Zooming using the top handle = slower/harder? at DVinfo.net

David Ho · January 3rd, 2004, 07:52 PM

I just got my GL2 a few days ago and I started playing around with it. You know the two zoom buttons on the top handle (where the advanced shoe and the recording controls are?) For some reason, are the zooming controls on the top handle SLOWER than the regular side grip where you use your thumb if you're handhelding it? I don't know if its just my camcorder or what, it also seems to be that I have to press a little harder than usual to zoom in/zoom out than the side grip.

Maybe I have to do something in the zooming controls? But, arent the handle and grip zooming rate the same? So if the grip is moderately fast, shouldn't the handle be too? Or are there two different sets of controls for each handle/grip?

Dan Owens · January 3rd, 2004, 08:40 PM

Hi David,

I don't own one, but I thought I read somewhere that you can set the zoom speeds independently of each other. I believe it is a setting in the menu somewhere.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.

Alan McCormick · January 3rd, 2004, 11:36 PM

Ah!

But I have had some funnies (NOT) recently where I set the handle and grip zooms at different levels as it makes the shoot easier. I can zoom in "quick" (in autofocus) change to manual focus then zoom out at "low" speed"

The top handle zoom is set for Fast and sometimes it just does not work, other times it is OK.

I plan to look into this further over the next few days.

Rainer Halonen · January 4th, 2004, 08:18 AM

On the GL2, the zoom control on the side is variable speed, the top one is not. The top can be set to slow, medium, or fast via the menu as you have discovered. There is also a "lock" button on the side of the handle to disable the top controls.

Maybe you had accidentally moved this button so the controls didn't work?

David Ho · January 4th, 2004, 08:25 AM

I'm not saying the controls don't work on the handle. They are just HARD to press down and slow.

Alan McCormick · January 4th, 2004, 10:31 AM

Thanks Rainer, will check this and reply later.

Ken Tanaka · January 4th, 2004, 12:21 PM

Yes, David, the handle zoom rocker is harder to press than the main zoom rocker. I suspect that this is by design, given the location of this rocker.

Alan McCormick · January 5th, 2004, 04:14 AM

Rainer,

You are a star, the lock was in place :(

I came unstuck at the very end of a wedding on Friday and no time to look into the prob, I will however learn by this subtle mistake in the future.

HAPPY New year to you :)

Graham Bernard · January 5th, 2004, 04:18 AM

Alan, it's very easy to knock forward the lock. Done this several times. I feel that the actual lock needs a more positive lock/click - yeah?

Grazie

January 3rd, 2004, 07:52 PM	#1
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	Zooming using the top handle = slower/harder? I just got my GL2 a few days ago and I started playing around with it. You know the two zoom buttons on the top handle (where the advanced shoe and the recording controls are?) For some reason, are the zooming controls on the top handle SLOWER than the regular side grip where you use your thumb if you're handhelding it? I don't know if its just my camcorder or what, it also seems to be that I have to press a little harder than usual to zoom in/zoom out than the side grip. Maybe I have to do something in the zooming controls? But, arent the handle and grip zooming rate the same? So if the grip is moderately fast, shouldn't the handle be too? Or are there two different sets of controls for each handle/grip?

January 3rd, 2004, 08:40 PM	#2
Dan Owens Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Mentor OH Posts: 28	Hi David, I don't own one, but I thought I read somewhere that you can set the zoom speeds independently of each other. I believe it is a setting in the menu somewhere. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. __________________ DanO

January 3rd, 2004, 11:36 PM	#3
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	zooms Ah! But I have had some funnies (NOT) recently where I set the handle and grip zooms at different levels as it makes the shoot easier. I can zoom in "quick" (in autofocus) change to manual focus then zoom out at "low" speed" The top handle zoom is set for Fast and sometimes it just does not work, other times it is OK. I plan to look into this further over the next few days. __________________ Alan McC

January 4th, 2004, 10:31 AM	#6
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Lock? Thanks Rainer, will check this and reply later. __________________ Alan McC

January 4th, 2004, 12:21 PM	#7
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	Yes, David, the handle zoom rocker is harder to press than the main zoom rocker. I suspect that this is by design, given the location of this rocker. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

January 4th, 2004, 08:18 AM	#4
Rainer Halonen Tourist Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Holland Landing, ON, Canada Posts: 4	On the GL2, the zoom control on the side is variable speed, the top one is not. The top can be set to slow, medium, or fast via the menu as you have discovered. There is also a "lock" button on the side of the handle to disable the top controls. Maybe you had accidentally moved this button so the controls didn't work?

January 4th, 2004, 08:25 AM	#5
David Ho Major Player Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 354	I'm not saying the controls don't work on the handle. They are just HARD to press down and slow.

January 5th, 2004, 04:14 AM	#8
Alan McCormick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Chatham, UK Posts: 282	Lock Rainer, You are a star, the lock was in place :( I came unstuck at the very end of a wedding on Friday and no time to look into the prob, I will however learn by this subtle mistake in the future. HAPPY New year to you :) __________________ Alan McC

January 5th, 2004, 04:18 AM	#9
Graham Bernard Old Boot Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London UK Posts: 3,633	Alan, it's very easy to knock forward the lock. Done this several times. I feel that the actual lock needs a more positive lock/click - yeah? Grazie