5 D mk2 / Hoodman Hoodloup = steady shots

Wayne Avanson · April 28th, 2009, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nigel Barker

Dan Chung already spotted that the $395 Z-Finder comprises a $150 Schneider loupe & an eye cup. For those who find the Hoodloupe optics unsatisfactory it may be a cheaper option to replace them with the Scheider part.

Wish I'd bought a Schneider now…

Dan Brockett · April 28th, 2009, 07:00 PM

For those of you who are DIYing with the Schneider Loupe, it would be interesting to hear how many hours it took you to formulate your idea for mounting and how many hours it took to research, hunt down the components/material needed and what the cost was in merchandise and labor. I think it is totally do-able but I am reading about people who are buying the Schneider Loupe, then custom fabricating the front piece from scratch using CAD, molding, fiberglass, extrusion and all sorts of other manufacturing process.

The DIY side of me is saying, "Cool that you can do that, wish I could do that. Wish I had the skills, knowledge and multi-hundreds of thousand dollars facility to do CAD/CAM, fiberglass fabrication, etc."

The practical side of me is saying, "wow, your time must be really cheap for you to be able to devote that many hours to making a DIY 5D MIII viewer"

I guess it makes sense if the people doing that are going to sell their creation but for a one off? There are some crazy people out there.

Dan

Dan Chung · April 28th, 2009, 07:47 PM

Dan,

As you know I agree with you about time costs of making a finder. I just wish Zacuto were a bit more forthcoming in letting someone like you test the z-finder for the rest of us, and answering my questions about the quality of the velcro fastening in a rough environment. I guess this may be a little academic as after NAB their waiting list for the z-finder may be so long that I have to make one anyway :)

Dan

Dan Brockett · April 28th, 2009, 09:44 PM

Me? They should have you test it, you are a working video journalist out on the streets of the world every day, shooting in gritty, real life environments. What am I doing? Sitting in an antiseptic conference room tomorrow, shooting boring interviews with salespeople for this corporate video for a new product line. My shoots are so easy on gear compared to what you do.

When I am running around France in June, shooting all over the country, on the street, that will be a lot more like what you do. I am looking forward to it, all of this office boring stuff is getting me restless.

You should ask Steve Weiss to send you one so you can write a review. I am still waiting for my 5D MKII to be delivered, I did freebie "slow boat delivery" ;-)

Dan

Luc De Wandel · April 30th, 2009, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc De Wandel

I now see the mistake I've been making: the 5D's screen is 4:3 while the Z7's is 16:9. That explains why the loupe will be a trifle too narrow for my camera. Anyway, I ordered one and I'll try to make it fit somehow. Thanks for the help!

Just received my Hoodloupe with the elastic velcro attachment and it fits quite nicely over the monitor of my Sony HVR-Z7. There's only a small rim of about 3 mm of the image missing. The fixing is sturdy, but the optical quality could indeed be better: in the corners the image is blurry. Anyway, with an investment of 144,- euro's I've made a shoulder camera from my Z7. Too bad Belgian customs kept the Express mail (!) package for three f... days, just to calculate their tax of 10,- euro's. Disgusting.

Wayne Avanson · April 30th, 2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc De Wandel

Just received my Hoodloupe with the elastic velcro attachment and it fits quite nicely over the monitor of my Sony HVR-Z7. There's only a small rim of about 3 mm of the image missing. The fixing is sturdy, but the optical quality could indeed be better: in the corners the image is blurry. Anyway, with an investment of 144,- euro's I've made a shoulder camera from my Z7. Too bad Belgian customs kept the Express mail (!) package for three f... days, just to calculate their tax of 10,- euro's. Disgusting.

Yeah, Mine got caught by customs too. AND THEN the Parcel Force people took that as an opportunity to slap on their own exorbitant charge as a 'handling fee'. Ridiculous.

Getting the hang of it now though. With practice you can keep your eye in the centre. Looking for an eyecup to put on the end now.

Anything cheaper than Dan's suggestion anyone?

Dan Brockett · April 30th, 2009, 11:43 AM

The new Z-Finder is on its way to me, hopefully it will arrive by the end of next week.

Dan

Nigel Barker · April 30th, 2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Brockett

The new Z-Finder is on its way to me, hopefully it will arrive by the end of next week.

Dan, are you sure that yours will arrive next week? I had thought that because of short supply that these weren't available for purchase except with the full Zacuto rigs. Actually I just checked their web site & they are only available for pre-order with no stock before the 20th May.

Dan Brockett · May 1st, 2009, 08:56 AM

Hi Nigel:

I have a connection there who told me that my Z-Finder is shipping today. They received a very small amount, I was on a pre-order list from way before NAB. They are not anticipating regular amounts of them to replenish until May 20th.

Will definitely do a review when it arrives and I have had a chance to use it.

Dan

Luc De Wandel · May 1st, 2009, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne Avanson

Looking for an eyecup to put on the end now.

The big eyecup that comes with the Z7 fits over the Hoodloupe perfectly.

Ray Bell · May 1st, 2009, 06:07 PM

Dan, Do you have the hoodman, or played with it so you can compare the two...

Dan Brockett · May 1st, 2009, 08:22 PM

No:

I have read too many posts complaining about the substandard optics on the Hoodman and to me, after years of shooting HD, the main challenge is focus. Always focus. I can see trying to shoot and focus with just a bare 3.0" screen, my eyes are not that sharp anymore.

Dan

Ray Bell · May 2nd, 2009, 07:38 AM

Does anyone know what the Z7 eyecup part number is and where can one order it from...

Ray Bell · May 2nd, 2009, 08:47 AM

For those looking for a way to mount the Hoodman view finder onto the 5DMKII body...

