Trying to get a external LANC control for my VX2100 and also DSR-250.

From B&H, it seems there are two option -- one mentioned already as the Varizoom, close to $400. The only is the Canon at $180, perhaps not as dynamic as the Varizoom, but actually I only want it to give me one-speed slow zoom (kind of like the handle zoom on VX2100), so maybe the cheaper Canon one will do.

Question is, does it work on Sony cams? Any one using the Canon unit (ZR-1000 Zoom Remote Control) on the VX2100 or similar camera?

Does anybody have one of these? I did a search and there seems to be little discussion on Canon ZR-1000.

BTW, I intend on using it on my Sony DSR-250 and VX2100, presume all LANC controller regardless of brand will work on all LANC camera.

I just want a simple one-speed slow zoom in a more convenient location on the camera, it looks like the ZR1000 is small enough for me to velcro it almost anywhere.

I used to have one, and I think it is the best controller for the money. That's not saying it's the best controller. They are meant to be attached to your pan handle on your tripod, but you can velcro it anywhere, I suppose.

You have to more than double your investment to get a better device. And, yes, it will work perfectly fine on your VX2K.

Wayne Orr, SOC

Wayne,

Thanks.

BTW, is the zoom button one-speed? Perhaps the speed is vary by another adjustment knob or something?

Law, it has either a manual setting, or a speed control knob. In the manual setting it reacts to the amount of pressure you place on the zoom control. In the preset speed setting, you set the speed at which it will zoom. For example, if you set it to "5," you will start at 5 instantly with no ramp up effect, or ramp down as you stop. The zoom control is a rocker, which is a reasonably professional method. Button controllers are to be avoided, IMO.

Wayne

I've used the Canon ZR-1000 with my TRV-900 for several years. I keep it attached to my tripod handle. The controller works very well, and I would recommend it.

Varizoom's Stealth Zoom is about $200 isn't it?

I've used the ZR-1000 on my VX2000 for a couple of years with no problem. Because I also use a Glensound box (which draws its power from the LANC socket) I have a LANC splitter to connect to both the Glensound and the ZR-1000. This hasn't caused problems. The ZR-1000 is usually mounted on a hand grip on the support rods.

Best,
Helen

I just got it, it is GREAT! In fact, perfect. Worth every cent.

This should be the "industry standard" for shooting from a tripod, whether one is shooting DSR-250 or VX2100.

I just got it, it is fantastic.

Both variable zoom and fixed zoom (via a locking adjustment knob, 5 speed settings).

In fact, it is god send. Crazy not to have one for tripod shooting.

I've been putting off getting one of these for a very long time. Just didn't want to spend the money. Well, I finally got a shoot were it really made sense to have zoom control on the tripod so I bought one.

I'm pretty darned impressed with it. I wish I'd gotten it sooner.

It's made of plastic so it doesn't feel like the most sturdy thing in the world (don't step on it) but the build is ok. It's real light (for whatever that's worth) but the controls are very smooth. The variable zooming is sweet. I also think I'll be using the rec search function more now, the other buttons were never really convenient to hit real quick.

It also looks pretty cool on the tripod. :)

I'm very happy I got it. It's going to help a lot.

So, for anyone that's on the fence about this thing, I say go for it.

I know what you mean, Bryan. You could call me the poster boy of remote zoom controls. I really like the VariZoom line but the Canon ZR-1000 is a great deal for the money. If you look at all the zoom controller reviews I've done on the DV Info main site, in each one of 'em I like to say that it's the Number One accessory you can't afford to shoot without.

I've always debated... whats the real diff. between the ZR-1000 controller and the Wireless remote controller that comes with the GL2 package? I mean..... the ZR-1000 is quite expensive, but I want to hold something in my right hand to zoom in and zoom out while my left hand on the tripod doing the pans.

Actually the ZR-1000 is one of the least expensive controllers you can buy.

Traditionally in television production, the right pan handle controller is for zoom and the left pan handle is for focus. Typically they are combined into one unit for prosumer DV purposes. Most tripods for DV have only one pan handle anyway.

