The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Semi-Automatic Follow-Focus Device
During recent years an important problem in major-studio cinematography has been that of following focus. Due to the shallow depth of field in modern lenses when used at maximum apertures, it is necessary to alter the focus frequently during the filming of a scene. In moving-camera shots, which are being used with increasing frequency, this problem is naturally aggravated, since both camera and players may move. The use of “blimped” cameras for sound pictures also aggravates the cameraman's problems. as finder parallax is greatly increased by placing the finder outside the camera “bungalow.” — At the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio these problems have been simplified by the use of the semi-automatic follow-focus device. This consists of a finder which is both focused and pivoted to correct for parallax as the lens is focused. Individual cams coordinate the finder movement with the characteristics of any given lens.
- Print ISSN
- 0097-5834
- Published
- 1939-04
- Content type
- Original Research
- DOI
- 10.5594/J16562