I heard from a source that when using a Z280 with an external zoom controller there are only 7 steps of speed for zoom in LANC protocol so it's not truly variable. This came from DJP video.

Can anyone confirm this? Doug Jensen?

Does anyone have recommendations for zoom controllers? Currently have a varizoom RL100 and considering the Pro L so I can dial the speeds.

Also looking at the Sony RM1BP - which has 3 selections of speed but one of the reviews says it's variable in between those settings.

Thanks!

David

Sadly, yes, this is the case. 8 steps in total. So seven steps from one end to the other.

No longer made, but they do turn up now and again on eBay is the Bebop Zoe DVXL Lanc controller. I have three of these for Sony Lanc controlled camera zooms. Along with the still available Libel Lanc zoom demand, I've found these to be the closest to "stepless" control. In fact with the Bebob unit if the internal 'C' pin limiter pin is removed from the speed control wheel you can have a surprisingly smooth and wide range of speed control. I have no personal experience with the Manfrotto unit though I have heard good reports on them for close to stepless control. The Sony RM-1BP is definitely more noticeable in its speed steps compared to any of these units I've mentioned.

A few Z280 shooters also speak pretty highly of the Libec LANC unit. I have one of their 8-pin units that I use on B4 lenses, and it is very good. So if the Lanc version is a good as the Fujinon/Canon 8-pin variant, it might well be worth testing out.

Chris Young

Libec ZC-LP LANC Zoom Control. Read the Z280 user reviews.

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1344165-REG/libec_zc_lp_zoom_control_for_lanc_panasonic.html/reviews/BI/2855/KBID/3801 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1344165-REG/libec_zc_lp_zoom_control_for_lanc_panasonic.html/reviews/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

The Manfrotto RC Clamp LANC Zoom

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/816005-REG/Manfrotto_MVR901ECLA_RC_Clamp_LANC_Remote.html/reviews/BI/2855/KBID/3801 (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/816005-REG/Manfrotto_MVR901ECLA_RC_Clamp_LANC_Remote.html/reviews/BI/2855/KBID/3801/BI/2855/KBID/3801)

The Bebob Zoe DVXL (out of production but very good)

https://www.spectratech.gr/en/product/18367/Bebob_ZOE-DVXL

Lanc Protocol, see zoom speeds.

http://www.boehmel.de/lanc