gradual ramping up of zoom speed at DVinfo.net

Taro Beckwith · January 5th, 2003, 01:00 PM

OK, I think most people agree that the manual zoom ring on the DVX100 is a little too loose. The servo zoom is slightly noisy, but seems to be the only way to do a controlled zoom. Is there a way to have the zoom slowly ramp up to speed? If not, I guess I just have to work on gently finessing my finger pressure on the servo zoom so that the start of the zoom is not so abrupt.

Charles Papert · January 5th, 2003, 01:50 PM

This is an issue that plagues all but the high end broadcast zooms. Even if a given zoom motor has continuously variable zoom speeds, the rocker is usually not designed to be sensitive enough to provide a truly feathered start to a zoom.

My recommondation would be to jerry-rig something that creates a little extra friction on the zoom ring, such as a rubber gasket, and use an oversized lever on the zoom to improve the leverage, then practice your manual zooms. They can be beautifully done under the right conditions.

I've heard that there are external zoom controls that will interface with the DVX100 on the way, if not out already. These may help.

Zac Stein · January 5th, 2003, 07:05 PM

depending on the subject matter,

it may be better to simply slowly ramp it up in post.

zac

Chris Hurd · January 6th, 2003, 12:26 AM

Ramping a zoom speed in post is actually not that simple for many people. I know I would consider it a headache. As Charles points out, this is a problem on most prosumer DV camcorders.

Zac Stein · January 6th, 2003, 04:45 AM

Chris, yeah it would require planning before hand, but would be a relativly painless excercise, for eg, just using Vegas Videa, you just open a velocity envelope and curve it up in that.

zac

January 6th, 2003, 09:47 AM

I think the lens needs a heavier grease in the zoom mechanism. This would provide the propper weight and friction to do smooth manual zooms.

Also, maybe a Chrosziel fluid zoom could be adapted?

Chris Bell
www.spotshooter.com

Aric Spence · January 8th, 2003, 02:00 AM

Here is the link to Adam's suggestion.

http://www.adamwilt.com/24p/#HandlingTheZoom

I hope you find it helpful.

Mark Nicholson · January 8th, 2003, 03:03 AM

The "DVX100 fan" has an intersting solution too. It's a EXTENSION ZOOM LEVER.

http://www.geocities.jp/sumi653/AG-DVX100.5.html#L2

Use altavista translate if you want to convert it to english.

Taro Beckwith · January 8th, 2003, 04:52 AM

Well, I do have After Effects and am capable of doing a controlled zoom in post, but I'm trying to stick with optical zooms instead of digital ones, just to keep from degrading the image too much. I tried out Adam Wilt's idea and it works pretty good! Too bad the dangling string loop looks unprofessional, but hey, with my $14 steadicam, my setup already looks like a plumbing experiment gone wrong

Matt Milan · January 8th, 2003, 03:52 PM

I too agree that the zoom ring is much to loose. I've tried a couple of manual zooms for use in a dramatic montage, but have been dissapointed because of how hard it is to get a perfectly smooth zoom. It took more than a couple trys to get the zoom speed correct and smooth.

Perhaps Panasonic used the light grease because a thicker grease would have taxed the servo motor more? Don't know if that is a valid reason or not. I do wish I could get it to be more like a good photographic manual focus though.

Robert Knecht Schmidt · January 8th, 2003, 06:10 PM

I'm surprised that nobody else has posted the obvious yet: a LANC zoom controller. The Varizoom and others should be able to dial in just the speed you want, and you can ramp up or down quite slowly and smoothly.

Or does the 100 not have a LANC jack?

Matt Milan · January 8th, 2003, 11:11 PM

It has a propriatary jack but I'm pretty sure that a Varizoom was recently released for it.

Taro Beckwith · February 6th, 2003, 02:39 PM

Here's a zoom that will supposedly let you ramp up the speed!

http://www.studio1productions.com/dvx100.htm

February 6th, 2003, 05:03 PM

I've found that if I engage the zoom motor, and manually zoom (using the ring) with the fingers on my right hand while placing a finger from my left hand half on and off the ring to create drag, I can get a very slow creep.

I know it sounds complicated, but it's not. In fact, I found myself doing that on my first job with the camera without even really thinking about it, I was so preoccupied about some other part of the shot.

Downside is that you then have to steer by putting the pan arm in your armpit or something.

Wayne Orr · February 8th, 2003, 02:24 PM

I am a big fan of the Zoe controller that I use on my PD150. They have a model for the DVX100 that is available from Abel Cine and B&H.

The good news is that the DVX zoom does not have the dreaded "hiccup" that is found in "step increment" lenses, such as the PD150.
The bad news is that Panasonic built in a "dead spot" in the command to the lens that can be annoying using a controller. Also, there is no focus command available with the DVX, as with LANC cameras.

But the Zoe is the most professional-like of all the controllers I have tested. It can easily mount to a shoulder brace or jib handle as well. You would do well to check it out.

January 5th, 2003, 01:00 PM	#1
Taro Beckwith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 27	gradual ramping up of zoom speed OK, I think most people agree that the manual zoom ring on the DVX100 is a little too loose. The servo zoom is slightly noisy, but seems to be the only way to do a controlled zoom. Is there a way to have the zoom slowly ramp up to speed? If not, I guess I just have to work on gently finessing my finger pressure on the servo zoom so that the start of the zoom is not so abrupt.

