A1U zoom setting trick at DVinfo.net

Jason Donaldson · June 18th, 2007, 08:03 PM

Most of you might already know about this, but as a new A1U owner I didn't know. I actually found this on another forum tonight, and thought I would share it for those that might not know.

If you really need precise, extremely slow zooms, do the following:

Turn off "steadyshot", and turn on "full scan". Now try zooming! It takes my A1U about 1 minute and 20 seconds to zoom from full wide to full zoom!

I also assigned steadyshot to my assign button for easier access to it.

Larry Price · June 19th, 2007, 05:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jason Donaldson

Most of you might already know about this, but as a new A1U owner I didn't know. I actually found this on another forum tonight, and thought I would share it for those that might not know.

If you really need precise, extremely slow zooms, do the following:

Turn off "steadyshot", and turn on "full scan". Now try zooming! It takes my A1U about 1 minute and 20 seconds to zoom from full wide to full zoom!

I also assigned steadyshot to my assign button for easier access to it.

I don't know about anyone else, but I didn't know about it. Thanks for the tip! I've got the Bogen/Manfrotto 531 LANC controller that I use with sticks or a Spiderbrace. It allows much finer control over the zoom speed. But, I'll have to give your tip a try and see how things work.

I'm still pretty new to the A1U myself. Unfortunately, life has been cutting into my "play" time more than I'd like.

Aloha

Victor Wilcox · June 19th, 2007, 07:59 AM

I gave it a try last night. Steady shot off, full scan on. My zoom speed didn't change. I tried control over the record button and the one on the LCD panel. Am I missing something?

Sounds like a great tip. I'm just wondering if works for all A1Us.

Mikko Lopponen · June 19th, 2007, 10:36 AM

Try the zoom lever. Works for the hc1 by going to the shot transition mode first.

Jason Donaldson · June 19th, 2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victor Wilcox

I gave it a try last night. Steady shot off, full scan on. My zoom speed didn't change. I tried control over the record button and the one on the LCD panel. Am I missing something?

Sounds like a great tip. I'm just wondering if works for all A1Us.

I noticed that if you don't have a very soft touch, it won't make a difference. You have to feather the zoom lever in order to get the extremely slow zoom

Alex Thames · June 21st, 2007, 01:39 PM

No, on the A1, a soft touch doesn't work. The softest touch will get you a max slow zoom of 10 seconds if you don't play with some settings. There are many, many settings you can turn on/off (not just the ones listed in this thread) to achieve a slower zoom of 26 seconds. This is a flaw of the A1.

Jason Donaldson · June 21st, 2007, 07:16 PM

I'm telling you, turn on full scan, and turn off steady shot. Then just use the zoom lever with the slightest touch, and I mean SLIGHTEST and you will get the slowest zoom you have ever seen. It is hardly even noticable it is so slow. My zoom, with these settings, and a soft touch on the lever, takes 1 minute and 20 seconds, and that's with digital zoom off.

If your using your zoom lever normally, then no you won't get the slow zoom I am describing here. The key is an extremely soft touch.

Peter Rhalter · June 27th, 2007, 12:50 PM

I tried this out and the slowest zoom I can get is around 40 seconds, which is still pretty slow.

Best wishes,
Peter
______________________
Grand Canyon views guide
http://www.parkfilms.com/gcviewpoints.html

Jason Donaldson · June 30th, 2007, 07:22 AM

Maybe the firmware is different on various models...I just love this zoom

June 18th, 2007, 08:03 PM	#1
Jason Donaldson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Canada Posts: 180	A1U zoom setting trick Most of you might already know about this, but as a new A1U owner I didn't know. I actually found this on another forum tonight, and thought I would share it for those that might not know. If you really need precise, extremely slow zooms, do the following: Turn off "steadyshot", and turn on "full scan". Now try zooming! It takes my A1U about 1 minute and 20 seconds to zoom from full wide to full zoom! I also assigned steadyshot to my assign button for easier access to it.

June 19th, 2007, 07:59 AM	#3
Victor Wilcox Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Iron Horse Guest Ranch, Waller County, TX Posts: 340	I gave it a try last night. Steady shot off, full scan on. My zoom speed didn't change. I tried control over the record button and the one on the LCD panel. Am I missing something? Sounds like a great tip. I'm just wondering if works for all A1Us. __________________ Vic Wilcox, http://wilcoxvideoproductions.com/Default.aspx Sony FDR-AX100, DJI Phantom 4 Pro, GoPro Hero 8 Blk, Vegas Pro 15, DaVinci Resolve 18

June 30th, 2007, 07:22 AM	#9
Jason Donaldson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Canada Posts: 180	Maybe the firmware is different on various models...I just love this zoom __________________ HVR-A1u,WCS-999,HVL-20DW2 w/diff,2xAudio-Technica Freeway 600,Flycam 3000,Vegas 7E

June 19th, 2007, 10:36 AM	#4
Mikko Lopponen Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 393	Try the zoom lever. Works for the hc1 by going to the shot transition mode first.

June 21st, 2007, 01:39 PM	#6
Alex Thames Major Player Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: New York Posts: 508	No, on the A1, a soft touch doesn't work. The softest touch will get you a max slow zoom of 10 seconds if you don't play with some settings. There are many, many settings you can turn on/off (not just the ones listed in this thread) to achieve a slower zoom of 26 seconds. This is a flaw of the A1.

June 21st, 2007, 07:16 PM	#7
Jason Donaldson Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Canada Posts: 180	I'm telling you, turn on full scan, and turn off steady shot. Then just use the zoom lever with the slightest touch, and I mean SLIGHTEST and you will get the slowest zoom you have ever seen. It is hardly even noticable it is so slow. My zoom, with these settings, and a soft touch on the lever, takes 1 minute and 20 seconds, and that's with digital zoom off. If your using your zoom lever normally, then no you won't get the slow zoom I am describing here. The key is an extremely soft touch.

June 27th, 2007, 12:50 PM	#8
Peter Rhalter Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	I tried this out and the slowest zoom I can get is around 40 seconds, which is still pretty slow. Best wishes, Peter ______________________ Grand Canyon views guide http://www.parkfilms.com/gcviewpoints.html