Gimbal zoom control for video cameras?

[Thomas K. Jensen]

Thank you for the information. I think i will go with g-zoom solution, much smaller and no second handle, also cheaper. For now it will do the job. Thank you all again.

 

I also have a G-Zoom, and I think it works great.

Can't think of any other brands that works that great, and it fits like a glove.

When you buy, get Erik to though some spare springs, and screws in there.

I lost a screw on a job in a forrest, and I couldn't find it. Now I have spare screws and springs, so I can fix it.

[John atkinson]

In a live show does the VTR button key your headset mic somewhat like the Stanton does?

 

 

It's all personal preference, but you get what you pay for. My philosophy is to spend the money and buy it once. If you cheap out, you'll end up buying it again. I got the first Stanton F/Z and once you get used to it you don't even think about it. Having it rewired with shorter thinner cable is a must, though. For people that do a lot of Live TV/truck production you can't count on the lens having internal focus as well as zoom. Performance is critical and when I see a show you can almost see the cheaper zooms lurching when starting or changing direction. The Stanton is bulky, but it covers all video lens configurations and is very smooth. Plus you have range adjustment for focus and zoom centering which are very important as well. Not an ad, but most guys do have this.

 

John A

[Mike Germond SOC]

In a live show does the VTR button key your headset mic somewhat like the Stanton does?

 

Robert, I spent 5mins in the Lens menu and Camera menu today on Golf Channel's Sony 1500 and made my VTR button trigger the camera intercom instead of my returns. I don't normally use it this way because we use wireless Tempest Clear-Com beltpacks, but it is a working function of the G-zoom nonetheless.

 

In a live show does the VTR button key your headset mic somewhat like the Stanton does?

 

 

It's all personal preference, but you get what you pay for. My philosophy is to spend the money and buy it once. If you cheap out, you'll end up buying it again. I got the first Stanton F/Z and once you get used to it you don't even think about it. Having it rewired with shorter thinner cable is a must, though. For people that do a lot of Live TV/truck production you can't count on the lens having internal focus as well as zoom. Performance is critical and when I see a show you can almost see the cheaper zooms lurching when starting or changing direction. The Stanton is bulky, but it covers all video lens configurations and is very smooth. Plus you have range adjustment for focus and zoom centering which are very important as well. Not an ad, but most guys do have this.

 

John A

 

John, I got the G-zoom for its smooth zoom trigger, compact design, and interface with digital lenses. But I have worked with cheaper controllers like the ones you probably speak of, and some of them will lurch no matter how delicate the operator. And while a G-zoom AND a BFD receiver may cost more than a Stanton setup, it's a no brainer for those of us that already have a BFD in our kits to cover both digital and standard lenses. I wasn't raised on the Stanton, so I've always preferred to have my hand on the gimbal handle anyways. The centering pots on the G-zoom are also accessible for the end user to tweak if need be.

 

In the end, we're all saying the same thing, it's totally a preference thing. I'll admit I was skeptical of what the performance of the G-zoom might be when I was shopping, but I wouldn't change my decision having used it on live TV every day for the past 8 months without a breakdown. For me, I like the feel of my hand on the gimbal with the zoom right where my thumb naturally rests and focus right at my pointer finger.

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

In a live show does the VTR button key your headset mic somewhat like the Stanton does?

Teach me the Jedi ways Robert! How exactly do you do this with the Stanton? Do I need to be attached into the camera or the Stanton with my com headset? I'd hate to drop another cable off the camera, I usually get a wireless com from audio... What kind of drop time are you using with all these tethers anyway?!?

[Robert Starling SOC]

In a live show does the VTR button key your headset mic somewhat like the Stanton does?

Teach me the Jedi ways Robert! How exactly do you do this with the Stanton? Do I need to be attached into the camera or the Stanton with my com headset? I'd hate to drop another cable off the camera, I usually get a wireless com from audio... What kind of drop time are you using with all these tethers anyway?!?

 

No Jedi tricks Alfeo! When the comm system is connected to the back of the camera like a Sony 1500 or others you push the button on the Stanton and it keys the mic; a built-in function.

 

I've copied Rob and Andrew's comm systems for my live setup using a little stubby broken boom mic into the camera connector and a wireless audio transmitter to send the comm audio to a receiver attached to my vest and a pair of custom in-ear buds. To talk to the Director I just key the mic via the Stanton and talk to the back of the camera. They rarely want us to talk back anyway.

 

What this system does is:

1) Eliminate the comm wire and crap-shoot headsets between camera/rig and operator.

2) Be able to walk away from the rig while it's docked instead of on a leash. You can still hear but you have to run back to talk into the back of the camera if called.

3) The custom in-ear audio buds provide hearing protection and enough exterior isolation so you can hear the Director over a wall of Marshalls :blink:

 

Rob and Andrew use Sennheiser packs but I use a Lectrosonics UCR100 since it mates with an ENG Audio kit I have in my rental gear to give me a third wireless lav when needed.

 

I went one step further by adding a 9v battery eliminator on the transmitter / sled side so the sled powers the transmitter and I only need 9v's for the receiver attached to my vest.

 

Now I'm way OFF topic.... sorry!

 

Robert

[Robert Starling SOC]

... In the end, we're all saying the same thing, it's totally a preference thing...

 

Just to be clear, I've yet to try to the G-Zoom personally; all I know is I've had a two respected and seasoned live ops (not Rob or Andrew who are both seasoned and respected) tell me they've experienced some challenges with it.

 

I'd love to try one and see for myself one day but I'd be leery to give up the Stanton and it's little motor that works with any lens without adding a BFD to my Preston HU3/MDR2 system. I just wish they'd modernize and make a slinky cable for the Stanton.

 

Robert

[Rob Vuona SOC]

... In the end, we're all saying the same thing, it's totally a preference thing...

I just wish they'd modernize and make a slinky cable for the Stanton.

 

Robert

 

I hate the cable of the Stanton and really want to get it modified, I spoke to Stanton about it and they won't change their cable loom and they even went as far as saying those cables are flexible , bahahahaaaa . . . . .

Maybe one day I'll mod my extra stanton and make the two little speghetti thin cables for it . . . .

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

I tried today the remote to trigger comm and yes this worked, buy still went with the bulky wireless comm because I hadn't figured out the method you guys are using... I even asked the comm tech wether a Bluetooth jumper would be pratical off the xlr. Was thinking of modding an old heli aviation headset just for driving around town!!! Then got to thinking about this problem.

 

Not off topic... HIJACKED!!!

[Alfeo Dixon SOC]

Anybody seen, used or heard reports on this unit?

 

http://www.vocas.com/links/zif100-link.htm

http://www.abelcine.com/store/Vocas-Z-10-Zoom-Controller/

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RWOwTJiv9w

[John atkinson]

Back to those awful thick cables!

 

JA

[Tomas Riuka]

Looks greta, but why so bulky again...

[Nick Karatsaousidis]

I bought BEBOB ZOE-ENG-12.

http://www.bebob.de/produkte/?product=8393&lang=en

Very nice and compact( Looks a bit big on photo)

 

Nick

[Dimakovalchuk]

Hi,

 

I'm all new to this, but is the G-zoom able to have a adapter to LANC? I am wondering if there is something out there that will give me professional results but will be able to work with LANC. Anything Helps!

 

Thanks!

[Martin Stacey]

As far as lanc is concerned you might want to look at the Libec 3DV