Question for Piotr
 

Any update on the 521ex release date? And any idea as to price?

Dave McCallister

Dave,

I'll try to use my contacts and investigate - but only next week :)

Any updates on the Manfrotto solution?

Got the Libec ZC-9EX last week for a job, and I'd highly recommend it. The speed control is at least comparable to the ex1 zoom rocker, and the cable is very solid (I've seen bebobs get snagged and pull out of the remote). The ability to add an extension cable was the reason I bought it in the first place, but it is a very nice item otherwise.

-Sean

I only am in touch with the engineering people, not marketing - but as far as they can tell, the MN521ex should be available by the end of the month.

Cool, looking forward to it.

Also, is there a reason none of the major manufacturers make a remote with focus control? Am I missing something?

No you're not missing anything, the EX1 is; it has no interface for remote focus.

George/

Do you think Sony will add focus control through a firmware update? Or is it possible through a 3rd party processor?

From the Manfrotto engineers I know the 8-pin proprietary socket on the EX1 doesn't provide any other connection that those for the functions, implemented on the controllers mentioned in this thread.

Any news on the release date of the Manfrotto control and where to buy one?

Still waiting to see if the Manfrotto 521EX is coming out. I will have to buy in the next couple of weeks for a trip to the Arctic on June 30th.

Failing this I think I might just go with the Libec - can anyone using it tell me if it has a speed adjustment wheel like the Bebob?

Does the Varizoom have a speed adjustment wheel also?

Another interesting thing was that Tom from Varizoom said that he HAD made a focus controller for the EX1 - but it was twice the cost. This is interesting as other manufacturers all claim that it can't be done. Any news on this?

The Libec has no speed control adjustment. It has the same level of control as the standard zoom rocker switch, but no speed adjustment. The bebob adjustment is a function of the LANC interface I believe.

-Sean

Piotr, any updates?

I just did a shoot with the EX1 for the first time yesterday and found out a remote zoom control is absolutely necessary when shooting on a tripod. I previously shot on PD170's and I'm used to panning the tripod arm with my right hand and reaching through the camera handle with my left hand to use the zoom rocker.

Since the EX1's zoom rocker is off-center to the right on an independent handle, it's impossible to reach through the camera's handle with my left hand to make zoom adjustments.=/

i am in the same boat.

the bebob zoe-ex with the variable zoom speed is hard to find.
probably the only solution for the meantime is to use the Sony
remote with perhaps the mirror attached in the front as someone here suggested.

paul

Varizoom PG-EX Controller
 

Picked up one of these little babies when they first came out. After a minor factory improvement, it works flawlessly. Love it.

I'm also loving the fact that the EX1 lets you "dial down" the zoom speed for the top handle rocker to something nearly imperceptible...creeping in or out at a setting of 2 or 3 (a setting of 1 doesn't always make the zoom motor reliably start moving on my EX1). (Clarifying, this has nothing to do with the PG-EX controller...)

I haven't seen this slow zoom capability since the old days of the Cinema Products J6 or the Panavision zoom controller, where you could dial down a zoom to over 3 minutes, end to end. Awesome.

bob,

you saying this one has a variable zoom speed function?
http://www.amazon.com/VariZoom-VZ-PR...510390&sr=1-34

thanks

paul

I think he's saying that you can set the zoom speed on the EX1 itself when using the on-handle zoom button.

is it possible to have a very slow starting speed with the Libec model? I had bad experience with the FX1 controller. The start could never be smooth no matter how light a touch i tried.

I am interested in the same question. Can you get a "professional" smooth start and start as one would get with any 2/3" lens with any of these these controllers. Still haven't gotten a straight answer.

I feel uneasy to write about the Manfrotto 521ex as I really can't answer questions about its availability, but my pre-production unit does really smooth stars and stops, and can go from Z00 to Z99 (or vice versa) in almost two minutes (more than a second per zoom display "unit", in the 00-99 scale). Also, the fastest possible zooms for fast re-framing are always readily available under 2 dedicated buttons - regardless of the current speed setting.

Piotr,

Thanks, If the manorotto is good I don't mind waiting.

Can you adjust the speed with the remote or do you need to go into the menus?
I'm not at all interested in whether it can do a 2 min zoom, but rather can you do smooth feathered stops and starts with it set on a reasonably normal speed?
As I've asked before - can it function like a professional remote for a Fuji or a Canon zoom lens.

Lenny levy

Lenny,

I'm afraid I don't quite get your question - are you talking about adjusting zoom speed with the remote (infrared) on the camera itself, or the Manfrotto zoom controller? The latter is of course impossible; the former only allows to access items displayed on the LCD (the functionality of the IR commander being the same as the Direct Menu joystick).

So yes, in any case - in order to change the camera's zoom speed settings (NOT those of a zoom controller), you need to dig into the menu, I'm afraid.

This looks like it would be easy to try:

http://www.dvinfo.net//conf/showthread.php?t=94890

Scroll down and look at the toslink cable attached to the tripod and aimed at infared pickup sensor on the HV20 camera and the other end of the toslink cable attached to the tripod arm aimed at the camera remote attached where a zoom controller would go.

John

toslink is ingenious
 

what a creative use of the light cable!

but while that makes focusing remotely possible, the zooming mechanism via the sony remote for the EX1 is not that smooth. in fact, it can jump on you. so, you still need either a varizoom or the bebob zoe-ex for smooth zooming.

that toslink triggered remote will be there for focusing!

Any info on the soon to be released Manfrotto 521-ex? Seems like it might be a cool item, but can't seem to find it listed anywhere.

