Good performance, poor ergonomics
By William
Rated 4 out of 5
Date: 2025-01-06
This adapter leaves me with mixed emotions:
On the one hand, it allows Canon’s new “Z” series of zoom lenses to achieve their full potential for video … turning them into the full frame and f/2.8 versions of Canon’s wonderful CN-E Compact Servo lenses (like the 18-80 T4.4). The mechanical operation is quite good – the gear seem to mesh really well with that of the lens, and I haven’t observed any whiplash. Moreover, when used with a 20 pin zoom rocker (like the ZSG-C10), you can get some really nuanced control, with smooth acceleration as you change pressure on the zoom rocker. (Operation from the ZSG-C10 of the 24-105 2.8Z with the PZ-E2B feels just like that of the CN-E 18-80 T4.4, although the CN-E is just a split second faster zooming its full range at the fastest speed.)
On the other hand, the physical design and handling of this accessory aren’t well suited to the types of lenses this would be used for. As mentioned by other reviews, the control buttons on this adapter are not variable pressure: although there is a dial where you can change the speed at which they zoom the lens, they are binary – so you have very abrupt jumps from not zooming at all to zooming at that one speed … no ramping. As such, almost everyone considering this accessory should get the PZ-E2B variant (with the 20-pin connector) … unless you are 100% sure you will only be controlling the zoom with remote controllers or a zoom rocker which connects via the camera body (e.g. a LANC zoom rocker).
CONTROL ERGONOMICS:
The placement of this unit and its flawed buttons on the operator’s right-hand side of the lens doesn’t make much sense to me:
On other servo zoom lenses, the servo unit is on the right-hand side of the lens because it will have a zoom grip control mounted on it (either as a part of the unit or via a rosette mount/similar). On this unit, there is no integrated grip nor a rosette to mount one, so that reason does not apply here.
Furthermore, when hand-held with the lenses this grip was designed for, I will always want to hold the lens in my left hand because my right hand will be holding the camera grip (e.g. of the R5 C, C80, etc). So even if I wanted to use the zoom buttons on this device, that’s not really practical with this lens.
The competition:
Sony and Panasonic have solved this problem for some of their hybrid power-zoom lenses by putting a sliding variable force switch on the operator’s left side of the lens. While I certainly prefer a proper rocker grip, I think the variable switch on the left is a better compromise than Canon’s approach of the non-variable buttons on the right.
My recommendations:
For low-profile/handheld use (e.g. with the R5 C/C70/C80), I’d love to see a further accessory or another variant which could mount a low-profile zoom rocker to the lens by which the operator could both hold the lens (photography style) and achieve smooth and nuanced zooms thanks to a rocker (vs buttons).
For larger setups (e.g. with the C400), I’d love to see Canon release a right-handed camera control grip which has both the controls for the camera’s menu and a variable zoom rocker (like Sony’s GP-VR100 … or even the Canon SG-1 for the C700). (Even if you purchase the ZSG-C10, it is only-available in a right-handed configuration as are Canon’s camera control grips. At least if one was available in a left-hand variant that would help, but I would prefer one grip with both the zoom rocker and the camera joystick and buttons).
Perhaps Canon could release a firmware update for its cameras which added an option to include a ramp (of selectable length) to smooth the start and stop of zooming when the servo unit’s buttons are depressed and released.
LENS CHANGE ERGONOMICS:
Finally, due to the shape of this unit there are two inconveniences:
1. The unit blocks the lens foot of the 24-105 Z and 70-200 Z lenses from being removed while in landscape orientation. Of course, if you rotate the lens collar (20º or less) you can then remove the foot, so this isn’t a huge issue. However, I find this frustrating since, when using with my R5 C, I have one ARCA foot attached to the tripod and then like to remove the camera by detaching the foot from the lens, so this is an action I perform repeatedly. (Since the 24-105 Z and 70-200 Z share the same tripod mount, this serves as an otherwise excellent cage-free rigging setup, as shown in a couple of the attached photos.)
2. The unit has very tight clearances with 15mm lightweight rods. Since (due to the direction by which Canon lenses rotate to mount) this unit will rotate down towards bottom mounted rods, changing the lens requires extra care otherwise this unit will hit the rod (actual clearance if done perfectly is ~2mm). This is another disappointment because I was expecting a very convenient lens swapping experience due to the unified size of the 24-105 Z and 70-200 Z lenses. (The CN-E Compact-Servo lens’ built-in servo units have a slightly-smaller and less boxy shape which make lens changes much easier in this regard.)
