Paul, from the video it seems real touchy to get a very slow crawl speed. Is this so?

Duplicate post.

Not sure about touchy, you do need to be gentle with it if you want the slowest speed. Bare in mind that this was at the extremes of the zoom and given that the cable was stretched to the camera it wasn't as easy using it as normal.

I'm also right handed and did with with my left hand so was a little more clumsy than usual.

Hi Brendan, I'm not sure which would be tougher in those kind of conditions, but the Libec just seemed to be a little bit more rigid to touch, wheres the Zoe controller had a bit more flex in the plastics.

I'm sure they are both great controllers though, I just preferred the Libec.

Check this out... http://www.vimeo.com/655026

thanks!

the libec does look nice and simple. but like you said it hard to judge which wil survive water ingress etc. My first one was a varizoom which i thought was the in dustry leader and super robust but the sea air got to the that one pretty quick! - how does the libec attatch to the arm?

Here's some pics of the attachment. This to me was the major reason to choose this one. It can be taken off with a single thumbscrew and moved to my mutlirig from the side (without sliding down the extension arm).

One downside was that the converter they have supplied does not screw or lock to the end of the cable, it's just a push fit. For this reason I put some insulation tape on the connector to keep it together.

that is a nice attachment! i find the screws on the bebob dig into me as i am carrying the cam & tripod on my shoulder...

And here it is on the multirig in a couple of configurations.

Paul, many thanks for posting the video clip of the Libec controller.

I think what many of us want to know is how slow the EX zoom can go, especially with this controller. It is obviously smooth and stepless. Any chance you could make another video demonstrating an almost imperceptible push and/or pull?

If your time allows, I know we would all benefit. If not, thanks for the effort you have already made.

Dave McCallister

I just received my Bebob Zoe EX Zoom controller from http://16x9inc.com/products/bebob/be-zoe-ex.html.

I have other Zoe controllers that I have used with my Sony Z1U and Sony PDW-F350. The Zoe EX is very similar to them.

A very "ergonomic" rocker switch for controlling zoom. The speed of the zoom is proportionally controlled by the displacement of the rocker. The maximum speed available is adjustable with a dial on the side of the controller. The slowest maximum speed is approximately equal to speed 22 for the handle rocker switch zoom controller. With a steady thunb on the Zoe's rocker switch very slow zooms can be accomplished.

in addition to the max speed control dial there are three buttons on the Zoe: a "return" button that functions as a "play last clip" button; a record stop/start button; and a button that, when held down when the Zoe is plugged into the EX1 in Standby, will reverse the direction of the zoom controlled by the rocker switch.

As a satisfied user of prior Zoe controllers as mentioned above I am quite satisfied with the Zoe EX.

I have no involvement with the Zoe controller other than as a satisfied user.

Carroll Lam

Carroll , can I ask you the same question I tried to ask Paul.
Can you truly get a feathered start and stop like one is accustomed to on a professional 2/3" camera lens.

This has been impossible with any other 1/3" camera regardless of the controller or the speed of the zoom. There has always been a slightly but noticeably abrupt start and stop.

...feathered start and stop like one is accustomed to on a professional 2/3" camera lens. This has been impossible with any other 1/3" camera regardless of the controller or the speed of the zoom. Sorry but this is not true. You have a valid complaint about 1/3rd-inch camcorders with LANC remote controls, but there have been 1/3rd-inch camcorders with standard 8-pin Fuji or Canon controllers (such as the entire JVC Pro HD camera line) and they certainly don't have this problem.

Sorry, i haven't worked with those carefully anyway. Only the Sony and Panasonic. Question remains the same though.

Carroll , can I ask you the same question I tried to ask Paul.
Can you truly get a feathered start and stop like one is accustomed to on a professional 2/3" camera lens.


Since I have never used a "professional 2/3" camera lens" I cannot answer your question categorically. I can say that I can get _very_ slow zooms with light pressure on the rocker and the Zoe speed dial set to its lowest value. The degree of feathered start is really a question of how good one is in "feathering" pressure on the rocker.

Carroll Lam

This is Tom from VariZoom. The zoom circuit on the new EX is similar to the Fujinon but not exactly the same. It is not incremental in steps like the Lanc controls but is similar in feel to what a professional camera with a Canon or Fujinon would be.

