ALL: Taming the servo zoom (AC130/160)

N

NetHead

Member
Hello all,

I recently upgraded to the AC130 from an HMC40. Loving the camera except for one issue that's pretty big for me: The servo zoom is too fast and too abrupt, even at its slowest setting. I do a lot of stage/concert work (and a decent amount of classical music performances) and I'm finding it impossible to ease in and out of my moves.

With some of the classical shoots, 20-30 second creeps are fairly common. The HMC40 handled these well. Is there any hope for me with this camera? I've tried with a Varizoom ROCK DVX and the camera's built-in rocker. Both are too fast.
 
Hi, is the handle zoom on its slowest setting still too fast? I find it quite useful for creep zooms. I have just checked my 160A with a stopwatch and it is 32 seconds from full wide to full zoom which is pretty useful. Silly question, but as a new owner you may have missed it. you do know you can set the top handle zoom speeds in the menu? I always leave position 1 on the slowest.
Cheers!
Rod
 
Handle zoom on "low" is better than the rocker. Is it possible to get that speed using the zoom remotes? I know there are some digital zoom remotes that allow you to lock the speed of the zoom, but my concern is that it wouldn't be any slower than the slowest speed on the remote I have right now.
 
Hello. I have also noticed that when I change zoom servo direction from out to in or vice versa with lowest speed, the servo start is not smooth, there is slight tuck after few frames of zooming. I wrote about it to panasonic service center when I sent the camera for upgrade to A version, but the service center did't find any difference from other AC160's.
 
This is where a video camera with a standard ENG lens and a true high quality zoom demand is needed.

You need to see if any 3rd party manufacturers make zoom demands with a variable speed control for the 130/160 but I doubt it. It would be a separate knob to the rocker.
JVC 700 series would work for you.
 
ELN614 said:
This is where a video camera with a standard ENG lens and a true high quality zoom demand is needed.
Click to expand...

Aye, I was worried that might be the case. Does anyone have any recommendations as to what Panasonic cameras would fit the bill? Looking at the Panasonic lineup on B&H it seems that all the cameras up until the HPX370 ($8k) have the same innards.

What about comparable lineups from Sony/Canon/others?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top