Best lanc controller for XL2 at DVinfo.net

Ken Tanaka · September 15th, 2004, 10:12 PM

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.

Kevin Triplett · September 19th, 2004, 07:14 PM

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.

Ken Tanaka · September 19th, 2004, 07:53 PM

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.

Thomas Wagner · November 30th, 2004, 03:42 PM

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

Chris Hurd · November 30th, 2004, 04:06 PM

Hi Thomas,

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

Darren Kelly · November 30th, 2004, 09:11 PM

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

Most of the varizoom products are pretty good.

DBK

Frank Aalbers · February 2nd, 2005, 02:10 AM

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

Lawrence Stevens · February 2nd, 2005, 07:44 PM

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

James Rhodes · February 15th, 2005, 01:36 AM

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

James Rhodes · February 15th, 2005, 01:47 AM

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

Mel Williams · February 26th, 2005, 06:28 PM

anyone tried the new 523pro?

Lou Bruno · February 26th, 2005, 07:53 PM

Libec just introduced one for under 200 dollars.

Andy Joyce · June 7th, 2005, 04:28 AM

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?

Kevin Janisch · February 21st, 2006, 01:09 PM

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

Kevin Janisch · February 25th, 2006, 01:43 PM

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

September 15th, 2004, 10:12 PM	#1
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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. __________________ 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

September 19th, 2004, 07:53 PM	#3
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	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. __________________ 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

November 30th, 2004, 03:42 PM	#4
Thomas Wagner Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Germany Posts: 48	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

November 30th, 2004, 04:06 PM	#5
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Hi Thomas, The VariZoom VZ-Pro L works with the Canon XL2, XL1S, XL1, GL2 and GL1. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

November 30th, 2004, 09:11 PM	#6
Darren Kelly Major Player Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Vancouver Posts: 351	I've used the varizoom mini and it works very well too. Most of the varizoom products are pretty good. DBK __________________ Darren Kelly

September 19th, 2004, 07:14 PM	#2
Kevin Triplett Mad Scientist Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 47	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.

February 2nd, 2005, 02:10 AM	#7
Frank Aalbers Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Oakland,CA Posts: 135	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

February 2nd, 2005, 07:44 PM	#8
Lawrence Stevens Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: London, UK Posts: 67	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 __________________ Canon XL2 Vinten Vision 3 tripod Own Build High End PC with RT.X100

February 15th, 2005, 01:36 AM	#9
James Rhodes Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: United States Posts: 49	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 __________________ To Shoot or to be shot, that is the question!

February 15th, 2005, 01:47 AM	#10
James Rhodes Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: United States Posts: 49	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 __________________ To Shoot or to be shot, that is the question!

February 26th, 2005, 06:28 PM	#11
Mel Williams Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 34	anyone tried the new 523pro? __________________ Mel Williams

February 26th, 2005, 07:53 PM	#12
Lou Bruno Go Cycle Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Huntington, NY Posts: 815	Libec just introduced one for under 200 dollars. __________________ Lou Bruno

June 7th, 2005, 04:28 AM	#13
Andy Joyce Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Silicon Valley Posts: 61	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?

February 21st, 2006, 01:09 PM	#14
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	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

February 25th, 2006, 01:43 PM	#15
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	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