Canon ZR-2000 zoom control opinions?

Eric Weiss · April 14th, 2007, 01:48 PM

yes, very smooth on 1-5. it works just as well with the A1 as it does with the
Xl1-s and GL2.

i take it you are on a tripod? so, just make sure auto-focus and anti-shake are both off. on slow zooms its going to look for objects at different focal lengths and also compensate.

on the remote, it's not on the "v" setting right? i've also got zoom speed on the cam switched to "c." ( that may not matter at all.)

you may also just have a faulty remote.

Kipjaz Savoie · April 14th, 2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Weiss

yes, very smooth on 1-5. it works just as well with the A1 as it does with the
Xl1-s and GL2.

i take it you are on a tripod? so, just make sure auto-focus and anti-shake are both off. on slow zooms its going to look for objects at different focal lengths and also compensate.

on the remote, it's not on the "v" setting right? i've also got zoom speed on the cam switched to "c." ( that may not matter at all.)

you may also just have a faulty remote.

I think we may be talking about different things. The zoom speed itself is fine, no complaints - the problem is when I'm in a wide shot and want to tighten up, normally the idea is to gently ease into the zoom, with the ZR-1000 I found it almost impossible. The move begins suddenly and ends suddenly - there is no ramp up or ramp down. This is essential for broadcast quality moves, so I'm still wondering if the A1 is incapable, or the ZR-1000 is incapable?

Even Solberg · April 15th, 2007, 08:04 AM

Well, I've done a little testing, and on 16x it definitely seems to jump into the zoom quickly. How about starting with 1x and then turning the knob to whatever zoom speed you need? That seems fairly smooth. I'm no expert, so more testing might be required.

Bill Busby · May 3rd, 2007, 08:15 PM

I just came across this thread & can't imagine it just died where it did. I believe Kipjaz was obviously talking about the zoom in variable mode, not constant. Any speed setting in constant mode will abruptly start or stop. Variable obviously wouldn't.

I too would like to know anyone's experiences with the ZR-2000, pro & con.

Bill

Kipjaz Savoie · May 6th, 2007, 02:28 PM

Yep, variable mode is a must. I'm beginning to think not many people are using the ZR-2000 in this way, so perhaps no one can really comment. I returned my ZR-1000 as it was unusable for any critical moves.

Bill Busby · May 6th, 2007, 06:56 PM

Kipjaz, I could be wrong, but I think it's relative to the zoom speed setting you have on the A1. Meaning if you have the A1 set to C (constant), you're going to get that abrupt start/stop on any controller. If the A1 is set to VAR, you should get what you expect. But, this still may not work well with the older 1000 unit, but may with the 2000.

Maybe a quick call to someone that has both the A1 & ZR-2000 in stock and/or display, could shed some light.

Bill

Shaun Walker · June 13th, 2007, 12:09 AM

How are they holding up?

Does VAR zoom setting allow you to slooowly and smoothly creep out of a full-wide or full-tele shot into a slow zoom?

Joe Bourguignon · July 1st, 2007, 03:55 PM

I'm going to echo Shaun's question... is a zoom creep > ramp to faster zoom possible with the ZR-2000? in order to do this, do you need to manually dial up the zoom speed selector as you zoom, or is it possible by "feathering" the zoom rocker directly? also, is it dependent on the camera setting or no?

Also, I'd love to hear somebody weigh in on the sturdiness factor, specifically anyone who has been using this in the field... everybody is commenting on the plastic/delicate build of it... how's it fare in real world use?

has anybody machined an aluminum case for it? I'm sure there's a market for it! ;)

Cheers!

-joe

Dave Uriarte · July 25th, 2007, 09:42 AM

Does anyone have any feedback on how well the focus wheel on the ZR-2000 works with the A1? Is it as accurate/responsive as the focus ring on the lens?

Thanks :)

Dave

Joe Bourguignon · June 25th, 2008, 01:42 PM

*bump*

just wanted to re-iterate my above questions about sturdiness and zoom creep abilities...

can anybody weigh in who has used this controller for a while? cheers!

