I'm sorry is this is a repeat of other forms on this site but none of them really answered my questions.

Which viewfinder/loupe to get???

I've narrowed it down to the Zacuto Z-Finder v2 or the IDC Viewfinder.

The Zacuto looks well made but is expensive. I've heard it is the best, and I like the way it can unclip, but it seems to unclip too easily for my liking. The lanyard can save it if it falls but thats just more stuff to get tangled around your neck, and the rubber bands look pretty crap. Also, I hear it can mist up easily, which can be very annoying.

The IDC seems good too. I like the bracket that attaches the loupe to the camera, also like the idea of using the gunsling strap attached to it to hang the camera (eg the Black Rapid). But I've heard that the actual loupe itself is not as good as the zacuto, and unless you have an allen key or screwdriver with you, its a pain to take off. But on the other hand it's pretty damn secure and not going to keep falling off when knocked like the zacuto. Oh, and it's half the price.

Don't really like the Cavision swing away one.

All you with experience of these two, please let me know.

Cheers,

Jim

I really like the Zacuto, but have not tried others. It seems to stay on quite snuggly and I like the lanyard. You can get the Z-bands if you want a more snug fit. I think it's probably worth the money and definitely helps getting focus.

I have tried the Sock Loupe, Hoodman, and Zacuto.

I kept the Zacuto.

How does the Zacuto attach? Does it snap on to the part that glues onto the camera or is it magnetic? I was hot to get it but when I saw their sales video about how easy it is to knock off, that sort of dissuaded me, that and the glue on thing. Right now I'm interested in the IDC, plus the extra $29 for the more standard eyecup to replace that round one. It comes off with 2 thumbscrews if you need to take it off. I like the bigger eyepiece of the Zacuto but am very hesitant about the way it attaches. Cavision has a nice one too, with a big 52mm eyepiece and 6x magnification, and it swings out nicely. No adjustable diopter. I'm still considering it as well. It was designed for the 5D but there's a spacer to make it fit the 7D perfectly. It's around $230 with the spacer.

Hey Bill it doesn't come off that easily, it snap on to the frame that glue to the camera, I like it alot, I can not use it without a viewfinder of some kind, the Cavision might have to much magnification, the Zfinder is 3X and you can see pixels already, with 6X it could be too much.

from the Zacuto website...

"The mounting frame attaches to your camera LCD screen with a double sided adhesive. Once the frame is on the camera LCD screen, the Z-finder then snaps on the frame. The Z-finder can quickly be snapped on and snapped off, if you want to get your eye in the actual viewfinder.

Zacuto also added a lanyard hook option on the outside of the z-finder so you can attach a Zacuto lanyard to your Z-Finder. The lanyards allows you to quickly take the Z-Finder off but have it nearby to quickly put back on when needed. Also, don’t worry left eye people, the eye cup can rotate!"

here is the link DSLR Viewfinder, DSLR EyePiece, DSLR Focusing | Zacuto (http://www.zacuto.com/z-finder-dslr-viewfinder) they have a nice video as well showing how the z-finder attaches.

Thanks for all the replies so far.

People who have the Zacuto seem to love it. But I'm not convinced by the way it snaps on and off. It seems as if it is the perfect viewfinder if the camera is mounted to a tripod. But I am worried that with a lot of handheld work, which is pretty much all I'll be using the camera for, the Zacuto could keep getting knocked off.
This is where I like the IDC. I have to admit I'm not the gentlest person with my kit and the IDC seems robust and I like the way you can attach a sling to it to carry the camera. Like Bill said earlier in this thread, I'd probably get the better eyecup for it at $30 extra (the HoodEye).

But the IDC uses the Hoodman, and what is this like optically? Is it as good as the Zacuto? Is it magnified? Can you easily focus with it? Can you see the whole frame easily?

I tried the zacuto and hoodman. Went for the Zacuto. Works great with 7D. 5D can spot the pixels. Only thing the fog is real bad after a short while. I cant use it continuously for too long.

So far I have no issues with it falling off.

