Recommend a zoom control for EX3 at DVinfo.net

Anthony McErlean · May 23rd, 2009, 02:41 PM

Hi I have a Manfrotto 524CF but as you know it doesn't fit the EX3.
I think I now need one for the EX3.
Theres two I was thinking of, the Libel ZC-9EX or the manfrotto 521EX

The Libec its compatible with a FUJINON and CANON lens as well.

Which is the better option or perhaps theres another one you would recommend.

Thanks.

Brian Barkley · May 23rd, 2009, 03:53 PM

I purchased a professional zoom controller when I bought my EX-3, but I never use it.

The zoom control built into the camera is MUCH better, and you can vary it to the inth degree.

The external zoom controller WILL NOT have the speed control of the built in zoom control. You will be wasting your money if you buy one.

Keith Moreau · May 23rd, 2009, 04:07 PM

I have the Manfrotto 521ex for my EX1 and I'm fairly happy with it. You can dial the zoom speed up or down and that will affect how the sensitivity of its zoom rocker. The only fault is that at the slowest speed setting the zoom rocker still can still vary the zoom, so if you want the slowest zooms you still have to have some 'touch' with unit's zoom rocker. The other features, such as record on and off and review are nice as well. I also like Bebob controllers, they have one for the EX as well. (and many others.)

Colin Rowe · May 23rd, 2009, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anthony McErlean

Hi I have a Manfrotto 524CF but as you know it doesn't fit the EX3.
I think I now need one for the EX3.
Theres two I was thinking of, the Libel ZC-9EX or the manfrotto 521EX

The Libec its compatible with a FUJINON and CANON lens as well.

Which is the better option or perhaps theres another one you would recommend.

Thanks.

This would suit your you Tony, excellent, smooth control. Libec ZC-9Pro

Charles Newcomb · May 23rd, 2009, 04:28 PM

I've used Varizoom on my cameras for about eight years. In that time I've had two instances where repair was required, and both times Varizoom gave me quick turnaround. I recently bought this one for the EX3 VariZoom Lens Controls, monitors, Camera Stabilizers & Supports, Batteries, Monitor Kits Phone: 512-219-7722

EDIT: The reason I prefer this style is you can take it off the pan handle and still use it, thus eliminating any camera movement from touching the pan handle.

Anthony McErlean · May 23rd, 2009, 04:53 PM

Thanks all for the tips

Eric A Robinson · May 24th, 2009, 06:05 AM

Hi Anthony

I to use the Libec mounted on a Multrig Pro, and its a great combination for hand held work. I think it is a great item to have. The only caution I would urge is attach both cables, one to the camera and the other to tripod or rig you have mounted the camera on. The connection between the two cables is designed to pull apart if any force is exerted. This is a good design feature but you could so easily loose one of the cables.

Anthony McErlean · May 24th, 2009, 06:23 AM

Thanks for the advice Eric, whats the model of Libec you have.

Thanks.

William Griffin · May 24th, 2009, 10:42 AM

A few months back I was in the same spot after I got a EX3...until one day on ebay.com I came across this:

12 Pin Fujinon Zoom Adapter Cable for Sony EX1 or EX3 - eBay (item 220365265718 end time Jun-19-09 17:39:37 PDT)

I called them and told the owner..John....that I was a old betacam shooter and had a Nikon 15x1 lens that came with a $2000.00 zoom controller( made my Fujinon for Nikon)....so I shipped them the controller and he made me a special cable for my EX3 all for about $130.00. I was going to buy the $400.00 Bebob Zoe for the EX3, but now I have a better way as I get nice slow zooms, and the 3 second replay works just fine
with my EX3 14x1 Fuji Stock lens.

HTH

Anthony McErlean · May 24th, 2009, 11:17 AM

Thats interesting William, you would think an adaptor is all I would really need.

Thanks.

Paul R Johnson · May 24th, 2009, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Barkley

I purchased a professional zoom controller when I bought my EX-3, but I never use it.

The zoom control built into the camera is MUCH better, and you can vary it to the inth degree.

The external zoom controller WILL NOT have the speed control of the built in zoom control. You will be wasting your money if you buy one.

Maybe so, but it's in totally the wrong place if you are standing in the usual tripod position. You can indeed use your hand to focus and zoom, but wherever possible, I'll use a remote. The usual ones for Fujinon and Cannon are quite light, but firm. The Manfrotto one isn't quite so smooth - I'm talking about the movement of the rocker, not the electronic end-product. The Manfrotto 524CFI I have also has the maximum speed control on it too, which I do find handy.

Anthony McErlean · May 24th, 2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul R Johnson

The Manfrotto 524CFI I have also has the maximum speed control on it too, which I do find handy.

Yes Paul I like my Manfrotto 524CF, pity it wont fit my EX3.

Leonard Levy · May 24th, 2009, 01:58 PM

William ,
Will that give you smooth and feathered stops and starts like you can get with a professional 2/3" camera and zoom control, or do you still have the same abrupt servo that comes with the EX-1 and are just now able to control it with your old zoom controller?

