Zoom Controllers?

Xof

Member
Having done my first live shoot with my DVX-100 last night, I've discovered an accessory I really need: a zoom controller. Fiddling around with the zoom on the camera is a pain; I'd rather just leave my hand on the pan bar.

Any recommendations? There's an embarrassment of riches when it comes to zoom controllers out there. Thanks!
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

If memory serves me, somone on the board was working on some low-cost DIY zoom controllers. I think he might have even been taking orders... Can't find the link at the moment...
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

PM bena, he makes the DIY zoom controllers for a very affordable price. Other than that, I believe the consensus on buying a zoom controller is to get either the zoe or the varizoom.
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

I have the newest one. The stepless zoom. It has dials on both sides to adjust the zoom speed before you actually press the lever to zoom.
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

Bena makes them.  I bought one and they work good once you get used to them.
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

In my honest opinion- the infinite focus ring (a focus ring that doesn't stop) is a big problem when doing shots with blocked action and measured off focal points. Even with camera tape and marks, a second a/c cannot accurately pull focus- unless of course we use the Z numbers through the viewfinder or lcd screen.

I wish the dvx100a would have remedied that problem by have remote focus control that stops at infinity and at the closest focal distance.

The Canon models have the lanc focus/zoom lens control system that does this, or am I to be corrected? Thanks.
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

HAH! That was supposed to go in the DVX wishlist wasn't it?
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

A zoom controller is only as good as the built in camera servo speeds that it controls. The 100a only has three speeds...just about impossible to get a silky smooth zoom start. The XL2 has 16 steps available in it's servo...do the math.
Maybe this should be on the wish list too! Along with a real LANC protocol.
Ken
 
Re: Zoom Controllers?

So is 16 greater than 3 or something?

I heard about people rigging their focus ring with pieces of looped string in such a way that they tug at one end of the string or the other to pull focus without that hard of a start.
 
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