LANC Controller Compatibility with the XL-2
 

Canon cameras, particularly the XL line, have long had a rather loose fidelity with Sony's LANC control communication protocol. I am completing a review for this site of a new model of controller and wonder if the new XL-2 improves on that relationship.

There are two particular functions of many controllers that have not been compatible with previous XL cameras.

• On/Off: This function should be able to put the camera into sleep mode and to wake it, as it does with the GL2 and most other LANC cameras. But XL's just will not stay asleep.
• Focus: Since the Auto/Manual focus mode on the 16x IS II lens (and its predecessor) is a physical switch no remote controller could toggle focus mode. But some controllers have made an effort to at least facilitate the "Push Auto" function, or to enable rocker-controlled focus adjustment, while the lens is in Manual mode...to varying degrees of effectiveness.

So, if you are the proud owner of a shiny new XL-2 and also own a remote controller such as a Zoe or Varizoom I would very much appreciate it if you could reply with your findings, particularly on the above functions. Please be sure to indicate what brand and model of controller you use.

Thanks very much. This thread will hopefully serve as a good community reference.

Varizoom VZ-PG-L w/o rocker switch -- this is the version that has two push buttons for telephoto and wide, otherwise the controls are identical although can't vouch for the firmware being identical.

The On/Off push button DOES NOT put the camera INTO standby but it DOES bring the camera out of standby (after putting the camera into standby by pressing the standby button on the camera).

The Focus buttons perform a rocker-controlled focus adjustment.

The variable zoom control at the slowest speed is similar to the XL1s slowest zoom speed.

I did not test the Run/Stop button.

Thanks very much Kevin. It sounds like the XL2's compatibility with LANC controllers remains the same as its predecessors. Since the 20x lens appears to also feature a mechanical Auto/Manual Focus mode switch a controller still can't shift modes.

Thanks again. This is useful information.

VariZoom Pro L with XL2?
 

Is one of you working with the varizoom Pro L on his XL2.

I like to buy one but did not know if it really works with the XL2.

Can you please help me.



Thanks a lot Thomas

Hi Thomas,

The VariZoom VZ-Pro L works with the Canon XL2, XL1S, XL1, GL2 and GL1. Hope this helps,

I've used the varizoom mini and it works very well too.

Most of the varizoom products are pretty good.

DBK

Best lanc controller for XL2
 

I have a question for all you XL2 users with a tripod.

What is the best lanc controller availabel for the XL2 under $300 ?

Thanks !

Frank

Hi
Havent posted for a while - arhhh it's good to be back!

I have the Manfrotto 522c Remote, and it's great. It's got a very smooth variable zoom control, focus control and on/off standby button.

I paid £210 for it in the UK, with the Uk being V. Expensive, so I guess you couls easily get it under $300 in the US.

It completely replaces the pan bar of your current tripod, it doesn't clamp on to your existing pan bar.

I am using it with a Vinten Vision 3 series tripod (great tripod!)

Lawrence

Varizoom VLZ Pro
 

I own the Varizoom VLZ Pro and like it very much, has helped to make the most boring shots a little more interesting

I belive i paid 395 for mine

www.varizoom.com

sorry forgot to finish
 

i paid 395 for it , but i believe they are under 300 now. I truly believe it is worth every penny

anyone tried the new 523pro?

Libec just introduced one for under 200 dollars.

zr-1000 or varizoom stealth LX?
 

Both seem to be good, but I don't have hands-on experience.

Which one for all-around performance?

Do all of the varizoom functions work on the xl2?

Varizoom zoom controller not ramping zoom smoothly on XL2
 

Has anybody else had problems with the Varizoom VZ PG-L not ramping up smoothly from a slow zoom? I start at a very slow crawl and then gradually increase the zoom speed but at a certain point the speed jumps inconsistently, creating a very unsmooth transition. If I use the zoom rocker in constant mode + the dial wheel on the XL2 it is perfect, but it is a hassle to pan and tilt on a tripod while using my left hand to zoom and adjust the speed.

Kevin

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

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

Kevin

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.

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.

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...

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.

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

No problems to speak of.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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

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?

