Libec ZC-9EX Zoom Controller for EX1/3 - Works Great!

[Chadfish]

I Just got my Libec ZC-9EX and it works great! I can creep very slowly - more-so than the zoom rocker on the camera itself. No stutters - just slow as can be. It feathers awesomely too. Scott at tapeworks will sell it to you at the discount price of 165.00. It works better than Manfrotto according to users on DVinfo.net.

Example: http://vimeo.com/655026


Call Tapeworks Texas Inc Toll Free 866-827-3489
Tell 'em Chad sent ya.
tapeworksscott@sbcglobal.net

 

[Duke M.]

Hey Chad,

That Tapeworks website looks funky and unfinished to say the least. Is that were you bought yours?

Duke

 

[Chadfish]

Yes I called Scott personally. There's no risk. It's just a weak website. I don't know if I even saw a page with the controller on it. You can get one at B&H for 200.00 - all other places I saw were 250 or so. I went for it because there's a whole thread about it at DVinfo and many loved it, and it defeats the stuttering slow zoom of EX1 whee Manfrotto does not. It's not cool to post links to other forums so I won't.

 

[Duke M.]

Thanks, I was just a little unsure of the website. Like you I didn't see an entry for the controller itself.

My other question, if you don't mind, is on the method of attachment/clamping.

The Varizoom is reputed to be weak in that regard; because of the short screws it won't fit on larger handles. This one is supposed to have a different clamping system.

The EX1 is tiring when hand held due to the right grip being so far to the side causing torque. I'm building my hand held rig with the right hand placed directly underneath in the center with a large enough grip to be comfortable.

Have you tried it on any large grips? Any results?

 

[Chadfish]

I have the "El Cheapo" shoulder mount mentioned by Phillip Bloom (you can search that here I think) and there is no grip. It just rests on your shoulder, and your right hand goes into the normal hand grip. So I can't imagine what you're really saying. You want the lens controller on a hand grip? Anyway, It's not in front of me now, but I have my Libec attached to my Sachtler handle, and there is plenty of room to spare. It tightens down easily and securely.

 

[Duke M.]

I have a version of "El Cheapo", but it doesn't have rails and still tries to torque a bit because the right hand is so far off the center of balance for the camera. Thats been my issue with most shoulder rigs, with two front handles far apart when you take your hand off one the rig tends to twist.

Instead, what I did was tied two sets of rails, 18" and 10", with a raised platform to mount the camera and tripod mounting block between the rails. I screwed a grip directly into the tripod mounting block 3/8" hole. The good thing is I've done it with parts I already had.

I don't know who makes the grip I have since I bought it with a bunch of used Manfrotto stuff in central America, but this one should be similar. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/529346-REG/Pearstone_GRIP_Universal_Microphone_Hand_Grip.html possible this one too http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ..._8026_Handle_for_Compact_Digital.html#reviews

This lets me use accessories like a follow focus, matte box, shoulder mount. I haven't seen anyone else do it this way, but so far its working well if I can reach controls with my right hand.

By using a Hoodloupe I can shift the weight of the camera back and center the weight of the camera over my right hand. The balance is a lot better for me. Now I just need to be able to hit the record and zoom with my right hand, which is where the zoom controller comes in.

 

[Mark Bolding]

Hey Chad,

That Tapeworks website looks funky and unfinished to say the least. Is that were you bought yours?

Duke

Hey there Duke,
Don't hold the website against Scott; my understanding is he has been screwed over twice by web developers. I bought the Libec from him in December and have been quite happy with it on my Sachtler.

mb