Power zoom EF lenses at DVinfo.net

Jody Arnott · November 10th, 2014, 03:42 PM

Hi all,

When doing documentary work with the C100, I often find myself really missing having a power zoom lens. I can never get steady zooms with my manual lenses.

I've been Googling but I can't see any EF power zoom lenses on the market (that are affordable at least, I do see some that run into the tens of thousands of dollars).

Does anyone know of any, or any other method to achieve smooth zooming with a manual lens?

Thanks in advance.

Chris Medico · November 10th, 2014, 04:29 PM

Have you looked at a follow focus setup?

Jody Arnott · November 10th, 2014, 05:55 PM

Thanks for the suggestion. No I haven't yet. I'm trying to keep my rig as compact as possible, but that might not be practical at this point.

I'll definitely have a look into the option though.

Chris Medico · November 10th, 2014, 07:33 PM

Unfortunately there are few options in the few thousand dollar price range.

Troy Moss · November 10th, 2014, 08:51 PM

Jody,

This is the best solution and it's really inexpensive (only $10-$16 on ebay), Here's a picture of my C100 with the device! I use it with my Canon 24-105 L lens. Works Perfect! Nice Smooth Zoom! (Link below shows product on ebay).

Follow Focus Alternative for All DSLR Camera'S | eBay

Phil Goetz · November 12th, 2014, 10:04 PM

We should stock that as the Troy Moss Signature... get a bunch of them with your name on them...

Jody Arnott · November 13th, 2014, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Troy Moss

Jody,

This is the best solution and it's really inexpensive (only $10-$16 on ebay), Here's a picture of my C100 with the device! I use it with my Canon 24-105 L lens. Works Perfect! Nice Smooth Zoom! (Link below shows product on ebay).

Follow Focus Alternative for All DSLR Camera'S | eBay

Thanks for the links/photo.

Is it really that much smoother than zooming manually? I guess for the price there's no harm in trying it out!

Troy Moss · November 13th, 2014, 01:46 PM

Yes, it's much smoother! Yes, you definitely can't go wrong for the price. I've recommended this (and similar products) to several other shooters and they continually thank me. It really works. Several other models and variations of this on eBay and the internet, just do a search!

Christopher Young · November 13th, 2014, 07:31 PM

This manual zoom lever system is something we used on film camera zooms for years. With practice you can get very smooth zooms. I use a couple of the less likely to break Varavon ones on the FS700 with manual zoom lenses. Good value for money and results. Available from BH and all over eBay.

Sling Follow Focus | Varavon

Chris Young
CYV Productions
Sydney

Zach Love · November 17th, 2014, 02:17 PM

There was the "Handi Zoom" that was announced just before NAB 2012 by Viz Tools, but I haven't seen any updates since, so I'm guessing it is never coming to market.

Not sure if it was cost, interest, or if it just didn't really work as dreamed up. Would've loved if it had made it out of R&D though.

Jon Roemer · November 19th, 2014, 09:09 PM

~5 minutes in, 2nd video from Dan Chung, the new Zacutio handgrip which when used with a zoom ring motor can provide a power zoom: News Shooter | Zacuto Gratical HD EVF pre-ordering opens with $200 discount .

Scott Stoneback · December 2nd, 2014, 11:50 PM

I just bought the lever setup on Ebay. For less than $20, you can't go wrong.

November 10th, 2014, 03:42 PM	#1
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Power zoom EF lenses Hi all, When doing documentary work with the C100, I often find myself really missing having a power zoom lens. I can never get steady zooms with my manual lenses. I've been Googling but I can't see any EF power zoom lenses on the market (that are affordable at least, I do see some that run into the tens of thousands of dollars). Does anyone know of any, or any other method to achieve smooth zooming with a manual lens? Thanks in advance.

November 10th, 2014, 04:29 PM	#2
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Power zoom EF lenses Have you looked at a follow focus setup? __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

November 10th, 2014, 05:55 PM	#3
Jody Arnott Major Player Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand Posts: 747	Re: Power zoom EF lenses Thanks for the suggestion. No I haven't yet. I'm trying to keep my rig as compact as possible, but that might not be practical at this point. I'll definitely have a look into the option though.

November 10th, 2014, 07:33 PM	#4
Chris Medico Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Efland NC, USA Posts: 2,322	Re: Power zoom EF lenses Unfortunately there are few options in the few thousand dollar price range. __________________ http://www.LandYachtMedia.com

November 10th, 2014, 08:51 PM	#5
Troy Moss Major Player Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 253	Re: Power zoom EF lenses Jody, This is the best solution and it's really inexpensive (only $10-$16 on ebay), Here's a picture of my C100 with the device! I use it with my Canon 24-105 L lens. Works Perfect! Nice Smooth Zoom! (Link below shows product on ebay). Follow Focus Alternative for All DSLR Camera'S \| eBay Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Troy Moss; November 11th, 2014 at 01:20 PM.

November 12th, 2014, 10:04 PM	#6
Phil Goetz Austinite Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Austin Posts: 550	Re: Power zoom EF lenses We should stock that as the Troy Moss Signature... get a bunch of them with your name on them...

November 13th, 2014, 01:46 PM	#8
Troy Moss Major Player Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, CA Posts: 253	Re: Power zoom EF lenses Yes, it's much smoother! Yes, you definitely can't go wrong for the price. I've recommended this (and similar products) to several other shooters and they continually thank me. It really works. Several other models and variations of this on eBay and the internet, just do a search!

November 13th, 2014, 07:31 PM	#9
Christopher Young Trustee Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,527	Re: Power zoom EF lenses This manual zoom lever system is something we used on film camera zooms for years. With practice you can get very smooth zooms. I use a couple of the less likely to break Varavon ones on the FS700 with manual zoom lenses. Good value for money and results. Available from BH and all over eBay. Sling Follow Focus \| Varavon Chris Young CYV Productions Sydney

November 17th, 2014, 02:17 PM	#10
Zach Love Major Player Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 944	Re: Power zoom EF lenses There was the "Handi Zoom" that was announced just before NAB 2012 by Viz Tools, but I haven't seen any updates since, so I'm guessing it is never coming to market. Not sure if it was cost, interest, or if it just didn't really work as dreamed up. Would've loved if it had made it out of R&D though. NAB 2012: VizTools Handizoom -- HDSLR becomes a camcorder - YouTube __________________ Nothing says you're a serious video maker like S-VHS

November 19th, 2014, 09:09 PM	#11
Jon Roemer Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Princeton, NJ Posts: 123	Re: Power zoom EF lenses ~5 minutes in, 2nd video from Dan Chung, the new Zacutio handgrip which when used with a zoom ring motor can provide a power zoom: News Shooter \| Zacuto Gratical HD EVF pre-ordering opens with $200 discount . __________________ Site

December 2nd, 2014, 11:50 PM	#12
Scott Stoneback Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: San Francisco, California Posts: 161	Re: Power zoom EF lenses I just bought the lever setup on Ebay. For less than $20, you can't go wrong.