Remote Lanc On A Tight Budget...

[Aaron Jones]

I wanted to update the community on a "Low Budget" Lanc Remote Control I just got in the mail.


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I was thumbing through google for a decent remote lanc control and I came across this one posted on Amazon. I got it in the mail a few weeks ago and I'm impressed by how well it works. The sensitivity is more than what I expected in a $68 unit. It has a very smooth variable zoom (in and out) along with a start/stop record button. For what I need at the moment this works perfect for me. Just like any remote lanc I do not have to be up on the camera now to control the manual zoom rocker which will save my back some, also giving you more control with the tripod pan, lift, and tilt while standing back a bit to see the whole scope of things in a better view. It is a mountable control that tightens on the arm of a tripod. I'm sure we could be creative and mount it to just about anything to serve the purpose in which we need.

Sorry about the bad images, they were taken with my smartphone in low light obviously...


There was one noticeable draw back though. This particular Lanc control came with two jack ports, one in the front of the device and one on the side for convenience for your configuration. the port on the front of the device is recessed too far in for the cable plug to be inserted all the way in. So of course it does not work with the front port. I left a 3 star rating on the amazon page review because of it. I can fix it with no problem but it is still a factor. Reading some of the other reviews not too many others had this same problem so it does not seem consistent with there build quality, just happen to be my unit.


If you are looking for a low budget solution for remote tripod zooming and on a very tight budget than i would say this would help you.

I took this unit apart and noticed that the jacks are only soldered on the top side of the board. the solder is the only stability so too hard of a push with inserting the cable may cause the solder joint to break. So i went ahead and strengthened the solder joints for more stability. I also ground down the front of the casing so that the front jack is no longer recessed. All works well and again for someone in a tight budget this may work for you.

I will post images or a video of what I did to fix it someone wants to see that type of thing. I'm sure most people here are far more advanced in their film making where this is very minuscule to them. But, for someone like me I have other expenses as well so every dollar sometimes helps me.

 

[Norman99]

That's a great accessory BUT Sony has seemed to stop making cameras with the LANC terminal on them. I wish the newer cameras like the AX100 and the Alpha 7 series had that LANC terminal on them. I place the cameras high on a tripos for ethnic weddings and I just need control of zoom and pause, at least.
If they have that control at the same price with connectivity to the AX100/A7 series, then that would be a game changer for me. I need that manual analog rocker zoom control and not the push button type.

 

[Aaron Jones]

I understand your dilemma. One thing i see is cool with your AX100 is that is has NFC which allows you to start and stop record with your smartphone. That is interesting. I believe we will see a Sony Controller that will control their cams and probably will be proprietary. Sony seems to try and make their consumers go all the way Sony, IMHO. It seems as if they are going to try and shut the door a little more on universal devices working with their cams. It is just a undertone vibe i get when i look at the money the expect from some of their accessories like Remote Lanc Controllers that do not sell much. I hope they keep in mind the universal capability is probably the final thought when purchasing a Sony, at least it was for me. I had to rely solely on their accessories I would think twice on some purchases.