Zoom remote

[JobScholtze]

Not sure where to put this, feel free to move it to another topic.

 

I use the Bebob Zoe III Zoom remote for some time now. ( started on my second one ) and it works great on the canon lenses. Only i have issues with the new style canon lenses, like 11x or 12x. Digital or not. It seems that the connector cant get a good grip on it or whatever. As if it cant get a good connection. Result is full zoom in and not able to zoom out, or not able to zoom at all. Anyone have this too? Any solutions for it?

 

 

Job

[Bryan Trieb]

Hey Job,

 

A few months ago, a friend rented my backup rig for a live tv gig. I have a newer ZOEIII on that sled, and he described the same problem as you have with the ZOEIII only zooming in upon connection and not being able to zoom out. This was also happening on the Canon lenses, but I'm not sure which ones (they tried more than one), cuz I wasn't on location. They eventually found a lens that worked with the ZOEIII properly.

Since then I take that ZOEIII with me on gigs just to plug it into whatever lenses are on set, and I haven't been able to re-create the problem.

So, I'd like to know the solution as well!

I'm curious Job, how old/new is your ZOEIII? Does it have the little pin hole on the left side of the body for center-tweaking? My old one does, my new one doesn't! http://www.steadicamforum.com/forums/style...fault/blink.gif

 

Cheers!

[Jason Torbitt]

Strange, I've been having problems with mine recently too, seems to be creeping very slowly on virtually all lenses, digital or not, and seems totally incurable, even using the tiny jewellers screwdriver on the adjustment pot on the side, as Bryan describes. Wondering if it might have got wet one time too many, moisture on the contacts?

 

I had a similar issue with the crash zoom in, and then it not working, but I opened the unit up, and it seemed to be a faulty contact where the adjustment pot unit is connected to the PCB inside - gave it a slight nudge back into position and it worked again. The creeping is still there however, and the only way I can remove it is to set the speed on the side wheel to approx. half way. This isn't so bad, as the Zoe is the best unit out there in my opinion, and it still lets you feather the speed of your zoom, and a neat start / stop.

 

The problem that you are both describing sounds like an issue relevant to certain lenses only, as opposed to my problem, which seems to have been a problem with the remote zoom itself. Did you also try tweaking the 't' and 'w' adjustment pots hidden under the small rubber caps on the lens servo itself, to see if that did anything?

 

I had to bring out my trusty old J7 the other day while my Zoe was in pieces - it's important to have backup for everything, I guess...

 

I might buy one of the Varizoom thumb rocker controllers, and see how that performs too.

[JobScholtze]

The older style canon lenses like the 9x isnt a problem. Its the newer 11x or 12x lenses. Not all of them, but always the one you get, lol.

Perhaps i should go the varizoom route. Or i'll ask bebob what the think. Btw, this is my second remote. The first one couldnt handle the tweaking, so that little pot broke down. The second one i have is 2 month old, same problem.

 

I think its the connector. Sometimes zooming is working while connecting the connector, When the connector is put, it isnt working anymore. All wires are there and all is connected the way it should be. Its just a design fault, it feels like the little pins of the connector arnt big enough for the lens connector. At least thats what i think.

 

Job

[Rob Vuona SOC]

Not sure where to put this, feel free to move it to another topic.

 

I use the Bebob Zoe III Zoom remote for some time now. ( started on my second one ) and it works great on the canon lenses. Only i have issues with the new style canon lenses, like 11x or 12x. Digital or not. It seems that the connector cant get a good grip on it or whatever. As if it cant get a good connection. Result is full zoom in and not able to zoom out, or not able to zoom at all. Anyone have this too? Any solutions for it?

 

 

Job

Just a note, or . . . I guess a question, I am hearing you guys talk about the Zoe controller but have you guys tried the Stanton Zoom/Focus controller? I have never had any problem with it with any lens. It just takes a little getting used to grabbing the handle instead of the yolk.

[Erik Brul]

Just a note, or . . . I guess a question, I am hearing you guys talk about the Zoe controller but have you guys tried the Stanton Zoom/Focus controller? I have never had any problem with it with any lens. It just takes a little getting used to grabbing the handle instead of the yolk.

 

A another sugestion, the cheapy LIBEC controllers. Little bulky in comparision with the ZOE but works flawless.

 

Erik

[JobScholtze]

Just a note, or . . . I guess a question, I am hearing you guys talk about the Zoe controller but have you guys tried the Stanton Zoom/Focus controller? I have never had any problem with it with any lens. It just takes a little getting used to grabbing the handle instead of the yolk.

Stanton is to big for my taste. Libec, i'll look into it.

[JobScholtze]

After speaking with bebob, i now know what the issue is.

New style lenses have some kind of modification, so the zoe wont work the way we want/need.

 

I have the zoe eng and the are gonna make a modification for it. I'll keep you guys posted how that goes.

[Bryan Trieb]

Hey Job,

 

Please do keep us informed on this one! I would gladly order a modified ZOEIII if/when it's released by Bebob....especially since I've just made a mod that allows me to focus, using Bartech's gimbal mount focus module.

 

Cheers!

 

[Anders Holck Petersen]

Oh great, just bought a brand new ENG 8.....

[Robert Starling SOC]

I've just made a mod that allows me to focus, using Bartech's gimbal mount focus module.

 

Hi Bryan, what did you use to make that mount for your Zoe?

 

The gimbal handle on my Tiffen C24 sled is tapered and a bit wide; the Zoe as is slips off due to the taper. Currently I'm just wrapping the gimbal with 1" gaff but it's ugly and not a great solution.

 

Thanks!

[Bryan Trieb]

Hey Robert,

 

I was inspired by Jeff Muhlstock's design/photo he posted a while back and used a soft microphone mount ( $5.00) and had my friends at the machine shop mount the ZoeIII. It slips on/off my XCS ergo handle easily, yet also stays well in place while operating. Just recently had the extra bracket made to undersling the Bartech focus remote.

 

With the gimbal handle on your sled.....sounds familiar to me. I also have a Master Series rig and the way I mount the ZoeIII on that was to remove the cone shaped tapered casing located just above the rubber curve on the gimbal handle. When removed, the ZoeIII can be easily attached without modification, and it never failed me while operating.

[Jason Torbitt]

It seems we're all following in the footsteps of Jeff Muhlstock! I also have a Master Series and a Zoe, and got hold of a microphone holder last week to do the same modification - regardless of what sled you have, I feel that the two prongs of the Zoe aren't too good for our work, and they seem to run the risk of scratching and messing up the gimbal handle over time - a nice secure, non slip mount is what's needed - I've lost count of the number of times that the Zoe comes loose mid-shot!

[Bryan Trieb]

Hey Job, wondering if you have any updates about speaking with Bebob about the Zoe modification to work with all lenses?

 

I'm sure there are a few of us on the forum who'd be interested to know what can be done so we can keep using our Zoe ENG remotes.

 

Thanks!

 

Bry

[Norbert von der Heidt]

Hi Job

 

Did you by any chance check out the Libec ZC-9PRO controller from B&H for $229. There was also a 8 to 12 pin adaptor available but doesn't seem to be offered there now. Great value!

 

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3613...ontrol_for.html

 

:D I'm really happy with it's performance and robust construction. I especially like the swinging mounting clamp which make it easy to get on and off my Master with, because of the taper on the gimbal, a little length of cable wrap.

 

Cheers

Norbert