Varizoom VZ-PG-L troubles at DVinfo.net

David Hunt · October 11th, 2002, 02:10 PM

The zoom speed dial on my new PG-L seems to have a "bad" place where the zoom speed suddenly jumps from to a much higher or lower zoom speed (depending on my zoom direction). The the variable hand grip zoom rocker seems to have the proper smoothness across this same speed range, which makes me think that it is the controller.

I was wondering if this was typical for this controller? It is very annoying because the speed range it skips over is one I use frequently in my work.

Ken Tanaka · October 11th, 2002, 02:44 PM

David,
No, this doesn't sound normal and mine does not have such a jump. You should give the VariZoom folks a call on this right away. They're really nice folks and eager to help their customers. In fact, the big kahuna comes on these boards from time to time.

Chris Hurd · October 11th, 2002, 04:10 PM

Call my good friend Tom Smith at VariZoom -- he is not the Big Kahuna (that's Tom McKay), but he does take care of all tech support and repair issues. 1-888-826-3399 during business hours CST. Hope this helps,

Mike Butler · October 22nd, 2002, 02:42 PM

That's definitely not typical or normal. My PG-L will micro-adjust the zoom speed at any point on the dial. ust be sure not to take it apart yourself, I am sure that VZ will stand behind it and get you straightened out quickly.

David Hunt · October 22nd, 2002, 03:21 PM

I just finished talking with Tom Smith at Varizoom as Chris suggested. He said that it is possible that what I am experiencing may be caused by the fact that the XL-1 does not have a continuous zoom but that it is divided into 8 descrete steps (the GL-1 and most other miniDV cams have fewer descrete steps). He said that the jump between steps 1 and 2 is the most drastic. He suggested that I compare zoom speeds with the on-camera zoom rocker and the PG-L, if there seems to be a speed that the on-camera rocker has that the varizoom skips then there may be a problem with the PG-L.

After checking it seems that the varizoom controller was functioning properly. I was just trying to get the camera to zoom at a speed between steps 1 and 2, which it is not capable of doing.

David Hunt

October 11th, 2002, 02:10 PM	#1
David Hunt New Boot Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 6	Varizoom VZ-PG-L troubles The zoom speed dial on my new PG-L seems to have a "bad" place where the zoom speed suddenly jumps from to a much higher or lower zoom speed (depending on my zoom direction). The the variable hand grip zoom rocker seems to have the proper smoothness across this same speed range, which makes me think that it is the controller. I was wondering if this was typical for this controller? It is very annoying because the speed range it skips over is one I use frequently in my work.

October 11th, 2002, 02:44 PM	#2
Ken Tanaka Retired DV Info Net Almunus Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 6,943	David, No, this doesn't sound normal and mine does not have such a jump. You should give the VariZoom folks a call on this right away. They're really nice folks and eager to help their customers. In fact, the big kahuna comes on these boards from time to time. __________________ Lady X Films: A lady with a boring wardrobe...and a global mission. Hey, you don't have enough stuff! Buy with confidence from our sponsors. Hand-picked as the best in the business...Really! See some of my work one frame at a time: www.KenTanaka.com

October 11th, 2002, 04:10 PM	#3
Chris Hurd Obstreperous Rex Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: San Marcos, TX Posts: 27,366 Images: 513	Call my good friend Tom Smith at VariZoom -- he is not the Big Kahuna (that's Tom McKay), but he does take care of all tech support and repair issues. 1-888-826-3399 during business hours CST. Hope this helps, __________________ CH Search DV Info Net \| 20 years of DVi \| ...Tuesday is Soylent Green Day!

October 22nd, 2002, 02:42 PM	#4
Mike Butler Machinist Mate Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Connecticut Posts: 644	That's definitely not typical or normal. My PG-L will micro-adjust the zoom speed at any point on the dial. ust be sure not to take it apart yourself, I am sure that VZ will stand behind it and get you straightened out quickly. __________________ I ain't straight outta Compton, I'm straight out the trailer. Cuss like a sailor, drink like a Mc. My only words of wisdom are just, "Radio Edit."

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October 22nd, 2002, 03:21 PM	#5
David Hunt New Boot Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 6	I just finished talking with Tom Smith at Varizoom as Chris suggested. He said that it is possible that what I am experiencing may be caused by the fact that the XL-1 does not have a continuous zoom but that it is divided into 8 descrete steps (the GL-1 and most other miniDV cams have fewer descrete steps). He said that the jump between steps 1 and 2 is the most drastic. He suggested that I compare zoom speeds with the on-camera zoom rocker and the PG-L, if there seems to be a speed that the on-camera rocker has that the varizoom skips then there may be a problem with the PG-L. After checking it seems that the varizoom controller was functioning properly. I was just trying to get the camera to zoom at a speed between steps 1 and 2, which it is not capable of doing. David Hunt