>> I just discovered a tiny, inexpensive ($40) Sony RM-VD1 Lanc

>> controller that can turn on/off the camera, start/stop recordings,

>> and zoom (one speed only - it appears to be at the slowest rate,

>> the most useful). It clips neatly onto the tripod control arm or onto

>> a finger (this is a rather unusual but interesting way to use it...;-).

>> See it at:

>> www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=details_accessories&A=details&Q=&sku=278376&is=REG

>> (don't you hate excessively long URLs, too...!? ;-).

>> --

>> David Ruether

"Curt Zimmerman" <cwz@mc.net> wrote in message

news:624e80p44vps16kbv0b1nnn65aaev9ik0t@4ax.com...

> I bought a cheap tripod on eBay that has a LANC controller on it. One

> of it's features is an adjustable zoom speed. It can do very nice

> consistant slow zooms. It's so cheap, even if you just use the handle

> it would be worth it. Here is a link:

> http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=23780&item=3810321438&rd=1

> Curt

Yes, but the tripod is useless for decent video movements.

I once did the same to get the Sony Lanc controller, which

I removed from the handle - then I gave away the useless

terrible tripod...;-) For less money, and with some advantages

(being very small, able to mount it almost anywhere, and

able to simply "mash" the zoom rocker and get a consistent

slow zoom), the RM-VD1 is remarkable. BTW, I also like

the Canon Lanc controller since it has either a variable zoom

rate on the rocker, or you can preselect a single speed of 5

available and also just "mash" the rocker - though it looks

like the one you pointed out above also can do this, making

it a cheaper alternative...

--

David Ruether

d_ruether@hotmail.com

http://www.David-Ruether-Photography.com