Best lanc controller for XL2

Mike Teutsch · February 25th, 2006, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin Janisch

I must be the only one using this zoom controller on the XL2 I assume. Can anybody recommend a zoom controller that doesn't have this inconsistent jump in zoom speed when ramping from the slowest crawl on up? Thanks.

Kevin

Kevin,

I have a Varizoom also, and it does the same thing. It depends on the circuitry that is used in it. Old style rheostats used coil wire to vary current, by resistance, to the device it was controlling, and these were fairly consistent as long as contact was maintained during the slide of the contact along the coil.

These probably have some sort of electronic control that obviously require minor steps, I counted two "jumps" during my test.

I very seldom use a varied zoom in a single movement, one zoom, so have not had a problem.

Someone would have to test their brand to lets us know it is the same. I would assume that a much more expensive unit would be smoother, perhaps the other Varizoom model with the knob to adjust the speed, as that big knob is probably a true rheostat. A call to Varizoom would probably get you the information.

I hope that this helps.

Mike

Kevin Janisch · February 25th, 2006, 09:26 PM

Thanks Mike. I sent Varizoom an email as well, no response yet.

Kevin

TingSern Wong · March 8th, 2006, 03:08 AM

I have the VZ-PG-L as well. I have not noticed the ramp up - but, is probably because I don't vary the speed control knob that much. I merely adjust the zoom speed to find a consistent zoom speed I want, and zoom in and out. I will probably go back tonight and test it out for the speed jumps and feedback to you folks.

Tom Hardwick · March 8th, 2006, 04:24 AM

I tested the Stealth and Rock for a British magazine (Computer Video) and found both controllers unuseable on any Sony camera I tried them on (VX2k, PDX10, TR2000, TRV900). Why? because the controllers inched the zoom forward in little steps at the slowest setting, even doing so with no fingers on the rockers. I certainly hope Varizoom have sorted out that fiasco.

tom.

Bryan Aycock · July 17th, 2006, 06:06 PM

Does anyone know how well the VZ-Rock works with the XL2? I just bought one, plugged it in, turned the camera on, and.......NOTHING! The LED flashed for about 3 seconds and then it stopped. Does anyone else use one on the XL2? I might mention that I have the Anton Bauer brick powering my camera, and I put a dead battery on it. When I powered up, the camcorder wouldn't turn on, and that's when my troubles began. I don't see how that could have shorted something out. Any help would be appreciated...

Doug Boze · July 18th, 2006, 02:02 PM

I have the VZ-ROCK. Like all wired accessories, I would plug it in first, then turn the camera on. It will put the camera in standby, as well as bring it out; start/stop recording; zoom in or out. It can't focus the lens in manual, however, as is stated in the literature. I can't recall trying the frame controls. I only wish the zoom rocker had some more tactile feeling when in use.

Bryan Aycock · July 18th, 2006, 07:47 PM

Doug, I had it plugged in first, but the battery I put on it was nearly dead--not even enough power to turn the camera on--unless there actually WAS enough power but the VZ Rock tripped something up. I still don't see why a LOW battery would damage circuitry. If you had the option for exchanging the VZ Rock...would you? For what?

PS: I'm a Franklin nut and I loved your qoute

Eric Brown · July 18th, 2006, 08:09 PM

No problems to speak of.

Andy Joyce · July 20th, 2006, 08:27 PM

Sounds like a faulty VZ-Rock, maybe. Have you used the LANC jack before for anything else?

I had a VZ-Rock for a while, but I got the VZ-ProL instead. It has the best control over a steady zoom, just like the XL2 with the continuous zoom setting and the variable dial.

Bryan Aycock · July 20th, 2006, 11:00 PM

Yeah I bought the Canon ZR 2000 and it worked fine, except for the fact that that the focus buttons didn't work...I sent it back for the VZ Rock instead. Straight out of the box, it came on for 5 seconds, then shut off. I hope it's not internal on the XL2...

Bryan Aycock · July 31st, 2006, 03:47 PM

I just received my second VZ-Rock today (the first one never worked at all), and I have the same jiddery zoom effect. I'm sending mine back for a Manfrotto. And this was on the XL2...

TingSern Wong · July 31st, 2006, 10:05 PM

So it looks like Varizoom quality control is going down the drain, eh? I found my older one does not work so well with XL2 as well.