William Griffin · May 24th, 2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leonard Levy

William ,
Will that give you smooth and feathered stops and starts like you can get with a professional 2/3" camera and zoom control, or do you still have the same abrupt servo that comes with the EX-1 and are just now able to control it with your old zoom controller?

It does the job and feels like a true high end zoom controller...as i was a happy camper when I tested it out....

Leonard Levy · May 24th, 2009, 04:29 PM

Sorry to belabor this, but I previously bought a zoom controller based on reports that weren't clear enough - do you mean you can really feather starts and stops just like on a professional 2/3" camera lens"?

It sounds like you're saying yes. If so this is a big breakthrough.

May 23rd, 2009, 02:41 PM	#1
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,077	Recommend a zoom control for EX3 Hi I have a Manfrotto 524CF but as you know it doesn't fit the EX3. I think I now need one for the EX3. Theres two I was thinking of, the Libel ZC-9EX or the manfrotto 521EX The Libec its compatible with a FUJINON and CANON lens as well. Which is the better option or perhaps theres another one you would recommend. Thanks.

May 23rd, 2009, 04:28 PM	#5
Charles Newcomb Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Salida, Colorado Posts: 561	I've used Varizoom on my cameras for about eight years. In that time I've had two instances where repair was required, and both times Varizoom gave me quick turnaround. I recently bought this one for the EX3 VariZoom Lens Controls, monitors, Camera Stabilizers & Supports, Batteries, Monitor Kits Phone: 512-219-7722 EDIT: The reason I prefer this style is you can take it off the pan handle and still use it, thus eliminating any camera movement from touching the pan handle. Last edited by Charles Newcomb; May 23rd, 2009 at 05:52 PM.

May 24th, 2009, 06:05 AM	#7
Eric A Robinson Regular Crew Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 82	Zoom Control Hi Anthony I to use the Libec mounted on a Multrig Pro, and its a great combination for hand held work. I think it is a great item to have. The only caution I would urge is attach both cables, one to the camera and the other to tripod or rig you have mounted the camera on. The connection between the two cables is designed to pull apart if any force is exerted. This is a good design feature but you could so easily loose one of the cables.

May 24th, 2009, 10:42 AM	#9
William Griffin Major Player Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 204	A better, cheapter way........ A few months back I was in the same spot after I got a EX3...until one day on ebay.com I came across this: 12 Pin Fujinon Zoom Adapter Cable for Sony EX1 or EX3 - eBay (item 220365265718 end time Jun-19-09 17:39:37 PDT) I called them and told the owner..John....that I was a old betacam shooter and had a Nikon 15x1 lens that came with a $2000.00 zoom controller( made my Fujinon for Nikon)....so I shipped them the controller and he made me a special cable for my EX3 all for about $130.00. I was going to buy the $400.00 Bebob Zoe for the EX3, but now I have a better way as I get nice slow zooms, and the 3 second replay works just fine with my EX3 14x1 Fuji Stock lens. HTH __________________ Bill Griffin SONY PXW-X320,PMW-300K2, LiveU LU-500,Sound Devices 552 Mixer,www.Dallascamguy.com

May 23rd, 2009, 03:53 PM	#2
Brian Barkley Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Overland Park, KS Posts: 233	I purchased a professional zoom controller when I bought my EX-3, but I never use it. The zoom control built into the camera is MUCH better, and you can vary it to the inth degree. The external zoom controller WILL NOT have the speed control of the built in zoom control. You will be wasting your money if you buy one.

May 23rd, 2009, 04:07 PM	#3
Keith Moreau Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Brisbane, California Posts: 530	I have the Manfrotto 521ex for my EX1 and I'm fairly happy with it. You can dial the zoom speed up or down and that will affect how the sensitivity of its zoom rocker. The only fault is that at the slowest speed setting the zoom rocker still can still vary the zoom, so if you want the slowest zooms you still have to have some 'touch' with unit's zoom rocker. The other features, such as record on and off and review are nice as well. I also like Bebob controllers, they have one for the EX as well. (and many others.)

May 23rd, 2009, 04:53 PM	#6
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,077	Thanks all for the tips

May 24th, 2009, 06:23 AM	#8
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,077	Thanks for the advice Eric, whats the model of Libec you have. Thanks.

May 24th, 2009, 11:17 AM	#10
Anthony McErlean Trustee Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,077	Thats interesting William, you would think an adaptor is all I would really need. Thanks.

May 24th, 2009, 01:58 PM	#13
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	William , Will that give you smooth and feathered stops and starts like you can get with a professional 2/3" camera and zoom control, or do you still have the same abrupt servo that comes with the EX-1 and are just now able to control it with your old zoom controller?

May 24th, 2009, 04:29 PM	#15
Leonard Levy Trustee Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: USA Posts: 1,684	Sorry to belabor this, but I previously bought a zoom controller based on reports that weren't clear enough - do you mean you can really feather starts and stops just like on a professional 2/3" camera lens"? It sounds like you're saying yes. If so this is a big breakthrough.