Here's someone else who loves their lanc controller. In my case the Bebob Zoe. It's small, light, sensitive, ergonomic and infinitely adjustable:
Factory - Zoom remote Zoe-III

I bought a beebob Zoes III a while ago, and I hate it. Maybe it's my small hands, or maybe it's lack of practice - but I don't find it easy to use at all. I wish I could find another Jessops £30 lanc, but they don't sell them any more.

Oh no. Annie that's terrible! I can't believe that we are talking about the same product. I hope it wasn't a post by me that persuaded you to buy it in the first place :-)
Just goes to show - one man's meat is another's poison.
Moral of story - there's no substitute for trying kit out before you buy.

The problem with living out in the sticks is that you don't get much chance to try something before you buy. My decision was based on the facts that a) there didn't seem to be a lanc that would operate the push-focus on the A1, so I looked for a (relatively) cheap alternative while waiting for one to become availabe (dream on), b) the zoe was recommended by several people across the DVinfo fora, and c) you could adjust the speed of the zoom.

What I don't like about it -
a) it doesn't want to stay put on the tripod handle
b) I can't easily change from focusing to zooming without looking at the unit (I could with the Jessops one)
c) I forget whether it is on the zoom or the focus setting until I either look at it, or the camera does the opposite to what I expect.
d) because of it's shape, it doesn't slip easily into the camera bag (and won't stay put on the tripod)
e) I just don't find it comfortable to use off the tripod - which is how I often use it from a hide. Somehow I often manage to switch the power off rather than record on and off .

But that is just me - it shouldn't put anybody else off at least trying it.

Annie,

I have the Zoe as well and agree with your points, but living even further out in the sticks than you I had even less of a chance to try one out!

The issue with it not staying put - I wrapped some duct tape round the tripod handle (it peels off without damage) and the Zoe stays put for me.

Plus I always hit the off button when I have a once in a lifetime wildlife shot in front of me. Aggggh!

All I really need is a lanc control with adjustable speed zoom and separate focus. I've yet to find one that tickles my fancy.

Edit: I see Varizoom's OFF button needs to be held down for two seconds, this may be useful for me.

Perhaps it depends what you are using it for. I don't use it for wildlife. I can see why you would want to use a lanc controller to cut out shake on a long zoom of a bird etc. The Zoe is not the best controller for that because it's designed to be used on the tripod arm, not off it.
What I use it for is interviews, rooms full of people, exterior pans and zooms etc. Everything really. I don't like to use the camera without it. It improves pretty much everything I do by making it easier, quicker and better.
I can operate it with my thumb and that leaves plenty of fingers etc to operate the arm on the tripod and the camera controls.
There are only three buttons and they have different indentations so you can feel which is which ie two are concave and one is convex.
I never use the focus on the Zoe. I can see why that could be confusing because you have to look at the lights on the controller to see what's happening. That's probably the main difference between the way Annie uses the Zoe and the way I use it.
I either focus manually using the ring on the camera. Or I use the push autofocus on the camera. In fact I almost always use the push autofocus. Much of the work that I do requires me to reframe and focus very quickly.
My left hand operates the camera controls eg focus. My right operates the zoom (via the Zoe) and moves the tripod arm.
The variable speed control on the Zoe lets you creep the zoom so slowly that it's almost imperceptible. Slower than using the camera controls. Very useful for interviews because you can cut into the zoom if you need to.
A lot of footage eg of a crowd of people at some kind of event, that would be otherwise be unusable in the edit is usable when I use the Zoe.
It's usable because the transitions and reframing are so much smoother and quicker that you can quite often use them in the edit if you need to. You can also lock onto people or things quicker so you get more usable footage and catch things as they happen.
I'm mystified about the reference to it falling off. I fix it to an ordinary Manfrotto tripod and it stays put. Without tape. Always has.
It also works brilliantly on my Fig Rig.
Recently I lent my XA A1 to a friend to film a play and he came back raving about how good the Zoe is. This was completely unsolicited. I didn't even mention the Zoe to him before or after.
My A1 lives in a Pelican case together with the Zoe, my Sony A1E and other bits and pieces.
It's just about the best bit of kit that I've ever bought which is why I was so gobsmacked to read Annie's comments :-)

My problem is feeling the difference between the off switch and the others through at least one pair of gloves!

