Question 1

Installing the Marker Board

Accepted Answer

Place the elastic band around the lens in the approximate location where the Marker Board will go (next to the focus ring).
 
Note: The holes at the ends of the marker board are for alignment during manufacturing. They will not be used when setting up the marker board.
 
Pull the elastic band away from the lens, and place it over the foot of the marker board. Position the marker board next to the focus ring.

The Marker Board should now be attached to the lens as shown below. One elastic band is usually sufficient to hold it on without slipping. The extra bands are for leaving on different lenses, at the ready for the Marker Board to be attached.

You may ask yourself, why is the foot of the Marker Board curved the way it is? The Marker Board was carefully designed to fit a wide range of lenses, from 56mm to 98mm in diameter. The picture illustrates how the curve conforms to the different sizes, while maintaining only 2 points of contact.

Question 2

Installing the FocusShifter

Accepted Answer

Open the FocusShifter (turn the ball counter clockwise) so that the loop of belt is large enough to slip over the end of the lens. Slip it over, and onto the focus ring. Place it so that the arrow overhangs the Marker Board. Tighten up the belt by turning the ball clockwise. Adjust the belt tension to your preference.

Question 3

Set Focus Marks

Accepted Answer

Using the dry erase marker, mark your focus points.

Question 4

Hard Focus Stops

Accepted Answer

Clip the clips onto the top edge of the marker board, and move them to set the focus stop positions. The FocusShifter should be far enough from the Marker Board that the only part of the clip that contacts the arrow is the wire end of the clip.

Question 5

Canon 50mm f/1.8 II Lens

Accepted Answer

NOTE: The new Canon 50mm f/1.8 STM lens works without having to add the extra rubber band. If you have the 50mm f/1.8 STM, please skip the following information.
 
The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II lens is a popular lens, but it's focus ring is a pain to attach to due to it being narrow, and angled. If the focus ring, and FocusShifter belt are clean and free of grease, it may be possible to attach the FocusShifter directly on the focus ring. If that doesn't hold, use one of the included elastic bands.
 
First, take the elastic band, and place it over the focus ring. The focus ring on this lens is pretty loose, so it may help if the elastic band actually overlaps the camera body a bit, to create more friction.

Place the belt of the FocusShifter over the elastic band that is already on the focus ring. The elastic band is grippy, and will keep the FocusShifter from sliding off the focus ring. Tighten up the FocusShifter belt.

Question 6

How to Use the Counter Balance

Accepted Answer

The spherically shaped counter balance is used on lenses that have a loose focus ring. The counter balance allows the FocusShifter lever to stay in position when released.

Position the counter balance such that it is on the opposite end of the belt from the FocusShifter lever. Install onto the lens as described in the instructions.

Question 7

Tips for Shifting Focus

Accepted Answer

Be gentle when using the hard stops. Slamming the Focus Shifter against one of the stops hard enough to move the marker board will probably introduce motion in your filming. The stops and marker board system is designed to have some give, in order to reduce movement transmitted to your video. It's best to lightly touch against the stop.

Question 8

Troubleshooting

Accepted Answer

There's not much that can go wrong with the FocusShifter. 
If it comes apart, this video will show you how to put it back together.

Question 9

View PDF Manual

Accepted Answer

View the .pdf manual here.

FocusShifter Instruction Manual