zoom/focus control for EX3/EX1 at DVinfo.net

Brent Hallman · May 7th, 2010, 10:51 AM

I was wondering... are there any units out there that control both the focus and zoom of the lens?

All I have been finding so far are zoom controllers or big clunky focus controllers that require rails.

I am looking for one unit, that can be mounted on my tripod handle that controls BOTH focus AND zoom.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Brent

Alister Chapman · May 7th, 2010, 11:30 AM

Not seen one. The zoom can be controlled by the lens connector on the lens, but focus would have to be via some kind of follow focus unit, so it's likely that you will need two separate controllers. The norm would be two, one mounted on the right pan bar and the second on an additional pan bar on the left.

Piotr Wozniacki · May 7th, 2010, 12:21 PM

Keep your eye on the NAB-announced remote focus controllers from RedRock micro; they say both a wired version (with the controller on the left handle), and much more sophisticated wireless version will both be available soon, at a very attractive price.

John Hewat · May 7th, 2010, 11:20 PM

You mean the one with the iPhone connectivity? That looked sweet as!! (and by sweet, I mean totally expensive!!)

Richard Crowley · May 7th, 2010, 11:43 PM

The zoom function is controllable via the connector by the lens. There are electronic zoom controllers (which amount to nothing more than a potentiometer that costs several hundred $$$) which just plug into this connector.

Alas, although the focus function is also controlled by a motor (for auto-focus), access to this motor is not known to be accessible outside the camera body. That is why all the available solutions use either mechanical (flexible shaft) or electronic (external motor) access, as you say, typically mounted on rails.

Someday, someone may find some way to access the hidden/covered "service" USB port to get other information/control in and out of the camera. We can at least dream.

May 7th, 2010, 10:51 AM	#1
Brent Hallman Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Toronto, Ontario Posts: 89	zoom/focus control for EX3/EX1 I was wondering... are there any units out there that control both the focus and zoom of the lens? All I have been finding so far are zoom controllers or big clunky focus controllers that require rails. I am looking for one unit, that can be mounted on my tripod handle that controls BOTH focus AND zoom. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Brent

May 7th, 2010, 11:30 AM	#2
Alister Chapman Inner Circle Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bracknell, Berkshire, UK Posts: 4,957	Not seen one. The zoom can be controlled by the lens connector on the lens, but focus would have to be via some kind of follow focus unit, so it's likely that you will need two separate controllers. The norm would be two, one mounted on the right pan bar and the second on an additional pan bar on the left. __________________ Alister Chapman, Film-Maker/Stormchaser http://www.xdcam-user.com/alisters-blog/ My XDCAM site and blog. http://www.hurricane-rig.com

May 7th, 2010, 12:21 PM	#3
Piotr Wozniacki Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 4,086	Keep your eye on the NAB-announced remote focus controllers from RedRock micro; they say both a wired version (with the controller on the left handle), and much more sophisticated wireless version will both be available soon, at a very attractive price. __________________ Sony PXW-FS7 \| DaVinci Resolve Studio; Magix Vegas Pro; i7-5960X CPU; 64 GB RAM; 2x GTX 1080 8GB GPU; Decklink 4K Extreme 12G; 4x 3TB WD Black in RAID 0; 1TB M.2 NVMe cache drive

May 7th, 2010, 11:20 PM	#4
John Hewat Major Player Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne, AUSTRALIA Posts: 735	You mean the one with the iPhone connectivity? That looked sweet as!! (and by sweet, I mean totally expensive!!) __________________ John Hewat Mammoth Media Productions

May 7th, 2010, 11:43 PM	#5
Richard Crowley Trustee Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon Posts: 1,238	The zoom function is controllable via the connector by the lens. There are electronic zoom controllers (which amount to nothing more than a potentiometer that costs several hundred $$$) which just plug into this connector. Alas, although the focus function is also controlled by a motor (for auto-focus), access to this motor is not known to be accessible outside the camera body. That is why all the available solutions use either mechanical (flexible shaft) or electronic (external motor) access, as you say, typically mounted on rails. Someday, someone may find some way to access the hidden/covered "service" USB port to get other information/control in and out of the camera. We can at least dream.