Zoom Control has no "taper off" at DVinfo.net

Dale Anthony Smith · October 2nd, 2003, 12:26 AM

My original camera was still almost new and started "eating" tapes and giving unorthodox error messages.
After talking to the Chicago repair center I decided that the camera was so new I should ask the people I got it from to replace it. They did and I got the new one in today...
The problem is that the zoom control has no "Ease in-ease out" and just slows down a little and then abruptly stops rendering it virtually unuseable .
I wouldn't have noticed this so much if my original camera hadn't worked elegantly (with regard to the finesse of the zoom control).
The question is.... has anyone else dealt with this and is it something that can be "tuned up" through a repair?

Rob Lohman · October 6th, 2003, 09:33 AM

Anyone?

Dale Anthony Smith · October 9th, 2003, 02:06 AM

OK... so EVERYONE has had some problem with this...
I'm ready to build the two pot version of Jarred's home made zoom controller... BUT I spoke to someone at Prozoom today and he said that even the controllers won't work smoothly with a camera that has no ramping from the toggle switch and he also suggested that I send it in for warranty repair. I have some shooting to do next week then I'll be able to do without it for a couple of weeks... (Digital Megastore refused to replace it)

Matt Gettemeier · October 9th, 2003, 04:23 PM

I'd like to hear what your other cam was? Most minidv cams have a relatively sudden start and stop to the zoom... that is why Adam Wilt suggested making a string loop that's fixed to the zoom... so that you can try to smooth the start and stop by keeping it manual and feathering your actions.

Dale Anthony Smith · October 10th, 2003, 04:13 PM

The other cam was a DVX 100. I guess I just got lucky with the zoom control but unlucky with the transport. Last night I made the Zoom Controller two knob version and it works! But like Pro Zoom said... even his unit won't taper off or ramp up if the camera is jerky. The controller works a lot smoother than the rocker arm though. I will be sending the camera off to the Chicago repair center as soon as I can spare it.

Check out the DIY version of the zoom controller here

http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/Gizmo/

October 2nd, 2003, 12:26 AM	#1
Dale Anthony Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 44	Zoom Control has no "taper off" My original camera was still almost new and started "eating" tapes and giving unorthodox error messages. After talking to the Chicago repair center I decided that the camera was so new I should ask the people I got it from to replace it. They did and I got the new one in today... The problem is that the zoom control has no "Ease in-ease out" and just slows down a little and then abruptly stops rendering it virtually unuseable . I wouldn't have noticed this so much if my original camera hadn't worked elegantly (with regard to the finesse of the zoom control). The question is.... has anyone else dealt with this and is it something that can be "tuned up" through a repair? __________________ Multi-Media

October 6th, 2003, 09:33 AM	#2
Rob Lohman RED Code Chef Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 12,514	Anyone? __________________ Rob Lohman, visuar@iname.com DV Info Wrangler & RED Code Chef Join the DV Challenge \| Lady X Search DVinfo.net for quick answers \| Buy from the best: DVinfo.net sponsors

October 9th, 2003, 02:06 AM	#3
Dale Anthony Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 44	OK... so EVERYONE has had some problem with this... I'm ready to build the two pot version of Jarred's home made zoom controller... BUT I spoke to someone at Prozoom today and he said that even the controllers won't work smoothly with a camera that has no ramping from the toggle switch and he also suggested that I send it in for warranty repair. I have some shooting to do next week then I'll be able to do without it for a couple of weeks... (Digital Megastore refused to replace it) __________________ Multi-Media

October 10th, 2003, 04:13 PM	#5
Dale Anthony Smith Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Orleans Posts: 44	The other cam was a DVX 100. I guess I just got lucky with the zoom control but unlucky with the transport. Last night I made the Zoom Controller two knob version and it works! But like Pro Zoom said... even his unit won't taper off or ramp up if the camera is jerky. The controller works a lot smoother than the rocker arm though. I will be sending the camera off to the Chicago repair center as soon as I can spare it. Check out the DIY version of the zoom controller here http://www.dvxuser.com/articles/Gizmo/ __________________ Multi-Media

October 9th, 2003, 04:23 PM	#4
Matt Gettemeier Major Player Join Date: May 2003 Location: St. Louis, Missouri Posts: 936	I'd like to hear what your other cam was? Most minidv cams have a relatively sudden start and stop to the zoom... that is why Adam Wilt suggested making a string loop that's fixed to the zoom... so that you can try to smooth the start and stop by keeping it manual and feathering your actions.