The zoom is very responsive and allows for an extremely slow crawl. VariZoom has three configurations for this control. The Rock EX, the Pro-Ex and the PG-Ex.

Tom

Tom...

I have a Varizoom Rock-X. Can this be adapted(with an adapter cable) to work with the Sony EX1.

Tom,

Thanks for stepping in as you seem to understand the question. I have an HVX and one of your controllers for it, ( i can't remember which one but it has the iris knob as well). At any rate I just avoid any zooming except in run and gun situations because there is just no way to get a decent start.
Would I be able to do that with one of your controls and the Ex?

(will you do a trade - in?)

Lenny Levy

Hi Bill,

I think you have a VariZoom Rock DVX, no matter no pre-existing control is going to work on a Sony EX camera. We could possibly make a convertor cable to allow a Canon or Fujinon pro control to work but that is the only possibility of utilizing an existing control.

Tom

Tom...

I have a Varizoom Rock-X. Can this be adapted(with an adapter cable) to work with the Sony EX1.

Hi Leonard,

No, it will not work. Trade in? Come on I have plenty of controls already. I am sure whoever buys or uses your HVX will need the HVX control. Used VariZoom's do well on Ebay and will get you about 75% of retail.

Thanks for the business.

Tom

ThTom,

Thanks for stepping in as you seem to understand the question. I have an HVX and one of your controllers for it, ( i can't remember which one but it has the iris knob as well). At any rate I just avoid any zooming except in run and gun situations because there is just no way to get a decent start.
Would I be able to do that with one of your controls and the Ex?

(will you do a trade - in?)

Lenny Levy

Thomas - I was kidding about the trade in , but I'm don't feel I've gotten a clear answer yet about whether I will be able to do a fully professional feathered zoom with the EX-1 and one of your controllers.

I'm buying if you can convince me!

Tom...

Thanx for your answer. However, it is a VZ-Rock F that I use on my HD110.

Sorry Leonard,

You will be very pleased with the VariZoom. The VariZoom EX controls work perfectly and have an extremely smooth professional feathered slow crawl that can be ramped up quickly or ever so slowly. I'm not sure I can make it sound any better.

Best regards,

Tom

Thomas - I was kidding about the trade in , but I'm don't feel I've gotten a clear answer yet about whether I will be able to do a fully professional feathered zoom with the EX-1 and one of your controllers.

I'm buying if you can convince me!

Bill, I could make a convertor cable for the Rock-F but it will not work as well as the new VariZoom EX controls that are specifically designed for the camera. So I will likely stay away from making a convertor cable.

Thank you,

Tom

I'm going to give the new Varizoom VZ-PG-EX a try. Should be shipping in a couple of weeks. I used one of their handles on PD-150 and DVX100 and liked it.

Here's a link...

http://varizoom.com/products/controls/vzpgex.html

Tom...

Once again, thanx so much for taking the time to answer. Sounds like I need to just bite the bullet and get a VZ designed for the EX.

Hi Bob & Bill,

The link to the Rock EX just went live. Both controls work very well. (image below)

http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrockex.html

Tom


I'm going to give the new Varizoom VZ-PG-EX a try. Should be shipping in a couple of weeks. I used one of their handles on PD-150 and DVX100 and liked it.

Here's a link...

http://varizoom.com/products/controls/vzpgex.html

Just to let you guys know that the Manfrotto solution (both handle-integrated, and separate clamp-on controllers) will be available in 2-3 weeks time. The software has been tested and works nice with the EX1.

Also, the Manfrotto controllers will be offering a bit more than just variable zoom, start/stop, and RET. Worth waiting and considering:)

Thanks Piotr ! I'll be looking out for that one.

All the controllers out so far look good.
For me - zoom and rec are just fine for the most part

I've used the Manfrotto full handle grip with my z1 and I like it.

Paul

Bob,

Your control should have already shipped. Sony did a great job on this camera and you will be very please with high degree of control.

The Pistol grip you ordered is milled from solid aluminum is one of our most robust cases ever made. The Rock and Stealth EX will fit on camera shoulder supports a little easier, as they are smaller, so if you decide you want a second control we will give you a deep discount for the second control.

