ARRI Zoom Main Unit ZMU-4 Announced

Camera Accessories

by Jürgen MoorsApril 14^th, 2023

ARRI announced the Zoom Main Unit ZMU-4, a new version and the 4^th generation of the classic zoom controller. It has LBUS and CAM connectivity and controls ARRI and 3^rd party cameras and lenses on and off the camera rig for right and left-hand users. ARRI offers the ZMU-4 in a body-only version without a radio module or accessories for €3.750. The basic set includes everything you will need to operate and is available for €5.290. Let’s have a look at what the ZMU-4 can do.

ARRI, the German camera manufacturer, just released a software package update for the Hi-5, a high-end lens control and focus system. If you are not familiar with this hand controller, please check out this article and also this one. Compared to the Hi-5 hand controller, the new ZMU-4 zoom unit seems a little bit like a niche product, especially when you compare the price and the advantages of the Hi-5.

ARRI ZMU-4 wireless zoom unit

To use the ZMU-4 wireless zoom unit, simply insert one of the swappable radio modules: either the standard RF-EMIP model or the RF-2400, which is a longer-range point-to-point model in the 2,4Mhz band. If you are based in the US or Canada, you can use the RF-900 long-range model operating on the 900Mhz band, which is only available in North America. With the radio module’s clever slide-in design, there is no extra transmitter box or cables getting in your way and the unit can rest perfectly in your hand.

Mounting and buttons

The ZMU-4 has 2 rosettes left and right to mount the zoom unit to a camera rig or any other unit. On the back of the ZMU-4, there is a USB-C port for firmware updates and 3 user buttons, which can be set to several functions like zoom limits and marks, or they can be set to camera user button functions. On the back, you will also find two buttons to adjust the zoom speed.

Connectors

On top of the ZMU-4, there is a CAM and an LBUS connector that lets you connect the unit directly to a motor, or on a daisy chain with other motors, and into an Alexa35. If you are shooting with an Alexa Mini or a Mini LF, or any other 3^rd party digital cinema camera, you must use the CAM port to establish a connection.

Battery

The ZMU-4 is operated with an ARRI LBP-3500 battery, which has a runtime of 15 hours, so you can power it for an entire day of shooting without needing to swap it out. Oddly, there is no battery door on the unit; and although the unit is weather-sealed, even ARRI recommends not to operate it upside down because of the open battery slot.

Wireless expansion and configuration

One of the big advantages of the wireless ZMU-4 is the ability to connect the OCU-1 or a Master Grips control unit to the ZMU-4 with the LBUS connector and create a small 2-axe wireless control unit. All you need is the RA-8 rosette adapter and a 20cm / 7,9in LBUS cable with two right-angle connectors.

To configure your ZMU-4 unit, ARRI provides an online configuration guide that you can access directly on the webpage.

What’s inside the box of the ZMU-4 Basic Set

• 1x ZMU-4 Zoom Main Unit Body
• 1x RF-EMIP Radio Module 2400 MHz
• 2 x ZMU-4 ARRI Rosette
• 1x Rosette Adapter RA-7
• 1x Rosette Adapter RA-8

Pricing and availability

If you are planning on heading to this year’s NAB Show, the ARRI Zoom Main Unit ZMU-4 will be available in Las Vegas. You can order the body of the ZMU-4 directly at ARRI for €3.750. The basic set, including everything you need to operate the wireless unit, is available for €5.290.

For more information about the ZMU-4 unit, please visit the ARRI website here.

What do you think about the ARRI ZMU-4? Would you like to use it the next time you are shooting with an ARRI camera? Would you prefer the Hi-5 unit over the ZMU-4? Please let us know your thoughts in the comment section down below!