VZ-Pro-L
for DV, Hi-8 and other camcorders
equipped with a Control-L jack

VariZoom has created the world's first lens remote control system for DV camcorders. A true variable speed and manual focus controller, the VZ-Pro-L utilizes the Control-L (LANC) remote jack to control almost any DV camcorder including the Canon XL1, Sony VX-1000 and others. Now for the first time, owners of these camcorders can use jib arms and tripods, having the same type of remote lens control found on professional broadcast cameras costing thousands more. The combination zoom rocker and speed control dial allows you to vary speeds in a single movement -- smoothly from a slow crawl to fast and then slow again. Also features manual focus control, a "wake-up from standby" switch, a recording light indicator, and a universal tripod/crane mounting clamp.

ADVANTAGES

• Precision variable speed control over camera zooms. Ramp up from slow to fast and then slower again in a single move.
  
• Push-button manual focus is conveniently at your fingertips so you can precisely adjust the focal plane within a shot.
  
• Wake-up from standby: When the camera automatically powers down into sleep mode, you can push a button and on the VZ-Pro-L and be ready to shoot immediately.
  
• LED light indicates recording, low battery power, tape out and other signals. Six-foot LANC cable is built in to the unit.
  
• Tripod handle configuration with rubberized foam grip for maximum operator comfort.
  
• Heavy-duty clamping system allows operator exceptional control over tripod and camera functions simultaneously with one hand.
  
• Precisioned machined from high grade aluminum with a beautiful brushed finish.
  

• Assembled with top quality components and the highest degree of care and craftsmanship.

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• Works with most any camcorder equipped with a Control-L (LANC) jack, including DV, Hi-8, Super-VHS, VHS and Digital-8 camcorders, including the Canon XL1, Sony VX-1000, TRV-900, PD-100 and others; Hi-8 camcorders such as Sony VX-3, and many more.

Varizoom designed a new Pistol Grip to get the best zooms from a (any) hand-hold cam.  Functions: start/stop, variable zoom, so adjustable  from creepy zoom to high speed zoom  AND professional manual focusing from one hand! This was the part we were missing.

Order INFO

Have you got more questions please send your E-mail to: Varizoom x ( for our new mailadres please see header on our new site www.global-dvc.nl )

 

MANUEL

Chris Hurd used the Varizoom for his Canon XL1 and wrote to this kind of 'manuel' with his remarks.

"Greg" sent me the following information and thought it might be of general interest: I just got the Varizoom yesterday. It appears to be a very well made product -sturdy, cast aluminum construction. Everything is smooth and well-finished. Happily, it does what it is suposed to do. It plugs into the Lanc input on your camera -btw, it will only work with Lanc controlled cameras - and has a nice big rocker for zoom control I have used it on a job, and once you get familiar with the button placement, operation of the controller becomes natural... you don't have to think about it, just use it while concentrating on your shot.

A while back I had mentioned a couple of remote zoom and focus controllers coming out for prosumer-level DV camcorders. It's supposed to work on any DV, Hi-8 or S-VHS camcorder that has a Control-L jack, which is just about all of them. The camcorder I used with the VZ-Pro-L is the Canon XL1, but I'm sure the results will be similar for other makes and models.

Basically, the VZ-Pro-L is a brushed aluminum box with a rubber-coated grip handle. The box clamps onto your tripod pan handle, and becomes an extension of that handle, so that with one hand you can move the camera along with controlling focus and zoom, as well as tape start/stop and wake-up from standby mode.

The variable-speed zoom control consists of a rocker switch and a speed control that lets you dial in the desired zoom speed. You can set the dial for a particular speed and just leave it there for a series of focal length changes at that constant speed setting... or you can adjust the dial while zooming "on the fly" to ramp the zoom speed up or down during a shot. The speed control is located directly below the grip handle, easily accessible by your index or middle finger while your thumb controls the zoom rocker. It's like a remote *manual* zoom.

