Lanc Controller for the Canon XH A1

Taky Cheung · June 27th, 2010, 07:19 PM

Bump into this thread as my Varizoom VZ-Rock stopped working after 1 year 2 months. One of the pins locking the spring mechansim fell out during the second use a year ago. Got a new replacement. Now the zoom level just stuck (won't spring back to level position) and the Record button just won't register from time to time. Actually very disappointed to VZ product.

I'm going to get the Manfrotto 521Proi

Allan Black · July 8th, 2010, 06:26 PM

Anyone using the Manfrotto 523PROi with the XH-A1 S model, I read where the controller zoom is slow to kick in .. is that right?

I'm looking to use one with the Miller Compass 15 head, and need to know what is the diameter of the top of the 523PROi handle thanks.

Cheers.

Taky Cheung · July 9th, 2010, 12:09 AM

I am using it with my XH-A1s. The zoom rocket speed can be set at either progressive or fixed speed. It's all customizable.

Allan Black · July 9th, 2010, 12:45 AM

Thanks TC. So you're not having any trouble with slow zoom access times?

Checking around seems the diameter of the 523i pan handle is 19mm so I have to buy another one to fit the Compass head .. part number 522PB16. More bucks :(

Cheers.

Jeff Hinson · November 7th, 2010, 01:30 PM

Found this on ebay....hype says it will work on the XH-A1.
The Canon controllers range from 170 to 350 bucks. this one is $39 !
Probably to good to be true.

Has anyone purchased one of these...sure dont want to hurt my A1 by buying some off brand equipment.

Heres the link

Tripod LANC Remote Control for Canon ZR-1000 ZR-2000 - eBay (item 330481127569 end time Dec-04-10 08:42:55 PST)

Colin McDonald · November 7th, 2010, 02:18 PM

Sounds far to good to be true. Mine cost me about $270, slightly less than shown here Keene Retail Ltd but same Manfrotto model - better than the Canon ones.

Don't see how anyone could market a reliable LANC for $40 but I've been wrong before.

Battle Vaughan · November 7th, 2010, 03:51 PM

FWIW, this one works and is very compact. Zoom control only. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/361366-REG/Libec_ZC_3DV.html

Allan Black · November 7th, 2010, 06:19 PM

I'm surprised we haven't seen this earlier .. if the on screen display means camera LCD, depending what info it shows that could be handy.

It looks Ok but time on the web will tell if they last the distance .. stuff out of China is improving all the time.

I've got this Manfrotto Keene Retail Ltd it's excellent and the rec review is great to have .. but I wouldn't mind if it was a bit smaller.

Cheers.

Jeff Hinson · November 7th, 2010, 06:51 PM

If it werent for being afraid I'd harm my A1, I would order and check it out.
A lanc is a passive device right? (no voltage sent to cam)....although it could "short" the battery power if wired incorrectly. Not worth trying the test.

Thanks for the tips,
Jeff

Matthew Amirkhani · November 7th, 2010, 07:35 PM

Hi Jeff,

I have bought of these guys before. Their items are not top quality and you'll get what you pay for.
(CHEAP STUFF)

Do yourself a favour and look into the Manforotto 521PROI lanc control. You wont be disappointed.

Matthew

Richard Tatti · November 7th, 2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Hinson

Found this on ebay....hype says it will work on the XH-A1.
The Canon controllers range from 170 to 350 bucks. this one is $39 !
Probably to good to be true.

Has anyone purchased one of these...sure dont want to hurt my A1 by buying some off brand equipment.

Heres the link

Tripod LANC Remote Control for Canon ZR-1000 ZR-2000 - eBay (item 330481127569 end time Dec-04-10 08:42:55 PST)

Hi Jeff

I bought one of this exact brand for my Canon XH-A1s. It works really well.
I'm sure it isn't as well made as the other more expensive brands but I've used this one on countless occasions filming concerts and stage productions.
I don't usually record to tape so I haven't used the record button at all, but the zoom is really smooth and the speed is adjustable as you are zooming.

I'd say it's worth the investment.

Richard

Jeff Hinson · November 8th, 2010, 03:23 AM

At 1/10 the cost, Im gambling on this unit. Surely it will work on either my A1 or GL1. Whats another $40 ha.

I can always get a pro model from B&H.

Wired LANC Remote Control for Canon XH-A1, XL-2, GL-2 - eBay (item 150517372727 end time Dec-08-10 01:10:02 PST)

Will post results to this thread when I try it out.

Micky Hulse · December 15th, 2010, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Hinson

At 1/10 the cost, Im gambling on this unit. Surely it will work on either my A1 or GL1. Whats another $40 ha.

I can always get a pro model from B&H.

Wired LANC Remote Control for Canon XH-A1, XL-2, GL-2 - eBay (item 150517372727 end time Dec-08-10 01:10:02 PST)

Will post results to this thread when I try it out.

Jeff, how did your purchase go? I would like to buy a LANC for my XH-A1, and if I can save some $$, the better my bank account will feel. :)

I would love to know how it worked out for you.

Thanks!
Micky

Rodger Smith · December 16th, 2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Micky Hulse

.... I would like to buy a LANC for my XH-A1, and if I can save some $$, the better my bank account will feel. :) I would love to know how it worked out for you. Thanks!
Micky

the inexpensive one from b&h works absolutely GREAT !! i love it better than the Canon one at more $$$

Micky Hulse · December 16th, 2010, 01:22 AM

Hi Rodger! Thanks for the reply and info! I really appreciate it!

