2007Follow Focus forum
Preston gimbal-mounted zoom control for Steadicam focus pulling
19 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
- The Preston microforce product number 2001 can be mounted on a gimbal handle and provides responsive zoom control with the characteristic sensitivity of Preston focus pullers.
- The control unit contains circuitry in a plastic box that is bulky and difficult to position where the operator can see the LED display during operation.
- The thin cables connecting to the control buttons are fragile and can be damaged by catching on equipment docks.
- Tape applied to the interior of the gimbal handle can improve grip stability for the mounted control.
- Motor cable connectors come straight by default but right-angle versions are available if specified at purchase.
- Mounting the microforce on gimbal handles with foam covers, such as the XCS ergo handle, can damage the foam padding during installation.
- Removing one side of the split bushing on the knob clamp allows the microforce to fit onto the gimbal without damaging the anti-slip plastic covering.
- Operator-controlled zoom using a Preston unit is more difficult for hitting precise lens focal lengths compared to video-style zoom controls.
- The ZOE III offers a larger movement area for zoom control and can be mounted on gimbal handles using a rubber microphone mount, but is considered a video-only solution for most applications.
- The BUZ system by Jim Bartell allows video zoom controls to work with cinema lenses when used with a dedicated zoom motor, providing an alternative to Preston controls for operators preferring video-style zoom feel.
- Preston appears to be the primary manufacturer of gimbal-mountable zoom controls designed for Preston motor systems.
Depends on
- The LED position display cannot practically be viewed during operation due to unit positioning constraints.
- Exact compatibility details with various gimbal models and foam cover types may vary.
- The ZOE III approach may not suit film production workflows according to some users.
- Discussion of alternative zoom systems like BUZ remains anecdotal with limited performance data provided.
- Participants had differing preferences about whether pressure-sensitive versus larger-movement zoom controls work better for Steadicam operation.