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Geared Follow Focus
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SYSTEM ZERO Video
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SYSTEM ZERO in Action
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SYSTEM ZERO Review
iDC SYSTEM ZERO - An Award-Winning Camera Platform
SYSTEM ZERO's designer – Director/Cameraman Bruce Dorn - feels that a compact and unobtrusive camera package allows the greatest productivity without attracting undue attention. The rugged and ultra-lightweight SYSTEM ZERO allows the user to focus on the capture process without being distracted by cumbersome and heavyweight generic equipment. This product's innovative design reflects the proven philosophy, Less is more! See our list of compatible cameras
Available in either Geared or Gearless Direct Drive Focusing Options
"Look Ma, No Gears!" iDC SYSTEM ZERO introduced our award-winning Gearless Follow Focus design in early 2009. Our time-honored Gearless Direct Drive wheel is machined from industrial plastic bearing material and features a soft high-tech O-Ring for positive rubber-on-rubber operation. With no gear rings to buy, this unique gearless follow focus not only makes changing your lens a snap, it also keeps more of your hard-earned dollars in your pocket, where they belong.
Although iDC is the reigning champion of Gearless Direct Drive focusing systems, some lenses are equipped with focusing helicoids that are simply too stiff for our Gearless Direct Drive technology. For these lenses, a direct gear-on-gear mechanical connection is highly desirable. Problem solved: iDC's unique Geared Direct Drive Focusing Wheel is machined from self-lubricating bearing material, and features our proven and ergonomically superior 45° focusing wheel angle. Our unique and minimalist bevel drive design (patent pending) completely eliminates the traditional follow focus gearbox to allow lenses with super stiff helicoid designs (Zeiss ZE/ZF and Leica R Lenses, for example) to focus smoothly and repeatedly with no backlash.
You'll need to add a .8 pitch lens gear ring to each of your lenses (A universal gear ring is included with all Geared Kits). If you need additional gear rings, check our Accessories category for an affordable, universal lens gear ring that we recommend. And true to our philosophy of easy upgrades and component compatibility, the Geared Wheel Assembly is completely interchangeable with our Gearless Wheel Assembly.
By eliminating the need for a gearbox altogether – every one of the iDC Geared and Gearless SYSTEM ZERO kits represent the smallest and easiest-to-use follow focus options on the market.
Broad Lens Compatibility with Simple and Intuitive Lens Changes
And nothing could be simpler! Just slide the focusing wheel away your focusing ring, swap your lens, reposition the focusing wheel to the new focus ring position, make snug contact between the two and tighten the locking thumbscrew. It's that simple! The lens compatibility list is so long you'll be hard pressed to find a lens that's not supported. Once assembled, the entire assembly can be removed or installed with a single screw. Add a tripod or monopod quick-release adapter plate or use it as is for a handheld documentary style. Arri-style follow focus Whips and Cranks are compatible for maximum usability.
SYSTEM ZERO's high degree of modularity ensures that this kit will be relevant for years to come. With minimal weight and exceptional utility, either of the Geared or Gearless follow focus rigs are perfect for still photography and cinema-style motion capture – anytime, anywhere.
Standard or XL Length Focus Plate
Most lenses have their focusing rings located in close proximity to the lens mount and are nicely served by our four-slot Standard Focusing Plate. Check our list of Confirmed Compatible Lenses for Canon Cameras in the Specifications tab on each product page for your specific camera and lens combination. If you aren't using a Canon camera, or your lens isn't listed, we will have a handy Lens Measurement Chart available in the Specifications tab as well.
The Canon 70-200mm zoom series are unique in that they have their focusing rings placed far forward of the lens mount. These lenses require our longer seven-slot XL Focusing Plate so that the focusing wheel can be properly located. Bottom line? Get the Follow Focus XL if you have a 70-200 zoom in your arsenal – get the Follow Focus Standard if you do not. Note: The XL Focusing plate will extend well-forward of the shorter lenses in your kit but will not vignette with focal lengths down to 16mm (full frame sensor cameras) or 10mm (APS-C sensor cameras). If you intend to use a clip-on matte box with your shorter lenses, please select the Follow Focus Standard for the lowest possibility of interference between the focusing plate and the matte box.
SYSTEM ZERO Monitor Mount
If you want to mount a monitor to a SYSTEM ZERO Follow Focus, we have a beautifully designed solution: Our Monitor Mount Focus Plates. Available in both Standard and XL lengths, the Monitor Mount Focus Plate has a robust, dedicated external monitor mounting point behind the camera position. Mounting the monitor behind the camera provides the lowest center of gravity, highest stability, and greatest balance when using a SYSTEM ZERO on or off a tripod.
SYSTEM ZERO Monitor Mount Focus Plates are available as an add-on Accessory, or you can configure a Geared or Gearless Follow Focus Kit with this elegant mounting solution.
An Extensive Range of Lightweight and Modular Accessories
Need to add audio accessories or video lights? iDC also offers a nice selection of Accessory Mounting Brackets, Quick-Release Clamps, and Accessory Mounting Dovetails for speed and efficiency. Choose the minimalist Accessory Mounting Bracket that slips easily into the SYSTEM ZERO Focusing Plate or step-up to iDC's beefier U-Boat Video Cage for heavier duty applications. iDC's SYSTEM ZERO shares many modular components with its big brother, SYSTEM ONE. As your filmmaking style evolves - and your needs change – so can your kit. No need to start from scratch with the beautifully designed modular systems from iDC Photo Video.
Get-Real Pricing
Affordable quality is the cornerstone of iDC Photo Video's design philosophy. All of our components are machined from aircraft-grade aluminum and proudly offer Made in America quality. Our camera-specific kits and DSLR bundles can be purchased for hundreds of dollars, not thousands, and our modular design philosophy allows affordable upgrade paths when one chooses to upgrade cameras.
Ultra Small, Lightweight, and Forward Compatible
No generic fitment here! Each camera body has its own dedicated camera plate with pin registration to maintain perfect fitment. That translates as "Easy to set-up"! The addition of additional dedicated camera plate will allow the user to move the kit from camera to camera. SYSTEM ZERO is simple, compact, and a delight to use. It's easily the lowest-profile follow focus ever offered for a DSLR or MILC camera.
iDC: Intuitive Design Concepts. Designed by Filmmakers, for Filmmakers. Made in America.