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
When used on the R5 C, providing USB-C PD power to the servo unit directly seems to increase its speed by ~80%. I tested this with an R5 C using firmware 1.0.9.1, and this result was the same on battery (a fully-charged LP-E6P) or even on USB-PD to the camera. (On the 24-105 Z: ~1.8 sec with USB-C power to the servo unit, ~3.2 sec without USB-C power to the servo unit. Similar results for the 70-200 Z.)
The servo zoom also works in the R5 C’s photo mode.
When used on the C400, providing USB-C power to the servo unit made no difference; the camera operated the zoom at its full speed without the additional power.
A LANC zoom rocker connected to the C400 will control the servo. And the control seems to transmit the variable pressure fairly well. However, there is a slight delay compared with using a 20-pin controller directly into the servo unit. If both a LANC controller and 20 pin controller are connected, both will control the servo; however, if you try to make a change from both controllers simultaneously, the command from the 20 pin will take priority (until it ends).
Once you get the hang of it, the unit is reasonably easy to install: the 3 captive screws that secure the unit are knurled so you can install by hand. Getting a good alignment of the unit and the lens before you can start tightening those screws is a bit tricky at first, but gets easier as you get used to it.
The Zacuto Right-Angle Extension Cable for Canon 18-80 Lens will not work with this servo unit because the angled part of the connector comes into contact with the side of this servo unit before the connector can be fully seated. As such, I needed to purchase a straight 20-pin extension cable for use with this unit.
CLOSING THOUGHTS:
Although I (and others) have some complaints about the design of this unit, it is typically possible to work around those; and, most importantly, the servo mechanics themselves are fundamentally sound. As such, you can achieve some great results when using the PZ-E2B and a proper zoom rocker (like the ZSG-C10). I am debating purchasing a second (that way, I don’t have to swap one unit between my 24-105 and 70-200) … but I am also hoping Canon might release an improved model based on user feedback. Either way, this servo unit is worth it because helps convert Canon’s “Z” zoom lenses from being great photo lenses into great video lenses which really have no rival in this price and size+weight class.
It works, but with compromises
By David
Rated 3 out of 5
Date: 2024-04-16
First off, if you're considering this add-on unit for your the 24-105 2.8 Z (and rumored that this will work w/ an upcoming new version of the 70-200), your wasting your money buying the $999 non-B version, here's why:
First off, the USB-C port on the PZ-E2 is useless on the Canon R3 as only this camera can supply the extra power for full zoom speed! Canon engineers confirmed this to me via support. R5/R6/C70 still need to use the usb power port for full speed zooming (but not the R3).
The buttons on the size are TERRIBLE, there not dynamic at all (pressure sensitivity) so it’s a terrible jerky zoom effect when you use them. When using the B version, you can plug in accessories via the 20 pin port. I’m using the Zoom Rocker add-on ZSG-C10, bought it used for $100, steal. This accessory adds the zooming dynamics you'd expect from this device (the rocker gives you smooth slow to fast zooms depending on pressure like a Camcorder).
Is it worth $1,300… no. The ergonomics are pretty poor and not thought out, lack of a built-in rocker like a camcorder is a major down side. Canon tried to keep it minimal at the cost of the adaptor being useful by itself. But, the actual servo zooming works well, it will help tremendously for B-Roll shots so it is what it is. I’m just a 1 man crew. The motor is quite unless at top speed, but does a good job, better than I could pull manually.
The only other option is to rig your camera & lens on a gimbal like the RS3 Pro and use the focus motor for zooming. This works well and is cheaper than what I’ve spent here ($1,400 + rig cage), but you don’t get the handheld look and it’s much heavier. Everyone will have a different purpose/use case. You decide what’s more important.
Rigging up the R3 with the ZSG-C10 was a challenge, but it can be done with some small rig gear, I'm still figuring out best comfort for longer shooting sessions.
I haven't tested it yet, but supposedly you can use the Canon Connect App to control the servo zoom remotely, but I'm not sure how reliable that would be anyways (the app has so many problems as is).
Again, you’re wasting your money on the $999 regular version. Those buttons are bad!
