WHat LCD viewer do you have and why? at DVinfo.net

Phil Hanna · June 7th, 2010, 07:18 PM

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

Jesse Haycraft · June 7th, 2010, 08:15 PM

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)

Bryan McCullough · June 7th, 2010, 09:08 PM

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.

Alan Halfhill · June 7th, 2010, 09:47 PM

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.

Bryan McCullough · June 7th, 2010, 10:27 PM

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.

Gilles Debord · June 8th, 2010, 05:40 AM

Hi

I use a broadcast viewfinder.

Philip Hinkle · June 8th, 2010, 06:30 AM

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

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.

Tiffany McMichael · June 8th, 2010, 10:33 AM

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.

Tiffany McMichael · June 8th, 2010, 11:39 AM

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.

Bryan Cantwell · June 8th, 2010, 01:13 PM

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

Per Johan Naesje · June 8th, 2010, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilles Debord

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.

Alan Halfhill · June 8th, 2010, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bryan McCullough

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)

Bill Pryor · June 8th, 2010, 06:05 PM

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.

Andrew Maclaurin · June 9th, 2010, 12:40 AM

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.

Gilles Debord · June 9th, 2010, 01:11 AM

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

June 7th, 2010, 07:18 PM	#1
Phil Hanna Regular Crew Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Indian Rocks Beach, FL Posts: 165	WHat LCD viewer do you have and why? 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

June 8th, 2010, 05:40 AM	#6
Gilles Debord Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: France Posts: 152	Hi I use a broadcast viewfinder. __________________ Gilles Debord http://www.wwvideo.tv

June 9th, 2010, 01:11 AM	#15
Gilles Debord Regular Crew Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: France Posts: 152	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 __________________ Gilles Debord http://www.wwvideo.tv

June 7th, 2010, 08:15 PM	#2
Jesse Haycraft Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 57	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)

June 7th, 2010, 09:08 PM	#3
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	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.

June 7th, 2010, 09:47 PM	#4
Alan Halfhill Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Sequim, WA Posts: 127	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.

June 7th, 2010, 10:27 PM	#5
Bryan McCullough Major Player Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Richardson, TX Posts: 842	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.

June 8th, 2010, 06:30 AM	#7
Philip Hinkle Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Stoughton, WI Posts: 169	If you're on a budget the options don't get any cheaper than these. A pair of reading glasses. 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.

June 8th, 2010, 10:33 AM	#8
Tiffany McMichael New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 23	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.

June 8th, 2010, 11:39 AM	#9
Tiffany McMichael New Boot Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 23	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.

June 8th, 2010, 01:13 PM	#10
Bryan Cantwell Major Player Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Terre Haute, IN Posts: 277	Zacuto Z-finder. Built like a tank, and the frame mounting system has worked very well for me.

June 8th, 2010, 06:05 PM	#13
Bill Pryor Contributor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 4,449	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.

June 9th, 2010, 12:40 AM	#14
Andrew Maclaurin Major Player Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 396	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.