Found Canon 80D Video Creator Kit

I found this Canon 80D Video Creator Kit on Amazon, but there is something under the lens I have never seen before.

What is this under the lens?

https://www.amazon.com …TF8&qid=1507634​387&sr=1-5

I am just curious...

Thank you

I'm pretty sure that is to motorize the zoom ring, so you can get a nice, smooth zoom while filming.

https://www.bhphotovid​eo.com …wE&is=REG&m=Y&s​ku=1225881

Bob,

Thank you very much.

It is very surprising to me that the PZ-E1 only works with the one lens, AND that lens is not an L lens.

Inspeqtor wrote in post #18469593
Bob,

Thank you very much.

It is very surprising to me that the PZ-E1 only works with the one lens, AND that lens is not an L lens.

Well, it seems like more of a cheap hack than a high end solution. Better manual options are available for pros.

Inspeqtor wrote in post #18469593
It is very surprising to me that the PZ-E1 only works with the one lens, AND that lens is not an L lens.

In concept the device must cradle the lens and engage the zoom ring so by design has to be lens specific and perhaps camera specific. It might be an effort on the part of Canon to feel out the marketplace. With the design it isn't terribly expensive and the 18-135 USM is a common walk around type lens.

The reviews at Amazon are mostly positive. The typical items in the complaint column are lack of compatibility with other lenses, noise on the "fast" setting, and some people think it overpriced. There is one individual that has used it on a 70D.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18469597
Well, it seems like more of a cheap hack than a high end solution. Better manual options are available for pros.

Do you know what the better manual options are?

Thank you

John from PA wrote in post #18469599
In concept the device must cradle the lens and engage the zoom ring so by design has to be lens specific and perhaps camera specific. It might be an effort on the part of Canon to feel out the marketplace. With the design it isn't terribly expensive and the 18-135 USM is a common walk around type lens.

The reviews at Amazon are mostly positive. The typical items in the complaint column are lack of compatibility with other lenses, noise on the "fast" setting, and some people think it overpriced. There is one individual that has used it on a 70D.

Looking at the PZ-E1 and the 18-135 lens, it appears to me it engages the zoom ring via electronics, all though I do see a gear on the PZ-E1 , so maybe the electronic connections are for another purpose?

I thank you also

couple ideas

Inspeqtor wrote in post #18469611
Looking at the PZ-E1 and the 18-135 lens, it appears to me it engages the zoom ring via electronics, all though I do see a gear on the PZ-E1 , so maybe the electronic connections are for another purpose?

I think the "gear" in the power adapter mechanically drives the zoom ring. Keep in mind that with most Canon lenses, it is recommended that the zoom be set first, then the focusing should be accomplished. Since the 18-135 lens with the power zoom is simultaneously doing both focusing and zoom, I suspect that the 2nd set of contacts on the power zoom adapter are providing feedback to the camera as to the exact zoom setting while the camera functionality is maintaining the focus.

By the way, the 18-135 manual is at http://gdlp01.c-wss.com …35-f35-56isusm-im-eng.pdf. I can't seem to find a manual specific to the PZ-E1 and there isn't any mention of the device in the 80D manual that I located on line, but it may have preceded the PZ-E1 release.

Left Handed Brisket wrote in post #18469640
couple ideas

Both of those surprised me, in that the bulk of the videos were for focusing, not focal length, although the 2nd video mentioned one of the handles was for focal length.

Thank you for these

Inspeqtor wrote in post #18469727
Both of those surprised me, in that the bulk of the videos were for focusing, not focal length, although the 2nd video mentioned one of the handles was for focal length.

Thank you for these

The concept is the same whether you want to focus or zoom, you just need a better way than to do it than grabbing the lens.

FWIW, and I'm no big video guy, zooming while shooting video is generally avoided except in cases where a specific look is required. Typically the shot is framed and the camera is moved rather than zoomed to insure a consistent look with the compression of visual elements in the scene.

John, and LHB,

Thank you both for your input. I too very rarely do any video shooting, but when I saw the new (too me anyway) gadget, I was curious as to what it would do for the video photographer.

Thank you again!

Inspeqtor wrote in post #18469809
John, and LHB,

too very rarely do any video shooting, but when I saw the new (too me anyway) gadget, I was curious as to what it would do for the video photographer.

So says Canon "allowing for incredibly smooth zooming that may be difficult to do manually." Perhaps a method to get a nice smooth zoom action as applied to a still image. See https://digital-photography-school.com/using-the-zoom-effect/ for a short write-up on the technique.

Because of the new focusing system, the lens is a bit pricey but has good features for video. Along with this accesory, Canon released a shotgun mic for the 80D so this is their foray into video.