving away from a person, and at the same time changing depth of field can bring the background closer. Hence, it looks like the background is moving in closer to scoop up the person.. they use that a lot in thrillers or horror flicks for effect. It is actually pretty cool and even has a special name after the guy that kind of invented the concept and the original device. Just can't remember the name of the guy.

they are blurry because the shutter was open for a long time, and I was too lazy to get a tripod.

Yep vaders right, its called the hitchcock effect, but it also requires zooming and dollying at the same time, its very difficult to do. I can also attach my follow focus system to a motor (a lego electric motor) and program the computer to focus between points.

Don mostly it makes rack focusing easier, also when you focus normally (by turning the focus at the front end of the camera) it causes the camera to jerk from side to side, but since you turn the follow focus forward and backward it doesn't cause any side to side jerkyness.

Its subtle, but all filmakers have it, I know poor film makers (not pros) who have spent a lot on follow focus devices.