Another plus I like about the Z-finder is that you can just buy more frames so I can fit
a frame to all of my cameras... right now I'm using it on a G9,G10,7D and 5DMKII...

my only complaint, and its not much of a complaint, is that the focus adjust on the z-finder is a little too precise and is a bit hard to adjust it in... for a trick what I found to make it easier is to take the Z-finder by itself and put a rubberband around it so that when you look into the eyepiece the rubber band cuts down the middle of the view.... with some good light to see the edge of the rubber band I then adjust the eyepiece until I get the furthest edge of the rubber band into focus... then I mount the z-finder onto the camera and its in focus for the LCD screen.

Oh, and I wish that they had supplied a bag or case for it when not in use so its not gathering dust or getting damaged in my camera bag.... at this time I'm using the lens bag
that came with the 24-105 lens... works great.

I have never had it get bumped off or any of that... I don't even use the lanyard because
I don't like the metal clip.. is that another gripe???

anyway, It does what its supposed to do... in real life its better than the videos or pictures... its very well built.

almost forgot... another nice thing about having the frame attached onto the camera body that
I noticed the other day is that the frame, at least for me, keeps my nose off of the LCD screen when I'm using the camera without the Z-finder. Thats a very big plus for me as I do not like to
constantly have to clean that screen... :-)

I think the Zacuto is probably optically the best, but again I like the bracket arrangement. The IDC/Hoodman has a focusing diopter but has no magnification, which may be better or worse, I don't know.

I'm also a little worried about the 6X magnification of the Cavision, though one person on here loves it. I wish I hadn't seen Zacuto's sales video where they show knocking it off easily. I wouldn't use the lanyard because it might be easy to forget it's not a camera neck strap, and that would be a disaster. It's a difficult decision. I wish we had local dealers where you could see these things in person.

Mostly I'm on a tripod, but also do some hand held shooting, and pushing the camera up against the eye gives that third point of stabilization. I think the Zacuto is fine for that. It's the sideways hit that seems to knock it off, according to their sales video. It's kind of ironic that their video designed to sell the device sort of unsold me on it. Although, I'm still not sure which way I'm going to go. I just got the camera delivered yesterday and managed to find a Sandisk Extreme III 30MBs card last night--yeah, like an idiot I forgot to order a card with the camera and did it the next day, but it won't be here till Monday.
If everything checks out OK, then I'll order one of the eyepieces probably tomorrow. Decisions, decisions. What I really want is the Zacuto with the IDC bracket; they'll probably have that one of these days and charge $900 for it.

Another vote for the Z-Finder 2.0. While it is not perfect, it is better than anything else on the market overall. I have tried the Hoodman, Hood Loupe, the LCDVF. Have never tried the Cavision but I have a bunch of other Cavision gear and I am not impressed with the build quality.

Dan

I tried the zacuto and hoodman. Went for the Zacuto. Works great with 7D. 5D can spot the pixels. Only thing the fog is real bad after a short while. I cant use it continuously for too long.

So far I have no issues with it falling off.

Zacuto makes "anti-fog" wipes for this issue now. From what I've heard, they work really well.

i'm still waiting on my 7D...i'm just wondering what makes it so difficult to focus w/ the 7D's LCD? isn't it a high 920,000 pixel 3" LCD? i used to own a sony a700 w/ the same screen rez and focusing was not a problem(at least w/ stills). seems the z-finder would be limited to tripod and shoulder mounted shots.

Bill (post #10) - Seems like you're having the same dilemma as me. That video put me off too, and I know if I put the lanyard around my neck I would drop the camera, thinking it was attached.
I am rough with my cameras, usually just slung over my shoulder, and I guarantee the Zacuto would keep popping off. I could use those elastic bands (sorry, z-bands), but they just look a bit Heath-Robinson.

I agree, the Zacuto on the IDC bracket would be perfect (but expensive).


Everyone seems to love the Zacuto. Anyone on here love the IDC Hoodman?

Oh yeah, and the misting up could be a bit of a serious problem.

We have the same issue on movie cameras, thats why we have heated eyepieces.

Yeah, I'm still going through the decision making process. Gotta do something pretty quickly.

Jaser, you can focus with it OK and there's even a great little button in the upper right back of the camera that you push once for 5X magnification, twice for 10. But for hand held work, you need the camera up against your eye for steadiness unless you're using a shoulder mount. And for exterior shooting in bright light, the LCD is not going to be great unless there's a hood. And if you're following focus, you'd need it. Because the viewfinder is deactivated when shooting video, you have to turn the LCD into a viewfinder. This is probably the major issue with the HDSLRs.