Here is another option... for $13.50

On Ebay item # 260383728507

This is the LCD Pop-Up Screen Hood Shade Cover for CANON 5D Mark II

All you have to do is take the three flip up/out panels off of the unit and mount
the Hoodman view finder on the frame of the cover... you can use glue or gaff
tape..

you can do this in about 5 minutes.. and you wont have to use rubber bands or any thing else to hold it on the camera...

And the whole setup is very easy to remove... no modification to the camera is required

Wayne Avanson · May 3rd, 2009, 04:56 AM

So can anyone compare the Schneider and the Hoodman quality? Has anyone used both?
I'd be interested to know since I;m thinking of selling the hoodman and buying a schneider if there's much difference the DIYing the thing to the cam myself.

I used the Hoodman all day yesterday at a wedding and it works better the more you use it but when hunting for perfect focus especially at longer lengths, the occasional 'jaggies' that you sometimes see on diagonals can throw off your confidence that you've nailed it.

Reviewing footage this morning I find I was pretty spot on most of the day, but it didn't feel like it at the time.

Anyway, if any one has had a chance to play with both together let me know your thoughts would you?
Ta

Avey

May 2nd, 2009, 08:47 AM	#44
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	For those looking for a way to mount the Hoodman view finder onto the 5DMKII body... Here is another option... for $13.50 On Ebay item # 260383728507 This is the LCD Pop-Up Screen Hood Shade Cover for CANON 5D Mark II All you have to do is take the three flip up/out panels off of the unit and mount the Hoodman view finder on the frame of the cover... you can use glue or gaff tape.. you can do this in about 5 minutes.. and you wont have to use rubber bands or any thing else to hold it on the camera... And the whole setup is very easy to remove... no modification to the camera is required Last edited by Ray Bell; May 2nd, 2009 at 04:18 PM.

April 28th, 2009, 07:00 PM	#32
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	For those of you who are DIYing with the Schneider Loupe, it would be interesting to hear how many hours it took you to formulate your idea for mounting and how many hours it took to research, hunt down the components/material needed and what the cost was in merchandise and labor. I think it is totally do-able but I am reading about people who are buying the Schneider Loupe, then custom fabricating the front piece from scratch using CAD, molding, fiberglass, extrusion and all sorts of other manufacturing process. The DIY side of me is saying, "Cool that you can do that, wish I could do that. Wish I had the skills, knowledge and multi-hundreds of thousand dollars facility to do CAD/CAM, fiberglass fabrication, etc." The practical side of me is saying, "wow, your time must be really cheap for you to be able to devote that many hours to making a DIY 5D MIII viewer" I guess it makes sense if the people doing that are going to sell their creation but for a one off? There are some crazy people out there. Dan

April 28th, 2009, 07:47 PM	#33
Dan Chung Major Player Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Beijing Posts: 665	Dan, As you know I agree with you about time costs of making a finder. I just wish Zacuto were a bit more forthcoming in letting someone like you test the z-finder for the rest of us, and answering my questions about the quality of the velcro fastening in a rough environment. I guess this may be a little academic as after NAB their waiting list for the z-finder may be so long that I have to make one anyway :) Dan

April 28th, 2009, 09:44 PM	#34
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Me? They should have you test it, you are a working video journalist out on the streets of the world every day, shooting in gritty, real life environments. What am I doing? Sitting in an antiseptic conference room tomorrow, shooting boring interviews with salespeople for this corporate video for a new product line. My shoots are so easy on gear compared to what you do. When I am running around France in June, shooting all over the country, on the street, that will be a lot more like what you do. I am looking forward to it, all of this office boring stuff is getting me restless. You should ask Steve Weiss to send you one so you can write a review. I am still waiting for my 5D MKII to be delivered, I did freebie "slow boat delivery" ;-) Dan

April 30th, 2009, 11:43 AM	#37
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	The new Z-Finder is on its way to me, hopefully it will arrive by the end of next week. Dan

May 1st, 2009, 08:56 AM	#39
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	Hi Nigel: I have a connection there who told me that my Z-Finder is shipping today. They received a very small amount, I was on a pre-order list from way before NAB. They are not anticipating regular amounts of them to replenish until May 20th. Will definitely do a review when it arrives and I have had a chance to use it. Dan

May 1st, 2009, 06:07 PM	#41
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Dan, Do you have the hoodman, or played with it so you can compare the two...

May 1st, 2009, 08:22 PM	#42
Dan Brockett Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 2,109	No: I have read too many posts complaining about the substandard optics on the Hoodman and to me, after years of shooting HD, the main challenge is focus. Always focus. I can see trying to shoot and focus with just a bare 3.0" screen, my eyes are not that sharp anymore. Dan

May 2nd, 2009, 07:38 AM	#43
Ray Bell Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 1,414	Does anyone know what the Z7 eyecup part number is and where can one order it from...

May 3rd, 2009, 04:56 AM	#45
Wayne Avanson Major Player Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Lancashire UK Posts: 496	So can anyone compare the Schneider and the Hoodman quality? Has anyone used both? I'd be interested to know since I;m thinking of selling the hoodman and buying a schneider if there's much difference the DIYing the thing to the cam myself. I used the Hoodman all day yesterday at a wedding and it works better the more you use it but when hunting for perfect focus especially at longer lengths, the occasional 'jaggies' that you sometimes see on diagonals can throw off your confidence that you've nailed it. Reviewing footage this morning I find I was pretty spot on most of the day, but it didn't feel like it at the time. Anyway, if any one has had a chance to play with both together let me know your thoughts would you? Ta Avey