On the top side of the unit next to the zoom rocker is a record stop/start button, off to the side just a little where you can’t just accidentally hit it while working a zoom. An LED lights up to indicate recording, and blinks when there's no tape in the deck. I haven't found out yet if it blinks when battery power is low or the tape end is near... will try to check for these possibilities soon. On the right side of the controller box is another button, protected by a raised bevel to prevent accidental triggering. This is the "wake up from standby" button, which will power up a camera which has gone into sleep mode. It works one way only; it won't activate the standby mode, just the wake-up function. For XL1 users, this is a welcome feature, as that camera is prone to enter standby faster than others. If you've got a camcorder perfectly positioned up on a jib arm and it goes to sleep, this button comes in very handy.

On the bottom side of the controller are the two focus buttons, one for each direction. I had thought there would be a single push-to-focus button, but instead, VariZoom gives you a little more control by allowing you to determine your own focus plane. In other words, if you have foreground elements sharing the frame with background elements, you can use the focus in/out buttons to set the focus exactly where you want it. With practice, you can utilize these buttons to perform a rack focus move. Unfortunately there are no "stops," no presets to keep you from moving the focal plane too far in or out, but for many XL1 users, it's certainly more predictable than using the lens ring. This feature works only if the camera is preset to manual focus. One note to XL1 users... "Green Box" (easy recording) mode is *always* auto focus, even when the lens switch is set to manual (don't use it).

The VZ-Pro-L is a just a production tool -- it doesn't control a number of parameters that are provided by the LANC specs. For example, there are no tape transport controls beyond the stop/start feature... it would have been nice to have a cue feature to bring up the last frames of the previous shot. However, most camcorder's supplied IR remote will do this anyway.

The VariZoom controller is designed with the ergonomics of video production foremost in mind: just put your hand on the grip, and lens controls are naturally at your fingertips; allowing you to concentrate on your videography... that's where its value is.

VariZoom's price is $425.  It's an extremely useful tool considering that it turns your DV camcorder into a studio rig where you don't have to touch the camera body while tape is rolling (I always hated that).

Chris Hurd webbsite is: http://www.mediadesign.net

 

Some more first reactions:

VariZoom Customers include at this moment :

Networks and affilliates from CSPAN, CNN, Discovery Channel, NBC, ABC, CBS, USA Sports, The Learning Channel.

Customer Comments:

"You delivered as promised superior control of all crawl speeds"

"I installed VZ-upgrade kit in 15 minutes and it performed flawlessly, We will tell everyone..."

"Our studio crew fight over the VZ controllers."

"I was skeptical at first but now I love it. Great control for all rehearsed movements."

"Absolutely the most versatile controller I have ever used, I am very pleased."

"Now that I have mine I will tell you to (CHARGE MORE) it's worth it..."

"As a freelancer I never know what camera package I will be using from day to day and with the VZ-100 it doesn't matter because it works on nearly ever video camera lens made."

"Thank You for making a high quality yet affordable zoom control."

"I am very happy with your products and have never had a problem."

"It has become standard equipment for use with our steadicam units..."

"Thanks VariZoom. I have both Canon and Fujinon lenses and only one low cost controller with excellent control..."

"Yesterday I received the Varizoom VZ-Pro-L. Today I took it out on a 13 hour shoot here in Alaska. The weather was nasty and the shooting was tough. The Varizoom VZ-Pro-L performed flawlessly for the lengthy outdoor shoot. By the end of the night the unit had become an integral part of my arm. It's an absolute pleasure to use it and well as enabling more finesse in technique. It's found a permanent home on my tripod arm."

"Thanks, now I can use my jib arm to its full potential."

"I am a wedding videographer and I love my VZ-100."

"I just received one of the first produced units for use on my XL1. It is simply fantastic! In fact a friend of mine was so delighted with the Varizoom unit, he has decided to finally purchase an XL1! It gives you professional quality variable speed control of zooming, real manual focus with two well positioned buttons and a wake-up button should the camera go into standby mode. I thought it was a bit pricey, until I got it! I love it! It is the closest thing to a broadcast remote you can get!"

 

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