Still vacillating here. I got a 3x magnifying glass and held it up about 3" or so from the LCD, and that is nice. That's what the Zacuto has--3X with a diopter. This is a tough decision. The camera was easy.

Wooo Hoooo!!!! I ordered my 7D!!!

They came in stock at B&H. I ended up getting the kit with the 28-135mm as the body only wasn't available. Now the body is available but I'm glad I ordered the kit as I can sell the lens on eBay in the UK for way more than I paid for it.

Anyway, they also had the Z-Finder in stock too so I bit the bullet and ordered that as well. It was a complete spur of the moment thing. I'll give it a go and see how secure it feels and how much it steams up. I may buy the z-bands too.
If I'm not happy with it, I'll just sell it, as in the UK I'm sure I can get what I paid for it.

I intend to use my camera with the BlackRapid strap (RS-5 R-Strap BlackRapid.com (http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-5/)), so I think I'll attach a small line from the Z-Finder to the little connector that connects the strap to the camera. That way if the finder unclips it will just dangle from the camera a little.

Bill, it is a tough choice, $400 for the Zacuto is a lot of money. I could buy a really good compact camera for that!!! I hope I've made the right choice. I won't be getting all my goodies until the beginning of Nov, but will let you know what i think of the Z-Finder then.

Jim

The Zacuto is expensive, and I don't begrudge them that. Their products are all well built, so it's probably safe to assume this is too. It's just the attachment that I'm hesitant on.

My problem with the Cavision is that there's no diopter. A guy on here who uses it and wears glasses has no problem, but when I use this 3x magnifier to see how far I need to be from the LCD to keep it in focus, I come out at about 4" and I think the Cavision is only about 3" deep. It does move in and out a little, so that might not be a big problem. Also my magnifier might not focus at the same distance as their 6x magnifier. Also, that 6x worries me a bit, as well as the lack of a regular curved eyecup. However, it's the same size as the viewfinder on Sony broadcast cameras I've had, so I could probably get one from Sony as I did for the XH A1.

The IDC is near perfect, but it's a much smaller eyepiece and there is a diopter, but no magnification at all. After seeing the magnification, I like that and think it would in most cases eliminate the need to use the 5x and 10x button on the camera. So right now I'm leaning toward the Zacuto too, but I wish it had a bracket. It's probably just a matter of time before somebody makes one for it, like Redrock does for the Hoodman--which is yet another option, but the Hoodman and the bracket from Redrock (bracket is only $55).

Good thing about B&H--you don't like it, it's easy to return.

Also, the other thing to consider with the IDC bracket is that what if you want to attach a baseplate to take 15mm bars for lens support, follow focus and matte-box? Will the IDC bracket change all the heights of these, so they don't fit or line up properly?

Good point. They sell a follow focus too. Most matteboxes will adjust up or down on their mounts. Remember that if you use the kit lens, or any other that extends when you zoom, you can't use a normal mattebox. I have a Lee wide angle lens hood that is lightweight and screws on via a stepdown ring, so I'm set; it holds two filters. But if you want a rails system and mattebox, you've got to use lenses that don't extend when zoomed.

I've been using my 17-55 Canon zoom as a variable prime, and simply sliding the mattebox back and forth to accommodate changes in the lens length. Not a big deal, but you definitely have to remember it!

I just picked up a Z-finder yesterday, and it is fantastic. I cannot say enough good things about it. It will not fall off if you're worried, it focuses great... very robust.

My one complaint is that I have the camera far forwards on a 516 manfrotto plate. The plate is so long, and the diopter ring is so large, it actually hits the plate and cannot turn. Need to swap out for a 503 release plate... sigh.

I just received the Z-Finder the other day. It's amazing. I love it. It does a great job of keeping the camera steady as well. So much so that I just returned my 17-55 2.8 IS for a Canon 35mm 1.4L. This combo for handheld seems to be great.

I got an email from Peter Damo asking how I was finding my Z Finder, so I thought I would post the reply here so others can read too.

