The CBK-MH01 LCD monitor hood does the trick

[Pieter de Vries]

I've had it for a week. A year ago, I rushed out and purchased the electronic viewfinder by Zacuto and now wish I'd waited. The Sony monitor hood does not have the look of yet another make-shift add-on, has a cleaner magnified image, and needs no batteries.

Well worth it.

Pieter de Vries ACS

[Alister Chapman]

Thanks for the update. Good to know.

[Peter Corbett]

Yes it's working really well here too. Main downer is the elevation won't go below horizontal. But you can work around it. I think it's well worth it.

[Peter G. Johnson]

That's really interesting, Pieter. I remember when it first came out, the crowd over at the 'other forum' somewhat dismissed the device as just a simple magnifier, flimsy, overpriced (etc). One such quote here: "The loupe that pretends to be an EVF?"

So then, how would it compare with a Zacuto, TVLogic, Cineroid, Alphatron (etc) What do they do that the CBK-MH01 doesn't, because the price isn't that bad? ($600-$700)

[Nate Weaver]

Originally Posted by Peter G. Johnson

So then, how would it compare with a Zacuto, TVLogic, Cineroid, Alphatron (etc) What do they do that the CBK-MH01 doesn't, because the price isn't that bad? ($600-$700)

You can put an EVF on the side of the camera and then do handheld work with it.

You can't effectively do that with this Sony attachment, the camera would be way too far out in front of you.

In other words, I need a proper EVF to do handheld comfortably, not block out the sun so much (but that's nice too).

[Koravik Rakpetchmanee]

can I use it with the Berkey top plate?

[Ned Soltz]

I'm working on a review of it. And you cannot use it with the Berkey top plate.

[Tony Brennan]

It can mounted to the F3 with the Berkey Plate. You have to carefully punch out the Sony screws supplied with unit, it can then be mount under the plate with the Berkey screws. Both Peter Cortbett and I have been using it this way with the Berkey Plate. The monitor hood works really well and turns the LCD screen into an acceptable viewfinder ( not un like the EX3 ).

[Ned Soltz]

That's good to know about the Berkey plate. I couldn't figure it out so just removed the plate when testing.

[Andrew Stone]

Originally Posted by Tony Brennan

It can mounted to the F3 with the Berkey Plate. You have to carefully punch out the Sony screws supplied with unit, it can then be mount under the plate with the Berkey screws. The monitor hood works really well and turns the LCD screen into an acceptable viewfinder ( not un like the EX3 ).

Good to know it can be done by punching out the provided fasteners. To me it's a cost/benefit thing. Sony is charging over $600 for a snoot (closer to $700 last time I checked). I have an EX3 and recognize it is in fact almost identical to the EX3 diopter snoot. I adore the EX3 because of the EVF and the swivel mount it is attached to which the cam as close as you can get to an ENG/EFP camera without going there. But...

The F3 solution is too far back to be practical for many shooting situations and when you evaluate the ongoing purchases we have to make it is good business practice to buy things that we can use past the life cycle of our existing cams. The CBK-MH01 is extortionately priced, in my view, given it's function and actual manufacturing cost. I would rather put my money towards an EVF or a montior that I can use on different cameras.

If it works for some of you, all the power to you. I would like to have one as part of my kit bag but it should cost $150. Really it should.

[Chuck Fishbein]

I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and I really like it. It's not perfect for every situation, but it certainly has simplified many setups. One less wire, battery and bracket and you know for sure that you're in record. Any advice on punching out the rivets would be appreciated as I too, use a Berkey plate

[Pieter de Vries]

Originally Posted by Peter G. Johnson

That's really interesting, Pieter. I remember when it first came out, the crowd over at the 'other forum' somewhat dismissed the device as just a simple magnifier, flimsy, overpriced (etc). One such quote here: "The loupe that pretends to be an EVF?"

So then, how would it compare with a Zacuto, TVLogic, Cineroid, Alphatron (etc) What do they do that the CBK-MH01 doesn't, because the price isn't that bad? ($600-$700)

Yes Peter, it is a magnifier, but it magnifies very well, what is already a decent LCD panel. The CBK-MH01 allows me to use all the focus assist software in the F3 and Sony still does the best focus assist IMHO.

The best three things about it for me are, no batteries required, no batteries to charge, no batteries to add weight. I'm already running three different types of batteries and their chargers - my TVlogic monitor, my Samurai, my F3.

[Tony Brennan]

Hi Chuck,
I used two sockets, one to support around the outside of the frame and a second that was the same size as the rivet and carefully tapped out the rivet. I don't think you could reverse the procedure, but I always use the Berkey Plate on my F3.

[Chuck Fishbein]

"I used two sockets, one to support around the outside of the frame and a second that was the same size as the rivet and carefully tapped out the rivet. I don't think you could reverse the procedure, but I always use the Berkey Plate on my F3."

Thanks Tony! I prefer using the Berkey plate. as well. I just wanted to make sure I liked the finder before making it non-returnable.

[Chuck Fishbein]

Here's some shots of the CBK-MH01, rivets removed, mounted under the Berkey cheeseplate.
Brian Berkey helped put together a basic handle that could also be swung forward if the lens and matte box mades the camera front heavy. You can also mount a monitor or anything else there when not in motion.