Have you ever been pulling focus and found yourself off the mark during that split-second in which you glanced between the actor in a scene and your marks on the follow focus? It only takes a split second for the focus to go soft. By that time, the camera operator mutters, "Buzzy" and you know you're going to need another take.

Yeah, we’ve all been there. It’s a tough spot to be in, too: your vision is split between the marks you need to watch and the talent in the scene. You try your best to get in a position next to the camera to get both in your line of sight, but it doesn’t always work out.

That’s where the elusiveness of “touch” and “feel” come into play, traditionally abstract concepts. But what if you could literally “feel” your way to a mark? That’s exactly what Finner Knows Best think you should do.

In this video, they suggest pressing your finger against the follow focus where the metal protrudes to signify your landing mark on the disc. Then, while keeping your hand in place on the follow focus, pull focus from your first mark until you feel the point against your finger again for your second mark.

A simple and elegant solution to such a common problem!

And it can be used in a multitude of ways: when you are unable to see your marks; when you want to pull focus freely, but not past a particular distance; when you want a more consistent rack focus in a “series”; the list goes on.

I can’t wait to try this next time I find myself shifting my eyes between the talent and the lens.