My 7D, Z-Finder, and all the other bits arrived last wednesday, so I've now had a week to play with it between jobs.
I am very happy with my Z-Finder. It seems well built and is comfortable to use. I am still not sure about how secure it is mounted to the camera. In normal use, it is fine and definitely won't unclip itself unless physically taken a knock. The problem is that I like to wear my camera with a shoulder strap so the camera is hanging at my hip. Hanging like this the Z-Finder could easily get knocked off if it swings against my hip. I think I am going to try and adapt it so there is a little hand tightening screw between the base of the Z-Finder and it's mounting frame. One may do, if not one each side. Maybe the little screw would actually screw through the finder into the mounting frame.
The only other things I could get picky about are:
1) With your eye to the Finder you can't see 100% of the screen, you have to move you eye around a little to see all four corners.
2) The illumination from the screen light up the inside of the Finder creating annoying distractions. It would be better if the inside if the finder was matte black to reduce these 'kicks'.

Thats about it. I haven't tried any of the other finders but all in all I would say the Z-Finder is a very good finder and I am pretty happy with it. Not sure if the price is justified but hey, I bought it now so, so what, it's only money ;-)

I got my IDC finder last week and used it on a 10 hour shoot this week. It's great and very solid. You can pick up the camera out of your bag by the viewfinder with no worries. Diopter adjusts perfectly.

Bill,

Good to hear that you like the IDC. I am getting ready to order a 7D system for a shoot in December and was bummed that the Zacuto is backordered until January.

Did you have any problems with the finder fogging?

Daniel Weber

I used the iDC / Hoodman viewfinder to shoot the annual airshow at Randolph AFB last weekend and my findings concur with Bill's. Solid, rugged, dependable, available. Will write it up for the site as soon as I can.

Thanks Chris!!

Daniel

I use the Hoodman viewfinder glued on a cheapo LCD screen protector that snaps on my 5DII at the optical's viewfinder eyepiece holder. It works great because you can attach/detach it in a few seconds. The hoodman piece is 1.0X which I prefer over zacuto's 3.0X because if I want more magnification I just use the camera's 5X or 10X button.
The only problem with Hoodman is that if you look a bit off-center distorts the image a bit and I find the plastic at the eye contact area a bit hard (something that can be easily corrected)

There is a thread about the above combo in DVinfo:
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eos-5d-mk-ii-hd/235915-attaching-hoodloupe.html


The only problem with this implementation for 7D (which I also have) is that so far no Chinese vendor has come with a LCD screen protector for the 7D. But I don't thing we have to wait much longer.

Emmanuel, I am interested in this idea as well. My question is does the LCD Screen Hood Pop-Up Shade Cover for 5D fit 7D as well?

Thanks,

P.

It won't fit the 7D, no. The layout of the back panel with the LCD placement, etc. is different between the 5D Mk. II and the 7D. I'm hoping the company that makes those things will issue a 7D version soon.

Thank you Chris. I will be looking forward to see the 7D version.

I just discovered this product. It seems like this is what I am looking for.

iDC Photo Store - Specialty gear for the photographer (http://www.idcphotography.com/kart/index.php?p=product&id=129&parent=26)

.

Create one that mirrors up and I'm all in.

Pedanes,
The IDC version needs unscrewing everytime you want to use the optical viewfinder and prohibits you from using the battery pack and probably will make your life harder with other tripod attachments. With the solution I'm using you can snap/unsnap the Hoodlupe in one second and believe me its a convenience you can get spoiled with, even in stills (actually in stills it is more useful).

The IDC version needs unscrewing everytime you want to use the optical viewfinderiDC now ships an updated quick-release version. It takes about a half-turn of both thumbscrews to remove it... not exactly a hassle by any stretch of the imagination.

and prohibits you from using the battery packAbsolutely false. It doesn't interfere with the battery pack access.

and probably will make your life harder with other tripod attachments. Not sure what you mean by this; but it actually made my life easier because the iDC base plate is drilled & tapped in several locations which makes mounting it to my tripod quick-release plate a lot easier and much more secure than just mounting the camera to the QR plate by itself.

I think he meant the Battery 'Grip'...

