Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 8, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 I'm researching lightweight options for zoom-focus control for broadcast lenses on my Flyer. In particular, the newer HD lenses that, as I understand it, include a focus servo motor. I'll be using it primarily with a Panasonic HPX500. Stanton is too big and heavy and requires motors and bracketry that tips the camera over the Flyer's weight limit. G-zoom looks sweet, but I'm wondering if there are any other options to consider, that would offer focus as well as zoom on Fuji and Canon HD glass. Doesn't look like Varizoom or Libec offer anything that includes focus control. I appreciate any help or real-world insights. I've about worn out the archives... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Thomas K. Jensen Posted June 8, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 8, 2010 I'm researching lightweight options for zoom-focus control for broadcast lenses on my Flyer. In particular, the newer HD lenses that, as I understand it, include a focus servo motor. I'll be using it primarily with a Panasonic HPX500. Stanton is too big and heavy and requires motors and bracketry that tips the camera over the Flyer's weight limit. G-zoom looks sweet, but I'm wondering if there are any other options to consider, that would offer focus as well as zoom on Fuji and Canon HD glass. Doesn't look like Varizoom or Libec offer anything that includes focus control. I appreciate any help or real-world insights. I've about worn out the archives... Hello Mark. I own the G-Zoom with option for Bartech focus (I only own lenses without internal focus motors), Anyway I'm really happy about the unit. It just works every time, it's well build, and fits perfectly on my Clipper312. As a backup, I use a Varizoom Zoom control, and that's a totally different product. It's more Clumsy and dosn't work nearly as smooth as the G-Zoom. I can warmly recommend the G-zoom. But call or email Erik - he can help you to get the right connectors, and the right size for your Flyer - and I'm sure that he will be happy to answer your questions. All the best (o: Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mike Germond SOC Posted June 9, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 (edited) call or email Erik about the G-Zoom...it is the lightest, most compact zoom/focus all in one controller you will find. I too have a Varizoom controller and it's not ideal, clumsy and not very smooth basically summed it up. The trouble may be if he can make it small enough for the Flyer gimbal handle. I too am curious, so let me know what you find out.. Edited June 9, 2010 by Mike Germond Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 9, 2010 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 Hi, Thomas! I have a Libec zoom control and it actually is a pretty nice little unit, but after unexpectedly being asked to go lowmode all day for a documentary-style corporate shoot, I really wished for a focus control. Reaching down to set my focus on the lens manually was very fatiguing! I traded phone messages with Erik today, we were both on-set. I'm researching lightweight options for zoom-focus control for broadcast lenses on my Flyer. In particular, the newer HD lenses that, as I understand it, include a focus servo motor. I'll be using it primarily with a Panasonic HPX500. Stanton is too big and heavy and requires motors and bracketry that tips the camera over the Flyer's weight limit. G-zoom looks sweet, but I'm wondering if there are any other options to consider, that would offer focus as well as zoom on Fuji and Canon HD glass. Doesn't look like Varizoom or Libec offer anything that includes focus control. I appreciate any help or real-world insights. I've about worn out the archives... Hello Mark. I own the G-Zoom with option for Bartech focus (I only own lenses without internal focus motors), Anyway I'm really happy about the unit. It just works every time, it's well build, and fits perfectly on my Clipper312. As a backup, I use a Varizoom Zoom control, and that's a totally different product. It's more Clumsy and dosn't work nearly as smooth as the G-Zoom. I can warmly recommend the G-zoom. But call or email Erik - he can help you to get the right connectors, and the right size for your Flyer - and I'm sure that he will be happy to answer your questions. All the best (o: Thomas Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Stone Posted June 9, 2010 Report Share Posted June 9, 2010 Mi Mark, I am interested in finding out about a G-Zoom unit fitted for a Flyer. Any information gleened would be appreciated. -Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Markus Rave Posted June 10, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 10, 2010 As far as I could see G-Zoom is something like the Zoe from Bebob (www.bebob.de). I had the older version and it worked very nice. Maybe an alternative. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Anderson Posted June 11, 2010 Premium Members Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 Hello All OK most of the newer Fuji and Canon lenses have internal focus servos (Fuji will have a 12 pin connector on the bottom of the lens and it will be labeled...Canon will have a 20 pin connector and will be labeled as well) The G-Zoom basically comes in 2 flavors the BFD Edition which is hard wired to connector directly to the "pot in" connector on the BFD (Thanks Jim Bartell for that option and the BFD!!!!) and the Custom Edition that will have a universal connector and will allow you to use whatever connector suits your needs eg;Fuji, Canon, BFD focus adapters...hence the slightly higher price over the BFD Edition. The Flyer has a gimbal (handle) size of about an inch and yes I do make units to fit the Flyer. Well I hope I gave some info and clarified things a bit. If not you can always contact me here or at the website www.g-zoom.com Also thanks to Thomas and Mike for the kind words about the G-Zoom. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Mark Schlicher Posted June 11, 2010 Author Premium Members Report Share Posted June 11, 2010 Erik, Thanks for the call yesterday and for this info. Helps a bunch. Best, Mark Hello All OK most of the newer Fuji and Canon lenses have internal focus servos (Fuji will have a 12 pin connector on the bottom of the lens and it will be labeled...Canon will have a 20 pin connector and will be labeled as well) The G-Zoom basically comes in 2 flavors the BFD Edition which is hard wired to connector directly to the "pot in" connector on the BFD (Thanks Jim Bartell for that option and the BFD!!!!) and the Custom Edition that will have a universal connector and will allow you to use whatever connector suits your needs eg;Fuji, Canon, BFD focus adapters...hence the slightly higher price over the BFD Edition. The Flyer has a gimbal (handle) size of about an inch and yes I do make units to fit the Flyer. Well I hope I gave some info and clarified things a bit. If not you can always contact me here or at the website www.g-zoom.com Also thanks to Thomas and Mike for the kind words about the G-Zoom. Erik Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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