Canon ZR-2000 zoom control opinions? at DVinfo.net

David Ziegelheim · August 31st, 2006, 05:31 AM

Canon has NO references to this controller online...none. Sites that sell it have minimal information.

Where can you find a manual online? Specially, how do you focus? It is not obvious from the pictures, which don't show any focusing knob, rocker, or buttons.

It is fairly cool unit, with an auto focus/manual focus switch, auto focus button, zoom rate knob, and peaking and magnify buttons. It seems the only thing missing is an iris control?

Thanks,

David

Cody Lucido · November 10th, 2006, 05:34 PM

I am usually a big fan of Canon products. When I had the opportunity to get a controller, I opted not to get the Varizoom Rocker controller I was looking at in favor of the Canon ZR-2000.

I decided this because of it allowed me to access many of the features of my new A1, which the Varizoom didn't. Especially Auto/manual focus, Peak and some others.

Boy am I wondering if I didn't make a mistake. Talk about your cheap hunk of plastic. This thing has got to be the absolutley worse product I have ever purchased from Canon. It feels like it will break if you just look at it wrong. At $399 I am really feeling the pain.

Has anybody used one of these in the field? Did it hold up? I swear the switches are only a few flicks from snapping off. The casing is so poorly fitted together it creaks.

I can still return it if I don't use it. Your info is greatly appreciated.

Brian Farris · November 10th, 2006, 09:01 PM

I use the ZR-1000 and it works great for me. Sorry about your bad luck.

Cody Lucido · November 10th, 2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Farris

I use the ZR-1000 and it works great for me. Sorry about your bad luck.

Is yours flimsy?

Cody Lucido · November 11th, 2006, 10:55 PM

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and keep this thing. I will let you know if it holds up or falls apart.

Michael Bartolo · January 12th, 2007, 04:20 PM

I found the ZR-2000 to be a bit slow on response when recently used with a Canon XH-A1. I preferred to operate using the on camera controls rather than the ZR-2000. Also not a very robust controller.

Anthony Leong · January 13th, 2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cody Lucido

Well, I decided to bite the bullet and keep this thing. I will let you know if it holds up or falls apart.

How's the ZR-2000 after using it for awhile?

Cody Lucido · January 13th, 2007, 08:39 PM

My mini review...

It doesn't totally suck. In fact, if it weren't for the cheap build of the thing I would give it high marks.

The manual/Aufto focus switch and push button focus are something I use all the time. Switching mag/peak on/off is also a great plus. The speed dial/zoom is cool after you get used to it. The toggle is responsive. REC is instant.

The mounting truly sucks.

Still, if you own an A1,H1 or G1 you will really find this to have all your cool new features at your finger tips.

Anthony Leong · January 13th, 2007, 08:48 PM

I just went to the Canon USA site and try to find some info on the ZR-2000, but I couldn't find any info. In the Canon XH-A1 accessories it list the ZR-2000 with no info underneath.

Chris Hurd · January 13th, 2007, 10:18 PM

The operations of this controller are self-explanatory. It really doesn't need a manual. There's a very limited instruction sheet included when you buy it. Otherwise, just plug it into the camera and use it. The various features (focus, zoom, etc.) are clearly marked on the controller. It ain't rocket science.

Jeff Nelson · January 29th, 2007, 08:02 PM

I've been going through old posts but can't find this.

Does the Canon ZR-2000 Zoom Remote Control NOT have a manual focus control ability? It looks like you can put it in auto focus or push the AF button from this LANC, but you can't actually focus remotely? Can anyone tell me if that's the case?

Also, anyone found a LANC for the A1 they really like? Thanks.

Chris Hurd · January 29th, 2007, 08:27 PM

Moved from Canon XH to Remote Lens Controllers.

I'm not sure what leads you to think that the ZR2000 doesn't have remote focus control capability -- because it does. See attached photo below. Once the camera is switched to manual focus control, focus is adjusted remotely by using the focus control wheel on the right side of the ZR2000. Hope this helps,

Jeff Nelson · January 29th, 2007, 08:33 PM

Hey thank you, Chris. I was just going off photos I was able to see of it on various sites, and never saw the one you just posted. Appreciate it, and assuming it does the job well, and unless someone wants to suggest a better alternative, that's what I'll be getting. Cheers.

Chris Hurd · January 29th, 2007, 08:43 PM

It's the only LANC remote currently available that lets you use certain Canon-specific camera features, such as peaking and magnifying, for example. If you need remote access to those focus assist tools, then the ZR2000 is the right remote to get.

On the other hand... I'm not at all a fan of the plastic body. I used to work for VariZoom, and their controllers -- milled out of a solid chunk of aluminum -- are strong enough to use as hammers. The Canons are fairly delicate. Plus, the ZR2000 has a wimpy tripod clamp on the back. It won't open up wide enough for most pro-level pan handles. It'll fit the smaller diameter handles just fine, but be prepared to re-engineer the clamp if you're using an "industrial strength" pan handle.

Chris Hurd · January 29th, 2007, 08:51 PM

Couple more ZR2000 pics... click to see 'em big...

