More wireless remote control on Z5?

[Ben Hall]

Hi guys,

The remote control that comes with the Z5 is basic consumer stuff - transport, zoom, rec start/stop etc.

It would be great to be able to have more controls accessed via the wireless remote - mostly, focus, iris, and then maybe some custom functions like shot transition execute and other stuff.

Does anyone know if these and other features can be accessed by wireless remote? And if so, what remote control would do it..?

If this stuff is only available via LANC (I'm aware of the Lacn remote Sony make), is it possible to get a computer interface and get this stuff be controlled from a computer?

Thanks,

[Lukas Siewior]

Originally Posted by Ben Hall

If this stuff is only available via LANC (I'm aware of the Lacn remote Sony make), is it possible to get a computer interface and get this stuff be controlled from a computer?

Thanks,

I did quick google and found at least one microchip being able to translate Lanc commands into RS-232 analog port. But the schematics weren't complete - you would need to have some skills in electronics and programming - but at least we know it's doable. http://www.elmelectronics.com/DSheets/ELM624DS.pdf

[Lukas Siewior]

It gets better :-) I managed to find more resources:

http://eric.nosense.free.fr/page_lan...t_lanc-gb.html

and here:

http://www.esac.org.uk/SonyLancControl.asp

and here is complete solution you can purchase:

http://www.appliedlogiceng.com/index_files/Page1143.htm

[Ben Hall]

Thanks - this brings back memories of finding the LANC specs back in the early nineties so I could remotely control my Sony camera and edit deck from my computer instead of doing manual edits - way before non-linear editing was going to be possible on home computers (I had an Atari ST back then...)

Ideally still looking for a better remote control solution that I can use out in the field, but I'll look into the computer control stuff.

I begrudge spending a thousand pounds on a Sony remote control unit which just replicates the buttons on the camera. A hundred pounds, maybe, but ten times that...? Nah...

[Lukas Siewior]

Originally Posted by Ben Hall

I begrudge spending a thousand pounds on a Sony remote control unit which just replicates the buttons on the camera. A hundred pounds, maybe, but ten times that...? Nah...

I agree with you. I do not understand why some of those controllers are sooooo expensive. If they can manufacture whole camera for less then $200-300, why such a small device is so over priced.