BMD Studio Cam 4K + Canon CN-E Zoom Compatibility Test

The ability to use the Blackmagic Zoom and Focus Demands with the Canon CN-E 18-80 and 70-200 T4.4 Zoom lenses could mean big savings as you would not have to invest in the Zacuto "Canon Y Cable" or ikan "Stratus" Y cable, as well as an expensive Canon ZSD-300D official zoom demand.
The Blackmagic Focus demand proves to work great with this lens/adapter/camera combination, but the Blackmagic Zoom demand only performs at one speed with no pressure easing.
I would recommend in a broadcast setting using this lens with the official Blackmagic Focus Demand, and a zoom controller from VariZoom like the $300 VZROCKC20 rocker controller, or the $500 VZPGC20 handle zoom controller. These controllers natively plug into the CN-E series port and give proper zoom easing control.
I hope this video helps fill in this technical gap if you are interested in this as a camera combo.
Correction: the Zacuto "Canon Y Cable" or ikan "Stratus" Y cable is NOT needed to use only the Canon zoom demand. That part can plug directly into the lens port and control the servo
0:00 - Intro
0:24 - Closeup of Parts
1:45 - BMD Zoom Demand controlling Canon
3:03 - BMD Focus Demand
3:16 - Canon ZSD-300D Demand
3:28 - F Stop read out through Metabones
5:04 - Zoom Servo Noise
5:20 - Final thoughts

[@TorresCris]

This was so so helpful 🙏🙏 Like you mentioned, would love to see the same demo with the new EF-native 6k Pro studio cam!

[@lkptlst3256]

thanks, i've been wanting to see this demands comparison for a long time

[@RegemarkFP]

Thank you for this video, I'm looking to run the same stup in the future

[@bofranciscofilms]

It looked to me as if there was some weird 'stepping' with the focus demand, that it wasn't a smooth throw, can you confirm?

[@mitchellneth]

I see what you're saying watching this. I think I was spinning it quite fast from one distance to another.
In practice, focus feels and looks smooth using the BMD focus demand.

[@c0gl0rd14]

I just got this setup. I notice that the zoom speed dial doesn't change the speed of the blackmagic zoom demand. it does change the speed of the zoom demand on the servo. Any advice? Adapter and camera are up to date.

[@mitchellneth]

Yes. This is why I made this video. There is no fix to this. Demonstrated at 2:19

[@c0gl0rd14]

@@mitchellneth yep realized that. Ended up going with the varizoom demands and they work like a charm