Remote Lens Control on the PDW-EX1

Jason Davenport · April 14th, 2009, 10:51 PM

I have been using a Jimmy jib with an EX-3 for 7 months now. Using a Fuji 2/3" HD wide angle lens with ACM-21 adapter.
Have just switched to the new Fuji XS8x4 EX-3 lens and it work beautifully. All I did, was put on the Cavision focus gear ring from other EX-3, over the focus ring on wide lens which is the same diameter as stock lens! Then used the Film servo motor (Extra in Jimmy Jib kit for Film lens) matched up gear set, mounted motor to VF gadgets rail system. (which also makes the EX-3 lens height the same as full size camera, so no riser needed with Prompter). Used my Libec zoom cable adapter connected to Fuji cable from Jib controller and it all worked like a champ.
Very pleased with this new lens, and the price is just right. You'll be a bit taken back opening box though, this thing is a fat beast. Better get a wrist brace for hand held.
Still a very happy customer. Highly recommended.

Phil George · May 20th, 2009, 04:27 PM

Ok so the Manfrotto, the bebob and the libec all have one major screw up. All these so called "remote lens controllers" do not control the iris and focus. What gives???

Does anyone know if a proper lens controller exists yet to properly control zoom, iris, focus and remote start/stop for the EX1?

The zoom on the tele commander sucks.!

Also why does the telecommander go to sleep every time the camera is switched off? The problem I have is the camera is burried in a mount and in a remote place (like up a tree for example) and that's why I need remote controls! It's dammed inconvenient having to climb up the tree every time after switch on just to activate the remote control again!

Is anyone from the Sony design department paying attention?

Thomas McKay · May 20th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Phil,

The VariZoom does have a zoom and focus controls. Manual and electronic focus.

It is not easy making controls for every camera and sometimes it is just not worth it.

http://www.varizoom.com/img/products/fcu_web_1.jpg

http://www.varizoom.com/img/products/efcu_med_1.jpg

Best regards,

Tom

Jason Bodnar · May 21st, 2009, 06:20 PM

Phil, I am sure you have read this entire thread so you understand the that all the controllers mentioned only control zoom and record/stop/last clip playback. If you want control over focus and Iris it is going to cost you a lot more and you will have to get a remote focus system, Varizoom just came out with one and another company Hocus is also working on one. These are the cheaper ones, which are in the price range of folks like myself some of the remote focus devices out there run big $$$$$. I have high hopes for the varizoom which you can see here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/remote-le...s-control.html

I would use this in addition to my varizoom Pro-EX Zoom Controller. sort of like the pic in the link.

Yes I agree Sony made a big mistake on the pin layout and what parameters it controls...

Jonathan Bland · June 17th, 2009, 12:07 PM

Can some please site the hands down best zoom controller for the money?

Big thanks :)

Brian Barkley · June 17th, 2009, 04:54 PM

Well I am very happy with my zoe-ex by bebob.

zoe ex bebob | B&H Photo Video

Warren Kawamoto · June 17th, 2009, 05:43 PM

I've tried the Bebob, and I have a Libec. But for hands down best performance, I have the Varizoom. Very solid construction, and very light for it's size. I have it permanently attached to my Sachtler handle.
VariZoom | VZ-PG-EX Pistol-Grip Zoom Controller | VZ-PG-EX | B&H

Charles Newcomb · June 17th, 2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Kawamoto

I've tried the Bebob, and I have a Libec. But for hands down best performance, I have the Varizoom. Very solid construction, and very light for it's size. I have it permanently attached to my Sachtler handle.
VariZoom | VZ-PG-EX Pistol-Grip Zoom Controller | VZ-PG-EX | B&H

Ditto. Varizoom rocks (pun intended)

Tuy Le · June 18th, 2009, 12:54 AM

The Varizoom VZ-ROCK-EX (newer version).
I also tried Libec at NAB and decided to get Varizoom.

Paul Dhadialla · June 19th, 2009, 09:37 AM

I used the BEBOB for about 12 months. For some reason the zoom started to crawl automatically lately. I'm assuming the wire broke or something.

It did get the latest upgraded firmware from Sony - not sure if that is also a cause

I ordered the Manfrotto a few weeks back - that works fine

Paul

Kenny Cowburn · June 19th, 2009, 09:41 AM

Bebop ZOE EX is the one for me
super compact, light and very smooth to use.
only thing I´m not sold on, is the mounting..... it tends to loosen after a while, almost lost the thing once last weekend while moving between positions.
Quick fix: a sliver of duc tape around the screw where the bottom bracket latches on and it can´t go anywhere.
another little bit of advice, to keep the pins safe:
a bit of wine cork with a hole drilled into the end, where the plug can be inserted for transport purposes

Jonathan Bland · July 8th, 2009, 01:15 AM

Big thanks folks :)

John Peterson · July 8th, 2009, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuy Le

The Varizoom VZ-ROCK-EX (newer version).
I also tried Libec at NAB and decided to get Varizoom.

Tuy,

That model has a pressure sensitive zoom control only - no speed wheel. Can you describe your experience with that model in a little more detail?

