Good News -- Bogen 521

Bryan Aycock · August 14th, 2006, 06:27 PM

If you're considering a LANC controller for your XL2, save yourself the troubles and read this first. I was in the market for a LANC controller for my XL2, and spent months researching which one to buy. First, I ordered the ZR-2000 (made by Canon) because I liked all of the features it provided ($399). When it arrived, I was dissappointed because the rocker was very "consumer feeling" and half of the features of the ZR-2000 aren't supported by the XL2--so I sent it back. I then got the VZ-Rock LANC ($260), due mainly to the looks of the rocker switch and the rave reviews here on this site (apparently reviews made by people who do not own XL2s). I was excited when it arrived, and couldn't wait to try it out--plugged it in, turned my XL2 on, and walla--NOTHING. Now I had faith in this awesome looking lense controller, so I exchanged it for a new one. When I got the new one in, I was just as excited as before, and I was VERY careful to follow ALL instructions prior to testing it out. When I turned the camera on, I was excited to see that the VZ-Rock's LED lit up--"YES!! it works," I thought to myself. But when I tried to zoom, it did it in steps (real jerkey) like I was snap zooming my camera. "What the..., I can't get a single smooth zoom out of this thing" (and no the zoom ring was not touching anything) Now I'm seriously considering whether or not an internal fuse blew on my camera, but I was persistant and sent my 2nd VZ-Rock back for a Bogen 521 ($169). I just got it in today, and let me tell you--it works like a charm; I really love this thing. It's just the basic Bogen 521, and that's all I need. Relief at last!!!
The moral of the story is this: I went from a $400 piece of crap, to TWO $260 pieces of crap, to a wonderful $170 machine that gets the job done. Although it cost me over $60 dollars in shipping costs and over 40 days without a funtioning LANC, my patience was well rewarded. So save yourself some time and money, and go with Bogen if you're using the XL2 (I cannot speak for other cameras).
Can any Bogen users back me up please?

Todd Eichel · August 20th, 2006, 10:47 AM

Dude, I totally agree with you. After looking for months at zoom controllers, I finally got the opportunity to test the Bogen 521 (on a Sony HDV camera), and I found out that it was all I'd ever hoped for in a zoom controller. I don't really see how any other could possibly be better as far as the basic function (smooth zooming) goes. And I'm coming from the land of $1000+ studio lens zoom/focus controllers. I am at a loss as to how any of the more expensive LANC controllers could do smooth zooming better than the Bogen 521, because like I said, it was as good as I had ever hoped for (which was for it to feel like the pro equivalents).

August 14th, 2006, 06:27 PM	#1
Bryan Aycock Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hammond, LA Posts: 84	Good News -- Bogen 521 If you're considering a LANC controller for your XL2, save yourself the troubles and read this first. I was in the market for a LANC controller for my XL2, and spent months researching which one to buy. First, I ordered the ZR-2000 (made by Canon) because I liked all of the features it provided ($399). When it arrived, I was dissappointed because the rocker was very "consumer feeling" and half of the features of the ZR-2000 aren't supported by the XL2--so I sent it back. I then got the VZ-Rock LANC ($260), due mainly to the looks of the rocker switch and the rave reviews here on this site (apparently reviews made by people who do not own XL2s). I was excited when it arrived, and couldn't wait to try it out--plugged it in, turned my XL2 on, and walla--NOTHING. Now I had faith in this awesome looking lense controller, so I exchanged it for a new one. When I got the new one in, I was just as excited as before, and I was VERY careful to follow ALL instructions prior to testing it out. When I turned the camera on, I was excited to see that the VZ-Rock's LED lit up--"YES!! it works," I thought to myself. But when I tried to zoom, it did it in steps (real jerkey) like I was snap zooming my camera. "What the..., I can't get a single smooth zoom out of this thing" (and no the zoom ring was not touching anything) Now I'm seriously considering whether or not an internal fuse blew on my camera, but I was persistant and sent my 2nd VZ-Rock back for a Bogen 521 ($169). I just got it in today, and let me tell you--it works like a charm; I really love this thing. It's just the basic Bogen 521, and that's all I need. Relief at last!!! The moral of the story is this: I went from a $400 piece of crap, to TWO $260 pieces of crap, to a wonderful $170 machine that gets the job done. Although it cost me over $60 dollars in shipping costs and over 40 days without a funtioning LANC, my patience was well rewarded. So save yourself some time and money, and go with Bogen if you're using the XL2 (I cannot speak for other cameras). Can any Bogen users back me up please?

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August 20th, 2006, 10:47 AM	#2
Todd Eichel New Boot Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 9	Dude, I totally agree with you. After looking for months at zoom controllers, I finally got the opportunity to test the Bogen 521 (on a Sony HDV camera), and I found out that it was all I'd ever hoped for in a zoom controller. I don't really see how any other could possibly be better as far as the basic function (smooth zooming) goes. And I'm coming from the land of $1000+ studio lens zoom/focus controllers. I am at a loss as to how any of the more expensive LANC controllers could do smooth zooming better than the Bogen 521, because like I said, it was as good as I had ever hoped for (which was for it to feel like the pro equivalents).