Don't get me wrong - the Zoe unit is, overall, a great piece of kit. The power off problem is the only thing I don't like about it and can't live with. Come to think of it, I could open it up and do something to that button to make it never work again... reckon that would void the warranty? (hah)

Good point.
Well, I think that one thing that we have established is that it's not the ideal lanc controller for wildlife camera work :-)

This much I can tell you about zoom controllers, they are easily damaged setting up and tearing down and going in and out of the tripod case (have lost two of them in three years) so keep that in the equation . . AND . . a controller which requires the least amount of hand action is less likely to cause camera movement which when zoomed in close causes a LOT of unwanted movement.

Thus for us, inexpensive thumb rockers are the best, cheap, and all lens actions are done with the other hand manually. That's our opinion.

I find it very fiddly to use any of the camera controls directly when I've got the portabrace body armour wrapped around it. Even more so when I'm wearing gloves (fingerless mittens usually). With the old Jessops lanc (rocker for zooming, buttons for focussing), I could hold that inside a glove, and then just operated the tripod head with the other gloved hand.

Which Lanc Controller for Pulling Focus?
 

Hey Guys

I need a Lanc controller to function as a pull focus so that the cameraman doesn't have to worry about focusing during tracking shots. then one of the crew members can pull focus for him and watch the focus distances on the LCD screen. I want precise focus control, zoom control doesn't concern us as much. The controller doesn't have to attach to the tripod handle and I want it to be wire control, not infra-red.

Does anyone else use a Lanc controller for this purpose with the XH A1?

Which Lanc controller would you recommend getting for focusing?

Ideally it would have an adjustable focusing speed.

Thanks!

Canon XH-A1 Lanc Controller - VZ-Rock
 

Greetings from Alaska. New to the board and its mind blowing. I am a fishing/hunting/outdoor guide up here and just started getting into videoing my outdoor adventures. I will have many questions as I have already spent 50 plus hours reviewing this site.

I have a Canon XH-A1. I am having a hard time finding the perfect controller setup for my Manfrotto 055CXPro3, 701HDV.


I have been looking at the 523Pro, and the Varizoom VZ-Rock.


Will these units adequately control the focus and zoom for my Canon XH-A1? Is there a better unit that will deliver better performance?


Appreciate your advice, help, and time.


Marc

Hi Marc

I'm in the same boat, I particularly want good focus control. There is another thread here that might interest you:

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/remote-le...non-xh-a1.html

More info
 

Thanks for the link to the thread, but I've already read every post within that thread and didn't really get to draw much of a conclusion from that entire thread. That's why I thought I'd post my own and see if anyone has any new fresh ideas.

We use the Canon controller, works nicely. Canon | ZR-1000 Zoom Remote Control | 3089A002 | B&H Photo Video

/Battle Vaughan/miamiherald.com video team

Any other suggestions
 

Any other suggestions?

There's the Bebob DVXL Universal remote zoom/focus controller, haven't used it though

Hi.......
 

If you're using the Canon XH A1, the only way to go is the ZR 2000.

It even, apparently, works the focus pretty good, something the ZR 1000 doesn't.

Not quite sure what else you're asking for here?


CS

Ooh, thanks Chris, I'll check that one out, I thought there was only a ZR-1000.

New controllers for Canon HDV
 

Manfrotto's introduced new line of controllers working much better with Canon HDV (XL-H1, XH-A1, XH-G1 and later). More information in the thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/remote-le...manfrotto.html

One gets PAF, MF/AF mode switch and variable speed focus control (pressure sensitive with zoom rocker).

TB

Manfrotto Lanc and Fig Rig
 

I have the old style controller on a Fig Rig...will the new one fit properly on the steering wheel?

The housing is the same, so without any problem you can use both 521i and 521PROi on the FigRig.

TB

Anything new?
 

I see this is a pretty old thread, but i'm probably buying me a figrig for my XH-A1 and I was wondering what you're experiences were (if any) with the controllers you were talking about here since it's likely I'll be buying one as well. I really like the ZR-2000 since it has the advanced focus features (magnifying/peaking), but it is a bit pricy. Or maybe i'm just cheap (don't hold it against me, i am dutch after all :P)

Anyway, let me know if you can.

