What to look for in HMC controller features and quality?

M

MadPainter

Member
I am a soon to be owner of an HMC150 (it arrives from B&H this week) and I am looking for a focus/zoom/iris controller so I can use the camera in cold Colorado weather. Focus control is most important to me due to the sticky focus ring issue with these cameras.

I have done a search on this forum to learn more about controllers. So far I have come across a number of posts recommending different controllers that range in price from $20 for DIY units to name brand units costing over $400. After reading a couple threads on this forum about DIY units for the HMC, it appears that the controller is a relatively uncomplicated tool (not that I have ever built anything like this before though). One thing I have not been able to find, however, is any discussion of what one can expect from controllers at different price points. Specifically:

Do more expensive units function better than less expensive units? If so, in what ways: smoothness of controls, ergonomics, number of functions, durability, other factors?

As you can probably guess from the direction of my post, I am looking for the best cost to function ratio here. If an inexpensive unit will perform just as well as a unit that costs 2x more, why choose the more expensive unit?


 
Continuing with my question above, how does a unit such as the Varizoom VZ-PFI that costs $180 (on sale now for $99) compare to a unit like the Bebob Foxi Focus/Iris Control that costs $460 or the Manfrotto 521 PFI that costs $265?

Links to the units at B&H:

Varizoom
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/413138-REG/VariZoom_VZ_PFI_VZPFI_Focus_Iris_Controller.html

Bebob Foxi
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ing_BE_FOXI_Bebob_Engineering_FOXI_Focus.html

Manfrotto 521 PFI
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...aging_521PFI_521PFI_Focus_Remote_Control.html
 
I've got that Varizoom, it's fine, but it's no Foxi. The Foxi is the best remote focus controller I've used with an HVX/HPX/HMC.

On the Varizoom, I have the earliest original model, which looks a lot like the one in that picture. They later came out with a bigger focus wheel; make sure that you get the one with the bigger focus wheel. The tiny focus wheel makes precision focus iffy.
 
Barry_Green said:
I've got that Varizoom, it's fine, but it's no Foxi. The Foxi is the best remote focus controller I've used with an HVX/HPX/HMC.

On the Varizoom, I have the earliest original model, which looks a lot like the one in that picture. They later came out with a bigger focus wheel; make sure that you get the one with the bigger focus wheel. The tiny focus wheel makes precision focus iffy.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info , Barry. When you say the Varizoom is fine, would it be suitable, in your opinion, for a rack focus? Or is that beyond the capabilities of a unit like this? On units with smaller focus wheels, is it possible to overcome the awkward use of the wheel by building up the size of the wheel somehow, and thereby gaining more precision? Maybe by adding a rubber tire from a toy car or something?

What makes the Foxi so much better? Is it the precise focusing control? Are the ergonomics better?
Thanks.
 
The Foxi is made for that. The varizoom, eh, you could maybe do it, but nowhere near as efficiently as the Foxi.

Foxi is designed as an electronic replacement for a physical follow focus, with a markable wheel, etc. And the (comparatively) massive size of the focus wheel gives you much finer control over positioning.
 
Thanks again , Barry. That helps me make a better evaluation of the controllers and what I really want out of them.

BTW, I ordered your HMC150 book last Friday and it arrived yesterday. I have already read through a lot of it. Great book and supplement to the manual. Clearly written with lots of information not only on the camera, but also on broader topics that are relevant to the HMC150. You provide answers to some questions I haven't been able to find elsewhere. Super fast shipping too. Thanks.
 
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