Thanks,

John

Vincent Oliver · July 8th, 2009, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warren Kawamoto

I've tried the Bebob, and I have a Libec. But for hands down best performance, I have the Varizoom. Very solid construction, and very light for it's size. I have it permanently attached to my Sachtler handle.
VariZoom | VZ-PG-EX Pistol-Grip Zoom Controller | VZ-PG-EX | B&H

It looks like something that was knocked up in a garage. The Sony EX1 - EX3 is a superb design, why can't third party manufactures keep to the same look and feel.

May 20th, 2009, 05:20 PM	#183
Thomas McKay Sponsor: VariZoom Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 58	VariZoom has zoom and focus Phil, The VariZoom does have a zoom and focus controls. Manual and electronic focus. It is not easy making controls for every camera and sometimes it is just not worth it. http://www.varizoom.com/img/products/fcu_web_1.jpg http://www.varizoom.com/img/products/efcu_med_1.jpg Best regards, Tom

June 17th, 2009, 12:07 PM	#185
Jonathan Bland Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Way Far Away Posts: 230	EX1 Zoom Control? Can some please site the hands down best zoom controller for the money? Big thanks :)

June 19th, 2009, 09:41 AM	#191
Kenny Cowburn Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Oberaudorf Germany Posts: 66	Bebop ZOE EX is the one for me super compact, light and very smooth to use. only thing I´m not sold on, is the mounting..... it tends to loosen after a while, almost lost the thing once last weekend while moving between positions. Quick fix: a sliver of duc tape around the screw where the bottom bracket latches on and it can´t go anywhere. another little bit of advice, to keep the pins safe: a bit of wine cork with a hole drilled into the end, where the plug can be inserted for transport purposes Attached Thumbnails

April 14th, 2009, 10:51 PM	#181
Jason Davenport Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 131	I have been using a Jimmy jib with an EX-3 for 7 months now. Using a Fuji 2/3" HD wide angle lens with ACM-21 adapter. Have just switched to the new Fuji XS8x4 EX-3 lens and it work beautifully. All I did, was put on the Cavision focus gear ring from other EX-3, over the focus ring on wide lens which is the same diameter as stock lens! Then used the Film servo motor (Extra in Jimmy Jib kit for Film lens) matched up gear set, mounted motor to VF gadgets rail system. (which also makes the EX-3 lens height the same as full size camera, so no riser needed with Prompter). Used my Libec zoom cable adapter connected to Fuji cable from Jib controller and it all worked like a champ. Very pleased with this new lens, and the price is just right. You'll be a bit taken back opening box though, this thing is a fat beast. Better get a wrist brace for hand held. Still a very happy customer. Highly recommended.

May 20th, 2009, 04:27 PM	#182
Phil George New Boot Join Date: May 2009 Location: UK Posts: 6	Ok so the Manfrotto, the bebob and the libec all have one major screw up. All these so called "remote lens controllers" do not control the iris and focus. What gives??? Does anyone know if a proper lens controller exists yet to properly control zoom, iris, focus and remote start/stop for the EX1? The zoom on the tele commander sucks.! Also why does the telecommander go to sleep every time the camera is switched off? The problem I have is the camera is burried in a mount and in a remote place (like up a tree for example) and that's why I need remote controls! It's dammed inconvenient having to climb up the tree every time after switch on just to activate the remote control again! Is anyone from the Sony design department paying attention?

May 21st, 2009, 06:20 PM	#184
Jason Bodnar Major Player Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 376	Phil, I am sure you have read this entire thread so you understand the that all the controllers mentioned only control zoom and record/stop/last clip playback. If you want control over focus and Iris it is going to cost you a lot more and you will have to get a remote focus system, Varizoom just came out with one and another company Hocus is also working on one. These are the cheaper ones, which are in the price range of folks like myself some of the remote focus devices out there run big $$$$$. I have high hopes for the varizoom which you can see here http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/remote-le...s-control.html I would use this in addition to my varizoom Pro-EX Zoom Controller. sort of like the pic in the link. Yes I agree Sony made a big mistake on the pin layout and what parameters it controls...

June 17th, 2009, 04:54 PM	#186
Brian Barkley Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 233	Well I am very happy with my zoe-ex by bebob. zoe ex bebob \| B&H Photo Video

June 17th, 2009, 05:43 PM	#187
Warren Kawamoto Trustee Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Honolulu, HI Posts: 1,435	I've tried the Bebob, and I have a Libec. But for hands down best performance, I have the Varizoom. Very solid construction, and very light for it's size. I have it permanently attached to my Sachtler handle. VariZoom \| VZ-PG-EX Pistol-Grip Zoom Controller \| VZ-PG-EX \| B&H

June 18th, 2009, 12:54 AM	#189
Tuy Le Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 96	The Varizoom VZ-ROCK-EX (newer version). I also tried Libec at NAB and decided to get Varizoom.

June 19th, 2009, 09:37 AM	#190
Paul Dhadialla Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 143	I used the BEBOB for about 12 months. For some reason the zoom started to crawl automatically lately. I'm assuming the wire broke or something. It did get the latest upgraded firmware from Sony - not sure if that is also a cause I ordered the Manfrotto a few weeks back - that works fine Paul

July 8th, 2009, 01:15 AM	#192
Jonathan Bland Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Way Far Away Posts: 230	Big thanks folks :)