Technique for smooth video zooming

Whilst I use my 700D + 18-55STM mainly for stills I have tried a few clips of video and end up with jerkiness when I zoom particularly if I want to make small changes.  The zoom ring seems to need a bit of extra force to kick off.

In the past I have taken video with a Panasonic digicam and that had motorised zoom which could be finely controlled but it is an inconvenience to add that to my travel kit.

Am I paying the price for a budget lens, is this initial stiffness normal?  Anything I can do about it?

dwalby wrote:

AnthonyL wrote:

Am I paying the price for a budget lens, is this initial stiffness normal? Anything I can do about it?

I think the reality is you're paying the price for shooting video on a platform that was designed for still photography. I don't know how stiff is "stiff" but most likely your lens is normal. I rarely use my DSLR for video because, like you, I have a dedicated video camera that I feel does a much better job of video recording when all things are considered.

Gauging by the lack of input in this forum I suspect you are right.  Whilst stiffness is subjective both my kit lenses are not what I would call silky smooth to get (the zoom) started but I had never given it a second thought during normal photography.

I guess a "silky smooth" zoom would also always be creeping.

RedFox88 wrote:

Canon now has a power adapter for the new 18-135 USM Lens. Lens is $600 not sure how much the adapter is.

Thanks, led me to this - http://www.dpreview.com/news/3918697072/canon-offers-ef-s-18-135mm-f3-5-5-6-is-usm-power-zoom-adapter-and-directional-microphone

also on sale at http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1225881-REG/canon_1285c002_pz_e1_power_zoom_adapter.html for $149.  Seems as if I just need to get an 80D as well as the lens.

The real answer is do not zoom. The reason for a zoom lens is to give you a range of focal lengths. There are only a couple of occasions when a zoom will add anything to a shot and most of the time it will only look amateurish. Watch a professional video and count the number of zooms. It won't take you long.

BillJohnson wrote:

The real answer is do not zoom. The reason for a zoom lens is to give you a range of focal lengths. There are only a couple of occasions when a zoom will add anything to a shot and most of the time it will only look amateurish. Watch a professional video and count the number of zooms. It won't take you long.

I'll watch the next F1 race with a keen eye (but I do take your point).

My 10-22 zoom has a very smooth and easy to start action.