Zacuto Z-Drive and Tornado Grip Kit

Zacuto Z-Drive Overview

This is a mechanical follow focus handgrip for shoulder-mounted 15mm rod support systems. It is designed for rigs that position the camera directly above your shoulder, such as Zacuto's Recoil rigs. It pushes focus control forward and down for easy accessibility while also functioning as a handgrip. The kit features a Zacuto Z-Drive and Tornado Grip.

The Zacuto Z-Drive follow focus attaches to a single 15mm rod and features a 60° curve to create distance from the lens. It features a fixed 0.8 pitch gear, marking disc, and a standard accessory port for attaching the Zacuto Tornado Handgrip. The Tornado features a comfortable horn shape handle that works in tandem with the curve of the Z-Drive to serve as a handgrip for a shoulder support system. The handle rotates freely, allowing you to place your thumb and forefinger on the scalloped focus wheel and turn your whole hand to pull focus.

Please note that because of the curved design of the Z-Drive, it is not compatible with matte boxes when working shoulder mounted.

Please see the links below for more information on the various components of this kit.

Zacuto Z-Drive

The Zacuto Z-Drive is a follow focus unit designed for single-operator shoulder mounted rigs. It attaches to a single 15mm rod and features a curved design that creates space and distance from the lens. This extra space provides for more comfortable use when the camera rig is on your shoulder.

The Z-Drive is adjustable for use with a variety of lens sizes, and can be operated on either side of your rig, facing either towards the lens, or backward toward the operator for use with a standard focus whip when on a tripod or dolly. It slides onto a single 15mm rod and tightens into place with a quick-release ratcheting lever. It can also be adjusted towards and away from your lens via a red thumb screw, for use with a variety of lens diameters.

The Z-Drive has a fixed 0.8 pitch gear for connecting to your lens. For lenses that don't have 0.8 pitch gears, like most DSLR lenses, Zacuto ZipGears are available, sold separately. Also available is the Zacuto Tornado, which attaches to the Z-Drive's whip port and provides a mechanical follow focus handgrip.

Please note: The Z-Drive is not compatible with matte boxes.

60° curved design

Slender marking disc for repeatable focus pulls

Standard accessory port for Zacuto, Chrosziel, and Arri whips / cranks

Universal joint and no internal gears, so it won't develop any play

Zacuto Tornado Grip for Z-Drive

The Tornado Grip for Z-Drive from Zacuto is a mechanical follow focus handgrip for single-operator, shoulder mounted shooting. It connects to the whip port on the Zacuto Z-Drive follow focus and provides both a handgrip for two-handed shoulder mount rigs, and a focus wheel for controlling your Z-Drive. The Tornado's comfortable horn shape works in tandem with the 60° curve of the Z-Drive and is particularly useful with Zacuto Recoil support rigs, where the camera is mounted directly over your shoulder.

The Tornado slides in the Z-Drive's whip port by pushing down on the round plunger and pushing it into the port. Once you release the plunger, the Tornado is securely attached. The handle rotates freely, allow you to place your thumb and forefinger on the scalloped focus wheel and turn your whole hand to pull focus. Simply release your thumb and forefinger from the focus wheel, rotate your wrist back, and grab the focus wheel again for more range.