Tom Hardwick · August 1st, 2006, 12:37 AM

This is the one I bought in the end, and it works flawlessly. It even controlls the 'push auto' focus button remotely.

http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camaccs/zoedvlanc2.php

tom.

Stu Holmes · August 1st, 2006, 10:41 AM

I think its worth noting that the Zoe DVL which Tom refers to above has dropped substantially in price earlier this year, and is now available at B&H Photo also.
- currently priced at $234 (as opposed to the higher figure Ken mentioned in his 2004 Article/review) :

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=272712&is=REG

Bryan Aycock · August 14th, 2006, 05:27 PM

If you're considering a LANC controller for your XL2, save yourself the troubles and read this first. I was in the market for a LANC controller for my XL2, and spent months researching which one to buy. First, I ordered the ZR-2000 (made by Canon) because I liked all of the features it provided ($399). When it arrived, I was dissappointed because the rocker was very "consumer feeling" and half of the features of the ZR-2000 aren't supported by the XL2--so I sent it back. I then got the VZ-Rock LANC ($260), due mainly to the looks of the rocker switch and the rave reviews here on this site (apparently reviews made by people who do not own XL2s). I was excited when it arrived, and couldn't wait to try it out--plugged it in, turned my XL2 on, and walla--NOTHING. Now I had faith in this awesome looking lense controller, so I exchanged it for a new one. When I got the new one in, I was just as excited as before, and I was VERY careful to follow ALL instructions prior to testing it out. When I turned the camera on, I was excited to see that the VZ-Rock's LED lit up--"YES!! it works," I thought to myself. But when I tried to zoom, it did it in steps (real jerkey) like I was snap zooming my camera. "What the..., I can't get a single smooth zoom out of this thing" (and no the zoom ring was not touching anything) Now I'm seriously considering whether or not an internal fuse blew on my camera, but I was persistant and sent my 2nd VZ-Rock back for a Bogen 521 ($169). I just got it in today, and let me tell you--it works like a charm; I really love this thing. It's just the basic Bogen 521, and that's all I need. Relief at last!!!
The moral of the story is this: I went from a $400 piece of crap, to TWO $260 pieces of crap, to a wonderful $170 machine that gets the job done. Although it cost me over $60 dollars in shipping costs and over 40 days without a funtioning LANC, my patience was well rewarded. So save yourself some time and money, and go with Bogen if you're using the XL2 (I cannot speak for other cameras).
Can any Bogen users back me up please?

July 17th, 2006, 06:06 PM	#20
Bryan Aycock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hammond, LA Posts: 84	VZ-Rock and the XL2 Does anyone know how well the VZ-Rock works with the XL2? I just bought one, plugged it in, turned the camera on, and.......NOTHING! The LED flashed for about 3 seconds and then it stopped. Does anyone else use one on the XL2? I might mention that I have the Anton Bauer brick powering my camera, and I put a dead battery on it. When I powered up, the camcorder wouldn't turn on, and that's when my troubles began. I don't see how that could have shorted something out. Any help would be appreciated...

July 18th, 2006, 02:02 PM	#21
Doug Boze Major Player Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Auburn, Washington Posts: 218	I have the VZ-ROCK. Like all wired accessories, I would plug it in first, then turn the camera on. It will put the camera in standby, as well as bring it out; start/stop recording; zoom in or out. It can't focus the lens in manual, however, as is stated in the literature. I can't recall trying the frame controls. I only wish the zoom rocker had some more tactile feeling when in use. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." -- Benjamin Franklin, 1759

July 18th, 2006, 07:47 PM	#22
Bryan Aycock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hammond, LA Posts: 84	Thanks Doug, I had it plugged in first, but the battery I put on it was nearly dead--not even enough power to turn the camera on--unless there actually WAS enough power but the VZ Rock tripped something up. I still don't see why a LOW battery would damage circuitry. If you had the option for exchanging the VZ Rock...would you? For what? PS: I'm a Franklin nut and I loved your qoute

July 20th, 2006, 08:27 PM	#24
Andy Joyce Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 61	Sounds like a faulty VZ-Rock, maybe. Have you used the LANC jack before for anything else? I had a VZ-Rock for a while, but I got the VZ-ProL instead. It has the best control over a steady zoom, just like the XL2 with the continuous zoom setting and the variable dial. __________________ ----------------------------------- XL2: power to go, quality to impress

July 20th, 2006, 11:00 PM	#25
Bryan Aycock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hammond, LA Posts: 84	Lanc Yeah I bought the Canon ZR 2000 and it worked fine, except for the fact that that the focus buttons didn't work...I sent it back for the VZ Rock instead. Straight out of the box, it came on for 5 seconds, then shut off. I hope it's not internal on the XL2...

