Servo Options for remote Zoom

[RobA]

Hi, am having difficulty in finding options/research online for a remote zoom servo motor.

I am using a DLSR (eos 50d) on a 20 ft mast with laptop link and want to be able to remotely control the zoom. Cabled or wireless are both options i would consider. Would be grateful for any suggestions or experience anyone has.

thanks

RobA

[TDS]

as per my knowldge there is no servo control zoom of DSLR lens.
One has to put a belt around zoom ring and control with ordinary servo. you can see its pic on aerialproducts.com
http://www.landscapesofindia.com

[Overviews]

Originally Posted by OTAS-USA

RobA,

Here's how I addressed the "manual zoom" issue, using a Hitec (robot) servo. I design and fabricate my own gear as needed.

http://www.aplanding.com/forums/pict...&pictureid=590

http://www.aplanding.com/forums/pict...&pictureid=589

http://www.aplanding.com/forums/pict...&pictureid=588

Impressive engineering skills there but I have to say that the toothed belt looks like a very smple solution.

[Monterey_Tip]

Nice solution OTAS. I tried fitting a belt to my zoom and it worked OK...tended to skip a bit. Your's looks more solid.

Tip

[MalcolmLoudon]

Pretty sure that you can control the zoom electronically on a Canon using PSRemote software (DSLR version of the software, not the point and shoot version).

http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm

[wiesenflieger]

Originally Posted by MalcolmLoudon

Pretty sure that you can control the zoom electronically on a Canon using PSRemote software (DSLR version of the software, not the point and shoot version).

http://www.breezesys.com/DSLRRemotePro/index.htm

thats technically impossible because there is no inbuilt motor to move the lens layers around...
solely the focus can be remote controlled electronically (given that the lens has a focus motor ,ie auto focus)

[Flying Tivo]

I would have to side on the belt, just because of lightweight and simplicity.
OTAS:
Nice set of skills you got there, i just wish. Sometimes i just wonder why i became an MD.

Felipe

[MalcolmLoudon]

Originally Posted by wiesenflieger

thats technically impossible because there is no inbuilt motor to move the lens layers around...
solely the focus can be remote controlled electronically (given that the lens has a focus motor ,ie auto focus)

Apologies, I stand corrected on that.

[leejinks]

One thing I liked about my P&S over the dSLR is the ability to zoom electronically. However, I would not give up the quality just to get a little convenience with the zoom. Right now, I just set the focal length from the ground an push the pole up. Bringing it down and sending it back up will only take a few seconds. By the time I've taken a shot or two, I'm ready to move locations anyway which will cause me to bring to pole back down.

[Guido44]

Here's a place I bookmarked from an APL post for pulleys and belts if you decide to go that route:

Rapidonline.com


Dan

[RVV]

Another belt and pulley supplier

http://www.sdp-si.com/

(in New York)
Used them for a few years, prompt service

[Envision]

Lynxmotion
SDP/SI

I don't know if one of these will work on an SLR lens.
http://dvcity.com/dve/product_info.php?products_id=203
If so, I read somewhere that they are 32 pitch gears so these will work on the servo.
http://www.servocity.com/~servo/html...unt_gears.html

EDIT: This may be helpful.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...tialSearch=yes

Troy

[Envision]

I believe this was the 32 pitch method I saw, it's meant to be used with the follow focus gears which are 32 pitch, or as shown on there website .8(32), someone correct me if I'm wrong...
http://store.zacuto.com/zip-gear-replacement.html
Here it is with the gear lock housing.
http://store.zacuto.com/zipgear-univ...able-gear.html

[RobA]

thanks for all the tips and suggestions guys.

[spyboy]

Has anyone had issues with over torquing the lens (using a gear rotation servo).

I'm torn between using a gear w/focus ring (mounted over the zoom ring) or a servo lever to just push the lens zoom ring.

Also, which control on your r/c radio are you using? I was thinking the non-spring throttle, but that has a much more limited range.

[cky]

I have been using this system for a while now. The pivoting servo allows for a variety of lens diameters without have to readjust. Easy to mount camera and lens and it exerts NO side to side stress on the camera and lens. (unlike a belt or O-ring drive) The rubber bands holding the aluminum half-ring in place allows for slippage if the servo is allowed to overdrive the endpoints a bit.

A good sized servo is required if using a large telescoping lens barrel. Power needed to retract when pointing down.

I find this is mandatory when doing mast work. Just use the throttle channel control for zoom control. A good hi torque analogue servo is preferable, the digital servos always buzz and consume a lot of power.

[PhotoShip One]

that's nice Chris! seems like the perfectly engineered solution!

[cky]

The pivoting servo allows for asymmetric linkage setups. Linkage lengths and angles are no longer an issue.

The simplest setups usually work the best. I am using a JR4131 for most of my lenses. A longer lens (18-200) would need a higher torque servo. The 18-55 kit lens only needs a cheepy servo to work.

[spyboy]

CKY, can you post up any other angles of your zoom servo rig? This looks like exactly what I need for my mast setup (currently running a Photoship One 3X Mast rig)

[cky]

Here is just the servo part...