Zoom-Focus-Iris control

[BrianMurphy]

Thanks to everyonewho linked me up with the specs a while back. I finally bought a six pack and sat down with the soldering iron. Here is what it looks like.
Cost:
Box-2.50
Contact switch -1.49
2-20K linear mini pots- 4.99 each =9.98
1-30K linear pot-2.99
2-female 3.5mm stereo jacks .79 pk of 2
1-2.5 male stereo jack-.79 pk of 2
1-3.5 male stereo jack-.79 pk of 2
Knobs-1.50
wire I had on hand.
Total:about 20 bucks
It works like a charm,though I am going to try a couple more pots on the zoom, the iris and focus work fine with 20k, just would like a bit more gradual control on the zoom which could also be because the pot is so cheap.
I will use a bicycle bracket to attach it to the tripod arm and probably epoxy the screw to the bracket and use wing nuts to make it easy to take off.
It is an easy build, the biggest problem is finding a box that is small enough and then getting jacks that will go through the walls of the box. I had to hot glue my jacks in place from the inside because they were too short.

[waefre]

Do you have the schematics available for this little beauty?

[BrianMurphy]

Do you have the schematics available for this little beauty?

I can't take credit for these, they were passed on by Bob Hill of the group and I just built mine as he had suggested without the switches in the iris/focus circuit to save space. If you just want a zoom you can build that alone there are other examples if you do a quick search.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1161028349.jpg

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1161028413.jpg

[FiddlerMD]

does the zoom control spring back to zero when you let go of it? if so, how? this has been my only complaint about DIY solutions.. i want it thumb-controlled and i want to return to zero when i let go

[Kdawg]

Nice little gadget.

[BrianMurphy]

does the zoom control spring back to zero when you let go of it? if so, how? this has been my only complaint about DIY solutions.. i want it thumb-controlled and i want to return to zero when i let go
No it is just a regular pot. I looked at the spring soloution, but decided against it just because of space. I have also used a large know and a 30k pot which in initial tests at home lets me control the zoom with my thumb since the box is so small but it is NOT ideal. I do however completely agree with you, I wish I could find a better zoom /pot setup and I will probably pick up a Libec down the road for $109.00 US. I may see if I can modify it to include minature 20k pots for focus and iris.
But for the meantime and for 20bucks I will use this one. I am going to use it next week to shoot a couple of speeches and stuff at an awards dinnner. So for the slow zoom in and out from one shot to another over the course of an evening I think it will be fine.

[sink]

Pactec make some nice enclosures..

[koala]

are there any detailed plans so that a notech like me can handle it? or try to :)

[BrianMurphy]

are there any detailed plans so that a notech like me can handle it? or try to :)
Try this page, it give you the basic plans for a zoom.The iris and focus use the same principal, just a cable with a miniplug and 2 more 20k pots(linear) But you could start by getting all the components together and I would be happy to help you through building it via pm's. You should be able to use or learn to use a soldering iron. Not hard with a bit of practise.

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/remote/
In non-technical terms you are connecting a wire which is the same as a mini stereo jack to what is essentially a volume control and a momentary contact switch (like a door bell switch) and that is it.

[Tony B]

Will the zoom, focus and iris control work on the DVX100A? If not I may make the zoom/record controller. I'm planning on building a crane and this would be nice.

[Logan LeBlanc]

I think it's only for the 100B. Stress the "I think" part.

[mikkowilson]

Yup.

External control port connections:
DVX100: Zoom, Start/Stop
DVX100a: Zoom, Start/Stop
DVX100b: Zoom, Start/Stop, Focus, Iris
HVX200: Zoom, Start/Stop, Focus, Iris


- Mikko

[BrianMurphy]

Will the zoom, focus and iris control work on the DVX100A? If not I may make the zoom/record controller. I'm planning on building a crane and this would be nice.
I own a "B" and I don't think Panasonic put an access jack for Focus and Iris on th the 100 or the 100A model. But there certaily is one for Zoom and Start/Stop record. Sorry I just saw Mikko's reply. There you have it.

