Got my Varizoom Sleath Controller from ZGC today. I tested the manual focus dial to see how accurate it is in repeating the set manual focus. I marked 4 positions on the dial ... 0m, 0.5m, 50m, INF. Between 0m to 0.5m, the HVX202 display shows MACRO. Between 50m and INF, it shows INFINITY. When I repeatedly turned the dial to those settings marked on the manual focus dial, the camera tells me the distance set is spot on.

This means I can forget about the "forever spinning" focus on the lens itself. I can now rely on the Varizoom's controller for accurate setting of focus each time. MUCH cheaper than most of the other alternatives I have seen.

Cost is only $229 (and it also allows you to zoom and control the iris manually as well).

TingSern,

Thank you for the report, I spotted an used one at ProVideo Station Shinjuku, so I might pick it up after reading your report.

Kaku,

According to Varizoom's website, the newer models come with a "larger" manual focus dial (which is what I have). If the 2nd hand model is the older one, you might need to upgrade the manaul focus dial to the bigger one (easier to position it accurately).

See ZGC site here -
http://www.zgc.com/zgc.nsf/c7a682995edb4e7585256b4d001ebd57/9f744f796fba0c9f852571a70063b25f?OpenDocument

On SLR and DSLR, there is a marker on the body indicating the focal plane where the film or CCD/CMOS sensor is placed.

On HVX202, does anybody knows where the CCD sensor is on the camera?

Point is - if camera says MF2.0m, where is it measuring that distance from? I did some measurements from the middle of the HVX202 body and found the distance is always "out" by 0.5m to 0.7m. It is accurate in the sense the distance don't vary in camera - at least it is consistent.

Of course, I realised it won't be as accurate as my laser distance measurement device, but, just would like to know if HVX202 has an "index" point to take distance measurements?

Video cameras & video lenses don't work that way. They measure from the front of the lens, not from the "focal plane".

There are exceptions, such as DigiPrimes, which will have an actual witness mark that is meant to be measured from the focal plane. But in general you should be measuring from the front of the lens when using a video camera lens.

Thanks, Barry.