February 25th, 2006, 09:26 PM	#17
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Thanks Mike. I sent Varizoom an email as well, no response yet. Kevin

March 8th, 2006, 03:08 AM	#18
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	I have the VZ-PG-L as well. I have not noticed the ramp up - but, is probably because I don't vary the speed control knob that much. I merely adjust the zoom speed to find a consistent zoom speed I want, and zoom in and out. I will probably go back tonight and test it out for the speed jumps and feedback to you folks.

March 8th, 2006, 04:24 AM	#19
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	I tested the Stealth and Rock for a British magazine (Computer Video) and found both controllers unuseable on any Sony camera I tried them on (VX2k, PDX10, TR2000, TRV900). Why? because the controllers inched the zoom forward in little steps at the slowest setting, even doing so with no fingers on the rockers. I certainly hope Varizoom have sorted out that fiasco. tom.

July 18th, 2006, 08:09 PM	#23
Eric Brown Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Seattle Posts: 427	No problems to speak of.

July 31st, 2006, 03:47 PM	#26
Bryan Aycock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hammond, LA Posts: 84	Same Problem I just received my second VZ-Rock today (the first one never worked at all), and I have the same jiddery zoom effect. I'm sending mine back for a Manfrotto. And this was on the XL2...

July 31st, 2006, 10:05 PM	#27
TingSern Wong Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Singapore, Rep of SINGAPORE Posts: 749	So it looks like Varizoom quality control is going down the drain, eh? I found my older one does not work so well with XL2 as well.

August 1st, 2006, 12:37 AM	#28
Tom Hardwick Inner Circle Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Billericay, England UK Posts: 4,711	This is the one I bought in the end, and it works flawlessly. It even controlls the 'push auto' focus button remotely. http://www.dvinfo.net/articles/camaccs/zoedvlanc2.php tom.

August 1st, 2006, 10:41 AM	#29
Stu Holmes Major Player Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 844	I think its worth noting that the Zoe DVL which Tom refers to above has dropped substantially in price earlier this year, and is now available at B&H Photo also. - currently priced at $234 (as opposed to the higher figure Ken mentioned in his 2004 Article/review) : http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/cont...=272712&is=REG

August 14th, 2006, 05:27 PM	#30
Bryan Aycock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hammond, LA Posts: 84	Good News -- Bogen 521 If you're considering a LANC controller for your XL2, save yourself the troubles and read this first. I was in the market for a LANC controller for my XL2, and spent months researching which one to buy. First, I ordered the ZR-2000 (made by Canon) because I liked all of the features it provided ($399). When it arrived, I was dissappointed because the rocker was very "consumer feeling" and half of the features of the ZR-2000 aren't supported by the XL2--so I sent it back. I then got the VZ-Rock LANC ($260), due mainly to the looks of the rocker switch and the rave reviews here on this site (apparently reviews made by people who do not own XL2s). I was excited when it arrived, and couldn't wait to try it out--plugged it in, turned my XL2 on, and walla--NOTHING. Now I had faith in this awesome looking lense controller, so I exchanged it for a new one. When I got the new one in, I was just as excited as before, and I was VERY careful to follow ALL instructions prior to testing it out. When I turned the camera on, I was excited to see that the VZ-Rock's LED lit up--"YES!! it works," I thought to myself. But when I tried to zoom, it did it in steps (real jerkey) like I was snap zooming my camera. "What the..., I can't get a single smooth zoom out of this thing" (and no the zoom ring was not touching anything) Now I'm seriously considering whether or not an internal fuse blew on my camera, but I was persistant and sent my 2nd VZ-Rock back for a Bogen 521 ($169). I just got it in today, and let me tell you--it works like a charm; I really love this thing. It's just the basic Bogen 521, and that's all I need. Relief at last!!! The moral of the story is this: I went from a $400 piece of crap, to TWO $260 pieces of crap, to a wonderful $170 machine that gets the job done. Although it cost me over $60 dollars in shipping costs and over 40 days without a funtioning LANC, my patience was well rewarded. So save yourself some time and money, and go with Bogen if you're using the XL2 (I cannot speak for other cameras). Can any Bogen users back me up please?