Bought the Bogen 521
 

Bought the Bogen 521. I was having the same problems, but NO MORE! I went through 2 VZ-Rocks with the same problem. One didn't work at all and the other jiddered. I got the Bogen instead, and love it. It's also cheaper. It's amazing how people assume price = quality. By the way I was using it on the XL2.

Dude, I totally agree with you. After looking for months at zoom controllers, I finally got the opportunity to test the Bogen 521 (on a Sony HDV camera), and I found out that it was all I'd ever hoped for in a zoom controller. I don't really see how any other could possibly be better as far as the basic function (smooth zooming) goes. And I'm coming from the land of $1000+ studio lens zoom/focus controllers. I am at a loss as to how any of the more expensive LANC controllers could do smooth zooming better than the Bogen 521, because like I said, it was as good as I had ever hoped for (which was for it to feel like the pro equivalents).

What is the difference between the 521 and the 521PRO? Is the the ability to do progressive and custom zoom? I don't want to pay extra for the 521PRO, but if I have to in order to get the progressive zoom then I will.

Also, I've been having a rough time of getting info on the 521 and what it will clamp to. Based on what you've seen would it clamp to a Steadicam Merlin? I realize it's just speculation on your part, but I maybe you can offer a guess since you see how the 521 attaches to a base.

Stealth-LX and the XL2
 

After dealing with an uninformed (and uninterested) lackey at a Calgary camera shop masquerading as a digital video gear provider, (note my disdain), and suffering a delay of over 2 months in shipping, I was finally delighted to receive my Stealth-LX to combine with my Canon XL2.

However, once I plugged in the unit, I discovered that manual focus was only available in ONE direction, and a post-script on the one-page manual stated that the 'Autofocus' button did not work on the XL2.

Put simply, if you are seeking a LANC controller to control manual focus on your XL2, do not buy the Stealth-LX.

Hopefully the PRO-L solves this, or what's the point of having a LANC controller when zoom isn't much of an option in narrative indie filmmaking?

a post-script...
 

I would like to add that Varizoom's page states the Stealth-LX's deficiency, when it comes to focus and the XL2, in the 'specifications' page, but doesn't really take pains to make that clear.

As my selection of the device occurred over two and a half months ago, I can't help but wonder when that update was made... And Varizoom, perhaps your suppliers could be better informed?

Anyways, still looking at the PRO-L. Fingers crossed!

I read somewhere that Lanc control of the AF (push AF for example) is not possible because the AF<>MF toggle on the lens barrel (both 20x and 3x) is a sliding switch.

I bought a lanc from ebay (a cheap model that comes attached to a tripod) that has +/- focus buttons.

They are good but inexact, useable for moving you to within 90-95% focus but fail to deliver tack sharpness because if you try to fine tune a nearly in focus image by pressing +/- you'll go past the mark because the button presses are too blunt.

I don't know how sensitive the zoom rockers on the more expensive lanc units are, but for manual focus via lanc to work you'd need to design something that had even more responsiveness to subtle finger movements. And I'm not sure that buttons or rockers would ever be able to duplicate the infinitesimal adjustments that you can make on a focus ring.

Any additional info on cameras supported for the Bogen / Manfrotto 521PRO
 

I was looking at the Bogen / Manfrotto 521PRO Compact Remote Control for Sony and Canon Camcorders. I have the canon xl2 but when reviewing the specs at BH photo the xl2 is not in the list.

Im wondering if this is true and the xl2 is nideed not supported or is it likely the specs are older and do not for one reason or another include the xl2

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...ct_Remote.html

just curious if any xl2 owners have used this and if so whats your experience.

Thanks

I took a chance on this working with the XL2 and it ended up doing just fine.

Attached illustrations with it mounted.

How are the buttons on these ? Unfortunately, I'm unable to try these out locally , so I have to rely on your opinion . On a tripod, I can see how the nearly flush buttons would still work. I am interested in using this unit on a body harness support (DvMultiRig) and am wondering if the buttons are too sleek to locate without having to eyeball the controller. Do you think a mobile user will be fumbling over these buttons and always having to look at them to find the right one ?

As far as the zoom controller toggle it seems to be placed in quite a natural position so your thumb finds it quite easily, the start / stop button is located closest to the zoom controller.

As far as the buttons go they are slightly raised, (feels like a raised dent) and are easily to locate by touch.

So far I am very pleased.