viewfinder reccomendations at DVinfo.net

Bruce S. Yarock · December 20th, 2011, 06:47 AM

When I bought my 7d a couple of years ago, I also got the Zacuto z finder. My niece is in school and is reay to buy a 7d, and asked me about viewfinders. She really doesn't have the money for the Zacuto after everything else, and I was wondering what else was available. She weras contacts so I guess she needs something with a diopter for adjusting.
Any suggestions?
Bruce Yarock

Jerry Porter · December 20th, 2011, 07:39 AM

I have been using the Hoodman version for a while now and its pretty good. Not great, but it works.

Jon Fairhurst · December 20th, 2011, 10:53 AM

The Hoodman works fine with the 3X magnifier. Otherwise it's too picky about having the eye centered. Redrock has a simple mount that is a bit of a bother to mount/remove, but it's solid. The Hoodcrane works too, but is a bit Rube Goldberg.

Nigel Barker · December 20th, 2011, 12:05 PM

These cheap Chinese made loupes are great. They are available under several names e.g. GGS, Perfect & NEEWER amongst others. I have had the opportunity of directly comparing a Zacuto Z-Finder & one of these while shooting with a colleague & we both agreed that there was little or any difference in optical quality. It's not up to the Zacuto build quality but it does the job very well & is only about $40.

Amazon.com: NEEWER HD DSLR LCD Foldable Viewfinder with 3.0x Magnification: Electronics

Les Wilson · December 20th, 2011, 01:45 PM

I didn't care for how the Letus was hard to remove. In case this helps....this thread links to a review...
http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...omparison.html

Luc De Wandel · December 24th, 2011, 05:01 PM

I had the Loupeman, and optically it is no good. Only sharp in the middle, and I found it worthless as a focusing aid. Better go for the Zacuto, it's worth it's price, and if she cannot afford it, look out for a second hand one.

Jon Fairhurst · December 25th, 2011, 02:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc De Wandel

I had the Loupeman, and optically it is no good. Only sharp in the middle...

True. The basic Hoodman Loupe is way too soft in the corners. However, if you add the 3x magnifier it's quite good. No, it's not Zacuto good, but it's a fraction of the price.

If anybody here has the Hoodman Loupe, I strongly recommend the 3x magnifier. It transforms the loupe from frustrating to competent.

Liam Hall · December 27th, 2011, 06:41 AM

I've been using the LCDVF for the past 2 years on all my DSLRs. It's cheap, simple and effective. I'd highly recommend it.

Les Wilson · December 28th, 2011, 05:53 PM

The LCDVF has no diopter. The OP said a diopter was needed.

December 20th, 2011, 06:47 AM	#1
Bruce S. Yarock Trustee Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pembroke Pines, Fl. Posts: 1,842	viewfinder reccomendations When I bought my 7d a couple of years ago, I also got the Zacuto z finder. My niece is in school and is reay to buy a 7d, and asked me about viewfinders. She really doesn't have the money for the Zacuto after everything else, and I was wondering what else was available. She weras contacts so I guess she needs something with a diopter for adjusting. Any suggestions? Bruce Yarock

December 20th, 2011, 07:39 AM	#2
Jerry Porter Major Player Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Satellite Beach, Fl Posts: 784	Re: viewfinder reccomendations I have been using the Hoodman version for a while now and its pretty good. Not great, but it works.

December 20th, 2011, 10:53 AM	#3
Jon Fairhurst Inner Circle Join Date: May 2006 Location: Camas, WA, USA Posts: 5,513	Re: viewfinder reccomendations The Hoodman works fine with the 3X magnifier. Otherwise it's too picky about having the eye centered. Redrock has a simple mount that is a bit of a bother to mount/remove, but it's solid. The Hoodcrane works too, but is a bit Rube Goldberg. __________________ Jon Fairhurst

December 20th, 2011, 12:05 PM	#4
Nigel Barker Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Norwich, Norfolk, UK Posts: 3,531	Re: viewfinder reccomendations These cheap Chinese made loupes are great. They are available under several names e.g. GGS, Perfect & NEEWER amongst others. I have had the opportunity of directly comparing a Zacuto Z-Finder & one of these while shooting with a colleague & we both agreed that there was little or any difference in optical quality. It's not up to the Zacuto build quality but it does the job very well & is only about $40. Amazon.com: NEEWER HD DSLR LCD Foldable Viewfinder with 3.0x Magnification: Electronics Amazon.com: NEEWER HD DSLR LCD Foldable Viewfinder with 3.0x Magnification: Electronics

December 20th, 2011, 01:45 PM	#5
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: viewfinder reccomendations I didn't care for how the Letus was hard to remove. In case this helps....this thread links to a review... http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...omparison.html

December 24th, 2011, 05:01 PM	#6
Luc De Wandel Major Player Join Date: May 2008 Location: Knokke-Heist, Belgium Posts: 963	Re: viewfinder reccomendations I had the Loupeman, and optically it is no good. Only sharp in the middle, and I found it worthless as a focusing aid. Better go for the Zacuto, it's worth it's price, and if she cannot afford it, look out for a second hand one.

December 27th, 2011, 06:41 AM	#8
Liam Hall Major Player Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: London, England Posts: 969	Re: viewfinder reccomendations I've been using the LCDVF for the past 2 years on all my DSLRs. It's cheap, simple and effective. I'd highly recommend it. __________________ Writer-Director-DOP www.liamhall.net

December 28th, 2011, 05:53 PM	#9
Les Wilson Inner Circle Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Boca Raton, FL Posts: 3,014	Re: viewfinder reccomendations The LCDVF has no diopter. The OP said a diopter was needed.