OT: Bescor motorized pan head

baysidebas wrote on 4/22/2011, 9:00 AM

When I was the R&D Director at Spiratone back in the late 80's I worked with the Hong Kong manufacturer in developing this very unit. Gears aren't silent and I would not use this unit with the camera microphone. For best results you should use an external mic or audio feed. The supplied remote has a 48" cord and there are extensions available. I actually adapted a video game joystick as a control for my personal video shooting since it gave me a more ergonomic control of the camera.
Keep in mind that the pan/tilt speed is adjustable via a slider and as such you will miss the smooth variability of soft starts and stops of the action. As is, the unit is great for repositioning the camera but is no replacement for a fluid panhead and experienced operator.

bsuratt wrote on 4/22/2011, 10:15 AM

agree with baysidebas

Unit is fairly quiet.

I have used mine with 150 ft of control cable successfully.

warriorking wrote on 4/22/2011, 11:33 AM

I have 2 Bescor units and use them with my Sony AX2000 and Canon HG21 when I record Choir shows, only drawback with these units is at their slowest pan setting its still to fast when your zoomed in on your subjects, so camera placement has to be carefully planned when panning with these units,(the closer the better thus eliminating as much zoom as possible)
As for gear noise I have yet to to have any show up in post...I have two 50ft control cables that I use with the units and they have worked great ...

DSCalef wrote on 4/22/2011, 2:54 PM

I started with the Bescor unit and quickly found it didn't meet all my needs.

I found http://www.grizzlypro.com/systems.htm and bought a single unit knowing I would add at least a second. I soon added 2 more units to be able to control 3 in all. That means I could run 4 cameras, with 3 of them remoted.

They use CAT5 runs to each camera to control Pan/Tilt and with LANC on a camera, Zoom and Focus and well as start/stop record. They also feed me return video to the control position.

I have used them in all sort of situations, presidential canidates, interviews, speeches, meetings, weddings, etc. I even occasionally use one just to view the return video when I have an operator using a jib with a full remote head, to see what his shot is as I control the other cameras.

Well worth the $1200 for one of $2940 for all three. And, as I did, you can start with one and slowly added additional units. Now, if it would just handle a heavier camera such as my Sony XDCAM PDW-355, I would be in heaven.

GenJerDan wrote on 4/22/2011, 4:03 PM

Don't remember the noise levels, but if you want to see some footage: http://www.genjerdan.com/ccp/Films/PanTilt/PanTilt.html

DVX-100A, probably 24P. Can't find the .veg for it. :^)

Oh. And there's a mod for it "out there" that lets it do 360 degrees.

RalphM wrote on 4/22/2011, 6:48 PM

Thank you all for your replies; they have really answered a lot of questions. The video was helpful as well as it gave me a reference for pan and tilt speeds.

The upscale unit suggested is probably overkill (and over budget) for our present need, although it does have some really desirable features. Fortunately, the operator will be close enough to run a LANC cable to the camera, so we can cover pan, tilt and zoom.

Many Thanks,
RalphM

richard-amirault wrote on 4/23/2011, 11:56 AM

....only drawback with these units is at their slowest pan setting its still to fast when your zoomed in on your subjects, ...

Those are two variables that are not specified. The most important being how "zoomed" you are. If you lens has only a 5x zoom you have much more latitude in pan speed than if your lens has a 20x zoom.

Mikey QACTV7 wrote on 5/1/2011, 3:40 PM

I use 2 of them in a meeting room for the Gov. They have held up for us very nice. They should be great for church. Just make your camera move then switch to camera.

warriorking wrote on 5/1/2011, 5:02 PM

My typical setup with the Bescor units while filming my choir show project's is as follows''
3- Cameras, A Sony AX2000, Canon HG10, Canon HG21
2-Bescor Units, one attached to the AX2000 the other to the HG21, I keep the HG10 on a fixed tripod,
All 3 cameras are viewed from a Dell 24" LCD Monitor at my table, each connected VIA HDMI to a HDMI switch, so with a flip of a button I can alternate between cameras for all adjustments...
The Stationary HG10 is always directed at the piano or musicians, depending on the musical number, so my only adjustments are with the Zoom.
The AX2000 and HG21 are used to film the choir itself, (HG21 for the group shot, the AX2000 for pans and closeups) so shots are easily done without ever touching the cameras, depending on the size of each choir, which vary greatly in size from group to group at the scheduled event..
My AX2000 is controlled via a Manfrotto lanc controller, while my HG21 and HG10 are controlled by their included remotes since these canons models are not lanc capable...The Bescor units allow me to position the AX2000 and HG21 to any angle I may need while filming without ever having to leave my seat, and using a 24" Monitor makes filming the events a breeze....
The Bescor units run on batteries as well as AC so placement is never a problem. As for the weight limitations of the units the specs state they will operate with cameras up to 6 pounds, But my Sony AX2000 with the large capacity battery as well as a additional wide angle lens, and shotgun mic brings the weight up to a hefty 7 to 9 lbs..but the Bescor still handle's it quite easily....They do the job I ask of them and then some.....I have 2 shows coming up in May so they will get another workout soon...

RedRob-CandlelightProdctns wrote on 3/6/2023, 12:14 AM

I've been hoping to find a better controller for my Bescor MP101 but haven't found one yet. The Grizzly solution linked above seems awesome -- one controller that sends LANC to camera and PT to the Bescor -- but I'd rather find a controller I could mount to a pan-bar or tripod, with a joystick-like setup -- twist to control variable zoom and joystick motion to control pan/tilt.

Anyone ever come across a controller like this for under $300? I don't need wireless or conversion to CAT5.. just one controller that can send signal down both cables... I have no problem running the Bescor 5-pin cable or 2.5mm LANC cables bundled.

fr0sty wrote on 3/6/2023, 12:18 AM

Moved to the off-topic forum.

Howard-Vigorita wrote on 3/6/2023, 3:38 PM

Nowhere near as affordable as Bescor, but Edelcrone is hard to beat for quality, smoothness, and flexibility. I've been testing their individual slider and pan units. They also make a combo pan/tilt device with a laser tracking option. And rail-mounted motorized focus pullers that I understand can also be used for motorized zoom if those functions are controlled by rings on the lens barrel. All easily controlled via a free cell phone app or a small optional wireless controller.