Experience with zoom commander 11? at DVinfo.net

Patrick Moreau · March 13th, 2005, 07:38 AM

I am hoping to find somebody who has bought, borrowed, or heard of somebody with a zoom commander 11 or similiar models (the original or pro).

I am looking for some feedback as I would like to buy one. At $160US if it has two different zoom controls with speed control as well as the focus controls, it seems like it could do the job.

Here is a link to the controllers

I realize that it won't compete with the higher end zoom controllers, but in it's price range, do you think there is anything better and will it do the job on a dvrigrp?

Any feedback is greatly appreciated before i go ahead and purchse the wrong one.

Thanks

Danny Natovich · March 13th, 2005, 03:51 PM

Hi Patrick,

The zoom comander has some nice fetures, but to my opinion is too big for the DvRigPro. grip mount.

Since you are mounting it on the grip you will only have your thumb to oparate it. You will not be able to reach the upper part buttons.

The Varizoom Stealth is almost the same price and is compact enough for "thumb" operation. Of course, the Varizoom rocker, Zoe, and Manfrotto/Bogen 521 are also great.

Rob Taylor · March 22nd, 2005, 06:24 AM

One problem I ran into with the zoom commander was the mounting. They Velco the controller onto the mounting plate. Don't always hold too well. Also, you have to reach over the focus buttons to get to the zoom controls. This didn't work too well for me, I kept hitting the focus buttons by mistake each time I would Zoom.

Try the one of the VariZoom's or the Studio 1 ProZoom. I ended up with a ProZoom 2.

Here is VariZoom's website: http://www.varizoom.com

Studio 1's website is http://studio1productions.com

Rob

Allen Brodsky · March 22nd, 2005, 12:05 PM

The Canon ZR-1000 is about the same price as the zoom commander. It's what I use and works well, has good controls. It attaches to a tripod handle with a screw-on bracket. Don't know if it fits the DVRig.

Patrick Moreau · March 23rd, 2005, 02:58 PM

Thanks for the input Rob.

Do you or does anyone else know if the auto/manual focus button works similiar to the push auto function on an xl1s or pd170?

thanks

Patrick Pike · March 23rd, 2005, 03:46 PM

I've used the Zoom Commander II on an XL-1 and the autofocus on/off button didn't even work. On my GL2's, it works as advertised. I quickly got used to double tapping it to use it as a push button autofocus. A fairly good controller for a tripod, but it does feel a bit big on my DVRig.

March 13th, 2005, 07:38 AM	#1
Patrick Moreau Still Motion Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,186	Experience with zoom commander 11? I am hoping to find somebody who has bought, borrowed, or heard of somebody with a zoom commander 11 or similiar models (the original or pro). I am looking for some feedback as I would like to buy one. At $160US if it has two different zoom controls with speed control as well as the focus controls, it seems like it could do the job. Here is a link to the controllers I realize that it won't compete with the higher end zoom controllers, but in it's price range, do you think there is anything better and will it do the job on a dvrigrp? Any feedback is greatly appreciated before i go ahead and purchse the wrong one. Thanks

March 22nd, 2005, 12:05 PM	#4
Allen Brodsky Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Eatontown, NJ Posts: 118	Canon ZR-1000 The Canon ZR-1000 is about the same price as the zoom commander. It's what I use and works well, has good controls. It attaches to a tripod handle with a screw-on bracket. Don't know if it fits the DVRig.

March 13th, 2005, 03:51 PM	#2
Danny Natovich DV Rig Pro Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tel Aviv Israel Posts: 233	Hi Patrick, The zoom comander has some nice fetures, but to my opinion is too big for the DvRigPro. grip mount. Since you are mounting it on the grip you will only have your thumb to oparate it. You will not be able to reach the upper part buttons. The Varizoom Stealth is almost the same price and is compact enough for "thumb" operation. Of course, the Varizoom rocker, Zoe, and Manfrotto/Bogen 521 are also great.

March 22nd, 2005, 06:24 AM	#3
Rob Taylor Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Wilmington DE Posts: 98	One problem I ran into with the zoom commander was the mounting. They Velco the controller onto the mounting plate. Don't always hold too well. Also, you have to reach over the focus buttons to get to the zoom controls. This didn't work too well for me, I kept hitting the focus buttons by mistake each time I would Zoom. Try the one of the VariZoom's or the Studio 1 ProZoom. I ended up with a ProZoom 2. Here is VariZoom's website: http://www.varizoom.com Studio 1's website is http://studio1productions.com Rob

March 23rd, 2005, 02:58 PM	#5
Patrick Moreau Still Motion Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,186	Thanks for the input Rob. Do you or does anyone else know if the auto/manual focus button works similiar to the push auto function on an xl1s or pd170? thanks

March 23rd, 2005, 03:46 PM	#6
Patrick Pike Major Player Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Mariposa, CA Posts: 200	I've used the Zoom Commander II on an XL-1 and the autofocus on/off button didn't even work. On my GL2's, it works as advertised. I quickly got used to double tapping it to use it as a push button autofocus. A fairly good controller for a tripod, but it does feel a bit big on my DVRig.