FS7: Secrets of the LANC Remote - Building a Better Remote

Publimix said:
Let me be the first subscriber for your crowdfunding campaign to make this device commercial. I started my brie-cheesefactory with crowdfunding, got 45.000 euro in two weeks.
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I'm going to get back on this development as soon as I can. I've been all over the place, recently doing productions with the F23 and there's also an iPhone app I'm developing for the FS7, not to mention the gact that the Xbox Controller thing is actually part of a whole motion control project - I can control not just the FS7, but a pan/tilt/slide unit. It's hectic.
 
If you haven't looked through their catalog, ServoCity has all sorts of interesting stuff for the DY crowd. In particular, they have pre-manufactured controller boxes ready for your code. I purchased one of their programmable servo control boxes for a custom slider setup and it works great. I can record a variable speed routine in real time and then repeat it as desired. They have boxes that are strictly code oriented also.

Very interesting company with an ever expanding product line and good tech help for your purchase.

Grant
 
Hi James, what I mean is to use the cheap transmitter receiver in combination with the original hand-grip. I don't use this grip so I can play with it. All I have to do is to replace all the switches of the grip with the relays of this cheap 6 or 8 channel receiver. The hand-grip can still do its controlling things. The same for the pan-tilt head.

But mostly these simple plans end up with flashes, smoke and broken gear. :)
So I think I'll start with the (also cheap) pan-tilt head I bought on Ebay. Replace the switches of the controller with the relays.
 
You are right I send you the wrong link, there are a lot of these receivers transmitters out on Ebay.


It is Cheap, it is Chinese and its from the Internet so it will work of course.
 
Viddovation said:
By the way - looks like the Manfotto 521LX LANC Camcorder Remote Control should be capable of supporting the assignable buttons of the FS7/FS700. Possibly the best commercially available choice for those who need those buttons on a traditional handlebar LANC controller.
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Yes, the Manfrotto 521LX works fine with the FS700. I even used it with the X70 (two adapter cables required).

Ralph
 
Hello James!
I'm currently trying a lot with the LANC protocol. I managed to get the basic commands working, but there has to be more into the protocol. Would you mind to give me a few tips, or even the commands you figured out? Is it true, that there are two "versions" of the protocol, one which is the basic one (used by Boehmel) and one more advanced with 16 bits? I would be really thankful for some hints.

Greetings from Germany,
Maik
 
Well here's a question for youi guys who understand Lanc commands.
I tried a Varizoom PG -L zoom controller with my Sony FS7 because I had seen someone else with one that allowed more subtle zoom control with the 18-110 lens.
The zoom worked fine but the record on / off button worked once then the next time the camera just turned off entirely. I tried it again and the same thing happened ( dumb to try it a second time I know) after that I wouldn't try the record button, but the zoom worked once or twice then stopped working altogether.
Trying the Varizoom ( just the zoom only not the Record button on another FS7) worked fine but not on mine anymore - some thing was fried.

Anyway I put the Varizoom away and in an odd twist of fate the next day the tip of the regular grip arm's sub mini plug broke off in the FS7 female connector. (Submini Lanc connector was an accident waiting to happen IMHO). So I had to send it to Sony and they had to replace an entire board that was fried.
Whether I fried the board with the Varizoom or the piece of the plug rattling around in there I'll never know, but the Varizoom problem preceded the plug so I assume that fried something first.

I'm wondering if my problem makes any sense to you. Why would the Varizoom fry my FS7? Weirder yet is I know someone with a very slightly different version of the same Varizoom controller and they use it all the time. I have no idea if they use the Rec buttion, but it seems you would have to hit it a few times even by accident.

Lenny
 
Hello Lenny!
The record button is not "dangerous" at all. The worst case scenario would be that your camera doesn't support this knob. But it is impossible, that the button alone killed your camera.
The little LANC-Connector has 5V to support the Varizoom with power and I think you might have had bad luck with a short circuit. I can't say if it was the broken plug or the Varizoom, but in both cases a short circuit is the most likely explanation.
You could take the Varizoom and test it with a Voltmeter: If two of the rings of the pin are connected, you have the solution.

Maik
 
The varizoom definitely did some damage because it crashed the camera and then stopped working entirely before the Lanc connector even broke. And it was a different connector that broke. . You may be correct that it was a bad unit though. I did send it back .
I actually have another one but am afraid to try it and i'll put it up for sale.

Hmm - I just tested the one I have for continuity on the pins. I'm no electronics nut or electrician but i know a little bit and in my limited experience I either have continuity or I don't - i.e. the needle either gives full deflection or nothing. On this Lanc connector the needle moves about halfway for every possible combination of the 3 rings 1-2 , 1-3, 2-3. Never seen that before. Does that mean its measuring some resistance - Ohms? According to the scale its around 4000 Ohms.
What does that mean? ( Sorry that my knowledge is so limited. I understand volts, amps and watts but resistors and capacitors are beyond my pay grade. I am interested though. )
 
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