August 31st, 2006, 05:31 AM	#1
David Ziegelheim Major Player Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Warren, NJ Posts: 398	ZR-2000 Manual? Canon has NO references to this controller online...none. Sites that sell it have minimal information. Where can you find a manual online? Specially, how do you focus? It is not obvious from the pictures, which don't show any focusing knob, rocker, or buttons. It is fairly cool unit, with an auto focus/manual focus switch, auto focus button, zoom rate knob, and peaking and magnify buttons. It seems the only thing missing is an iris control? Thanks, David

November 10th, 2006, 05:34 PM	#2
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Canon ZR-2000 - Buyer's Remorse... I am usually a big fan of Canon products. When I had the opportunity to get a controller, I opted not to get the Varizoom Rocker controller I was looking at in favor of the Canon ZR-2000. I decided this because of it allowed me to access many of the features of my new A1, which the Varizoom didn't. Especially Auto/manual focus, Peak and some others. Boy am I wondering if I didn't make a mistake. Talk about your cheap hunk of plastic. This thing has got to be the absolutley worse product I have ever purchased from Canon. It feels like it will break if you just look at it wrong. At $399 I am really feeling the pain. Has anybody used one of these in the field? Did it hold up? I swear the switches are only a few flicks from snapping off. The casing is so poorly fitted together it creaks. I can still return it if I don't use it. Your info is greatly appreciated. __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

November 10th, 2006, 09:01 PM	#3
Brian Farris Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Hattiesburg, MS Posts: 99	I use the ZR-1000 and it works great for me. Sorry about your bad luck. __________________ Videography Blog - http://www.video.thirdprong.com/blog/

November 11th, 2006, 10:55 PM	#5
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	Well, I decided to bite the bullet and keep this thing. I will let you know if it holds up or falls apart. __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

January 13th, 2007, 08:39 PM	#8
Cody Lucido Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 206	My mini review... It doesn't totally suck. In fact, if it weren't for the cheap build of the thing I would give it high marks. The manual/Aufto focus switch and push button focus are something I use all the time. Switching mag/peak on/off is also a great plus. The speed dial/zoom is cool after you get used to it. The toggle is responsive. REC is instant. The mounting truly sucks. Still, if you own an A1,H1 or G1 you will really find this to have all your cool new features at your finger tips. __________________ www.CodemanStudios.com

January 12th, 2007, 04:20 PM	#6
Michael Bartolo New Boot Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 21	I found the ZR-2000 to be a bit slow on response when recently used with a Canon XH-A1. I preferred to operate using the on camera controls rather than the ZR-2000. Also not a very robust controller.

January 13th, 2007, 08:48 PM	#9
Anthony Leong Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: United States Posts: 93	I just went to the Canon USA site and try to find some info on the ZR-2000, but I couldn't find any info. In the Canon XH-A1 accessories it list the ZR-2000 with no info underneath.

January 13th, 2007, 10:18 PM	#10
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	The operations of this controller are self-explanatory. It really doesn't need a manual. There's a very limited instruction sheet included when you buy it. Otherwise, just plug it into the camera and use it. The various features (focus, zoom, etc.) are clearly marked on the controller. It ain't rocket science. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 29th, 2007, 08:02 PM	#11
Jeff Nelson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 194	Canon ZR-2000 Zoom Remote Control -- no focus control? I've been going through old posts but can't find this. Does the Canon ZR-2000 Zoom Remote Control NOT have a manual focus control ability? It looks like you can put it in auto focus or push the AF button from this LANC, but you can't actually focus remotely? Can anyone tell me if that's the case? Also, anyone found a LANC for the A1 they really like? Thanks.

January 29th, 2007, 08:27 PM	#12
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Moved from Canon XH to Remote Lens Controllers. I'm not sure what leads you to think that the ZR2000 doesn't have remote focus control capability -- because it does. See attached photo below. Once the camera is switched to manual focus control, focus is adjusted remotely by using the focus control wheel on the right side of the ZR2000. Hope this helps, Attached Thumbnails __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 29th, 2007, 08:33 PM	#13
Jeff Nelson Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 194	Hey thank you, Chris. I was just going off photos I was able to see of it on various sites, and never saw the one you just posted. Appreciate it, and assuming it does the job well, and unless someone wants to suggest a better alternative, that's what I'll be getting. Cheers.

January 29th, 2007, 08:43 PM	#14
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	It's the only LANC remote currently available that lets you use certain Canon-specific camera features, such as peaking and magnifying, for example. If you need remote access to those focus assist tools, then the ZR2000 is the right remote to get. On the other hand... I'm not at all a fan of the plastic body. I used to work for VariZoom, and their controllers -- milled out of a solid chunk of aluminum -- are strong enough to use as hammers. The Canons are fairly delicate. Plus, the ZR2000 has a wimpy tripod clamp on the back. It won't open up wide enough for most pro-level pan handles. It'll fit the smaller diameter handles just fine, but be prepared to re-engineer the clamp if you're using an "industrial strength" pan handle. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

January 29th, 2007, 08:51 PM	#15
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,368 Images: 513	Couple more ZR2000 pics... click to see 'em big... Attached Thumbnails __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!