A stock "wireless remote" is worse than useless during serious DV production. You don't want to be thinking about where to point it while you're shooting; if you tape it to the pan handle you can't be sure of a good IR signal between it and the camera. Besides, it offers only a single zoom speed and the whole point of the wired controllers like the ZR-1000 is the option of variable-speed zooms or whatever speed you want.

In 35mm film production there is such a thing as a wireless lens controller, but there's also an entire camera crew with a person dedicated to running that controller.

What's an IR signal?

IR = Infra-red, light that is "redder than red" and cannot be seen by human eyes. Radiant heat is Infra-red. For the technically minded, it has a somewhat longer wavelength than visible light.

Can anyone tell me how they mounted this on their tripod and whether you can use the controller in a single speed zoom (low versus variable)?

Thanks in advance

I've clamped it to the pan bar so my thumb can access the rocker control - ie, it's right at the outer end of the pan bar, next to the rubber grip.
There are five pre-set speeds from slow to fast (what else?!) as well as the variable.

Robin.

I plugged a brand new zr-1000 into my XL2 and the first thing that happened was the lens zoomed in all by itself without me touching the rocker. Next, when I pressed the buttons on the zr-1000 nothing happened. I took it back to the store and tried it on the XL2 they had on display and it did the same thing. We opened another zr-1000, tried it but that didn't work either. I think it is highly unlikely that there'd be 2 defective zr-1000's at the same store. At this point I should have read the manual. Instead I took my refund and left.

Do you have to power off the XL2 first? I'm sorry if that's a dumb question, but I assumed that all I had to do was plug it in and it would work, at least that's what my cheap sony lanc controller does on my XL2.

http://media.onecall.com/Image_Products/Canon/zr1000manual.pdf

I just read the manual above and I see a possible explanation for why the 2 zr-1000's I tried did not work.

The section "Zoom Speed dial" says that you can dial the zr-1000 to either variable speed mode or to constant speed mode (1-5). Now, what would happen if the XL2 was set to variable speed but the zr-1000 was set to constant? Would the lens still zoom or would the zoom rocker not work? Perhaps my XL2 and the one at the store were set to variable speed and the 2 zr-1000's were dialed to constant speed and that's why nothing happened?

Just wanted to share my experiences with the Canon ZR-1000. So far so good :) While the plastic body makes it feel a little cheap everything seems in order and so far it works great with my XH-A1. The real test will come mid november and I start up the basketball season where it will be getting extended use for a few months straight.

Will be keeping notes and photos and such here: http://www.simplethoughtproductions.com/2007/11/05/canon-zr1000-zoom-remote-controller/

If your looking for a basic LANC controller this seems pretty hard to beat for the price :)

It is a usefull little gizmo, no doubt.

As you'll probably be using it on a tripod pan handle and thus will be using the A1's focusing ring for focus, you won't trip over it's major weakness with the A1/ G1 cameras - the inability of the focus buttons to control the A1's/ G1's focus with accuracy.

This is, in Canons immortal words, "a design limitation" (I'm still trying to work out of what) and not a fault.

I'll be interested to hear how you fare with it.


CS

Good point. I will have to play with it to be sure of what you mean, For my use the focus won't be much of an issue, I use manual focus when doing sports, I zoom in and focus on a player that is about as far as they will get from me. Focus and then zoom out. From then on I never zoom in closer than when I focused and it seems to work well for me.

A standard remote, a TOSLINK cable ($7-$10) and some duct tape gives you a perfectly working zoom control. Well, perfectly working if you always use a tripod. Works pretty well for my cheap Elura 100.

On the other hand, I don't care much about zoom, I'd prefer remotely controlled focus with possibility of different speeds or maybe some sort of jog-dial wheel. Could be a business opportunity ;-) I just don't get why zoom can be remotely controlled and focus can not.

Thanks for the thread move Mods, sorry I had missed the proper section!