ProZoom DVX

Wayne Orr · October 10th, 2003, 10:40 AM

Good timing, Nick. I finally gave the new Bogen controller a test run yesterday before I went to work, and it appears to be a very good unit. I don't find it to be superior to my personal favorite, the Zoe, but it has a lot going for it. It will zoom as well as the Zoe (based on my initial test), and offers more optional controls for tape playback, display on/off, and a couple others that are "nice" to have, but not "need" to have. The Bogen unit looks like it was copied from the professional zoom controls for Fujinon and Canon lenses on studio cameras. This is a very fine unit, but is somewhat large and meant to replace the pan handle on your pan head. You would not be able to attach it to a stabilizer device, or a jib, unless you did some sort of serious "kluge."

But as good as the Bogen is, it still can't totally eliminate the tiny "hiccup" at the beginning of a zoom on the PD150, which is a problem with the system, not the controller. Actually, it's a problem with a lens on a $4000.00 camera versus a twenty thousand dollar professional lens. So, basically the answer to the question is no, there is no controller for a dv camera that will allow extremely slow zooms. Does this mean you should not buy one of these devices? No, because they will improve your camera work in 90% of your shooting situations. They just won't do extremely slow, or fast, zooms.

BTW, I was "day playing" on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show" last night (operating camera four, an Ikegami with a Canon 50x on a studio pedastal for tech notes). Quentin T. was on the show, plugging his new movie, and showed a brief clip that must have had half a dozen zoom shots in it. Of course, it was a fast paced sequence setting up a big fight scene, but please don't tell Scott Billups, or he won't enjoy the film.

They are all just tools. It's what you do with them that counts.

Wayne Orr, SOC

Dale Anthony Smith · October 10th, 2003, 04:15 PM

You really might want to check this out...

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/Gizmo/

I made one last night and it really works... total parts cost $26 US.

October 10th, 2003, 04:15 PM	#17
Dale Anthony Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 44	You really might want to check this out... http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/Gizmo/ I made one last night and it really works... total parts cost $26 US. __________________ Multi-Media

October 10th, 2003, 10:40 AM	#16
Wayne Orr Major Player Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Northridge Ca Posts: 734	Good timing, Nick. I finally gave the new Bogen controller a test run yesterday before I went to work, and it appears to be a very good unit. I don't find it to be superior to my personal favorite, the Zoe, but it has a lot going for it. It will zoom as well as the Zoe (based on my initial test), and offers more optional controls for tape playback, display on/off, and a couple others that are "nice" to have, but not "need" to have. The Bogen unit looks like it was copied from the professional zoom controls for Fujinon and Canon lenses on studio cameras. This is a very fine unit, but is somewhat large and meant to replace the pan handle on your pan head. You would not be able to attach it to a stabilizer device, or a jib, unless you did some sort of serious "kluge." But as good as the Bogen is, it still can't totally eliminate the tiny "hiccup" at the beginning of a zoom on the PD150, which is a problem with the system, not the controller. Actually, it's a problem with a lens on a $4000.00 camera versus a twenty thousand dollar professional lens. So, basically the answer to the question is no, there is no controller for a dv camera that will allow extremely slow zooms. Does this mean you should not buy one of these devices? No, because they will improve your camera work in 90% of your shooting situations. They just won't do extremely slow, or fast, zooms. BTW, I was "day playing" on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show" last night (operating camera four, an Ikegami with a Canon 50x on a studio pedastal for tech notes). Quentin T. was on the show, plugging his new movie, and showed a brief clip that must have had half a dozen zoom shots in it. Of course, it was a fast paced sequence setting up a big fight scene, but please don't tell Scott Billups, or he won't enjoy the film. They are all just tools. It's what you do with them that counts. Wayne Orr, SOC