January 5th, 2003, 01:50 PM	#2
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	This is an issue that plagues all but the high end broadcast zooms. Even if a given zoom motor has continuously variable zoom speeds, the rocker is usually not designed to be sensitive enough to provide a truly feathered start to a zoom. My recommondation would be to jerry-rig something that creates a little extra friction on the zoom ring, such as a rubber gasket, and use an oversized lever on the zoom to improve the leverage, then practice your manual zooms. They can be beautifully done under the right conditions. I've heard that there are external zoom controls that will interface with the DVX100 on the way, if not out already. These may help. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

January 6th, 2003, 12:26 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Ramping a zoom speed in post is actually not that simple for many people. I know I would consider it a headache. As Charles points out, this is a problem on most prosumer DV camcorders. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 8th, 2003, 02:00 AM	#7
Aric Spence New Boot Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: ID Posts: 11	I found this suggestion on Adam Wilt's site Here is the link to Adam's suggestion. http://www.adamwilt.com/24p/#HandlingTheZoom I hope you find it helpful. __________________ Very best regards, Aric Spence

January 8th, 2003, 03:03 AM	#8
Mark Nicholson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Eldorado Hills CA Posts: 68	The "DVX100 fan" has an intersting solution too. It's a EXTENSION ZOOM LEVER. http://www.geocities.jp/sumi653/AG-DVX100.5.html#L2 Use altavista translate if you want to convert it to english. __________________ Sacramento http://eyepatchfilms.com 2x HD-250, BR-HD50, Media Composer

January 5th, 2003, 07:05 PM	#3
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	depending on the subject matter, it may be better to simply slowly ramp it up in post. zac

January 6th, 2003, 04:45 AM	#5
Zac Stein Major Player Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 730	Chris, yeah it would require planning before hand, but would be a relativly painless excercise, for eg, just using Vegas Videa, you just open a velocity envelope and curve it up in that. zac

January 6th, 2003, 09:47 AM	#6
Chris Bell Posts: n/a	I think the lens needs a heavier grease in the zoom mechanism. This would provide the propper weight and friction to do smooth manual zooms. Also, maybe a Chrosziel fluid zoom could be adapted? Chris Bell www.spotshooter.com

January 8th, 2003, 04:52 AM	#9
Taro Beckwith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 27	Well, I do have After Effects and am capable of doing a controlled zoom in post, but I'm trying to stick with optical zooms instead of digital ones, just to keep from degrading the image too much. I tried out Adam Wilt's idea and it works pretty good! Too bad the dangling string loop looks unprofessional, but hey, with my $14 steadicam, my setup already looks like a plumbing experiment gone wrong

January 8th, 2003, 03:52 PM	#10
Matt Milan New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Castro Valley, CA Posts: 11	I too agree that the zoom ring is much to loose. I've tried a couple of manual zooms for use in a dramatic montage, but have been dissapointed because of how hard it is to get a perfectly smooth zoom. It took more than a couple trys to get the zoom speed correct and smooth. Perhaps Panasonic used the light grease because a thicker grease would have taxed the servo motor more? Don't know if that is a valid reason or not. I do wish I could get it to be more like a good photographic manual focus though. __________________ -Matt Milan-

January 8th, 2003, 06:10 PM	#11
Robert Knecht Schmidt Wrangler Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 1,933	I'm surprised that nobody else has posted the obvious yet: a LANC zoom controller. The Varizoom and others should be able to dial in just the speed you want, and you can ramp up or down quite slowly and smoothly. Or does the 100 not have a LANC jack? __________________ All the best, Robert K S Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| The best in the business: DVinfo.net sponsors

January 8th, 2003, 11:11 PM	#12
Matt Milan New Boot Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Castro Valley, CA Posts: 11	It has a propriatary jack but I'm pretty sure that a Varizoom was recently released for it. __________________ -Matt Milan-

February 6th, 2003, 02:39 PM	#13
Taro Beckwith Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 27	Found one Here's a zoom that will supposedly let you ramp up the speed! http://www.studio1productions.com/dvx100.htm

February 6th, 2003, 05:03 PM	#14
Nate Weaver Posts: n/a	I've found that if I engage the zoom motor, and manually zoom (using the ring) with the fingers on my right hand while placing a finger from my left hand half on and off the ring to create drag, I can get a very slow creep. I know it sounds complicated, but it's not. In fact, I found myself doing that on my first job with the camera without even really thinking about it, I was so preoccupied about some other part of the shot. Downside is that you then have to steer by putting the pan arm in your armpit or something.

February 8th, 2003, 02:24 PM	#15
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	I am a big fan of the Zoe controller that I use on my PD150. They have a model for the DVX100 that is available from Abel Cine and B&H. The good news is that the DVX zoom does not have the dreaded "hiccup" that is found in "step increment" lenses, such as the PD150. The bad news is that Panasonic built in a "dead spot" in the command to the lens that can be annoying using a controller. Also, there is no focus command available with the DVX, as with LANC cameras. But the Zoe is the most professional-like of all the controllers I have tested. It can easily mount to a shoulder brace or jib handle as well. You would do well to check it out. __________________ Wayne If it was easy, they'd get a relative to do it.