[koala]

thanks brian!
i´m looking forward to some free time to try a little with only the zoom from the artikle and would really like to come back to you then! thanks! :)

is the focus in your setup with start and end - so if you turn it, it is repeatable? or is it like the endlessring at the cam? (sorry for the english - do you understand what i´m trying to say? :))

[mikkowilson]

The Focus and Iris inputs on the control port are "Absoloute". Meaning that a certain resistance value is always coupled to a fixed focus distance or F-stop.
So yes, Focus and Iris through the controller port are 100% repeatable.

Zoom however is a "Relative" control. Meaning that it controls speed and direction, it's not absoloute or repeatable.

- Mikko

[koala]

great - thats really great - thanks so much

... so now theres only the leak of time :)

[BrianMurphy]

thanks brian!
i´m looking forward to some free time to try a little with only the zoom from the artikle and would really like to come back to you then! thanks! :)

is the focus in your setup with start and end - so if you turn it, it is repeatable? or is it like the endlessring at the cam? (sorry for the english - do you understand what i´m trying to say? :))
You are very welcome and let me know if I can do anything to help you out.
Cheers
Brian

[erdiaz]

I can't take credit for these, they were passed on by Bob Hill of the group and I just built mine as he had suggested without the switches in the iris/focus circuit to save space. If you just want a zoom you can build that alone there are other examples if you do a quick search.

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1161028349.jpg

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1161028413.jpg

Could you tell us the especs of the items for the Iris/focus?

thanks

[Bob Hill]

All of the pots are 20k. Also, you should note that the circuit for the iris controller is more complicated than in needs to be. I was just drawing up what I used and it was just some bits I had on my bench. I'll post a simple schematic shortly.

Bob Hill

[Bob Hill]

Here are both the circuits

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1164815358.jpg

Bob

[Capt Quirk]

Any idea where I could find something to work with my HD100 and Fujinon lens?

[Inoran]

so how does this control the zoom/focus?

[basta73]

Does anyone know why the varizoom pzfi uses a 4-conductor 3.5mm mini plug for focus/iris?

http://www.varizoom.com/img/products/vzrockpzfi_04.jpg

[siniarch]

Hey, have any of you guys thought about making one of these puppies wireless? and also with a motor to power a follow focus?

[mikkowilson]

Does anyone know why the varizoom pzfi uses a 4-conductor 3.5mm mini plug for focus/iris?


Because all 4 conductors are needed:
* Ground
* Focus Position
* Iris Position
* The "Auto - Manual" switch for one of Focus or Iris (I don't recall which)

- Mikko

[basta73]

Thanks Mikko,

I'm looking at Bob Hill's schematics and they seem based on a Tip Ring Sleeve (3-conductor) type plug. I guess I'll have to wait until the parts come in to find out. I'll post anything I figure out.


This is a great project.

[Bob Hill]

The schematic breaks up the controllers into the focus/iris and zoom/pause. You can make a single controller and jumper the ground at the mini plugs. I made a single controller for all the functions and separate controls for the focus/iris and zoom/pause. The all in one unit I use on my camera stabilizer rig and the separate units I use everywhere else. Hopefully this helps sort out things a bit.

Bob

[koala]

hi

so now i will try it - one last question before i´ll go and buy the stuff :)
when i make the "all in one" do i need 2 or just one miniplug?

thanks a lot - i hope my german supplier knows what these things are :)

[BrianMurphy]

Zoom and focus yes, Iris no,only the 100B has an external iris control jack. so jsut go for the zoom focus.

[Barry_Green]

100B has two jacks, one for zoom and record start/stop, and a second one for focus & iris.

The 100 and 100A have no provision for remote focus or remote iris control.

[koala]

hi

i´ve got all the parts together - man they are expensive here in austria...
i´ve tried it and it works lika a charme! my hvx is pleased to be remote controlled :)

i will wire and put it together - then i´ll post some pics - thanks to all of you - was easier than i thought!
I´ve bought some slide-potis (like the fader on a mixer) - maybe this is an alternative for focus, because its very easy to use them with one finger! look here: http://www.potentiometer.com/alps_slide.cfm

also i´m trying to put two in series, one 20k+a 5k for fine adjustments for exact focus

lets see - next week it should be done ;)
greets

[BrianMurphy]

great looking forward to seeing your version!

