Followfocus

Follow focus is a cinematography accessory and technique that enables precise, repeatable control of a camera lens’s focus during a shot. Used in film and video production, a follow focus system links a control wheel or knob to the lens’s focus ring so a dedicated operator, the focus puller, can adjust focus without contacting the camera body. This is particularly important when depth of field is shallow and subject distance changes.

A typical manual follow focus system consists of a focusing wheel, a drive gear that engages the lens’s focus ring, a mounting platform on a rod-based rig, and a drive shaft or whip that connects the wheel to the lens gear. The lens often requires a compatible gear ring or adapter to mesh with the system. Some setups include a marking disc or tape on the focus scale to premark critical distances for rapid recalling during takes.

Operation centers on the focus puller’s ability to watch the scene and translate actor movement, camera motion, or set choreography into smooth adjustments of focus. Shots are rehearsed with focus marks, and pulls are executed to maintain sharpness as distance to the subject changes. In dynamic scenes, multiple takes or rehearsals help fine-tune timing and pacing of the focus transitions.

Variants include motorized and wireless follow focus systems, which use a motor to drive the focus wheel or transmit control signals from a handheld remote. Motorized and wireless options enable remote operation, integration with complex rigs, and repeatable focus movements for complex or high-speed productions. Follow focus remains a standard tool for maintaining precise focus in shallow-depth shots.