New LANC remotes from Manfrotto
 

Just found out that Manfrotto has three new LANC remotes. 521i, 521 Proi and 523 Proi. The information on their site says that the i series all have new firmware for the new Sony and Canon models. I can't find any information about what functions do work with different camcorder models. Anyone else have some more info about the i series?


Regards,

/Bo

Hi Bo,

The new "i" series feature much better compatibility with Canon HD cameras. All features below will work with both Sony and Canon HD unless indicated otherwise.

521i:
- MF/AF control
- Manual focus fixed speed
- Record start/stop
- Standby
- Enhanced zoom for Canon HD (16 speed = smoother zoom transitions)

521PROi:
- MF/AF control
- Manual focus fixed speed with zoom wheel (Sony)
- Manual focus variable speed with zoom wheel (Canon HD)
- Record start/stop
- Standby
- Enhanced zoom for Canon HD (16 speed = smoother zoom transitions)
- Customizable zoom speed limit (variable/fixed)
- Push Auto Focus (now also works with Canon HD)

523PROi:
- MF/AF control
- Manual focus fixed speed with zoom wheel (Sony)
- Manual focus variable speed with zoom wheel (Canon HD)
- Record start/stop
- Standby
- Enhanced zoom for Canon HD (16 speed = smoother zoom transitions)
- Customizable zoom speed limit (variable/fixed) - 3 speeds
- Push Auto Focus (now also works with Canon HD)
- Record review

Tom

This is really great news. I suppose you mean Canon HDV models (XL-H1, XH-A1, XH-G1 and later models). Are you an employee of Manfrotto as you have this information?


Regards,

/Bo

Hi Tomasz..............
 

Welcome to DVinfo.

Thanks for the info, interesting developements.

For those scratching their heads...........

Tarnowskie Góry - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia


CS

Hi!

Yes - I meant Canon HDV.

I am not Manfrotto employee, but I was a part of electronics development team, so if you need any technical details just let me know.


TB

Hi Tomasz

Sounds great to have a real expert to ask. Thanks again for your information!


Regards,

/Bo

Does the Push Auto Focus work like the camera button for quick autofocus or does it just turn the camera into an auto focus camera?

It works exactly in the same way as Push Focus button on camera lenses. When camera in MF, as long as you keep the button pressed, camera will go temporarly into AF. Releasing the button will make camera to go back into MF. You can also switch between auto/manual focus modes of the camera with another button.

TB

Excellent Tomasz. I will be ordering a couple.

Anyone tried them yet?
 

Has anyone tried out the 521 Proi or 523 Proi with an XH-A1 yet? I'm seriously thinking of asking Santa Claus to bring me one.

Colin,

call Santa: the thing works

(A1 on Spiderbrace outfitted w/ 521PROi:
finally got push-focus via LANC! -
remind Santa to bring you
a spare Manfrotto LANC cable:
the mini-jack is pretty fragile)

Best

Vasco

521proi
 

Anyone tried this Manfrotto lanc controller with the A1.
I am especially intersted if the Push Auto Focus works.

Backward Compatible
 

Tomasz

Are any of these controlers backward compatible with the Canon XL2 Camera?

If so do all the controls works as with the HDV cameras?

Warren

Yes, and yessss!

Best

Vasco

Warren

These remotes are backward compatible with all mini DV Canon cameras including XL1/XL2, but you will not be able to use Push Auto Focus, nor MF/AF control. Only Canon HD cameras give us possibility to control more advanced functions.

TB

Good to hear, thank you for your respons.

Thanks Vasco. Just seen your reply - I was away when you posted it.
I've been trying to get hold of one of these, but no joy so far.
I'll need to post another letter up the chimney (or try some different suppliers).

Excellent thread ! Didn't even have to create a separate post enquiring as to the 521proi's Xh-a1 functionality. God damn, this place is heaven.

521 Proi is Manual Only
 

There are times when I want to use auto focus with my Canon XH-A1. But if I am using the 521 Proi it forces the XH-A1 to work in manual mode even if the camera is set on auto focus.

Did you try "double click" with focus button? It should change focus mode on the camera.

TB

Double Click does nothing.
It doesn't matter which setting Auto Focus or Manual I set my XH-A1 the Manfrotto 521 Proi takes control and Manual is all I get. It will do Instant Focus but quickly back to manual mode.
To make this more confusing.....
I have another XH-A1 with the exact same settings (except customize ones) as the first XH-A1 and I turned the camera to auto focus and plugged in the 521 PROi and it held the auto focus.
Now I don't know if it is the camera or the 521 PROi that is to blame!

Remote Works Wonderfully
 

With the help from Tomasz I learned that to change from MANUAL Focus to AUTO Focus with the remote you must double click QUICKLY.
The Manfrotto 521 Proi has more feature than any other remote I have tried. It is well worth the money and the zoom is smooth without a jerk which makes it far superior to the XH-A1 camera zoom control.

No more cramp and sore backs
 

Just managed to find one of these - its the bees knees! No more 3 hour shoots with my right hand above my head on the XH-A1 zoom toggle!

Re: New LANC remotes from Manfrotto
 

It seems the Manfrotto 521proi has been discontinued. Can anyone tell me what the nearest equivalent is that includes the enhanced firmware for controlling Canon HDV cameras, please? I have an XH-A1s at the moment.