Is this the LANC you are talking about:

VariZoom VZRock Variable-Rocker for LANC Camcorders VZ-ROCK B&H

Do you use it with an XH-A1?

Not as cheap as that Ebay one, but definitely cheaper than the other mentioned here. It would be interesting to know how that one compares to the Ebay one. :)

Thanks again!

June 27th, 2010, 07:19 PM	#106
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	Bump into this thread as my Varizoom VZ-Rock stopped working after 1 year 2 months. One of the pins locking the spring mechansim fell out during the second use a year ago. Got a new replacement. Now the zoom level just stuck (won't spring back to level position) and the Record button just won't register from time to time. Actually very disappointed to VZ product. I'm going to get the Manfrotto 521Proi __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

July 8th, 2010, 06:26 PM	#107
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Anyone using the Manfrotto 523PROi with the XH-A1 S model, I read where the controller zoom is slow to kick in .. is that right? I'm looking to use one with the Miller Compass 15 head, and need to know what is the diameter of the top of the 523PROi handle thanks. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

July 9th, 2010, 12:09 AM	#108
Taky Cheung Inner Circle Join Date: May 2007 Location: Los Angeles, USA Posts: 2,114	I am using it with my XH-A1s. The zoom rocket speed can be set at either progressive or fixed speed. It's all customizable. __________________ LA Color Pros Blog RODE Authorized Reseller . Comer LED Camera Lights . TakyBox HTML5 Menu Generator

July 9th, 2010, 12:45 AM	#109
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	Thanks TC. So you're not having any trouble with slow zoom access times? Checking around seems the diameter of the 523i pan handle is 19mm so I have to buy another one to fit the Compass head .. part number 522PB16. More bucks :( Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

November 7th, 2010, 01:30 PM	#110
Jeff Hinson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Down South, IN Posts: 422	low cost lanc controller for XH-a1 Found this on ebay....hype says it will work on the XH-A1. The Canon controllers range from 170 to 350 bucks. this one is $39 ! Probably to good to be true. Has anyone purchased one of these...sure dont want to hurt my A1 by buying some off brand equipment. Heres the link Tripod LANC Remote Control for Canon ZR-1000 ZR-2000 - eBay (item 330481127569 end time Dec-04-10 08:42:55 PST)

November 7th, 2010, 02:18 PM	#111
Colin McDonald Trustee Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Glasgow, Scotland Posts: 1,546	Sounds far to good to be true. Mine cost me about $270, slightly less than shown here Keene Retail Ltd but same Manfrotto model - better than the Canon ones. Don't see how anyone could market a reliable LANC for $40 but I've been wrong before.

November 7th, 2010, 03:51 PM	#112
Battle Vaughan Trustee Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Miami, FL USA Posts: 1,505	FWIW, this one works and is very compact. Zoom control only. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/361366-REG/Libec_ZC_3DV.html

November 7th, 2010, 06:19 PM	#113
Allan Black Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sydney. Posts: 2,887	I'm surprised we haven't seen this earlier .. if the on screen display means camera LCD, depending what info it shows that could be handy. It looks Ok but time on the web will tell if they last the distance .. stuff out of China is improving all the time. I've got this Manfrotto Keene Retail Ltd it's excellent and the rec review is great to have .. but I wouldn't mind if it was a bit smaller. Cheers. __________________ Drink more tap water. On admission at Sydney hospitals more than 5% of day patients are de-hydrated.

November 7th, 2010, 06:51 PM	#114
Jeff Hinson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Down South, IN Posts: 422	If it werent for being afraid I'd harm my A1, I would order and check it out. A lanc is a passive device right? (no voltage sent to cam)....although it could "short" the battery power if wired incorrectly. Not worth trying the test. Thanks for the tips, Jeff

November 7th, 2010, 07:35 PM	#115
Matthew Amirkhani Major Player Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 279	Hi Jeff, I have bought of these guys before. Their items are not top quality and you'll get what you pay for. (CHEAP STUFF) Do yourself a favour and look into the Manforotto 521PROI lanc control. You wont be disappointed. Matthew __________________ Canon XHA1, Brevis 35mm, Manfrotto 028,501,Vegas Pro 10e

November 8th, 2010, 03:23 AM	#117
Jeff Hinson Major Player Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Down South, IN Posts: 422	At 1/10 the cost, Im gambling on this unit. Surely it will work on either my A1 or GL1. Whats another $40 ha. I can always get a pro model from B&H. Wired LANC Remote Control for Canon XH-A1, XL-2, GL-2 - eBay (item 150517372727 end time Dec-08-10 01:10:02 PST) Will post results to this thread when I try it out.

December 16th, 2010, 01:22 AM	#120
Micky Hulse Major Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Eugene, Oregon, USA Posts: 213	Hi Rodger! Thanks for the reply and info! I really appreciate it! Is this the LANC you are talking about: VariZoom VZRock Variable-Rocker for LANC Camcorders VZ-ROCK B&H Do you use it with an XH-A1? Not as cheap as that Ebay one, but definitely cheaper than the other mentioned here. It would be interesting to know how that one compares to the Ebay one. :) Thanks again! __________________ Home: See *"Work"* :) Work: Canon XH A1, CS3/CS4/CS5/Final Cut Studio/Final Cut Express/Premiere Elements