Sorry I didn't go into great detail, mostly because I realize that it'll never work even if I do find an adapter.

The remote on the tripod has what they call a "Sony Standard Remote plug" and it has controls for Zoom, Photo, Power, Record, and Guide Frame. The camera however only supports remote controls (via 1/8" jack) for: Input 1: Focus and S/S, Input 2: Focus and Iris. (basically what the focus/zoom ring does) So you can see there is a great mismatch in what the specific controls are between the camera and the tripod controller.

I think I'll just have to buy a separate remote that attaches to the handle of the tripod. But as I said, it's a real shame because this remote handle is just so nice and easy to use. Every time I use the tripod, my fingers start trying to use the controllers and I have to keep reminding myself they don't work (their not attached to the camera) and that I have to use my other hand to work the controls on the camera itself.

It was just a stupid mistake on my end. I should have checked more carefully about the compatibility.

I love how when the swear filter makes what is probably not that bad a word into what (in my imagination at least) is a terrible word. Kind of reminds me of this: ;-)

You might be able to find an adapter cable. A quick Google search revealed this: http://www.studio1productions.com/lanc-sa.htm It appears to go the wrong way (i.e. Panny->Sony rather than Sony->Panny). But, I bet someone makes the the correct adapter cable.

Edit: My mistake - see Bob (farss) post, one down. I just spent about 45 minutes looking for something that might adapt a Sony/Canon lanc controller to Panasonic, and came up empty. (I could have sworn I saw a Varizoom at B&H that said, "compatible with Sony/Canon, also works with Panasonic" - I guess my mind is playing tricks on me again [grin]).

...Jerry

Those adaptors are Sony <> Sony.
Sony changed from using the 2.5mm minipin for LANC to incorporating it into their A/V connector.
As far as I know Panasonic do not use the LANC protocol for their cameras so no amount of cable adapting is going to work. Panasonic use a very basic control system, so simpe you can pretty much roll your own. Well they did on their DVX100 camera, that may have changed.

Varizoom make a lens controller for Panasonic cameras which simply clamps onto the standard sized pan handle for $300 which is probably what would give the OP what he wants.

Bob.

farss is correct -Varizoom is the "equivalent" of a Panasonic "LANC" -
a remote lens controller if you will-
although it has nothing in common with the Sony/Canon communications protocol known as LANC

Just so you don't mix Sony and Panasonic (Matsushita) up again.
Note this,... for the past 50 years these two electronic giants of Japan do not engineer the same way and probably never will. They are competitors of the first kind. They in effect employ teams of people to reverse engineer the other's products and then rebuild in a unique way to avoid damaging lawsuits. Their products do not work the same by any means. And they are happy to maintain market share by doing so.

"Varizoom is the only Panasonic LANC "

Just so no one gets confused the Varizoom unit is not LANC.
LANC is a serial communication protocol developed by Sony over 10 years ago. It has been used not only for camera control but also VCR control. It's bidirection single wire and apart from commands also carries TC. Canon also use it.

From memory Panasonic use a much simpler voltage / potentiometer type of control, the voltage determines zoom and focus servo position.

Bob.

"I love how when the swear filter makes what is probably not that bad a word into what (in my imagination at least) is a terrible word. Kind of reminds me of this: ;-)"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's funny Laurence, because I actually didn't even use a swear word. The word I used was s.t.u.p.i.d.
Geez, the swear filter is pretty strict around here, I can't even call myself stupid. LOL!

amendegw - Thanks for trying to search for an adapter for me, I appreciate it.
And thanks for everyone else's input as well. I think the easiest thing for me to do is just buy a Sony camera to fit the Sony remote control on the tripod! But if I do that, my wife would probably beat me repeatedly over the head with said tripod until I became an EX-video enthusiast.

I'll do some more looking around, but as I said it's not really a big deal....unless I get an actual paying job where any shaky camera movements caused by using my left hand to control right handed buttons would become unacceptable. I wish I could at least have been able to put the tripod handle on the left side, so I can operate the controls on the right side of the camera with my right hand. That's really the part that's troublesome.

To Leee:
Note that I edited my previous post above.

The Topic of SONY LANC:
When Sony introduced the LANC control protocol it was a big deal. I have an entire editing bay with multiple VCR's that is based on the Sony Lanc. When Canon introduced it in a slight variation - the incompatibilities sort of dampened the thrust of such an innovation.

There is an entire industry (small-entrepreneur) built on selling the Sony LANC -but varizoom is one ot the most expensive.

Recommendations:
If you can find a good SONY camera with LANC - buy it.
2) Buy yourself a good tripod with fluid head
3) Get a lower priced LANC controller from a third-party made for Sony and then mount it on side and place that you like best for using.

THE Sony edition tripods were generally 2nd rate and the LANC placement was awkward.

I believe the Libec ZC-3DV would work for you.

It states: Exchange switch: LANC / P

I have a similar Libec for my PMW-EX1 and it works very well.

John