[guysmilez]

does anyone have any pictures yet its really hard for me to read the diagrams from bob. has anyone got the focus and iris control down? the zoom one would be nice to but i really would like to make a focus one.

[Jeff Anderson]

This stuff looks awesome but I'm stuck back at the how Bob's schematics have three leads and the varizoom version has 4 - how does Bob's get away with only three leads for the focus/iris controller?

[Bob Hill]

I broke the controllers into two different units. If you combine everything the sleeve is the same as for both controllers. Hopefully that makes sense, if not I'll draw up a another diagram showing everything in one package as it were.

Bob

[anchoryanker]

how smooth are the zooms? can you do a nice gradual "hollywood" zoom, with out the abruptness of the servo zoom?

[guysmilez]

please would it be possible to see pics of how the solders are on the pots and where they are connected on the mini plugs?

i see on the pots it has like 4 connections. im not sure which do what and which to connect.
also on them mini plug issue, do you mean that the middle 2 spots on the four point plug is the same and the middle point on the three point plug?

then if the tip and the back are the two that control the focus and iris which does with like focus tip and iris back?

the schematics are really confusing to me and i really want to get it right so i dont break the camera.

im sorry for being such a noob but just wish there was a pic of the whole things showing all the connections.

[Bob Hill]

I'll shoot some pics of my controllers when I get home this evening and post.

Bob

[FiddlerMD]

how smooth are the zooms? can you do a nice gradual "hollywood" zoom, with out the abruptness of the servo zoom?
would seem to me that this is a function of the servos and not the controller .. i think the servos on the dvx just start out at too fast of a rate for a true gradual zoom.. only way to defeat that woudl be something like a follow focus type physical device on the zoom ring

[guysmilez]

awsome cant wait to see the pics and build one myself! i got a shoot this weekend it owuld come in very handy with my camera crew

[koala]

hellohello - long time no see ... but i´ve found a little time to put some of my parts together and try how they work... well well ... they work ok but not really great - and i don´t find a case in the right size for it :(
but here: i show you what i´ve done so far and maybe the little grafic helps one of you guys building a better one for your own:

http://picasaweb.google.de/a.nostitz/FocusIris/photo#5028842880306960034
this is a little "shematic" of how i´ve wired the parts together.
1.)The Jack at the top:
i´ve got a female jack (this is the connector to the camera - i´ve chosen this because now i can have different length of connection cables for tripod,handheld,crane-use - simple 3,5jack stereo cables that i can plug in my box and the cam)

2.) the focus-side at the left:
from the middle-connector of the jack it goes to
2.1) an on/off switch to go from manual back to automatic
wich goes to the middle connector of
2.2) a switch for the two focus-presets
both other ends are connected to one of the both
2.3) 20k sliding potentiometer (pot) wich it works quite well, but i´ve mesured that a 15k pot would be perfect, because at 14k and a few it goes to infinite focus
!! -> this would be all you need, because it would allready work without 2.4) but:
2.4) i´ve put a second smaller pot in series so i´ve got a more sensitive regulation for detailfocus - here would be a 1k or 2k better than my 5k!!
2.5) both are connected to the ground of the jack

the other side is for the iris control - works exactly the same way!
theres only one little difference: when you turn of the control of the focus (and the camera is set to manual) the focus stays at the same setting you´ve set in your controller until you turn the focusring at the cam - the iris on the other hand jumps to the setting set in your camera - so you´ve got three presets if you like!! :) (was this understandable?)

here are a few making of pics:
the first is the setup for the zoom/rec
second a lot of cables you will need
third: an iron
fourth: good music
and two pics of my work :)
http://picasaweb.google.de/a.nostitz/FocusIris


hope i´ll find some good case soon and maybe i´l change the pots to 15k for better control

have a nice evening!
arne

[Bob Hill]

I don't know about the DVX but the HVX is very smooth and gradual. Also, I still plan on posting pics just got tied up at work and didn't get to it last night.

