Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? at DVinfo.net

Dan Brockett · September 16th, 2016, 10:03 AM

Hi all:

I find it interesting that with the third iteration of Canon's 18-135 STM IS lens, the newest model with the NANO technology, Canon showed that lens off with the PZ E1 servo unit in the press, at shows, etc. But all of the press kept saying that it was only usable with the new lens (Understood, it needs the multi-pin connector) and with the 80D camera. I found this from several sources, yet I also found an English gentleman demonstrating the same lens and unit on a C100 MKII

It seems, at this time, the PZ E1 unit isn't available anyway, which is curious since it is September and Canon was showing it off at the beginning of the year, but does anyone definitively know of the new 18-135 STM IS NANO lens, when paired with the PZ E1, will work on the EOS C line of cameras? Is fo, this could be an interesting development for those who cannot afford the $6k plus for the 18-80 and the servo unit but desire a servo controlled lens. $600.00 for the lens and $150.00 for the PZ E1 is an interesting price point for the ability to power zoom at two speeds.

Mark Dobson · September 17th, 2016, 06:09 AM

I've been looking out for this combo to hit the shops.

The lens itself came out earlier this year but the PZ E1 has yet to become available for some reason.

The range of the 18-135 lens is really useful in some situations and I've been using the STM version for years on the C300 and subsequently on the C300mk 2. If you fix the aperture at 5.6 and increase the ISO slightly it performs extremely well especially with the new C300 MK Dual pixel autofocus system.

The PZ E1 is powered by 4 AA batteries ands I can see no reason why it shouldn't work on the Cinema Eos cameras although it might be a bit awkward to use ergonomically.

The EOS C300 Mark 11 firmware version 1.0.3.1 released in March added specific support to the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and noted that this lens could be used with the other Cinema EOS products (C500/C300/C100 Mark II/C100).

Newsshooter did a couple oaf articles about the lens and PZ1 - here's one.

CP+ 2016: Hands-on with the Canon 18-135mm lens and Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1

Dan Brockett · September 17th, 2016, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the link Mark, I'll check it out. I just received notice from Adorama today that they received a few of the PZ E1s a few hours ago. If you want one, jump on it. They are a B&H competitor in NYC, I assume they will ship overseas as B&H does?

Mark Dobson · September 18th, 2016, 04:23 AM

Thanks Dan

Once it arrives at my local dealers shop I'll try it out but really I think I'll probably save my money to go towards the Canon CN-E18-80mm T4.4 - 4K Lens which should become available soon.

Chris Hurd · September 19th, 2016, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

does anyone definitively know of the new 18-135 STM IS NANO lens, when paired with the PZ E1, will work on the EOS C line of cameras?

Hi Dan,

Some clarification: the PZ-E1 is not camera-specific. It *will* work with any Cinema EOS camera.

What you're seeing with some online reviews about the "80D only" is in reference to remote operation. To quote from the product page, remote control function is available using smartphones and computers when used with an EOS 80D camera and Canon Camera Connect software. For handheld operation, though, the camera choice doesn't matter.

Some notes from the operating instructions... the usable focus range for the power zoom on the new 18-135 is a tiny bit limited. It's actually 19 to 132 mm.

The zoom speed ranges are:
Slow: 11.5 to 15.0 seconds
Fast: 4.0 to 14.5 seconds

With fresh batts you can get about 100 minutes of continuous operation from the PZ-E1. Hope this helps,

Dan Brockett · September 20th, 2016, 11:03 AM

It does Chris, thanks! Do you know if it will also work with the newly previewed 70-300 IS II lens?
Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens, USA 0571C002

Chris Hurd · September 21st, 2016, 09:59 AM

Dan, I'm waiting for an "official" reply from CUSA, but I don't think it does. I've looked closely at all the images I can find of this new lens and I'm not seeing the proprietary connector interface for the PZ-E1 like the new 18-135 has.

Dan Brockett · September 21st, 2016, 10:41 AM

Ahh, too bad Chris.

I heard a rumor today that the new CN-E lineup that has the 18-80 T4.4 zoom will also contain the 16-35 and a 70-200. I was just pulling the trigger on a 70-200 2.8 IS II this week, now I may hold off. The CN-E lineup 70-200 will obviously cost more but will be a much better lens for video too. Although if the 18-80 is T4.4, I wonder if the 70-200 will be the same? I guess I can always buy the 70-200 2.8 IS II now and use it and if the new CN-e model looks like a better fit, I can sell the 70-200 2.8 IS II at a minimal loss as the resale value on them is great.