Hi Edwin. I bought a Varizoom VZ Stealth LANC controller for use with my XH A1. Most of the controls work on it. Including record/stop. And it gives beautifully smooth stops and starts to zooms. The focus buttons work as well.

You could also consider new Manfrotto/Bogen remotes, which include specific Canon LANC extension, which enable advanced functions like push auto focus, or variable speed focus. You can find more information there: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/remote-l...manfrotto.html

TB

Bump into this thread as my Varizoom VZ-Rock stopped working after 1 year 2 months. One of the pins locking the spring mechansim fell out during the second use a year ago. Got a new replacement. Now the zoom level just stuck (won't spring back to level position) and the Record button just won't register from time to time. Actually very disappointed to VZ product.

I'm going to get the Manfrotto 521Proi

Anyone using the Manfrotto 523PROi with the XH-A1 S model, I read where the controller zoom is slow to kick in .. is that right?

I'm looking to use one with the Miller Compass 15 head, and need to know what is the diameter of the top of the 523PROi handle thanks.

Cheers.

I am using it with my XH-A1s. The zoom rocket speed can be set at either progressive or fixed speed. It's all customizable.

Thanks TC. So you're not having any trouble with slow zoom access times?

Checking around seems the diameter of the 523i pan handle is 19mm so I have to buy another one to fit the Compass head .. part number 522PB16. More bucks :(

Cheers.

low cost lanc controller for XH-a1
 

Found this on ebay....hype says it will work on the XH-A1.
The Canon controllers range from 170 to 350 bucks. this one is $39 !
Probably to good to be true.

Has anyone purchased one of these...sure dont want to hurt my A1 by buying some off brand equipment.

Heres the link Tripod LANC Remote Control for Canon ZR-1000 ZR-2000 - eBay (item 330481127569 end time Dec-04-10 08:42:55 PST)

Sounds far to good to be true. Mine cost me about $270, slightly less than shown here Keene Retail Ltd but same Manfrotto model - better than the Canon ones.

Don't see how anyone could market a reliable LANC for $40 but I've been wrong before.

FWIW, this one works and is very compact. Zoom control only. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/361366-REG/Libec_ZC_3DV.html

I'm surprised we haven't seen this earlier .. if the on screen display means camera LCD, depending what info it shows that could be handy.

It looks Ok but time on the web will tell if they last the distance .. stuff out of China is improving all the time.

I've got this Manfrotto Keene Retail Ltd it's excellent and the rec review is great to have .. but I wouldn't mind if it was a bit smaller.

Cheers.

If it werent for being afraid I'd harm my A1, I would order and check it out.
A lanc is a passive device right? (no voltage sent to cam)....although it could "short" the battery power if wired incorrectly. Not worth trying the test.

Thanks for the tips,
Jeff

Hi Jeff,

I have bought of these guys before. Their items are not top quality and you'll get what you pay for.
(CHEAP STUFF)

Do yourself a favour and look into the Manforotto 521PROI lanc control. You wont be disappointed.

Matthew

Hi Jeff

I bought one of this exact brand for my Canon XH-A1s. It works really well.
I'm sure it isn't as well made as the other more expensive brands but I've used this one on countless occasions filming concerts and stage productions.
I don't usually record to tape so I haven't used the record button at all, but the zoom is really smooth and the speed is adjustable as you are zooming.

I'd say it's worth the investment.

Richard

At 1/10 the cost, Im gambling on this unit. Surely it will work on either my A1 or GL1. Whats another $40 ha.

I can always get a pro model from B&H.

Wired LANC Remote Control for Canon XH-A1, XL-2, GL-2 - eBay (item 150517372727 end time Dec-08-10 01:10:02 PST)

Will post results to this thread when I try it out.

Jeff, how did your purchase go? I would like to buy a LANC for my XH-A1, and if I can save some $$, the better my bank account will feel. :)

I would love to know how it worked out for you.

Thanks!
Micky

the inexpensive one from b&h works absolutely GREAT !! i love it better than the Canon one at more $$$

Hi Rodger! Thanks for the reply and info! I really appreciate it!

Is this the LANC you are talking about:

VariZoom VZRock Variable-Rocker for LANC Camcorders VZ-ROCK B&H

Do you use it with an XH-A1?

Not as cheap as that Ebay one, but definitely cheaper than the other mentioned here. It would be interesting to know how that one compares to the Ebay one. :)

Thanks again!