Bob

[Jeff Anderson]

Bob if you could post some pics that would be awesome. I'm not quite sure how splitting it up changes things - looking back to the varizoom unit they have two plugs out of one box with a 4 pin for the iris/focus and a 3 pin for the zoom/start-stop. From what I understand you are using 2, 3-pin connectors when all controls are plugged in, right? Any light you can shed would be great. I just want to make sure I understand this right before I blow something up :)

[koala]

2 3pins will work - i´ve used it in my setup i´ve posted before!

and don´t blame me, but i don´t think you can blow a lot up - these are all passive parts - just a few resistors - so there will be not a lot of harm to your cam if you plug it in the wrong way round (i hope i´m right - otherwise i had luck in wiring it right the first time :) )

bob what do you think about my setup? any suggestions? is it the same to you with the 15k or is your 20k perfect for you?

[Jeff Anderson]

Cool, I just wanted to make sure that I understood that only 3 pins were being used. I promise I wont lay any blame :) Thanks! Cool looking setup by the way. How do you like the linear pots vs the rotary?

[koala]

i think they would be very nice if they had the right size (15k not 22k) and even in realworldsize they could be a little smaller - but i testet it with my dvrigpro (and this not perfect assambling :) ) and it worked quite well. you can set focus just with you thumb and thats what i wanted! ;)

[Bob Hill]

Koala

I am using pretty good quality 20k pots and it is working very well without a trim pot like you have. But I would say that sounds like a very nice addition using a trim for more finite adjustments. I also agree that it is tough to find small enough pieces to acheive a really clean finished form factor. That and a case to fit things in to can be tough as well. Oh, one suggestion I have is to wire up the controller with a stereo plug that you can plug varying length control cables into. I didn't do that on my first prototypes and I was always fumbling with the cords, now I can make cables that are just the right length. Doing that also lets me leave cabiling attached or routed through my jib and on my camera stabilizer so I don't have to reconfigure the cabling on every setup.

Bob

Here are the pics I could scrounge up of my first prototypes:

http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1170963808.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1170963855.jpg
http://www.dvxuser6.com/uploaded/14894/1170963924.jpg

[Jeff Anderson]

Thanks for the pics Bob, nice job fitting those pots in the small cases. Thanks for the mention of the plugs so I can leave rigs wired and have different lengths of cables. That will definitely be included in my version. Using the multiple presets for the focus, how fast is the focus pull when you just use the switch? Do you actually switch while recording?

[Bob Hill]

The focus switches very quickly, less than half a second for most shifts, and I do switch while recording for certain setups (actors in background and foreground for example)

Bob

[Jeff Anderson]

Awesome thats what I'm looking to do is those fast focus changes and being able to pull focus alone. Thanks!

Jeff

[koala]

Thanks for the mention of the plugs so I can leave rigs wired and have different lengths of cables. :( thats what i´ve posted before ... nobody reads my posts:( really sad koala :(

:)

[Jeff Anderson]

Poor Koala... Sorry I didnt take great notice of your use of jacks... I'd post pics of mine, but my friendly local electronics store is only open during the week - doh! Any cable that you guys are finding works better than others? I was going to start with some cat5 since I've got some already.

[guysmilez]

ok so ive gone shopping and gone to radio shacks and frys electronic stores. i can only find 50k pots how would i use resistors to bring the pot down to 20k. i thought id pick up 15k resistors and put towo on each pot. but pot just stops working? could someone explain hows this is done?

i know in the dvx zoom instructions it said you could use resistore to bring the pot down.

also if i do just stick on the resistors then how do i put them on?

[Ralph Oshiro]

Can you make a DIY "FIZ" for broadcast Fujinon lenses?

[Bob Hill]

guysmilez,

I'd just say order from Jameco.com digikey.com or some other online electronics parts provider before trying to regulate a pots resistance. I don't think it would be worth your time and energy.

[guysmilez]

what if i used 10k pots would it not adjust the full range?
at the stores near here they only have 10k then it jumps to 20k they do have 25k sometimes...

[PerceptionFilms]

Do you know where I can order these parts online?



