the Blog for Photography Professionals

Archive for the ‘Announcements’ Category

Hands-Free Follow Focus System for DSLRs

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Announcements | Posted on Friday, August 20th, 2010

Coming soon to Foto Care Rentals and Sales, the first hands free follow-focus system for DSLR’s!

The Intuitfocus HF-IF1 is a hands-free system built with a motorized belt-drive that attaches around the lens.  A scroll wheel remotely controls the focusing of the lens. Aimed at photographers/videographers who shoot movies with HD enabled DSLRs, this system is designed to offer smooth and shake-free focus or zooming. It can be used to control focus, zoom or aperture so the cameraman can do it all.

Below you can see the Press Release and a short demonstration video of the system.  Make sure to check back to see our availability in September.

Press Release:

The Intuitfocus HF-IF1 follow focus system was developed by professionals for professionals! The problems associated with focusing a DSLR camera in manual mode, especially in outdoor situations or at wide-open apertures, has not been solved by any FF systems…until now!

The difficulty in achieving a sharp, accurate image, without the need for an assistant or “focus puller” is the reason for the development of the Intuitfocus system. The aim of the IF is to assist the camera operator to focus or zoom the objective in manual mode, in on a tripod, dolly, crane, rig or a Steadicam without touching the camera’s lens! A close collaboration between the IF team and highly skilled professional cameramen, each with many years of experience in the film and television industry, developed the IF system to work to the exacting requirements needed when shooting film/videos with a DSLR camera.

Now cameramen alone can have total control over their image composition. Intuitfocus is proud to have developed and produced the IF follow focus system to the high quality standards associated with a “Made in Germany” product. The HF-IF1 is unique as the ONLY “hands-free” Follow Focus system that is compatible with all video and DSLR Cameras, and can be operated by the cameraman alone. ‘Hands-free’ follow focus system using only one finger.

The first electro-mechanical follow focus system that operates intuitively and “hands-free“. Focus is really quick and easy’ using a finger or thumb, and without the need to put your hand on the tripod, dolly, crane, rig or Steadicam to set your lens focus! Universally adaptable and not just for film or video. Also ideal for copy stand, macro and nature work with still cameras and for use with broadcast video cameras for zoom or focus or aperture control!

The IF system can be used on all DSLR cameras with lenses from 14mm to 600mm, including shooting with Zeiss still or compact prime lenses. The IF system is easy to mount and is compatible with most lenses, and enables one to focus or to zoom precisely and quickly without any camera shake. Intuitfocus is designed, developed and manufactured in Germany!

Conceived and developed by professionals for professionals whose requirements for focusing and sharpness of image are of paramount importance. Focus or zooming is now possible without the operator using a hand to adjust the focus or zoom ring of the objective and all movements are virtually shake free. No more camera “shake” to blur the image or shot!

The Intuitfocus HF-F1 is controlled by a thumb/finger operated wheel, it is progressive and gives feedback so the operator can intuitively “feel” the adjustment, unlike the majority of existing follow focusing systems available.

The input signal between the components is over a cable, so it eliminates the risk of radio interference, time lapse or external signal disturbance that can occur with wireless systems. The Intuitfocus system can be controlled at distance remotely, with an optional 19’ cable to connect the IF focus control unit and the IF electric motor belt drive lens unit, especially useful with an extending camera cranejib rig. The progressive control wheel enables quick focus from zero and extremely precise, fine sensitive lens adjustment movement.

The Intuitfocus toothed rubber belt drive has these important advantages:

  • 4 different rubber belt sizes are supplied for various lens diameters, for “Fisheye” to 600mm lenses
  • No additional geared drive rings for individual lenses required.
  • Quick easy changes between different lens setups.
  • Precision focus due to the relatively large surface contacts in respect to the lens focusing or zoom ring.
  • The least forces applied to the lens and camera-body bayonet
  • Practically friction-free movement with low noise level.

Discover and further develop your technique in the amazing world of film. We welcome any queries our customers may have concerning the setup or use of their Intuitfocus follow focus system.

  • Share:

Leica M9 & Accessories in Stock

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Announcements | Posted on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

We have them when others don’t!  We have received the Leica M9 along with a variety of lenses this week.  They will not last long so make sure to contact us today for more details!

Currently Available

Leica M9 Camera

Leica Super-Elmar-M 18 mm f/3.8 ASPH

Leica Summilux-M 21 mm f/1.4 ASPH

Leica Elmar-M 21 mm f/2.8 ASPH

Leica Summilux-M 24 mm f/1.4 ASPH

Leica Elmar-M 24 mm f/2.8 ASPH

Leica Elmar-M 28 mm f/2 ASPH

Leica Elmar-M 28 mm f/2.8 ASPH

Leica Noctilux-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH

  • Share:

Now Available at Foto Care Rentals : Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 Lenses

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Announcements, Foto Care Rental | Posted on Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

We are happy to announce we now have the Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 lenses available in our rental department.

The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses’ improved functionality means improved ergonomics compared to standard SLR lenses. Differences include standard housing dimensions, standard focus and iris gear positions, a consistent front diameter, a robust construction, longer focus rotation and a manual focus. All in all, Zeiss compact primes provide the perfect tool for Independent filmmakers, and still photographers using HDSLR’s  for TV and feature film productions.

Available Lenses :

85mm f2.1

50mm f2.1

35mm f2.1

28mm f2.1

21mm f2.1

18mm f1.8 (APS C Only)

Call for Pricing and Reservations

  • Share:

Zeiss Compact Prime CP.2 Lenses – Coming Soon to Foto Care Rental

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Announcements | Posted on Friday, July 2nd, 2010

Coming soon to our rental department, the perfect lenses for DSLR video shooting.



The Compact Prime CP.2 lenses’ improved functionality means improved ergonomics compared to standard SLR lenses. Differences include standard housing dimensions, standard focus and iris gear positions, a consistent front diameter, a robust construction, longer focus rotation and a manual focus. All in all, Zeiss compact primes provide the perfect tool for Independent filmmakers, and still photographers using HDSLR’s  for TV and feature film productions.

Make sure to check back in to see when they are available in our rental department.

  • Share:

Winner of the Apple iPad Drawing Announced

Posted by Foto Care Editor | Posted in Announcements | Posted on Friday, June 25th, 2010

We would like to congratulate New York based photographer John Kesl, winner of the Apple iPad drawing we had at last week’s LeBook Productions event.  Fred Blake and Richard Andres presented John with his prize this week in our rental department.

It was great to meet John and everyone at the event last week.  We hope John enjoys his iPad and make sure to keep in touch with us for future events (and drawings).

Make sure to take a look at John’s work at www.johnkesl.com.


  • Share: