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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
LCD viewer for shooting videos with my 7D
Robert Klein, Photographer
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South Easton | MA | USA | Posted: 9:32 AM on 05.10.10 |
| ->> I have been looking at a variety of viewers from Hoodman's hoodcrane to the Zacuto versions and am quite confused as to which would be the best value for the price? I have also run across another maker, the name of which, of course, escapes me, that uses a magnet to attach to the camera body, but I am not sure how reliable that would be. I am using the viewer for short videos to supplement my photojournalism work and need something that is both functional and reasonably priced. Any thoughts or suggestions would be very much appreciated. Pros and cons of the various products would be helpful. Thanks! |
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Jason Joseph, Photographer
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Dublin | OH | USA | Posted: 11:44 AM on 05.10.10 |
| ->> The Zacuto Z-Finder is WELL worth the money. It is comfortable and the magnification is sharp. The houdloupe from Hoodman is next in line, but it is still a few steps behind the Z-Finder. |
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J.J. Alcantara, Student/Intern
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Baton Rouge | LA | USA | Posted: 12:21 PM on 05.10.10 |
->> I don't know if it is released yet, but I heard Zacuto is releasing a cheaper version of their Z-Finders. IIRC, they won't have a diopter or magnification and should be priced less than $300. On their Web site right now, they have the Z-Finder JR, which is priced at about $265.
http://www.zacuto.com/z-finder-dslr-viewfinder
I've worked with the Z-Finder PRO (priced at about $400), and it is an awesome attachment to my 5d2; sharp and easy to use. |
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Stanley Leary, Photographer
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Roswell | GA | USA | Posted: 9:12 AM on 05.11.10 |
->> Buy the Zacuto Z-Finder. The diopter and the glass combination make the ability to discern critical focus.
I would buy this if I were you. |
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Robert Scheer, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 1:59 PM on 07.16.10 |
->> Bump. Any new comments on the Hoodman? The high rollers will say get a Z-Finder or nothing, but for us po' folks, is the Hoodman up to snuff?
One nice thing about the Hoodman is the ability to take the thing off, so others can use it, and doesn't rely on something you glue onto a single camera.
Thanks in advance! |
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Chuck Liddy, Photographer
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Durham | NC | USA | Posted: 2:21 PM on 07.16.10 |
| ->> robert, I have the hoodman and I like it....and as you said I can remove it in a couple seconds to resume shooting stills when necessary...I can also move it onto the mark IV when I start doing video with it.... |
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Robert Scheer, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 2:44 PM on 07.16.10 |
->> Thanks Chuck. I'll be using it on a MkIV and 5dMkII to focus video.
Hope all's well! |
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Myung Chun, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 3:28 PM on 07.16.10 |
| ->> I use the idc photography eyepiece. It's a Hoodman loupe attached to a bracket. About $200. |
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Stephen Brashear, Photographer, Assistant
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 4:21 PM on 07.16.10 |
->> One thing, there are not many *moderately-priced* alternatives for large DSLR bodies like a Nikon D3s.
I took a look at the LCDVF. Liked it a lot.
Pretty inventive method of mounting to the camera LCD, though I am a little concerned about using adhesive to attach the frame to the screen.
(I am thinking an alternative would be to attach the frame to a clear LCD protective cover?) |
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Robert Scheer, Photographer
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Indianapolis | IN | USA | Posted: 8:11 PM on 07.16.10 |
| ->> Is the LCDVF's lack of diopter correction a problem for anybody? |
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Robert Hanashiro, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | | Posted: 3:39 PM on 07.17.10 |
->> It magnifies 200%. In my limited use of it, the lack of a diopter was not a problem.
While the Hoodloupe seems to be a very popular choice because of the moderate price, but elastic straps and the Hoodcrane are ---- cumbersome methods of attaching it to the camera. |
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Michael L. Stein, Photographer
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Smithtown | NY | USA | Posted: 9:20 PM on 07.10.11 |
| ->> I have been reading these posts from just about 1 year ago. I'm going to purchase the hoodman loupe. Has anyone purchased this item and if so,do you think it is important to have the additional eyepiece....adds magnification,is that necessary? Initially I will use this outdoors in bright sunlight at sports events. I had looked through one for a moment, and figured I wont have to swap glasses on and off to review an images. |
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Myung Chun, Photographer
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Los Angeles | CA | USA | Posted: 11:58 PM on 07.10.11 |
->> I've used the Zacuto Z-Finder Pro and the IDC Photo which uses the Hoodman loupe.
I prefer the IDC/Hoodman.
The Zacuto with the 3x magnification delivers great corner-to-corner sharpness. The problem I had was that the increased magnification actually made the LCD screen look pixelated making fine focusing very difficult. It's also very large.
The lower magnification of the IDC/Hoodman (I think it's 1-to-1) actually makes the focusing easier since the screen doesn't look pixelated. It does lack corner-to-corner sharpness though but it's much smaller.
An eyecup is highly recommended especially for outdoor/sunny shooting. I took an eyecup from an old Sony PD170 and it fits perfectly. Before, I was using a tennis wristband wrapped around the eyepiece.
Beg or borrow each if you can to see which you like better. |
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Dominick Reuter, Photographer
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Cambridge | MA | USA | Posted: 7:52 AM on 07.11.11 |
->> For the same price as the Z-finder, you can pick up the Letus Hawk. http://www.letusdirect.com/cart/letus-hawk.html
The optics are as good as the Zacuto, but the design is much sleeker and the attachment is much more pared down.
Not only is the quick release system incredibly simple to use, but it is extremely secure. I keep the QR plate on my camera at all times and the loupe in my bag.
The simplicity justifies the higher price for me, since I am much more inclined to actually use the equipment rather than fumbling with a cheaper alternative. |
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