Zacuto Z-Finder V2 Observation at DVinfo.net

Inna Lantsman · September 29th, 2009, 03:31 PM

Hello Everyone!!!

I am interested to find out if anyone else has the same experience as I do with Zacuto Z-Finder V2. I have noticed that when I used Z-Finder V2 for a period of 20 seconds or more, the glass is perspiring and it becomes difficult to focus. Then I would take my eye off the Z-Finder for a moment and the condensation will disappear pretty fast, however it does affect the shot.

Has anyone had this happen and if you did what is the solution?

Thank you.

Bruce G. Cleveland · September 29th, 2009, 05:07 PM

I shot with my Mark II all day on last Saturday and had the same problem. I don't think there really is a fix. Zacuto does make de-fogger wipes, but not sure how helpful they are. some people have reported the problem even after wiping.

Jerry

Brian Drysdale · September 29th, 2009, 05:19 PM

You could try using an Eyepiece Chamois.

Eyepiece Chamois Cushions by Bluestar - Chamois Leather, Fleece, Microfibre

Some film cameras have an eyepiece heater fitted which really solves the problem.

Joseph Stunzi · September 29th, 2009, 10:15 PM

I have the defogger wipes and they work great for me. Chamois is the obvious professional solution and it'll probably make your eye a lot more comfortable.

Stephen Mick · September 29th, 2009, 10:38 PM

Any idea of which size Chamois would fit the Z-Finder V2?

Charles Papert · September 30th, 2009, 06:21 AM

Chamois are great for comfort but I'm not sure they will solve the fogging issue.

There is a great low-tech version of the heated eyepiece which involves running a tube from the your mouth to the inside of the eyepiece (yup, you'd have to cut a hole) and breathing into it during the shot. Sounds weird but it works.

Chad Dyle · October 3rd, 2009, 11:19 AM

The defogger wipes worked for me even in this New Orleans humidity.

Don Miller · October 6th, 2009, 08:49 AM

Charles is once again confusing a piece of video gear with a bong.

Kids, a good lesson of what happens after a few years working in LA.

:)

Dan Brockett · October 6th, 2009, 09:07 AM

Don,

You have me rolling on the floor this morning. Too funny.

D

Steve Weiss · October 8th, 2009, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

Don,

You have me rolling on the floor this morning. Too funny.

D

Yes, the wipes are amazing. I've stuck the lens in the freezer for 5 minute and then taken it outside in the summer and no fogging. The reason it fogs is the lens is almost 3/4" thick and its glass not acrylic and your body heat is hotter than the glass. I had the option to put a defogging coating on the lens but you can't have a defogging and an anti-reflecting coating on at the same time. So I opted for the anti-reflecting because I figured you can use the wipes for fogging. Wipes are cheap and work great.
Steve

Inna Lantsman · October 9th, 2009, 06:42 AM

Thank you all so much for your comments and suggestions.

Brian Drysdale · October 10th, 2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charles Papert

Chamois are great for comfort but I'm not sure they will solve the fogging issue.

Yes, they only made a small difference on my Aaton V/F - the misting was just delayed a bit, presumingly preventing some of the sweat (sorry glow). There was an anti misting optic/glass brought out for film cameras, it could've used a process similar to this:

Optical Coating Technologies - Anti-Fog & Non-Mist Coatings

It might be worth following up, they may do one off's or small batches.

Inna Lantsman · October 14th, 2009, 07:42 AM

Steve is absolutely correct, these wipes are working well.
I hope Steve does not mind if I would say that it would have been nice to have these wipes included in the sale of Z-Finder V2.

Thank you.

September 29th, 2009, 03:31 PM	#1
Inna Lantsman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 74	Zacuto Z-Finder V2 Observation Hello Everyone!!! I am interested to find out if anyone else has the same experience as I do with Zacuto Z-Finder V2. I have noticed that when I used Z-Finder V2 for a period of 20 seconds or more, the glass is perspiring and it becomes difficult to focus. Then I would take my eye off the Z-Finder for a moment and the condensation will disappear pretty fast, however it does affect the shot. Has anyone had this happen and if you did what is the solution? Thank you. Last edited by Inna Lantsman; September 29th, 2009 at 04:13 PM.

September 29th, 2009, 10:38 PM	#5
Stephen Mick Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 167	Chamois Any idea of which size Chamois would fit the Z-Finder V2?

September 30th, 2009, 06:21 AM	#6
Charles Papert Wrangler Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 6,810	Chamois are great for comfort but I'm not sure they will solve the fogging issue. There is a great low-tech version of the heated eyepiece which involves running a tube from the your mouth to the inside of the eyepiece (yup, you'd have to cut a hole) and breathing into it during the shot. Sounds weird but it works. __________________ Charles Papert www.charlespapert.com

October 3rd, 2009, 11:19 AM	#7
Chad Dyle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 410	The defogger wipes worked for me even in this New Orleans humidity. __________________ www.chaddyle.com www.chaddyleproductions.com

September 29th, 2009, 05:07 PM	#2
Bruce G. Cleveland Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Oshkosh, WI Posts: 190	I shot with my Mark II all day on last Saturday and had the same problem. I don't think there really is a fix. Zacuto does make de-fogger wipes, but not sure how helpful they are. some people have reported the problem even after wiping. Jerry

September 29th, 2009, 05:19 PM	#3
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	You could try using an Eyepiece Chamois. Eyepiece Chamois Cushions by Bluestar - Chamois Leather, Fleece, Microfibre Some film cameras have an eyepiece heater fitted which really solves the problem.

September 29th, 2009, 10:15 PM	#4
Joseph Stunzi New Boot Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 15	I have the defogger wipes and they work great for me. Chamois is the obvious professional solution and it'll probably make your eye a lot more comfortable.

October 6th, 2009, 08:49 AM	#8
Don Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	Charles is once again confusing a piece of video gear with a bong. Kids, a good lesson of what happens after a few years working in LA. :)

October 6th, 2009, 09:07 AM	#9
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Don, You have me rolling on the floor this morning. Too funny. D

October 9th, 2009, 06:42 AM	#11
Inna Lantsman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 74	Thank you all so much for your comments and suggestions.

October 14th, 2009, 07:42 AM	#13
Inna Lantsman Regular Crew Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 74	Steve is absolutely correct, these wipes are working well. I hope Steve does not mind if I would say that it would have been nice to have these wipes included in the sale of Z-Finder V2. Thank you.