In fact we will give anyone at DVinfo a discount or free shipping in the USA.

We appreciate Chris Hurd and the great community he has built. Chris actually was the first person to contact me for the first controller review when VariZoom made the first ever professional Lanc control the Pro-L.

Thanks to Chris the Watchdog and VariZoom has come a long way since.



Tom




I'm going to give the new Varizoom VZ-PG-EX a try. Should be shipping in a couple of weeks. I used one of their handles on PD-150 and DVX100 and liked it.

Here's a link...

http://varizoom.com/products/controls/vzpgex.html

I purchased the Bebob controller through 16x9inc.com
http://www.16x9inc.com/products/bebob/be-zoe-ex.html
and it works perfectly. I only wish Sony would have a way of controlling the Push Focus through a remote, but according to Bebob engineers the interface does not support push focus.
Otherwise you can do really slo-o-o-ow zooms with Bebob and also really fast. I did not have time to experiment which setting (handle or camera zoom speed) applies to remote, but remote itself has a wheel where you can set the speed. So I set the camera to real slow zoom and when the Bebob is set to slowest it can take 20-30 seconds to zoom through the full range, when Bebob is set to fast - the full zoom range takes about 4-5 seconds. The build quality is excellent too. The cable is about twice as long as really needed, still better if a short one... Highly recommended.

Anyone have any updates on the rumored Manfrotto LANC for the EX1, would like to know all my options before I commit to one.

- Ray

Anyone have any updates on the rumored Manfrotto LANC for the EX1, would like to know all my options before I commit to one.

- Ray

Ray, the Manfrotto EX1 controller (not LANC, though, of course) is due soon.

I knew that (not LANC that is)! Force of habit I suppose. =)

- Ray

perhaps a silly question, but if remote control is limited to start/stop and zoom control (or, so it seems), why not just stick with LANC? perhaps rhetorical, but I'd expect that there would be additional functionality such as focus control as others have asked for. Anyone know what the interface is spec'd to support versus what remote manufacturers have implemented?

I received my Varizoom EX controller last week and have shot with it twice now. It is great. Love the newer rocker. Intuitive, ergo friendly....Nice.

Piotr, what advantages will the Manfrotto have over the Bebob which is currently available (I have a Lanc version for my V1U and I like the brand). Do you know how soon, (days, weeks, months) the Manfrotto will be for sale? I can't see it listed anywhere, even for pre-ordering. Thanks. -Keith

I am supposed to have a working prototype within a couple of days; will keep you posted on both the technical details and availability.

I have 2 EX1 cameras. I previously had three HVX cameras and had 2 Varizoom controllers and one ZOE-DVX controllers for them. Overall they were very similar and worked great and very similar.

So when I needed zoom controllers for my new EX1's I initially called Varizoom and ordered two of the first units available. I received them and unfortunately was not impressed. It was almost impossible to get predictable slow zooms. They were very "notchy" and went very fast from slow to fast with a quick jump from no zoom to quick zoom with abrupt stops. With a little practice I got better but not great.

I made a few calls and found someone who had 2 Zoe-EX in stock and ordered them because I had a shoot coming up. I got them the day before the shoot. The difference was night and day. In addition to being more compact and amazingly more controllable, they have a speed adjustment wheel which sets the maximum speed for zoom, but still lets you use the full rocker. The quality of zoom reminds me of high end professional zooms as opposed to stepped LANC and my older HVX cameras. I am thoroughly pleased. The zoom is more controllable than even the built in rocker. You can get true feathered starts and stops unlike the HVX zoom mechanism.

I called to return my Varizoom controllers and was assured by them that the problems in the controllers have been fixed. Because I had already bought the Bebob controllers and was totally satisfied, I did not take them up on replacing them. So I cannot vouch for whether newer models have the problems resolved. They did return them with no problems. So thanks for good customer service.

Even assuming they have fixed the problems in the Varizoom controllers, I really like the speed adjustment of the Bebob, something Varizoom does not offer. So I am totally sold on the Zoe-EX controllers.

I have the Varizoom PMW-EX1 (not the more stylish looking one above). I am entirely satisfied. No jumps at all. With your thumb in the cradle, you can start out creeping and slowly ramp up. Rock solid build.