-joe

Stuart Graham · May 6th, 2009, 03:39 AM

Please can anyone tell me if the ZR-2000 is any good for focus pulling?

I don't want a controller for zoom control just focus

Stuart Graham · July 11th, 2009, 04:58 AM

Please can anyone offer any insight?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave Uriarte

Does anyone have any feedback on how well the focus wheel on the ZR-2000 works with the A1? Is it as accurate/responsive as the focus ring on the lens?

Thanks :)

Dave

April 15th, 2007, 08:04 AM	#33
Even Solberg Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oslo, Norway Posts: 106	Well, I've done a little testing, and on 16x it definitely seems to jump into the zoom quickly. How about starting with 1x and then turning the knob to whatever zoom speed you need? That seems fairly smooth. I'm no expert, so more testing might be required. __________________ "Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." -- Edgar Allan Poe

June 13th, 2007, 12:09 AM	#37
Shaun Walker Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Eureka, Calif. Posts: 98	Any more experiences/ info? How are they holding up? Does VAR zoom setting allow you to slooowly and smoothly creep out of a full-wide or full-tele shot into a slow zoom?

July 25th, 2007, 09:42 AM	#39
Dave Uriarte Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: University Place, WA Posts: 106	Focus wheel Does anyone have any feedback on how well the focus wheel on the ZR-2000 works with the A1? Is it as accurate/responsive as the focus ring on the lens? Thanks :) Dave

May 6th, 2009, 03:39 AM	#41
Stuart Graham Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Selby UK Posts: 274	Please can anyone tell me if the ZR-2000 is any good for focus pulling? I don't want a controller for zoom control just focus __________________ Stuart Graham www.magentapictures.com

April 14th, 2007, 01:48 PM	#31
Eric Weiss Major Player Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Philly,PA Posts: 360	yes, very smooth on 1-5. it works just as well with the A1 as it does with the Xl1-s and GL2. i take it you are on a tripod? so, just make sure auto-focus and anti-shake are both off. on slow zooms its going to look for objects at different focal lengths and also compensate. on the remote, it's not on the "v" setting right? i've also got zoom speed on the cam switched to "c." ( that may not matter at all.) you may also just have a faulty remote.

May 3rd, 2007, 08:15 PM	#34
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	I just came across this thread & can't imagine it just died where it did. I believe Kipjaz was obviously talking about the zoom in variable mode, not constant. Any speed setting in constant mode will abruptly start or stop. Variable obviously wouldn't. I too would like to know anyone's experiences with the ZR-2000, pro & con. Bill

May 6th, 2007, 02:28 PM	#35
Kipjaz Savoie Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New York, NY Posts: 35	Yep, variable mode is a must. I'm beginning to think not many people are using the ZR-2000 in this way, so perhaps no one can really comment. I returned my ZR-1000 as it was unusable for any critical moves.

May 6th, 2007, 06:56 PM	#36
Bill Busby Major Player Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 959	Kipjaz, I could be wrong, but I think it's relative to the zoom speed setting you have on the A1. Meaning if you have the A1 set to C (constant), you're going to get that abrupt start/stop on any controller. If the A1 is set to VAR, you should get what you expect. But, this still may not work well with the older 1000 unit, but may with the 2000. Maybe a quick call to someone that has both the A1 & ZR-2000 in stock and/or display, could shed some light. Bill

July 1st, 2007, 03:55 PM	#38
Joe Bourguignon New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 14	I'm going to echo Shaun's question... is a zoom creep > ramp to faster zoom possible with the ZR-2000? in order to do this, do you need to manually dial up the zoom speed selector as you zoom, or is it possible by "feathering" the zoom rocker directly? also, is it dependent on the camera setting or no? Also, I'd love to hear somebody weigh in on the sturdiness factor, specifically anyone who has been using this in the field... everybody is commenting on the plastic/delicate build of it... how's it fare in real world use? has anybody machined an aluminum case for it? I'm sure there's a market for it! ;) Cheers! -joe

June 25th, 2008, 01:42 PM	#40
Joe Bourguignon New Boot Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 14	bump just wanted to re-iterate my above questions about sturdiness and zoom creep abilities... can anybody weigh in who has used this controller for a while? cheers! -joe