Thanks to everyonewho linked me up with the specs a while back. I finally bought a six pack and sat down with the soldering iron. Here is what it looks like.
Cost:
Box-2.50
Contact switch -1.49
2-20K linear mini pots- 4.99 each =9.98
1-30K linear pot-2.99
2-female 3.5mm stereo jacks .79 pk of 2
1-2.5 male stereo jack-.79 pk of 2
1-3.5 male stereo jack-.79 pk of 2
Knobs-1.50
wire I had on hand.
Total:about 20 bucks
It works like a charm,though I am going to try a couple more pots on the zoom, the iris and focus work fine with 20k, just would like a bit more gradual control on the zoom which could also be because the pot is so cheap.
I will use a bicycle bracket to attach it to the tripod arm and probably epoxy the screw to the bracket and use wing nuts to make it easy to take off.
It is an easy build, the biggest problem is finding a box that is small enough and then getting jacks that will go through the walls of the box. I had to hot glue my jacks in place from the inside because they were too short.

[BrianMurphy]

I haven't check back here for a while, been working and studiying etc. But these parts and most others used in my build and Bob's and other folks should be available in Austin Texas at an electronics store for sure.
I also wanted to say WOW! some nice builds here. When I have time I will be adapting some of these innovations on my next build.
Brian

[Bob Hill]

I'll post a list of everything that is needed from Jameco's website. I thought that I had done that already but I must have missed it.

Bob

[PerceptionFilms]

Thanks Bob.


I'll post a list of everything that is needed from Jameco's website. I thought that I had done that already but I must have missed it.

Bob

[Capt Quirk]

Can you make a DIY "FIZ" for broadcast Fujinon lenses?
I've been looking for one of those myself.

[Bob Hill]

Sorry about not getting this posted sooner but I have been really busy. I didn't get part #s for the plugs but this is a good start on materials.

Bob

Potentiometer:

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=241656

Momentary switch:

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=315395&pa=315395PS

Enclosures:

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=675411

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=18922

[PerceptionFilms]

Thank you for doing this.


Sorry about not getting this posted sooner but I have been really busy. I didn't get part #s for the plugs but this is a good start on materials.

Bob

Potentiometer:

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=241656

Momentary switch:

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=315395&pa=315395PS

Enclosures:

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=675411

https://www.jameco.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&productId=18922

[citizenjournalist]

fantastic info - thanks to all the posters. question - in the schematic, it shows a "manual-auto" switch, but i don't see that in your prototype(s). or am i just overlooking it? Also, I must confess like others here that I'm still slightly fuzzy on the difference between the 4-pin plug and 3-pin plug. definitely want to build one of these things!

[Bob Hill]

citizenjournalist,

Your right about not seeing a "manual-auto" switch on the schematic. I didn't have one but it is very easy to incorporate. I can post another schematic with that added if anyone needs it.

Bob

[citizenjournalist]

Bob,

Actually your schematics do seem to depict the manual-auto switch, it's just that I didn't think I saw any manual/auto switches in the pictures of the prototype you built. If I understand how things work, w/o these manual/auto switches on the controller, then the camera would always be in manual operation mode (when the controller is plugged into the camera), whereas with the swtiches one could toggle between manual or auto (similar to some of the varizoom controllers).

Steve

[Bob Hill]

citizenjournalist,

You are exactly right. Without the switches so the camera is in manual mode only. I really need to update my the pics of my equipment. The pictures posted on the forum are from the the very first controllers I made and I just slapped them together with what I had on my bench. They were not very elegant at all ;)

Bob

[PerceptionFilms]

Could this work as a follow focus?

[guysmilez]

thats what im using it for! as well as a control for the camera when its on a job arm.

[citizenjournalist]

Hi guys,

I finally found time to build this project with my father who was visiting for a week. We had a good time doing it. Pic is attached.

Everything works - mostly quite well - but for one thing. The zoom control has the following quirks, and I'd like to know if this is unique to my unit (i.e. something I did wrong) or whether it's just the way things are 'supposed' to work. First, I have to turn the knob/potentiometer for a while before the zoom 'kicks in' and starts to move. Second, unlike the focus and iris adjustments, which seem to move only when I am turning the knob/potentiometer, the zoom seems to start zooming, and keep zooming (even after I stop turning the knob) until I turn the knob in the opposite direction to "turn off" the zooming - is that normal or some weird anomaly of my build? Any advice/ideas are appreciated.

