Comments

mark-woollard wrote on 5/30/2006, 10:16 AM
Researched the same question at NAB. Visited Sony, Manfrotto and Varizoom booths. Emailed Bebob.

So far, the answer is no. And the prospects look bleak. Sony US rep at NAB booth said Sony Japan does not like to release proprietary information, including LANC codes.
Pcamp wrote on 5/30/2006, 10:26 AM
Thanks for sharing your info. It is a shame that it can't be resolved.
epirb wrote on 5/30/2006, 11:42 AM
I have the vaizoom rocker and it seems to work great at all speeds with great control. no problems with getting a real slow crawl.
This is on a FX not a Z but iwouldnt think there is a diference in the two cams controls.
craftech wrote on 5/30/2006, 11:43 AM
Just curious,

What happens if you switch image stabilization "OFF" or "ON"? Any difference?

John
mark-woollard wrote on 5/30/2006, 12:31 PM
Eric

What's the minimum zoom time you get with the varizoom rocker going from full wide to full telephoto.

From other posts in other forums, it seems by backing off on the camera's onboard rocker zoom after you get it going, you can do over 60 seconds, but LANC controllers don't do much better than about 26 seconds.
epirb wrote on 5/30/2006, 1:01 PM
Just tested it and you are right ,about 26-28 seconds withthe Vz-rock I have. Both w or w/o image stab on and off.
Did try the backing off thing I see what you mean definately slower if you use that method. It does not work that way with the external lanc controler though, that is true.
I guess for what I do the 26 sec zoom seems slow but i could see where the Real slow would be nice. Its almost unnoticedable unless looking at the edge of the frame.

johnmeyer wrote on 5/30/2006, 2:50 PM
More info here:

Lanc Zoom Discussion
Serena wrote on 5/30/2006, 6:45 PM
Really not a problem. Wrap a string around the zoom barrel and wind the other end up by a clock minute hand shaft drive; zoom will take hours or days, depending on the shaft diameter. Or in the field tape the end of the string to the shell of a snail (big snail for fast zooms, small snail for slow).
farss wrote on 5/30/2006, 6:59 PM
Great idea, except for the filters on the sensors on the zoom ring.
Would be good on a manual lens though.

Bob.
Serena wrote on 5/30/2006, 7:05 PM
Yes, I suppose ring positional sensor resolution could be a problem and the zoom would probably proceed in a series of steps matching that resolution. Still, at that rate the viewer probably wouldn't notice the increments, attention having gone elsewhere.
farss wrote on 5/30/2006, 7:25 PM
I think the problem is if you move the ring slowly enough the filtering just assumes it's noise and doesn't respond. That's also why follow focus gear is not 100% accurate on this type of lens, the physical position of the focus ring doesn't match any particular distance / setting.
Bob.
Serena wrote on 5/30/2006, 8:47 PM
Faster snails, then?
Actually the link John posted talks of much practice enabling people to make 100 sec zooms, so we only have to beat that to be champs.
riredale wrote on 5/30/2006, 9:26 PM
Actually, guys, I think the zoom on the Z1 is just like the zoom on my FX1, in which case it's calibrated in focal length and tied directly to the lens elements. In other words, it's not a free-spinning zoom like nearly all other camcorder zoom rings.
Serena wrote on 5/30/2006, 9:41 PM
No, zoom ring is only a positional input to the servo drive. But yes, it does have mechanical stops. If it was mechanically coupled the ring would revolve when you used the motor drive.
Serena wrote on 5/30/2006, 10:14 PM
Curiousity is a great time waster --- I happened to have a mechanical snail and chilli on hand and gave it a burl. Can do a very slow and continuous zoom. Didn't get out the stop watch, but a 5 minute zoom is easily achievable without problems with drive filters etc.

Note: no snails were harmed in the making of this movie.
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/30/2006, 10:34 PM
check out the FOXI system that 16x9 distributes. You might find that very much to your liking. It can be preset much like the transition on the camera. I use the Bebob, and don't find any issue with it, but I'm not trying to do 5 minute zooms.
farss wrote on 5/31/2006, 12:29 AM
The FOXI sadly only works with the Panny cameras. The Panny DVX 100 and HVX 200 take a voltage input which means you can remotely define a precise zoom position. Sony use LANC which is way more complex and doesn't give precise control.

The Zoe is a LANC controller that will work (in theory) with Sony cameras. The only reason I say "in theory' is never assume that every LANC controller will work with every camera. As Douglas has checked out the Zoe then it's a goer. Still knowing Sony there's probably some camera lurking out there that doesn't work right with it!

Bob.
Serena wrote on 5/31/2006, 1:30 AM
I use a "Studio 1" LANC which works very well with the FX1 and is well configured for field operation. Gives much finer manual focus control than the course adjustments available at the lens focus ring. Nice price, also.

lanc
Spot|DSE wrote on 5/31/2006, 6:40 AM
Actually, at NAB 16x9 had a prototype FOXI on a Sony cam. I put it in my Studio Monthly weblog during NAB, butcan't find it just now.
I'd expect it will be shipping soon.
Has a small switch on it for going from Panny DVX/HVX to LANC.
farss wrote on 5/31/2006, 6:47 AM
Interesting!
We asked the guys on the 16x9 stand at NAB and they said only Panny but maybe they didn't know about the new prototype.

If you find out anymore let us know, we'd sure like to buy a few, in fact one clients wants to fly a Z1 on a 30' JimmyJib with a hothead but the controller for the other end is causing grief, the FOXI might solve the problemo.

Bob.
Pcamp wrote on 5/31/2006, 7:06 AM
I am using a Manfrotto 523 it gives a full zoom in of ~22 seconds. The rocker switch on the Z1 will easily do a 40 to 45 sec zoom with no tricks. I am simply looking to access that 40 second zoom through LANC. Will any of the products mentioned here do that?
Thanks
Serena wrote on 5/31/2006, 7:57 PM
Why not ask Studio 1 if they can make you a special? -- could be a matter of an added resistor.
craftech wrote on 6/1/2006, 4:18 AM
Why not ask Studio 1 if they can make you a special? -- could be a matter of an added resistor.
===========
Studio 1 does not make any of their own products. They are like a mini Sears in that respect.

John
epirb wrote on 6/1/2006, 4:39 AM

>Why not ask Studio 1 if they can make you a special? -- could be a matter of an added resistor<

It looks like the problem is not that the controler manufacture wont modify it, its in the cam that is the problem.
according to the post from one of the guys from Varizoom.
the following is a quote from the link John posted above:

>"If Sony has a way to access that slower speed they have been unwilling to share it. It may be impossible to activate this slow speed by remote. It is unfortunate and frustrating because it would be so nice to utilize those slow speeds by remote. I have both the Z1 and FX1

If it becomes possible to implement these speeds by remote we will make it available immediately. Being in the control business we get many calls from videographers when considering a purchase of a new camera. I know it has cost many sales for Sony.

Tom

VariZoom Lens Controls"<