I've got the Libec ZC9-EX. I'm very happy with it.

Paul.

I also bought the Libec and am happy with it. At the time it was the only one shipping, and I was concerned about the quality given that it's the lowest-priced unit on the market (so far), but was pleasantly surprised. It has the functionality of the others, and the zoom control works well - push it slightly and it zooms slowly, push hard and it zooms quickly (easy to control).

OK guys - the Manfrotto MN521 EX - will be out very soon now (premiere at NAB). And believe me - worth waiting for!

OK guys - the Manfrotto MN521 EX - will be out very soon now (premiere at NAB). And believe me - worth waiting for!
Piotr,
you make me curious! Can you tell me more about its features?

cu,
Gerald

Sorry - all I can say at the moment is that it's definitely worth waiting for :)

did some posts get deleted from this thread (or maybe I read them posted elsewhere) about the Manfrotto?

While it sounded nice, it didn't sound like it added a whole lot more than any of the other units already on the market - still no focus adjustment, for example. On the other hand, if it retails for $99, I'll buy one... :-)

did some posts get deleted from this thread (or maybe I read them posted elsewhere) about the Manfrotto?

While it sounded nice, it didn't sound like it added a whole lot more than any of the other units already on the market - still no focus adjustment, for example. On the other hand, if it retails for $99, I'll buy one... :-)

Yeh I got an email from this thread about a post that isnt here!

take a look
http://www.varizoom.com/controlsindex.html
wanted to get STEALTH-EX with the 10ft extension, ( I need EX on the crane), they don't ship outside of US,
well, will have to find Canadian distributors,
:-)

I wish you had taken us up on our offer for the exchange control. The units you first received lack one component and now they all have this important addition. Anyway that is sometime the price of being first out you will get a bug or something that can be improved. As you found out we have a pretty liberal return policy and we always try to satisfy.

I do appreciate the business and if you care to try a Rock or other control we will ship it free and discount steeply to make up for the inconvenience.

We had only a few go out that were not optimized. Sales have been strong and high level of satisfaction on all units sold.

Best regards,

Tom



I have 2 EX1 cameras. I previously had three HVX cameras and had 2 Varizoom controllers and one ZOE-DVX controllers for them. Overall they were very similar and worked great and very similar.

So when I needed zoom controllers for my new EX1's I initially called Varizoom and ordered two of the first units available. I received them and unfortunately was not impressed. It was almost impossible to get predictable slow zooms. They were very "notchy" and went very fast from slow to fast with a quick jump from no zoom to quick zoom with abrupt stops. With a little practice I got better but not great.

I made a few calls and found someone who had 2 Zoe-EX in stock and ordered them because I had a shoot coming up. I got them the day before the shoot. The difference was night and day. In addition to being more compact and amazingly more controllable, they have a speed adjustment wheel which sets the maximum speed for zoom, but still lets you use the full rocker. The quality of zoom reminds me of high end professional zooms as opposed to stepped LANC and my older HVX cameras. I am thoroughly pleased. The zoom is more controllable than even the built in rocker. You can get true feathered starts and stops unlike the HVX zoom mechanism.

I called to return my Varizoom controllers and was assured by them that the problems in the controllers have been fixed. Because I had already bought the Bebob controllers and was totally satisfied, I did not take them up on replacing them. So I cannot vouch for whether newer models have the problems resolved. They did return them with no problems. So thanks for good customer service.

Even assuming they have fixed the problems in the Varizoom controllers, I really like the speed adjustment of the Bebob, something Varizoom does not offer. So I am totally sold on the Zoe-EX controllers.

I've never needed a remote control for my cameras but have started looking into one for the EX1.

What I want to know is how do you control the focus? All of the ones linked to above seem to just be zoom controls. Wouldn't focus control be equally important?

Maybe they do and I'm just missing something...

You focus in the standard. Zoom in to subject - manual focus- pull out and work as normal. There is no connection for remote focussing on this camera. Relying on auto focus does not look very good, whatever the camera.

You focus in the standard. Zoom in to subject - manual focus- pull out and work as normal. There is no connection for remote focussing on this camera. Relying on auto focus does not look very good, whatever the camera.

That's right but with the camera on a crane it can't be done. Remote focusing is required.