"LANC" for DSLRs ??

RalphM wrote on 1/5/2012, 9:25 AM
I'm considering a DSLR as my next "video camera". I see that a motorized zooms have become a reality and should help with problems of camera movement caused by operating a manual zoom. For my existing Sony camcorders. I've found LANC controllers to be invaluable for smooth zooms without shaking the camcorder.

Does anything exist in the DSLR or mirrorless camera world that gives LANC-like control?

Thanks,
RalphM

Comments

Laurence wrote on 1/5/2012, 9:28 AM
Unfortunately, the answer is no. I love my DSLR, but the only thing I can do remotely is to snap stills.
darbpw1 wrote on 1/5/2012, 2:22 PM
Oh, contraire, mon frere. Opteka wireless RC-4 remote for Canon DSLR'S. not hard-wired like LANC (certainly preferable) but it will start and stop video in mode 2. $7.95 on Amazon.

Your welcome

darb

(Vegas Audio, Vegas Video, Vegas 2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11)
farss wrote on 1/5/2012, 2:33 PM
That unit solves nothing.
Some of the point and shoot cameras have motors to drive the zoom, the DSLRs don't, no motor, no way any controller can move the lens.

You can add an external motor for zoom, iris and focus and control that anyway you wish but those motors and all the hardware that goes with them are expensive.

Bob.
darbpw1 wrote on 1/5/2012, 3:31 PM
I had not read the previous post fully. True, the Opteka only controls video on/off functions. There are no LANC-type options for any DSLRs I know of. Lot's of wireless and motorized bolt-on options coming on-line, but clunky and pricey.

Sorry for confusion,

darb
farss wrote on 1/5/2012, 3:40 PM
'clunky and pricey"

Some of the ones I've seen from Arri are far from clunky, pricey, oh yes indeed.
Of course if you can afford $50K + for that bit of kit I think you'd be using something a tad better than a DSLR.

Bob.
darbpw1 wrote on 1/5/2012, 3:49 PM
Beautiful stuff! Yes, that wouldn't be clunky strapped on an Alexa! Have to wait until I can afford one of those(drool...)- but still way too far out of my league.

After years of bulky BetaCams and small sensor camcorders, I'm just happy to have a DSLR that shoots video at all. Fun times.
RalphM wrote on 1/5/2012, 4:03 PM
There are very few motorized zooms for DSLR and micro 4/3 cameras.

Check out http://www.dpreview.com/previews/panasonic_x_14-42_3p5-5p6/

I have a simple Canon 35mm film unit that is over 20 years old and has a motorized zoom - It would not seem to be that difficult to add a remote to such a lens. I know that zooming can be easily overdone, but I shoot frequent long-form video such as plays, and the zoom is very helpful for those instances where my second camera is not going to get the angle I need.