I am tired of trying to shoot video without having an LCD viewer on my 7D. I need to buy one, but don't want to spend a great deal of money. I see that Hoodman has a reasonably priced unit but before I buy, I thought I would ask you guys what you use and why you like it. Thanks in advance.

Phil Hanna

Check out the LCDVF. High quality build with a magnetic mount, pretty much the same thing as the much more expensive Z-Finder but without the ridiculous price (and no diopter).

LCDVF (beta) (http://www.lcdvf.com/index.html)

I finally got to actually physically try the LCDVF and the Z-Finder at a convention last week. Both felt excellent, the Z-Finder felt a little more robust, but I was surprised at how strong the LCDVF was. I expected it to feel a little flimsy, but it was great.

And I'm a big fan of the magnetic mounting system. So I went with the LCDVF.

For $100 you can get a Hoodman Loupe and stick it to a LCD protector sold on eBay, I did. I finally found on of those cheap Chinese LCD protectors for my 7D! Seems to work great.

I thought that solution only worked with the 5D. Can you post a link to the protector you found for the 7D? I always liked what they did with that 5D protector.

Hi

I use a broadcast viewfinder.

If you're on a budget the options don't get any cheaper than these. A pair of reading glasses.

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

I got a pair that were 3X. Much stronger than what I need in real life but they are for using the 7D only. Gives me the flexibility of not needing the cam up to my eye. I can be at more comfortable angles to view the screen.

Hoodman Hoodloupe with the Redrock loupe attachment. DO NOT pay the extra bucks for the Hoodman Cinema Straps. They are crappy glorified rubberbands that don't hold it in place and will easily snap.

Hoodman Hoodloupe with the Redrock loupe attachment. DO NOT pay the extra bucks for the Hoodman Cinema Straps. They are crappy glorified rubberbands that don't hold it in place and will easily snap.

Zacuto Z-finder. Built like a tank, and the frame mounting system has worked very well for me.

Hi

I use a broadcast viewfinder.
Gilles, interesting how are you connecting that!?

Today I got the Z-finder pro 3x, looking very good so far. This is the new one with gorilla plate. Very robust system. Note that I´m shooting mostly wildlife and need to do critical focus in daylight and direct sunlight.

I thought that solution only worked with the 5D. Can you post a link to the protector you found for the 7D? I always liked what they did with that 5D protector.

LCD Screen Hood Pop-up Shade Protector for Canon EOS 7D - eBay (item 270582617451 end time Jun-21-10 00:29:50 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/LCD-Screen-Hood-Pop-up-Shade-Protector-Canon-EOS-7D-/270582617451?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Digital_Camera_Accessories&hash=item3efffb156b#ht_2504wt_988)

I have the IDCphotography.com Hoodman modification, with the bracket that goes under the camera to hold it on solid as a rock. When Hoodman came out with the 3X magnifying eyepiece, I got that and switched out my old non magnifying eyepiece. If you go to the Hoodman site, they have a new attachment method that's very clever. They call it a crane because it sort of looks like one.

i have the LCDVF.
i bought it because of the price.
pros:
it's robust, easy to use, helps focusing a lot, comfortable, price
cons:
no anti fog coating, magnification x2 so i still have to use the focus help button occasionally

conclusion:
i'm very happy with the LCDVF. it fits my budget and does a good job. if i was wealthier i'd buy a zacuto x3 magnification as i'm sure it'd be even better.

Hi Per Joan


To do that and to connect it, i use the connector present on the XL-1 adapter furnished with the FU-1000.
In the little black box there is an adjustable voltage regulator Voltage input between 5V-33.6V Voltage output 3V-13v, you need 9V to power the FU-1000.

The video signal come from the DSLR to a video connector (RCA or BNC)

The power came directly from an outside battery trough a switch, you can see photograph on this link "I do that for my 7D".

The voltage regulator is a Dimension Engineering DE-SWADJ 3A do to sustain 25W (it's necessary to power the FU-1000)

You can equally use an Ikegami viewfinder VF15-45-46 the pinout is a little bit different but i have it.

I send you more information on your website (but in French)

You have the e-mail on your website

Hoodman Hoodloupe with the Redrock loupe attachment. DO NOT pay the extra bucks for the Hoodman Cinema Straps. They are crappy glorified rubberbands that don't hold it in place and will easily snap.

Ditto for Hoodman Hoodloupe. About 110 bucks - a very good solution. The Redrock attachment seems to work in any of the different situations I will use the Hoodloupe - handleld with bracket, with Hakuba hand strap, with tripod quick release.I prefer the 1X magnification over the 2.5 or 3X of the Zacuto (pixels are too big for focus), although one can get a 3X magnifier and better eyecup for the Hoodloupe for an extra $30. I can't see why anyone spends $400 for Zacuto - Hoodman does a good job for critical focus.

I just wIsh the Hoodman had a magnetic mount like the LCDVF. I love being able to snap it on and off.

Hi

I use a broadcast viewfinder. Why ? this viewfinder is really very crispy and it's B/W, with it you can focus sharply and follow a moving subject (animal) with your video head. That's why i adapt it on my 7D, the only risk is a plugging error and the price inflation of the FU-1000.

I have a Z-finder Pro 2.5x and am not at all impressed with it. The construction is amazing, and it seems to function perfectly, it just doesn't seem useful. It might make focusing harder. Everything looks blurry because the pixels just get enlarged.

Maybe I just need to use it more, but as of now, and using it 3 times I don't like it.

I remember starting a thread some months ago about the z-finder v. the competition .... because my own conclusion was that I prefer not to enlarge the LCD. I can do that manually on the camera anyway before I shoot. So it was a strange situation where I prefer the cheaper viewfinders such as the Hoodman.