Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted April 22, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 22, 2009 I know it's a bit old of a tread but serching for zoom control option I got into this. I have a Libec ZC-9 Pro and it works good (expecially after setting slow zoom speed in the front side of the lens handle) but do alll of you use the cable with it or do uou modify it? To me the cable is a little to much stiff... I have hard time trying to get rid of that cable and make it not interfere with my operating. If there's a thinner cable it would be very good... Some ideas or changes in it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jaron Berman Posted April 28, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 28, 2009 Chris Konash turned me on to these guys - Cooner Wire....somewhere in the valley, but they are a wire specialist in "limp" wires. I followed Chris' lead but with my libec zoom controller - switched it over to spaghetti thin and super flexible cable. Very nice! Their prices are reasonable if you buy in their minimum qty's....50' I think is the shortest? They do power cables for a number of rental houses, you've probably used them without knowing. Anyways, great guys and it's bizarre, but if you ever go over there, you may find yourself getting excited about wire. Bizarre but true - some of their cables are so ridiculously flexible it's fun. Also, in the process of milling a couple prototype clamps for the libec controller, we'll see how they come out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Matteo Quagliano Posted April 29, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted April 29, 2009 (edited) Thanks Jaron, All very usefull but I live in the other side of the country and then the ocean... I'm from Italy. The valley it's pretty far for me but you never know, may be someone is just waiting to hire me for a feature film in Holliwood... :lol: :lol: :lol: If so I'll give them a call, thanks for the good direction anyway... Matteo Edited April 29, 2009 by matteoquagliano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eduardo Tuviera Posted August 14, 2009 Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Here are two other alternatives: Varisoom VZ-rock C http://www.varizoom.com/products/controls/vzrockc.html or my personal favorite, the Libec ZC-9 Pro ZC-9Pro at B & H Note that the Varizoom is Canon only while the Libec is switchable. I own both units and think the cheaper Libec is the better quality unit. Jim "zoomzoomzoom" Bartell Hi Jim, I'm very much interested with the Libec. Does it zoom and focus?.. Ed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JimBartell Posted August 14, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted August 14, 2009 Hi Jim, I'm very much interested with the Libec. Does it zoom and focus?.. Ed No, just zoom. Most of the Professional ENG lenses don't have focus motors as standard. It's usually a very expensive accessory. The only unit that I know of that can control both is the G-Zoom. Jim "it's not the focus, I really look like this" Bartell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erik Barone Posted November 17, 2009 Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 Hello Everyone, I know this thread is a bit old but I figured I give my 2 cents. We bought a ZOE unit to replace a old J7 and it worked great....until it started to work like crap. It was drifting and the zoom speed dial fell apart. It basically was not standing up to the daily use it gets here day in and day out. So we purchased a Libec ZC-9Pro. This thing rocks. It seems to be built a bit sturdier than the ZOE. After several monthes of use we have had no drifting with out Fuji lenses. We currently have 3 Libecs in service and all are performing great. The Libec ZC-9Pro is definately the best replacement for the outdated J7 and cheaper that the Zoe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members JobScholtze Posted November 17, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 17, 2009 Hello Everyone, I know this thread is a bit old but I figured I give my 2 cents. We bought a ZOE unit to replace a old J7 and it worked great....until it started to work like crap. It was drifting and the zoom speed dial fell apart. It basically was not standing up to the daily use it gets here day in and day out. So we purchased a Libec ZC-9Pro. This thing rocks. It seems to be built a bit sturdier than the ZOE. After several monthes of use we have had no drifting with out Fuji lenses. We currently have 3 Libecs in service and all are performing great. The Libec ZC-9Pro is definately the best replacement for the outdated J7 and cheaper that the Zoe. I only wish you could change the zoom direction on the knob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Kevin Andrews SOC Posted November 18, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I mount my Libec reversed with the wire coming out towards the arm. This allows me to keep the cable nice and slack, (and looped above the gimbal) while giving the proper zoom control where my thumb actually lands. