Remote Lens Control on the PDW-EX1
 

Many thanks to Tim Polster for pointing this out.

This is a screen cap from the EX1 camera rotation located at:
http://assets.sonybiz.net/Flash/XDCA..._ex/index.html

See attached photo (click to see it big).

By the way that is NOT the standard 8-pin connector commonly used for Fujinon broadcast video lenses.

Personally I think the image is too dark and low res to make that call just yet.

I will agree though that this connection does not seem to stick out of the chassis like the 8pins connectors stick out of lens.

Upon looking at a fuji lens I have, I believe Chris is correct, this is not a normal 8 pin connection.

The connector on my fuji lens here has 7 holes in a circle with one hole in the center.

The photo of the XDCAM EX has 8 holes in a circle.

Your right, this puts the nail in the coffin it is a standard 8 pin connector.

On ya Sony, Not 8 pin or standard LANC..

I wouldn't worry... they wouldn't go this route if it didn't add something of benefit to the existing grand scheme of remotes.

It controls Zoom and start/stop. No option for remote focus as yet.

Then try this one.

I think I'm counting eight pins, but I still don't believe it's the standard 8-pin connector found on all Fujinon and Canon broadcast video lenses (almost all; Fuji used a 12-pin connector for awhile). For one thing, the standard 8-pin connector screws on, and I don't see any threads here. It looks like a simple friction push jack. We'll know more pretty soon of course, but my bet is that this is a proprietary connector.

Oops, I missed several replies above... ultimately, proprietary or not, I'm just glad it's there!

Especially if it lists at the rumoured $6k. They most will have a virtual $2K to buy accessories like batteries, WA lens adaptors and zoom controllers ;-)

If it's proprietary, it may as well be for some new "concentrator" dongle by Sony, allowing connection of a lanc and/or the Fujinon zoom controller...

I'm dreaming:)

Here's a better shot of the remote socket :

Let's hope for a dongle we can adapt for using our existing Fujinon zoom lense controllers....

This is certainly viable - this pic (courtesy of BEIKS, the biggest Polish pro video reseller) from IBC shows it exactly. Look how big is the thingy, connecting the adaptor with standard 8-pin Fujinon zoom controller!

The Libec controllers, for example, will work with it, and apparently they will supply an adaptor. The issue isn't very complicated, apparently.

Isn't the "proprietary" socket the Angenieux one? I've searched for it in the net, but didn't find any picture... Who is familiar with the Angenieux?

It is not an Angenieux connector. Besides you wouldn't find an Angenieux connector on a camcorder using a Fujinon lens. This particular connector is proprietary to Sony.

So it isn't Angenieux - fair enough; thanks for the clarification Chris. However, in today's world - if you can find a Canon lens on a Sony camera, why not the Angenieux controller socket on a Fujinon lens? :) I know - Sony don't make their own lenses today, but Canon make their own cameras!

Seriously speaking: I read there is an 8-pin for remotes like RM-B150 or RM-B750 on the big CineAlta brother, the HDW-F900 HDCAM machine (and other ones as well) - is it different than the one found on the EX1, as well? Just curious...

To put a proprietary socket on the EX1 requiring a special adapter for a simple Rec/Pause/Ret, $150 zoom controller doesn't make much sense to me, but if it also allows using a $$$$, full-featured controller to be used by those who can afford one - that's another story! If yet another adaptor allowed to use my LANC cotrollers, I'd be fully satisfied :)

The word from Manfrotto is their 521CFi and 524CFi controllers will work with the EX1:

http://www.bogenimaging.us/Jahia/pro...CleanList=true

That can't be right. The Bogen 521CFi and 524CFi controllers have standard 8-pin connectors for Canon and Fujinon lenses, and as we already know, the connector on the EX1 is *not* the standard 8-pin configuration but a proprietary one which is entirely unique to Sony.

Chris, the word is from Manfrotto direct. They will be providing the adaptor, as well.

An adapter is the only way it could work, and you made no mention of it in your previous post. Please state specifically by name who it was at Bogen / Manfrotto that told you this.

Unfortunately, I'm not entitled to use the name of a gentleman working in the Manfrotto electronic/software development; he says they're working on the PMW-EX1 right now and I'll be testing the solution as soon as I have the camera.

Manfrotto will supply an adaptor for you to use.

Yep, sort of Beta testing.

Edit: my above answer to Simon's post only makes sense if his short message was a question - if it was a general statement, please disregard :)

Have somebody tested the remote controller functions?
 

Have somebody tested the remote controller functions?

I need to know if I can do aerial shooting, placing the EX1 in a tyler nose. Can the focus and iris be controlled? What about the zoom?
I will really appreciate your opinions

It's not publicly available yet; but when it is, you can count on reading about it right here.

I talked to a Sony rep at DVexpo Wednesday, and he said Sony will soon have a remote controller for the EX1. All didn't say when, just soon. He said it will control zoom and start/stop recording. I don't know about iris control.
D Kane

I agree with Octavio it would be nice to control iris and focus while shooting from a gyro platform in a chopper.

the only thing I've heard of is the Libec ZC-9EX.... don't know if it's shipping yet.

Bebob is also working on an EX1-compatible controller.

Carroll Lam

As is Manfrotto, if I recall correctly.

Considering the 'net chatter this camera has generated so far I would speculate there's going to a plethora of accessories before long from a variety of manufacturers.

Keep dropping those pennies in the piggy bank. 8-)

Carroll Lam

Thanks for your replays. I have plans to buy an EX1 and make some aerial shooting in the next month, but seems to be too early for that.

Is there a threaded point to add a focus block onto the cameras just as most canon / fujinon lenses do for focus control? We're planning on purchasing about 5-7 of these in the next couple months.

wha'th'??
I'll confirm that my 8-pin fujinon lens cotroller does NOT fit the Sony provided lens controller socket for the EX1. But then, you already knew that.
What is this pic supposed to show? Some kind of adapter plug?

Bill, it's the connection for a new remote zoom controller which is an 8-pin but with a different pin configuration than what you're used to seeing on a Fuji or Canon broadcast lens.

Chris...

Does this mean someone has an adapter plug to use a Varizoom "VZ-Rock-F" (which has a Fujinon 8-pin connector) on a Sony EX1?

Still would love to see iris and focus added.

That's not going to happen because those functions are not part of the EX lens controller plug specification. I'm sure that there will be a motorized focus control and perhaps even a focus/iris combo control in the near future. Various companies are working on the focus thing now.

- Don