One more thing - the parts list that was given previously (links to Jameco) has an error - the item that is supposed to be the momentary switch is actually a push-button on/off switch (I know, cuz I ordered it and then realized when putting things together and comparing to the circuit diagram that it didn't do what it was supposed to). This required a trip to Radio Shack and a 3 dollar part, so it wasn't a big deal - just thought I'd mention it for others.

Thanks, Steve

[basta73]

Hey CitizenJournalist,

Focus and Iris relate to exact, repeatable points on your potentiometer (like the spedometer on your car, or hands on your watch). You could mark where the iris hits 5.6 on your enclosure, and that point would always give you 5.6.

Zoom is relative, and uses the resistance points on the potentiometer to tell the camera which direction to move the zoom lens, and how fast to do it. The halfway point on your 20k pot (~10k) tells the camera to leave the zoom where it is. Once you've zoomed to the position you want to get to, the zoom knob needs to return-to-center, to keep it there.

Hope this helps.

[mikkowilson]

Nice looking unit there!

Yes, there are some differences in how the controls work.

The Focus and Iris are "Absoloute" controls. Basicaly what this means is that the lens is locked to and tracks the position of the controls. The end stops of the controls match the end stops of the lens. And the lens elements will only move while the controls are moving.
This is similar to the steering wheel on a car, it's locked to the direction of the front wheels.
The benefit is that as any control position always referes to the same lens setting, any adjustments are simple to repeat and you can even mark your controllers with known values.

The zoom controller is "Relational", meaning that instead of the controller setting the position of the zoom, it tells it which way to be moving.
It's more like the accelerator in your car. It doesn't matter where you start, the harder you push, the faster the car goes.
With the zoom control in the center, it's not moving, and the further to each end you go, the faster it zooms in that direction - just like zoom rocker on your camera. To prevent accidental zooming, there is a "null" (inactive) safty zome in the middle. The zoom will only move when the control moves outside this zone. This makes it easy to be sure your zoom is fully stopped, especially on controllers that don't have a spring to return the control to center.
This system allows for smoother zooms as you just hold the control in place and the camera will keep zooming at a contant speed until you use the control to slow it down to a stop.


EDIT: basta73 beat me to it in less words.

- Mikko

[citizenjournalist]

Thanks for the explanations - now I understand why the zoom is working that way. It still feels like I have too much 'free play' before the zoom actually kicks in; it seems I have to turn the knob quite a bit before anything happens. But I can live with that, it'll probably just take some getting used to.

Cheers, Steve

[guysmilez]

has anyone found a potentiometer that works like a rocker for the zoom? or maybe a fader type that returns to the middle?

[KOANfilm]

Thank u all for the precious info...
I read this forum yesterday and bought some stuff today :)
The pots i found are 22 KOhm, i hope they are goin to work fine!
Soon some comments and pics!

[SAUCE_PRODUCTIONS]

has anyone found a potentiometer that works like a rocker for the zoom? or maybe a fader type that returns to the middle?


Hey guys...My first post here...Great work to all of you who put these things together and share your ideas. I surely will post my creations once I build them. (and learn how to post, LOL)

Just thought I would say...it would be a great item to add....a wheel/knob similar to the type you find to control pitch on a synthesizer. Albeit smaller of course.

Any suggestions? Of course size is an issue however that spring activated center retent seems like it would be worth some sacrifice.

[kri tabalotny]

there's a couple of ways a self-centring zoom control could be built in without increasing the overall unit size. Both options use a "momentary on-off-momentary on" rocker switch like this one:

http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail?name=360-2261-ND

The idea is to wire the switch in series with either (1) a rotary potentiometer or (2) a multi-position slide switch (like on the DVX100b's handle-mounted zoom control switch). The pot or slide switch is used to pre-set the desired zooming speed. The rocker switch then provides zoom in/out using this speed. Downside is you'll need 2 hands if you want to vary zoom speed during a zoom. Any thoughts?

[chadarthur]

My only question seems stupid but when you connect the ground from the focus pot and the iris pot do you just connect the grounds together and then onto the sleeve? and also there are 3 hooks ups on the pot , but mine are not labeled how do you know what it what

[DNathan]

Would this work on a Panasonic HMC150?

[chadarthur]

Is anyone interested in selling me one of these??