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Erik Brul Posted November 18, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 I mount my Libec reversed with the wire coming out towards the arm. This allows me to keep the cable nice and slack, (and looped above the gimbal) while giving the proper zoom control where my thumb actually lands. LOL .. well i do the same with both LANC and Broadcast controller. It´s a bit strange in the beginning but now i´m used to it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Jason Torbitt Posted November 18, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 18, 2009 Doesn't the Libec still have a beefy cable though? Causes quite a bit of drag... The Libec is switchable between Canon and Fujinon, which is a bonus. I have to say my original Zoe fell apart in the same way described, but my new one is fine. I also have a Varizoom controller, but the cable has an annoying habit of pulling out of the strain relief at the back of the unit. The solution: keep your old J7s (I have 2) because you never know when you may need them!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Kevin Andrews SOC Posted November 19, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 19, 2009 Doesn't the Libec still have a beefy cable though? Causes quite a bit of drag... Yeah Jason, the cable is kinda beefy, but I find looping it around the post on the top of the gimbal means it can't really pull much at all. It just kind of rotates with the camera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Ramon Engle Posted November 22, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Doesn't the Libec still have a beefy cable though? Causes quite a bit of drag... Yeah Jason, the cable is kinda beefy, but I find looping it around the post on the top of the gimbal means it can't really pull much at all. It just kind of rotates with the camera. Has anyone used the Preston DMF-S? Any Pics? Ramon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Edvard Friis-Moeller DFF Posted November 25, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Hi Ramon I just got a quote from Preston, and inquired about the gimbal mounted microforce controller. It has been discontinued, so i'm looking for another solution for cine lenses. Until now i have been on a Scorpio system that has been working without problems for many years, C-motion has a gimbal controller but the system doesn't seem to be as robust ...And the AC's i use regularly really want the HU3 :-) What are you guys using - Anybody using the Buzz and with what motors ? / Edvard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Pete Barta Posted November 25, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Hi All, This is no sales pitch just one man's opinion thought I'd give something back after reading so much useful information on the forum for so long hope mine is useful to someone out there in the steadicam community. I splashed out and bought the Universal Custom Focus/Zoom G-Zoom not knowing anything about it. You can order it online selecting one of four different versions of the G-Zoom to suit your needs. You also select your gimbal size when ordering so it fits on your rig. You then also select your desired cable for Fuji or Canon Lenses whether it's Zoom, Focus or both all which are an extra cost. Once the order was placed Erik who makes the G-Zoom get's in touch to make sure it's all correct and soon enough my G-Zoom arrived in a small pelican for protection, time to test the unit. Looking at the G-zoom it's made and feels robust and putting the G-zoom on the gimbal is easy, it fits nice and snug and has enough grip so it doesn't rotate on you when pressure is applied. The unit i bought has both zoom and focus. The zoom speed can be adjusted and the rocker is very smooth so very happy there. It also has a start stop button.The Focus knob is on the bottom of the unit so using your index finger on the unit makes it very comfortable, it is after all made for steadicam operators in mind by a steadicam operator. To be totally honest I initially had a small problem with the focus knob which made focus very twitchy unlike the smooth action on the zoom but to Erik's testament he replaced it which goes to show the support is there if something goes wrong. There is also a BFD edition which you can supposedly plug and play with your BFD for Zoom or Focus. Is there any one out there with one of these? I have a Preston HU3 and prefer an assist to do focus but for TV or concerts the G-Zoom is a must have in your steadicam kit. The G-Zoom ranges from $859- $899 for the different editions and the Zoom Focus adaptor cables are $99 each which is pretty good value for money. Happy flying, Pete Barta Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Members Aaron Medick SOC Posted November 26, 2009 Premium Members Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I have the G-zoom focus and zoom, canon, fuji, focus thru bartech. It's great. I bought it for the zoom and figured why not get the focus. Two weeks ago, I was shooting in midtown manhattan. The bartech went crazy. RF hits on every channel. I've never had this problem before. All I had to do was switch over to the g-zoom and we got all the shots. Later I talked to a Cop in the area. He revealed that there was a big meeting of government officials around the corner. It's protocol to run interference on all RF devises. The sound department was boned, but not me:) thanks Eric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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