Varizoom Lens Controller (VZ-PG-L) noise at DVinfo.net

Kevin Janisch · February 17th, 2004, 06:57 PM

Just picked up a Varizoom Lens Controller (VZ-PG-L) for my XL1S and it seems to be working great with exception to two things:

1) The click noise everytime I zoom is getting picked up by the microphone (very little but noticeable)

2) Everytime I go into standby mode the camera shuts down and then powers back up immediately. If I disconnect the LANC standby works normally.

Any insight? Thanks.

Kevin

Edward Troxel · February 17th, 2004, 08:52 PM

Standby mode using the Varizoom controller is a known problem. Use the standby button on the camera to enter standby mode and the button on the Varizoom to wake up the camera.

The buttons on the Varizoom we have are quiet. However, I'm not sure which model we have versus the model you list. In fact, sometimes we have to push the button extra hard just to get it to activate (which I DON'T like)

Personally, I prefer the Canon controller.

Kevin Janisch · February 17th, 2004, 09:24 PM

Thanks for the reply. The problem actually occurs when I use the standby button on the camera. It shuts down and then immediately powers back on.

The model Varizoom I have can be found at:

http://www.varizoom.com/controllers/pgl.php

When engaging the zoom it clicks once (more noticeable on zooming out than zooming in). Just wondering because I bought it used from bhphotovideo.com and being that it was so highly recommended by many people here in the forum I'm begining to wonder if it is a faulty unit.

Edward Troxel · February 17th, 2004, 09:34 PM

<<<-- Originally posted by Kevin Janisch : Just wondering because I bought it used from bhphotovideo.com and being that it was so highly recommended by many people here in the forum I'm begining to wonder if it is a faulty unit. -->>>

That's not impossible. You may try checking with the company tech support. They are usually very responsive. We have had good success with our unit.

Kevin Janisch · February 18th, 2004, 04:08 PM

Contacted Varizoom and the standby issue with VZ-PG-L is a known problem with the XL1S but doesn't seem to be an issue with Sony or even other Canon cameras. They tried to fix the problem but it only resulted in it not working properly with other cameras. So it's either you work around it or try a different controller.

Edward Troxel · February 18th, 2004, 09:02 PM

Thanks for the report back. At least now you know.

February 17th, 2004, 06:57 PM	#1
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Varizoom Lens Controller (VZ-PG-L) noise Just picked up a Varizoom Lens Controller (VZ-PG-L) for my XL1S and it seems to be working great with exception to two things: 1) The click noise everytime I zoom is getting picked up by the microphone (very little but noticeable) 2) Everytime I go into standby mode the camera shuts down and then powers back up immediately. If I disconnect the LANC standby works normally. Any insight? Thanks. Kevin

February 17th, 2004, 08:52 PM	#2
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Standby mode using the Varizoom controller is a known problem. Use the standby button on the camera to enter standby mode and the button on the Varizoom to wake up the camera. The buttons on the Varizoom we have are quiet. However, I'm not sure which model we have versus the model you list. In fact, sometimes we have to push the button extra hard just to get it to activate (which I DON'T like) Personally, I prefer the Canon controller.

February 17th, 2004, 09:24 PM	#3
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Thanks for the reply. The problem actually occurs when I use the standby button on the camera. It shuts down and then immediately powers back on. The model Varizoom I have can be found at: http://www.varizoom.com/controllers/pgl.php When engaging the zoom it clicks once (more noticeable on zooming out than zooming in). Just wondering because I bought it used from bhphotovideo.com and being that it was so highly recommended by many people here in the forum I'm begining to wonder if it is a faulty unit.

February 17th, 2004, 09:34 PM	#4
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	<<<-- Originally posted by Kevin Janisch : Just wondering because I bought it used from bhphotovideo.com and being that it was so highly recommended by many people here in the forum I'm begining to wonder if it is a faulty unit. -->>> That's not impossible. You may try checking with the company tech support. They are usually very responsive. We have had good success with our unit.

February 18th, 2004, 04:08 PM	#5
Kevin Janisch Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Monterey, CA Posts: 406	Contacted Varizoom and the standby issue with VZ-PG-L is a known problem with the XL1S but doesn't seem to be an issue with Sony or even other Canon cameras. They tried to fix the problem but it only resulted in it not working properly with other cameras. So it's either you work around it or try a different controller.

February 18th, 2004, 09:02 PM	#6
Edward Troxel Sponsor: JET DV Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Southern Illinois Posts: 7,953	Thanks for the report back. At least now you know.