Well it would help if we were all on the same page regarding the terminology and nomenclature of this gear, and the baseline is to call it what the manufacturer calls it. The battery pack is the LP-E6 battery that goes inside the camera. The battery grip is the BGM-E7 dual battery holder that clamps on to the underside of the camera. It's true that the iDC viewfinder isn't compatible with the battery grip or the WFT-E5A wireless file transmitter that also clamps on under the camera body. Hope this helps,

Chris my mistake, I meant the battery grip.

Whoever that Chinese company is that makes the snap-on LCD cover panel for the 5D Mk. II, I hope they produce one soon to fit the 7D. I have a couple of the 5D Mk. II versions on order and when they arrive I'll try Emmanuel's suggestion for modifying with the Hoodman viewfinder. This will probably be the best way to go for those who are using the battery grip or the wireless file transfer grip module, since the iDC modification can't be used with these grips.

I have been following this thread for a while now. I am totally new to the video DSLR setups at this point. I have a 7D with stock lens and a few cheap lenses from my Rebel with one being the 50mm 1.8. So far I am learning the nature of video DSLR and getting better all the time.

I see these threads about the Zacuto/IDC/Cinevate viewfinders and all the other accessories others add to their cams. The setups look totally cool and I bet work great but it seems to me they could get heavy and cumbersome in my run and gun world of weddings. I want a minimalist approach. The viewfinder add ons for the LCD seem nice if you plan to do most of your shooting with your eye on the eyepiece like a shoulder camera but I don't want to be limited to eye piece shooting. I know they can be removed but as scatter brained as I get sometime I would lose the eye piece and a lanyard to hold it would probably get in my way.

Being the cheapo that I am I found a great solution for a lot less money. Here's my view finder magnification device.

http://i94.photobucket.com/albums/l94/frogmanproductions/ReadingGlasses.jpg

Get a 3 pack of 2x or 2.5X for around $20 at many retailers. A small cord to hold them around your neck when not needed and you are in business. You can shoot in many configurations without having the cam up to your eye or having to remove the eyepiece. Glasses are a lot smaller. It doesn't look as cool as a Zacuto or whatever but hey its cheap and when you get old like me they work great for reading the paper too. :-) Anyone ever thought of reading glasses to save money?

The big rig setups so many have are great for some controlled environments but for running and gunning a set of reading glasses with a monopod would be pretty effective wouldn't it? I am trying to create the most functionality for the money invested. The one item I could see as a benefit would be a follow focus only cause it would be easier to use and smoother. Otherwise my reading glasses and a monopod work pretty well.

Please don't think I am down on the nice rigs some people have setup but it seems you have to invest twice the cost of the camera to get it functional. I would rather spend that money on good glass.

The reading glass idea is good (and humorous), but you also need a way to shut out light and stabilize the distance between your eye and the LCD. After about 1 minute with the 7D, I new I'd have to use something like the Z-Finder or HoodLoupe (I have a Hoodloupe now, which I got for my EX1). If the LCD was articulating there might be a way to get around a loupe, but the way it is, it's the only practical way to use the 7D or 5D or anything DSLR for video.

So maybe reading glasses with rubber cups around them. Might look a bit funny but you could also use them for reading :).

I'm still kinda new at all this 7D vDSLR stuff but so far the reading glasses have been good so far. It doesn't have to be a fixed length from the LCD screen. For exposure I have been using the exposure meter and lucky guesses so far. It's not a perfect science but it is pretty close for most run and gun stuff. In a more controlled environment like many here get to work in all that extra stuff is really good. I just don't want to be have all that stuff attached an in the way when trying to move quickly. I want to work as light as possible.

I just wanted to offer the reading glasses as an alternative for those on a tight budget or feeling overwhelmed with all the new stuff needed to work with the 5D/7D. I like to try and get big time looks and feel with minimal equipment.....that's a creative way of saying, "I'm cheap". After all I didn't have the money to get a 7D. I got it cause I won a Panny HMC40 at the WEVA convention in September and sold it to fund the 7D. Otherwise a vDSLR would be a pipe dream for the rich videographers.

A 3X machinist visor also works well and it flips down in front of my normal glasses.

If you do any handheld shooting without a shoulder mount, you need something like the LCD/Hoodman viewer. Also you need one when shooting in bright sunlight. If the camera's on a tripod and you're doing mostly studio shooting, you can get by without one.