Rob Weidner

The best focus pullers are always getting reference marks of their surroundings. An LDM is the easiest way I have found to do it. While everyone is rehearsing, I am being a ninja and getting 3-4 marks around my environment and then when the DP and director want to shoot the AD will ask if I need any marks and they are usually impressed when you say you have them already. The Hilti's viewfinder and speed is key for this. If you are getting a shot where the actor is walking down a crowded alley way, grab a couple references and nail the shot every time without a monitor. You cannot run a tape out in the middle of a crowd to get marks the traditional way and you cannot rely on using a monitor. Even after I have gotten my marks using my laser, they save in a backlog on the display so I just leave it in my front box or velcroed to the head and I can always look back on it. If I want to do a quick double check of a distance right before a shot, 5 seconds and I have it. LDM is a crucial investment if you want to make a leap towards top tier focus pulling. Also, only invest in the best gear. If you get cheap gear you will get cheap work. Spend the money upfront, invest in gear which is ultimately investing in yourself. Will pay off quicker than you imagine.

I would also recommend the Hilti. I grabbed one on eBay for about half of retail and I use it on every shoot. In fact, other AC's on shoots borrow mine out of my front box on the reg. Worth the investment and just build it into your day rate/kit rate and it will pay for itself.

Simon, Both units are incredible and have their own pros and cons. The biggest difference I see in the two units is simply geography. In the USA, Preston is standard. If you are in Europe, then WCU4 would be more common. I do like that I can control the entire Arri camera with the WCU4 which is something that isn't possible with a preston. At the same time, Arri makes cameras, lights, support equip, etc whereas Preston only makes WFF units. Rob