TechTalk Chrosziel Zoomer - the Universal Zoom Servo Drive for 15mm rod and Sony FX6, FX9 & LANC

Filmmakers, DOP and camera men are looking for perfect fluid and smooth zooms. The Chrosziel Zoomer is the go to tool to achieve these goals.


Learn more about
- how to mount the Zoomer
- how to power the Zoomer
- how to control the Zoomer
- the different zoom modes of the Zoomer

- how to change zoom modes of the Zoomer
- how to change the zoom direction of the Zoomer
- and much more.


Zoom servos for motorized focal length adjustment have been common on professional video cameras for over 40 years.

The Zoomer is a compact and universal zoom motor that can be pivoted to almost any lens by simply mounting it on a 15mm rod. The universal motor unit CDM-UNI-Z2 fits seamlessly into the operating functions of the Sony cameras of the FX9 / FX6 / FS7 / FS5 series. The servo drive is controlled via the zoom rocker on the handle. The motor control can be addressed via Sony's camera-specific protocol and also works independently of the camera signals when a LANC zoom rocker is plugged directly into the servo.
Due to the included Chrosziel Flexi toothed ring (#206-30), the Zoomer can be used with almost any zoom lens even without toothing.
The multi-function handgrip, which in addition to the recording function and a zoom rocker also provide control over the camera menu and other freely selectable functions, are extremely popular on current video cameras with large sensors and are indispensable for effective operation.
The Chrosziel Universal Zoom Servo Drive now allows optimal use of all manual zoom lenses together with the multi-function handgrip. For this purpose, the Zoomer is slid onto a 15mm rod and swiveled onto the zoom lens. Two plug-in cables establish the connection with the camera. One cable is used for the power supply from the camera battery, the second for the connection to the control commands between the handle and the camera.
When using a standard LANC zoom rocker or handle with the Sony PXW-FS5, PXW-FS7 and PXW-FS7II, the servo is connected between the handle and the camera via an input and an output jack to receive all zoom control signals.

For setup with the Sony PXW-FX9 camera, a Y-cable is used that accepts the Sony multi-connector and connects to both the input jack of the Zoomer and the input jack of the camera.

For the Sony ILME-FX6 camera, a Y-cable is used and connects the 3.5mm connector of the Sony handgrip, input jack of the Universal Zoom Servo Drive, and the Sony camera.

The control for the camera operator is very simple. As soon as the Universal Zoom Servo Drive mounted on the lens is supplied with power for the first time, it calibrates itself automatically to the end stops of the lens zoom ring. For all zoom movements, the end stops of the focal length range are then reached with pinpoint accuracy, with optimum protection of the mechanical components of the lens.