UPDATE: Get the new, specifically designed iDC follow focus for the GH2 HERE.
I really like the iDC follow focus on my Canon 5D2, it is small, simple and can stay on my camera during photo shoots. I also really like my Panasonic GH2, shot a lot with it lately and really missed the iDC follow focus, especially when using Canon lenses. After much tinkering I was able to make it work:

so simple, not sure what took me so long! I replaced the camera body with the Manfrotto 394 quick release, mounted the plate on the camera (there is a way to mount the plate on the GH2 without blocking the battery compartment door, more on that tomorrow) no problem on the 5D2, the quick release plate doesn’t block anything and now mounts just like the GH2. I also added the Descor VB 50 Universal cold shoe mount bracket. A bit on the flimsy side, and I would not recommend attaching heavy items, but it can hold a microphone or a light EVF without a problem. It really helps balancing the camera in the palm of your hand, which allows for smoother focusing.
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16 thoughts on “How to hack, modify, adapt your iDC follow focus to use with the Panasonic Lumix GH2, GH1”

mike.kobal Post authorDecember 29, 2011 at 10:21 pm

follow focus and better handling. I use it all the time, especially with the Canon 50mm 1.2

Nizam December 28, 2011 at 11:59 am

Im newbies on Video shooter with DSLR. What is the purpose o idc. I own 60d. Do you have video shot with this thing?

mike.kobal Post authorNovember 17, 2011 at 8:20 am

awesome!

Paul November 16, 2011 at 7:54 pm

Hi, I just wanted to post that we make a Follow-Focus specifically for the GH2 now.

mike.kobal Post authorJune 18, 2011 at 8:15 pm

yup

Santi B. June 18, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Great tip! Will this setup work with a Panasonic GH1 camera?

Thanks,
Santi

mike.kobal Post authorJune 1, 2011 at 10:02 pm

only if you put some kind of round plastic pipe around the focusing ring

ruben June 1, 2011 at 10:53 am

Would it work this in the voigtlander? has a very special ring

Nikon Price April 26, 2011 at 9:12 am

Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!

mike.kobal Post authorApril 12, 2011 at 10:28 am

a generic one, found on ebay

mike.kobal Post authorApril 8, 2011 at 10:24 am

yes, I just added the grip, not part of the iDC system, the link is in the description below the video

mike.kobal Post authorApril 8, 2011 at 10:23 am

I am using the hoodloupe with the GH2, Zacuto with the 5D2

JJ Semple April 6, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Do you use the Z-finder viewer with this rig?

Christian April 5, 2011 at 11:41 pm

Thanks for the great post! I just have one question: I checked out the bracket from your link and the picture on B&H doesn’t look like it has a grip built onto it. Did you add the grip yourself, because it seems quite handy?

Uwe Steinmueller April 5, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Which m43 adapter are you using for Canon lenses?

JJ Semple April 5, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Thanks for this nifty tutorial. Which iDC follow focus do You use, Mike? Would love to see your whole setup, with links, if possible.

How to hack, modify, adapt your iDC follow focus to use with the Panasonic Lumix GH2, GH1

mike.kobal

April 1, 2011

16 Comments

mike.kobal Post authorDecember 29, 2011 at 10:21 pm

follow focus and better handling. I use it all the time, especially with the Canon 50mm 1.2
Nizam December 28, 2011 at 11:59 am

Im newbies on Video shooter with DSLR. What is the purpose o idc. I own 60d. Do you have video shot with this thing?
mike.kobal Post authorNovember 17, 2011 at 8:20 am

awesome!
Paul November 16, 2011 at 7:54 pm

Hi, I just wanted to post that we make a Follow-Focus specifically for the GH2 now.
mike.kobal Post authorJune 18, 2011 at 8:15 pm

yup
Santi B. June 18, 2011 at 4:20 pm

Great tip! Will this setup work with a Panasonic GH1 camera?

Thanks,
Santi
mike.kobal Post authorJune 1, 2011 at 10:02 pm

only if you put some kind of round plastic pipe around the focusing ring
ruben June 1, 2011 at 10:53 am

Would it work this in the voigtlander? has a very special ring
Nikon Price April 26, 2011 at 9:12 am

Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t appear. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyway, just wanted to say excellent blog!
mike.kobal Post authorApril 12, 2011 at 10:28 am

a generic one, found on ebay
mike.kobal Post authorApril 8, 2011 at 10:24 am

yes, I just added the grip, not part of the iDC system, the link is in the description below the video
mike.kobal Post authorApril 8, 2011 at 10:23 am

I am using the hoodloupe with the GH2, Zacuto with the 5D2
JJ Semple April 6, 2011 at 12:47 pm

Do you use the Z-finder viewer with this rig?
Christian April 5, 2011 at 11:41 pm

Thanks for the great post! I just have one question: I checked out the bracket from your link and the picture on B&H doesn’t look like it has a grip built onto it. Did you add the grip yourself, because it seems quite handy?
Uwe Steinmueller April 5, 2011 at 3:52 pm

Which m43 adapter are you using for Canon lenses?
JJ Semple April 5, 2011 at 1:46 pm

Thanks for this nifty tutorial. Which iDC follow focus do You use, Mike? Would love to see your whole setup, with links, if possible.

Mike Kobal

PHOTOGRAPHY

How to hack, modify, adapt your iDC follow focus to use with the Panasonic Lumix GH2, GH1

How to hack, modify, adapt your iDC follow focus to use with the Panasonic Lumix GH2, GH1

16 thoughts on “How to hack, modify, adapt your iDC follow focus to use with the Panasonic Lumix GH2, GH1”

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