Why no power zoom lenses for the Canon world? As far as I know, unless you want to spend $30k, Canon makes only one, and is a kludge accessory for the actually very good 18-135 that...

tgreenhaw

As far as I know, unless you want to spend $30k, Canon makes only one, and is a kludge accessory for the actually very good 18-135 that only works for APS-C.

Sony has a number of nice options.

Am I missing something? Why aren’t there some nice options in the Canon world for smooth zooms when shooting video?

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

tgreenhaw wrote:

As far as I know, unless you want to spend $30k, Canon makes only one, and is a kludge accessory for the actually very good 18-135 that only works for APS-C.

Sony has a number of nice options.

Am I missing something? Why aren’t there some nice options in the Canon world for smooth zooms when shooting video?

Perhaps because they prefer the manual zoom?

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Architect1776 wrote:

Perhaps because they prefer the manual zoom?

I personally find the manual zoom more precise than trying to anticipate and let off on the power lever on the power zooms I do own. It always stops too long or too short.

BebuLamar

You need power zoom for video? Otherwise manual zoom is much better for still.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

robertjerl wrote:

I personally find the manual zoom more precise than trying to anticipate and let off on the power lever on the power zooms I do own. It always stops too long or too short.

Totally agree.

gwilliams6

Folks , the power zoom lenses I have owned could ALSO be used in manual zoom mode, they all have manual zoom rings. It wasn't only one way or the other. But it often is nice to have both options.

Sony has always had them in fullframe E-mount and APS-C E-mount for its cinema cameras and also for its hybrid still/video cameras, to go along with its cinema prime lenses. And ALL of their PZ (Power Zoom) lenses can also do manual zooming.

Sony's latest fullframe PZ lens: https://digitalrev.com/2022/03/29/sonys-new-fe-pz-16-35mm-is-a-cool-power-zoom-lens/#:~:text=Ever%20heard%20of%20a%20Power,and%20you'll%20be%20close.

As DigitalRev says about this Sony FE PZ 16-35mm F4 G lens, "What’s really clever is that the speed of the zoom can be adjust to one of eight settings."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9UidBrlsSs&t=89s

I know some fellow pro hybrid shooters in the USA and Europe that jumped on this PZ lens at first release, got it and love it .

Cheers and best to you all.

gwilliams6

From "DSLR Video Shooter": This Sony Power Zoom Lens ROCKS! Sony 16-35mm f/4 PZ Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6iH5SPAs3o&t=177s

Gordon Laing: Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f4G REVIEW vs Zeiss 16-35 ZA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUqUoRI8q2c

Gerald Undone: Sony PZ 16-35mm f/4 Lens Review: Small & Fully Loaded
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6QyA_LESbM

Sony has lots of real-world experience with them at the top pro cinema levels, and has made the innovations in both their cameras and in their PZ lenses to making PZ lenses usable and advantageous for both pros and hobbyists. Gerald Undone highlights some of that.

Canon seemingly has chosen a different path for any Canon users other than their top cinema pro users. No one here in UHH, including myself, really knows why, nobody. Only Canon knows why ,and they aren't saying. Canon has a few basic ones for its DSLRs and some very expensive ones for is pro cinema line, but nothing like the Sony lineup or this latest Sony PZ lens.

Time will tell if Canon comes out with some for its RF mount.

Cheers and best to you all.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

robertjerl wrote:

I personally find the manual zoom more precise than trying to anticipate and let off on the power lever on the power zooms I do own. It always stops too long or too short.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

tgreenhaw wrote:

As far as I know, unless you want to spend $30k, Canon makes only one, and is a kludge accessory for the actually very good 18-135 that only works for APS-C.

Sony has a number of nice options.

Am I missing something? Why aren’t there some nice options in the Canon world for smooth zooms when shooting video?

Most power zooms are too slow for my wildlife photography, and it's another part to adjust while trying to get a shot. My Sony 200-600 has only a quarter turn of the zoom ring to go from 200-600, I can go from 200-600 in a fraction of a second, a power zoom cannot go that fast and don't forget, power zooms have to have a motor to motor the zoom feature, motors cost weight, tele zooms weigh enough without having to add additional weight.
Most power zooms are intended for video so you have nice transitions during a video.
No such thing needed for most still photography.

tgreenhaw

BebuLamar wrote:

You need power zoom for video? Otherwise manual zoom is much better for still.

Yes, for video. Al my lenses have jerky zoom motion when I try to do it manually.

tgreenhaw

billnikon wrote:

No such thing needed for most still photography.

Agreed. I want it for video. I mostly shoot stills by find I’m taking more video As my camera does it so we’ll.

rlv567 Loc: Baguio City, Philippines

billnikon wrote:

Most power zooms are too slow for my wildlife phot... (show quote)

And why have to pay significantly more for something you wouldn't use/want?

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

Now automatic ZOOM? With all the automatic systems in a camera we need another one? My wife said why not just buy a post card.

gwilliams6

rlv567 wrote:

And why have to pay significantly more for something you wouldn't use/want?

Loren - in Beautiful Baguio City

The Sony 16-35mm f4 PZ (power Zoom) lens at $1198 USD, costs no more than the (non power zoom) Sony 16-35mm f4 Zeiss lens at $1200 USD.

Cheers

gwilliams6

Picture Taker wrote:

Now automatic ZOOM? With all the automatic systems in a camera we need another one? My wife said why not just buy a post card.

The Sony PZ power zooms are NOT automatic, you still control its use and its zooming speed , manually or by remote control.

Cheers