Zoom and focus controllers at DVinfo.net

Josh Bass · June 5th, 2002, 12:37 PM

I'm sure this is not new territory, but just to clarify: are there devices that control both zoom and focus, and are available for the XL1s? If so, do they work with the manual lens? I'd like something to mount on the pan arm of my tripod

Chris Hurd · June 5th, 2002, 01:46 PM

I have been called the "poster boy" for remote zoom and focus controls, and yes, they are readily available for the XL1S and other Canon & Sony DV camcorders.

Go to my articles menu at www.dvinfo.net and look under camera accessories.

Also look over several articles on the XL1 Watchdog at www.dvinfo.net/xl1.htm

The VariZoom controllers are the best. Nothing much wrong with the Canon ZR1000 except it's plastic. Hope this helps, see also several threads in the Lens & Optics section of this forum.

Josh Bass · June 6th, 2002, 01:23 AM

Yeah, I realized it was a fairly moronic question when I looked it up right after posting. I'm curious though, how does the focus control on the varizoom device actually work? I know the way the zoom works on those, but focus? Just curious

Chris Hurd · June 6th, 2002, 06:10 AM

The various review articles on the Watchdog go into some detail about the focus control... but basically one button pushes the focal plane away from you, the other button brings the focal plane closer. The rate of change is a medium speed, fast enough to see it happen but slow enough to stop it when you want to. Hope this helps,

Josh Bass · June 6th, 2002, 12:08 PM

So would it allow for, say, a rack focus?

Chris Hurd · June 6th, 2002, 08:24 PM

Yes. For more info, just read the articles pointed out above. Hope this helps,

Ford Minton · June 6th, 2002, 09:59 PM

varizoom rules!

Josh Bass · June 6th, 2002, 10:33 PM

Thanks good sir.

Josh Bass · June 7th, 2002, 12:48 AM

Sorry, one more thing. I don't recall reading whether the controller was compatible with the 16x manual lens.

Ford Minton · June 7th, 2002, 12:56 AM

here's what I found on the 16x manual question:

http://www.varizoom.com/pages/xl1_setup.htm

looks like it fills the bill.

Ford Minton
DV Gearwhore

Chris Hurd · June 7th, 2002, 06:35 AM

Yes, that page describes the separate focus controller required for the 16x manual lens. Additional;ly you'll need a Pro-L or PG-L zoom controller. The focus controls on the Pro-L and PG-L will not work with the 16x manual since there's no focus motor on that lens. The web page Fred points out explains how it works.

Josh Bass · June 7th, 2002, 09:35 AM

Thanks

Edward Troxel · June 7th, 2002, 12:21 PM

While not mentioned here, the Canon zoom controller can also be used for focusing. While the Varizoom controllers are good, the Canon controller offers the same functionality for significantly less money. And both are very usable. My partner prefers the Varizoom while I perfer the Canon.

Ford Minton · June 7th, 2002, 01:49 PM

IMHO
The ergo on the canon controller could be better, I like the interface on Varizoom a bit better. Though I agree the price on the Canon is much easier on wallet.

June 5th, 2002, 12:37 PM	#1
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Zoom and focus controllers I'm sure this is not new territory, but just to clarify: are there devices that control both zoom and focus, and are available for the XL1s? If so, do they work with the manual lens? I'd like something to mount on the pan arm of my tripod __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 5th, 2002, 01:46 PM	#2
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	I have been called the "poster boy" for remote zoom and focus controls, and yes, they are readily available for the XL1S and other Canon & Sony DV camcorders. Go to my articles menu at www.dvinfo.net and look under camera accessories. Also look over several articles on the XL1 Watchdog at www.dvinfo.net/xl1.htm The VariZoom controllers are the best. Nothing much wrong with the Canon ZR1000 except it's plastic. Hope this helps, see also several threads in the Lens & Optics section of this forum. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 6th, 2002, 01:23 AM	#3
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Yeah, I realized it was a fairly moronic question when I looked it up right after posting. I'm curious though, how does the focus control on the varizoom device actually work? I know the way the zoom works on those, but focus? Just curious __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 6th, 2002, 06:10 AM	#4
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	The various review articles on the Watchdog go into some detail about the focus control... but basically one button pushes the focal plane away from you, the other button brings the focal plane closer. The rate of change is a medium speed, fast enough to see it happen but slow enough to stop it when you want to. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 6th, 2002, 12:08 PM	#5
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	So would it allow for, say, a rack focus? __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 6th, 2002, 08:24 PM	#6
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Yes. For more info, just read the articles pointed out above. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 6th, 2002, 09:59 PM	#7
Ford Minton Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San francisco Posts: 54	varizoom rules!

June 6th, 2002, 10:33 PM	#8
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks good sir. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 7th, 2002, 12:48 AM	#9
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Sorry, one more thing. I don't recall reading whether the controller was compatible with the 16x manual lens. __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 7th, 2002, 12:56 AM	#10
Ford Minton Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San francisco Posts: 54	here's what I found on the 16x manual question: http://www.varizoom.com/pages/xl1_setup.htm looks like it fills the bill. Ford Minton DV Gearwhore

June 7th, 2002, 06:35 AM	#11
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Yes, that page describes the separate focus controller required for the 16x manual lens. Additional;ly you'll need a Pro-L or PG-L zoom controller. The focus controls on the Pro-L and PG-L will not work with the 16x manual since there's no focus motor on that lens. The web page Fred points out explains how it works. __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

June 7th, 2002, 09:35 AM	#12
Josh Bass Slash Rules! Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 5,472	Thanks __________________ The Bass' camerawork The Bass on IMDB

June 7th, 2002, 12:21 PM	#13
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	While not mentioned here, the Canon zoom controller can also be used for focusing. While the Varizoom controllers are good, the Canon controller offers the same functionality for significantly less money. And both are very usable. My partner prefers the Varizoom while I perfer the Canon.

June 7th, 2002, 01:49 PM	#14
Ford Minton Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: San francisco Posts: 54	IMHO The ergo on the canon controller could be better, I like the interface on Varizoom a bit better. Though I agree the price on the Canon is much easier on wallet.