PDX10 and VariZoom at DVinfo.net

Glenn Gipson · February 21st, 2003, 03:12 PM

I'm hearing bad things about the PDX10's focus ring's control (which may or may not be true), and I was wondering if the focus control on a VariZoom would by pass this possible problem. Yes, no?

Derek Beck · February 23rd, 2003, 09:11 PM

What problems? The only thing I've heard is the usual complaint about the consumer-grade focus ring that will turn forever. I think people, including myself, want a real focus control.

Glenn Gipson · February 23rd, 2003, 09:28 PM

Yeah, that is the problem I heard about, but I was wondering if a VariZoom (with focus control) would counter this...

Derek Beck · February 23rd, 2003, 09:29 PM

I would guess so, but not sure.

Julian Luttrell · February 24th, 2003, 10:54 AM

Yes it will.

I just bought a Varizoom for largely that reason -manual focus is all but impossible on the PDX10. With the Varizoom you get to step the focus a little with each button press - my only gripe is that the button is rather small...

Julian

Glenn Gipson · February 24th, 2003, 12:46 PM

ok, great to hear (=

Derek Beck · February 24th, 2003, 07:29 PM

is the varizoom device-independent? I don't like stuff like that beachtek xlr to mini box that has three varieties, one for each major brand (canon version, sony vx1000/2000 version, and the sony trv version). If I were to buy one of these varizooms, I expect it to work on any LANC-capable cam...

Julian Luttrell · February 25th, 2003, 01:06 AM

They describe themselves as "controls for nearly all cameras". There's only one flavour of the device, and all their photos show Sonys and Canons.

Other than that, see if you can test it before buying.

Derek Beck · February 25th, 2003, 08:09 PM

how good is that manual focus on the varizoom? I notice it is a rocker switch, which to me woud suggest about as much control as the focus dial on the cam.

Wayne Orr · February 25th, 2003, 08:31 PM

Hey Derek. Since you live in Los Angeles, you might want to demo the Zoe controller at Abel Cine in North Hollywood. Talk to Marianne in sales and she'll hook you up. If you have the time, you might even check out a genuine Steadicam, which they rent.

Check out my review of the Zoe at http://www.digitalprods.com/workshop.htm

Derek Beck · February 25th, 2003, 08:53 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look for them next time I'm up there, which will probably be soon. :)

February 21st, 2003, 03:12 PM	#1
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	PDX10 and VariZoom I'm hearing bad things about the PDX10's focus ring's control (which may or may not be true), and I was wondering if the focus control on a VariZoom would by pass this possible problem. Yes, no?

February 23rd, 2003, 09:11 PM	#2
Derek Beck Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 50	What problems? The only thing I've heard is the usual complaint about the consumer-grade focus ring that will turn forever. I think people, including myself, want a real focus control. __________________ Derek Beck

February 23rd, 2003, 09:29 PM	#4
Derek Beck Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 50	I would guess so, but not sure. __________________ Derek Beck

February 24th, 2003, 07:29 PM	#7
Derek Beck Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 50	is the varizoom device-independent? I don't like stuff like that beachtek xlr to mini box that has three varieties, one for each major brand (canon version, sony vx1000/2000 version, and the sony trv version). If I were to buy one of these varizooms, I expect it to work on any LANC-capable cam... __________________ Derek Beck

February 25th, 2003, 08:09 PM	#9
Derek Beck Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 50	how good is that manual focus on the varizoom? I notice it is a rocker switch, which to me woud suggest about as much control as the focus dial on the cam. __________________ Derek Beck

February 23rd, 2003, 09:28 PM	#3
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	Yeah, that is the problem I heard about, but I was wondering if a VariZoom (with focus control) would counter this...

February 24th, 2003, 10:54 AM	#5
Julian Luttrell Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 164	Yes it will. I just bought a Varizoom for largely that reason -manual focus is all but impossible on the PDX10. With the Varizoom you get to step the focus a little with each button press - my only gripe is that the button is rather small... Julian

February 24th, 2003, 12:46 PM	#6
Glenn Gipson Major Player Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Plainfield, New Jersey Posts: 927	ok, great to hear (=

February 25th, 2003, 01:06 AM	#8
Julian Luttrell Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 164	They describe themselves as "controls for nearly all cameras". There's only one flavour of the device, and all their photos show Sonys and Canons. Other than that, see if you can test it before buying.

February 25th, 2003, 08:31 PM	#10
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Hey Derek. Since you live in Los Angeles, you might want to demo the Zoe controller at Abel Cine in North Hollywood. Talk to Marianne in sales and she'll hook you up. If you have the time, you might even check out a genuine Steadicam, which they rent. Check out my review of the Zoe at http://www.digitalprods.com/workshop.htm __________________ Wayne If it was easy, they'd get a relative to do it.

February 25th, 2003, 08:53 PM	#11
Derek Beck Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 50	Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look for them next time I'm up there, which will probably be soon. :) __________________ Derek Beck