EX1R operation with Manfrotto 521EX at DVinfo.net

Philip Howells · June 5th, 2011, 05:01 AM

We took delivery of three new Manfrotto remote control units (they don't make a proper supply arm) as soon as they became available and just before an event shoot. Unlike the Manfrotto supply arms for our previous cameras, Z1s, these are fairly basic.

They do have a red indicator LED but, unlike the logical function on the Z1 supply arms this light does not indicate that the camera is in record mode, but merely that the remote control is plugged in. Apart from the almost useless information (which could be verified by a quick flick of the zoom control) it conveys, this can be very confusing.

Unfortunately on our first event shoot it sufficiently confused one of our cameramen that he didn't notice that he'd inadvertently stopped the recording.

Neither I nor he is placing all the blame on Manfrotto, we're adults with experience and should have noticed, but sensibly designed kit is usually designed to remove confusion.

We've since modified the controls by inserting a miniature toggle switch which isolates the start-stop function - once the three cameras are started, the toggle switch operation means the operator must make two actions to change the condition. We've also written to Manfrotto asking if the light operation can be modified to reflect the camera operation but my guess is that it can't due to the pin-outs on the EX1R - though if anyone knows what these are maybe we could effect our own modification.

Philip Howells · June 14th, 2011, 06:37 AM

Further to the above here's some pictures of the mod. If you want to do the same it's the yellow wire inside the unit that needs to be isolated.

June 5th, 2011, 05:01 AM	#1
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	EX1R operation with Manfrotto 521EX We took delivery of three new Manfrotto remote control units (they don't make a proper supply arm) as soon as they became available and just before an event shoot. Unlike the Manfrotto supply arms for our previous cameras, Z1s, these are fairly basic. They do have a red indicator LED but, unlike the logical function on the Z1 supply arms this light does not indicate that the camera is in record mode, but merely that the remote control is plugged in. Apart from the almost useless information (which could be verified by a quick flick of the zoom control) it conveys, this can be very confusing. Unfortunately on our first event shoot it sufficiently confused one of our cameramen that he didn't notice that he'd inadvertently stopped the recording. Neither I nor he is placing all the blame on Manfrotto, we're adults with experience and should have noticed, but sensibly designed kit is usually designed to remove confusion. We've since modified the controls by inserting a miniature toggle switch which isolates the start-stop function - once the three cameras are started, the toggle switch operation means the operator must make two actions to change the condition. We've also written to Manfrotto asking if the light operation can be modified to reflect the camera operation but my guess is that it can't due to the pin-outs on the EX1R - though if anyone knows what these are maybe we could effect our own modification.

June 14th, 2011, 06:37 AM	#2
Philip Howells Trustee Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Manchester UK Posts: 1,212	Re: EX1R operation with Manfrotto 521EX Further to the above here's some pictures of the mod. If you want to do the same it's the yellow wire inside the unit that needs to be isolated. Attached Thumbnails