To all seeking silky smooth starts and stops and ultra smooth creeping zooms on the EX1: you may need to look elsewhere.

Having bought the Zoe remote I find that the limitation lies in the somewhat coarse servo mechanism in the lens. It's OK for many uses, but not for the subtle pushes and pulls you can get from a real 2/3" lens. It simply will not start and stop with the smooth ramping all of us really want. For me the Zoe actually works better in the middle of its range than at the slowest setting, where the tendency for the lens to jump seems enhanced.

At its slowest (handle zoom speed 1) many EX1's exhibit an unpleasant pulsing effect when pushing in, forcing users to use speed 2 and above. I had this bug bite me recently overseas. Fortunately pulling out was better, allowing a dramatic reveal of a landscape.

I think the answer lies in the EX3 with a serious lens attached that costs at least as much as the camera and probably more.

Of course, YMMV.

Dave McCallister

Revived the old thread.....Still no word on the Manfrotto???? I would like to order that one but have a shoot coming up next month that will require remote zoom and will have to go with one of the others if it does not show up...It has been months now...what is the hold up?? Are the early adapters of the EX1 going to be left behind by 3rd parties as they work on new EX3 accessories...I know most just be able to be used by both but thought I read somewhere the Lens control for the EX3 was more thought out and you can get more control... Maybe I am wrong on that.

Well no update from me but some info. I have found that the on lens rockers that controll the speed for the most part suck, even on most 2/3" lenses. I have a Fuji lens controller I found when I bought my DV500 years ago and it works really well. I have had to repair it a few times but overall it works really well. I can do really really slow creeps and as fast as the lens will go with the controller. It is huge but worth the effert when I need it. Mine is the 8pin fuji controller handle.

Cheers
Robert C. Fisher
Cinematography

http://www.dvinfo.net//conf/showthread.php?t=94890

Wow, that was a smart no-budget idea!
Looks like that this guy watched MacGyver very often.

anybody has the pin layout for the fujinonlens on the
EX1?

Jurgen, I don't have access to the protocol involved, but I participated in testing the Manfrotto 521-ex controller and can assure you there is nothing there above start/stop/ zoom. and RET functionality.

BTW, the MN521-ex is already available for purchase (better late than never); I can recommend it as very functional (the full speed zoom in/out always available through separate buttons, makes it a better value compared to most competitors).

Piotr, thanks for you post.
we want to use the ex1 remotlely in the air so we need a controller wireless, that why i want the pin layout from the lens conector to make somthing ourself, rec and zoom is ok, the iris we do seperately .

thanks jurgen

I'm also interested in the pin out info for the EX1 - my need is to isolate the record / stop record connection so it can be hard wired to an interval timer for timelapse purposes. It will be necessary to buy a remote and hack the cables open which is a bit drastic, if I can't locate this information.

My timer arrangement fires the panning motor on the tripod head for a preset period, then shoots a frame on the EX1, the parameters are all variable making it possible to shoot a timelapse pan over a period of 5 hours or more.

Try emailing Bebob manufacturing - they've been very easy to work with.

Also, you might try Libec USA.

So the pin outs for the EX1 Fujinon lens are unreg.12v, un reg. ground, Video, video ground,
two serial data in and 2 serial data out - no idea of serial protocol.

So I'm gonna have to buy and break a Zoe controller to get at the "go" button.

Anyone serial data wise??

Paul

Libec PZC9EX or ZC9PRO
 

Hi

Just ordered a EX3 and have to wait a couple of weeks before delivery.

I've been looking at Libec Zoom controllers as mentioned in the title of this post.

The Libec site states that the Pro model can be used with Canon and or Fujinon lenses and in some instances might need a 12 pin adapter for Broadcast Fujinon Lenses.

The Pro is about $100 cheaper here in Australia, has anyone had experience with either of these two controllers and is there any advantages that I'm missing in one over the other?

Libec: Libec-Libec Sales of America -> Right Hand side menu bar -> go"Other Accessory"

Anyones experiences would be most welcome.

Cheers

Michael

The Pro was the original controller - designed for Canon or Fujinon lenses and my need a 12 pin adapter for Broadcase lenses - as you mentioned.

I had this controller and used it a lot with my JVC HD100 cams with Fujinon lenses - I was happy with it and it always performed fine for me.

Then I sold my JVC's and switched to the EX3 - the Pro controller won't work. It's not only that the cable pinout is different, but it also required a rework of the electronics within the controller body. That is why it's so much more.

I sold my Pro on eBay, bought the EX version, and I'm still happy with it.

The Bebob Zoe EX just arrived yesterday and it's a little gem!

Very smooth, great control. Well worthy every penny.

Am I correct in understanding from your post that a Libec PH-9 zoom for Fuji Pro lenses will not work on the EX? The pin layout and electronics are different?

I have an old spare Canon plug PH-9 and was going to look into a Canon PRO to Fuji PRO adapter plug if such a thing existed??? or getting a loan of a Fuji Pro PH-9 from a colleage for a shoot coming up. Doesnt sound like this is an option and I need to buy a bebob or a Manfrotto 521EX. Anyone used both and can recommend which is better or are they both similar?

I tried to order the EX adapter from Libec. Chuy, I think, in tech support apologized but indicated that the ZC9-Pro will not work with the adapter - the electronics within the controller would end up sending incorrect signals to the lens and it would constantly creep - or something like that.

The ZC9-EX Has updated and improved electronics to work better with all lenses and accommodate the EX cameras.