SteadiHub
2008Follow Focus forum

Repair viability and technical differences of J7 zoom controls for Steadicam follow focus systems

18 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.

DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.

What the thread found

  • Early J7 zoom control units were available in versions with different pin-out configurations for Canon and Fuji lens compatibility
  • All J7 units included pressure-sensitive sprung potentiometers for speed control rather than requiring manual pot adjustment on the lens servo
  • A common maintenance issue with J7 units was centering drift that could be addressed by drilling access to the trim control without full disassembly
  • Zoe III from Bebob was suggested as a modern alternative pressure-sensitive zoom rocker option with auto-sensing between different connector types

Depends on

  • The thread does not provide repair cost estimates or definitive recommendations on whether repair is economically justified
  • No clear answer was given about current availability or where to purchase J7 combo units
  • The exact technical specifications distinguishing different J7 variants were not fully detailed

Gear in this thread

BFD

Parts

Follow Focus

Same gear or parts

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