If the CN-E is only T4.4 also, the 2.8 will remain a better choice for what I typically shoot, docs, BTS, EPK, etc. where speed is number one. Shooting an interview tomorrow at a studio, I am not allowed to light and have to shoot some dancing with the interviewees, available light. It is comforting to go into such situations with a faster lens when you cannot light and have no location scout. It could be a dark cave of a location, who knows?

September 16th, 2016, 10:03 AM	#1
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? Hi all: I find it interesting that with the third iteration of Canon's 18-135 STM IS lens, the newest model with the NANO technology, Canon showed that lens off with the PZ E1 servo unit in the press, at shows, etc. But all of the press kept saying that it was only usable with the new lens (Understood, it needs the multi-pin connector) and with the 80D camera. I found this from several sources, yet I also found an English gentleman demonstrating the same lens and unit on a C100 MKII Canon 18-135mm Lens and Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1 - Affordable Servo Zoom for EF mount - BVE 2016 - YouTube It seems, at this time, the PZ E1 unit isn't available anyway, which is curious since it is September and Canon was showing it off at the beginning of the year, but does anyone definitively know of the new 18-135 STM IS NANO lens, when paired with the PZ E1, will work on the EOS C line of cameras? Is fo, this could be an interesting development for those who cannot afford the $6k plus for the 18-80 and the servo unit but desire a servo controlled lens. $600.00 for the lens and $150.00 for the PZ E1 is an interesting price point for the ability to power zoom at two speeds.

September 17th, 2016, 06:09 AM	#2
Mark Dobson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Horsham / United Kingdom Posts: 328	Re: Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? I've been looking out for this combo to hit the shops. The lens itself came out earlier this year but the PZ E1 has yet to become available for some reason. The range of the 18-135 lens is really useful in some situations and I've been using the STM version for years on the C300 and subsequently on the C300mk 2. If you fix the aperture at 5.6 and increase the ISO slightly it performs extremely well especially with the new C300 MK Dual pixel autofocus system. The PZ E1 is powered by 4 AA batteries ands I can see no reason why it shouldn't work on the Cinema Eos cameras although it might be a bit awkward to use ergonomically. The EOS C300 Mark 11 firmware version 1.0.3.1 released in March added specific support to the 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS USM and noted that this lens could be used with the other Cinema EOS products (C500/C300/C100 Mark II/C100). Newsshooter did a couple oaf articles about the lens and PZ1 - here's one. CP+ 2016: Hands-on with the Canon 18-135mm lens and Power Zoom Adapter PZ-E1

September 17th, 2016, 06:41 PM	#3
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Re: Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? Thanks for the link Mark, I'll check it out. I just received notice from Adorama today that they received a few of the PZ E1s a few hours ago. If you want one, jump on it. They are a B&H competitor in NYC, I assume they will ship overseas as B&H does?

September 18th, 2016, 04:23 AM	#4
Mark Dobson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Horsham / United Kingdom Posts: 328	Re: Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? Thanks Dan Once it arrives at my local dealers shop I'll try it out but really I think I'll probably save my money to go towards the Canon CN-E18-80mm T4.4 - 4K Lens which should become available soon.

September 20th, 2016, 11:03 AM	#6
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Re: Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? It does Chris, thanks! Do you know if it will also work with the newly previewed 70-300 IS II lens? Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS II USM Lens, USA 0571C002

September 21st, 2016, 09:59 AM	#7
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Re: Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? Dan, I'm waiting for an "official" reply from CUSA, but I don't think it does. I've looked closely at all the images I can find of this new lens and I'm not seeing the proprietary connector interface for the PZ-E1 like the new 18-135 has. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

September 21st, 2016, 10:41 AM	#8
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Re: Conflicting messages about Canon PZ E1 and C100/C300? Ahh, too bad Chris. I heard a rumor today that the new CN-E lineup that has the 18-80 T4.4 zoom will also contain the 16-35 and a 70-200. I was just pulling the trigger on a 70-200 2.8 IS II this week, now I may hold off. The CN-E lineup 70-200 will obviously cost more but will be a much better lens for video too. Although if the 18-80 is T4.4, I wonder if the 70-200 will be the same? I guess I can always buy the 70-200 2.8 IS II now and use it and if the new CN-e model looks like a better fit, I can sell the 70-200 2.8 IS II at a minimal loss as the resale value on them is great. If the CN-E is only T4.4 also, the 2.8 will remain a better choice for what I typically shoot, docs, BTS, EPK, etc. where speed is number one. Shooting an interview tomorrow at a studio, I am not allowed to light and have to shoot some dancing with the interviewees, available light. It is comforting to go into such situations with a faster lens when you cannot light and have no location scout. It could be a dark cave of a location, who knows?