They call it iDC System One. Check it out at PhotoPlus Expo in New York, October 28, 29, 30 — in the Video Pavilion, Booth #562. System One is the latest big idea from iDC Photo Video. Rails instead of rods. They’re standard Manfrotto/Gitzo dovetail size–so they slide right into your tripod head without having to bolt on additional plates. Director/Cinematographer/Photographer/Explorer of Light and Master of the HDSLR Universe Bruce Dorn has come up with a major improvement on his already excellent gear-less Follow-Focus system for HDSLR cameras.
In early 2009, Bruce took his 30 years of Hollywood filmmaking experience and took a fresh look at follow-focus systems for the newly-released Canon HDSLR cameras. The result was the original iDC Run & Gun, the industry’s first friction-drive, gear-less follow-focus system.
Bruce’s latest design, the modular iDC System One, expands on that original concept and uses a sliding clamp system that lets you quickly and easily position the iDC friction-drive follow-focus, camera, and wide variety of HDSLR accessories. It’s designed for the following cameras:
- Canon 1D MK IV
- Canon 5D MK II with the BG-E6 Battery Grip
- Canon 7D with the BG-E7 Battery Grip
- Nikon D3s
Kits for non-battery grip versions of the Canon 5D MKII, 7D, and 60D camera bodies will be available soon.
As with the Run & Gun Kit, there’s no need to buy expensive ring gears for every lens in your bag. The iDC System One modular camera system works with almost all lenses (except Canon Tilt-Shift lenses and large diameter Canon Super-Telephotos).
iDC System One is built around the iDC UniRail—with its Double-Dovetail design for almost infinite adjustability. The position of both the camera body and the gear-less follow-focus assembly can be easily adjusted and balanced by sliding one way or the other. The Gitzo/Manfrotto fluid-head-friendly quick-release UniRails are available in four lengths: 6, 9, 12 and 16 inches. The bottom dovetail of the UniRail snaps directly into the quick-release top of many Gitzo/Manfrotto fluid heads, while also providing industry-standard 3/8”-16 or 1/4”-20 threaded mounts.
The top dovetail of the UniRail is machined to be “Arca-Swiss” compatible and supports the iDC Gearless Follow-Focus and accessories.
Three kits, with different lengths of UniRails, and single or multiple Follow-Focus Wheel Assemblies are available. Or, you can build a custom kit with à la carte options. Each configuration of the iDC System One requires only a camera-specific baseplate, which is available as an add-on option.
The iDC System One Viewfinder Assembly is available for the Canon 1D MKIV. Additionally, iDC System One will accept any Viewfinder system that mounts directly to the camera’s LCD without a camera plate requirement. iDC System One components are elegantly machined in Arizona from ultra-light aluminum with a Mil-Spec black-anodized finish.
The iDC System One Gearless Follow-Focus 6 inch Kits start at $599. For more info about iDC’s Essential Accessories for Stills and Motion, go to: www.idcphotovideo.com
