Re: EX1r zoom control not smooth.

[Alan Smith] "The VZ-PG-EX worked but was just as sticky on zooming as not having it on there."

OK. That leads me to believe it's the lens, not the rocker or controller.
Have you tried contacting Fujinon? I guess they would tell you to talk to Sony. I have one of the early EX1 models. It came with firmware 1.05.
I am now on firmware 1.26. I can only imagine how frustrating this is to you.

Bob