New 5d3 - Now what? EVF or LCDVF or Zfinder?

[Charles W. Hull]

Originally Posted by Charles W. Hull

I have the Zacuto stick on frame on my 5DII and am thinking about removing this before I sell the 5DII to upgrade to a 5DIII. Does anyone have experience or advice about removing these stick on frames?

Just a note - I did end up removing the Zacuto stick on Z-Finder frame from my 5DII, and used a trick I'd learned about removing 3M sticky tape hangars - DENTAL FLOSS! Dental floss easily works under a corner of the frame and you can slide it under all the frame and remove it, with no damage to the 5DII.

Also, Zacato does not yet have a stick on frame for the 5DIII's 3.2 inch display but their web site says it's under development. They do have a 3.2 inch version of the regular Z-Finder frame.

[Scott Stoneback]

Originally Posted by Tariq Peter

I wish Canon had just added peaking to the 5DMK3. Having spent 3k on a camera I now also now need to buy an EVF to help me focus.

YES! I went through the menus twice to make sure that I didn't miss the setting. What a bummer, my eye is having a tough time to focus off the back screen, with Zacuto Zfinder.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Scott Stoneback

YES! I went through the menus twice to make sure that I didn't miss the setting. What a bummer, my eye is having a tough time to focus off the back screen, with Zacuto Zfinder.

The 5D3 is a stills camera that has a sideline in video. It's not surprising that it doesn't have peaking. It doesn't have zebras or continuous autofocus either.

[Scott Stoneback]

Even though the MarkIII has a "sideline in video" (which I disagree with)... the argument can be made that the camera has so blurred the lines between a stills cam and video cam that omitting basic tools is a letdown. Continuous autofocus, I get, because it is impossible to use the 3D autofocus engine with the mirror up. The camera has to focus in 2D, a different focus procedure (that's my limited understanding of the 5D's autofocus, anyway).

However, I would imagine that peaking would be possible... indeed desired by engineers. Here is the reason: if you make a camera that has a function (video in this instance) why hamstring an operator with a difficult to focus monitor? If your monitor is difficult to view, it's almost as if, "whats the point of that monitor?"

Oh, wait... I said desired by engineers, not actual operators in the field! My mistake. Engineers always know best when it comes to real-world function. I forgot that! That's why we get a little zoom button (that doesn't even function while recording, and is placed in the most inconvenient spot on the camera body).

The 5D has been around for a while now and these basic functions should be worked out. After all, the camera is marketed as a tool for video, not just stills. I am using it in a capacity where I need it to be small and light... I can't be running around with stuff ganked all over it. Otherwise, I would have an EVF on there.

Don't get me wrong, this is an amazing little camera. I love it (although I would love a C300 more, if I could afford it). But man, the fact remains: it is a pain in the arse to focus. That is a basic problem that needs to be worked out. I mean, come on! Focusing? It should be a priority in design, not an afterthought.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

I absolutely agree that it is a pain to focus using a loupe. Unfortunately, even the 1D C - which is a 4k camera albeit in DSLR form factor - doesn't have zebras or peaking. Since I am waiting for this camera, it is a bit frustrating that despite the high price, certain features are still missing.

[Jim Newberry]

Anyone tried this one?


Kinotehnik LCDVF3C 3.2" LCD Viewfinder LCDVF3C B&H Photo

[Tim Polster]

I recently purchased a Zacuto Loupe for $375 for use with the 5DMKIII. I tried it and found the magnification was too much. The screen was too big to see the entire frame easily. Even though I adjusted the diopter to get the image sharp, something was not comfortable. The on-off procedure was a bit involved as well.

I returned it and then tried the Carry Speed loupe for $150. I like this better and have decided to keep it. It is comfortable with my vision and the magnified screen is a little less large so you can see the entire frame easily in your vision. The on-off procedure is very quick.

VF-3 Universal LCD View Finder by Carry Speed | Carry Speed Store

There is enough detail to find focus. Sure, it is not as good as an EVF but the loupe is great for outdoor work and does not need a battery!

[Chris Hurd]

Curious about the Alphatron EVF-035W-3G as well.

[Nigel Barker]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Curious about the Alphatron EVF-035W-3G as well.

It looks great but at $1400 you could buy nearly 10 Carry Speed loupes for the money. It even makes the Zacuto EVF look cheap. Adding the cost to that of the 5D3 you may as well buy a C100 (which also might benefit from a decent EVF but you know what I mean:-)

[Keith Marley]

Originally Posted by Chris Hurd

Curious about the Alphatron EVF-035W-3G as well.

Hi Chris,

I just received mine and to be honest my opinion is it is overpriced. The focus assist is very useful don't get me wrong and the resolution of the screen is decent enough, but I can't help feel that it is priced at the wrong point. I also find that when I am panning there is an image delay and the movement is far from smooth in the image.

To be fair I haven't really explored its functionality fully and the features I have looked at are decent, just at nearly a £1000 i perhaps expected at least a robust design apart from the features - it feels very cheap to me. It also wasn't giving out the proper readout as to what resolution and framerate I was shooting at....I have updated the firmware this morning, so hopefully that will remedy it. I am on a shoot on saturday (my first ever DSLR shoot!!!) so will report back as to my feelings on this EVF in the field.

Keith

[Keith Marley]

just as an update on the Alphatron EVF after my first proper shoot - my opinion of it has not changed - overpriced for what it is.

The eye piece does not fit around your eye properly - I know that I am not the first to mention this.
The screen looks sharp, however when looked at with the diopter down the image is soft - I have tried adjusting it with the focusing ring on it, but it makes no difference.
There is a half second delay of the image (the manufacturers claim that there is not delay at all....certainly not true for mine). The read out states that I am shooting 1080 60i when in fact i was shooting 1080 25p - the read out didn't change when I change the size of the movie in the 5d settings. Once i had done the firmware upgrade the audio level meters stopped working. Unless there are issues with my 5D I can't help but feel i have wasted a lot of money on this.
So for nearly a £1000, I would say look elsewhere

[Nigel Barker]

If the Alphatron doesn't work as advertised why don't you return it for a refund? I know that I would. There is too much gear that is rushed to market unfinished so that purchasers end up as beta testers.

[Les Wilson]

I abandoned the Z-Finder. The fundamental problem is the ergonomics of the 5DMx. Even a loupe on the screen doesn't change the problem that it's difficult to hold and operate straight off your face either handheld or on a tripod (especially). I mean think about it, one of the first things you learn in photography is to move away from the standing position. But you can't do that very well when you have to have the cameras up against your face.

I switched to the SmallHD DP4 and it revolutionized filming with a DSLR. It actually made it tolerable. I can place the camera where I want it and not be craning my neck, looking into the VF sideways or crawling on my hands and knees. It has unbelievably better focus peaking than any camera or monitor I've used and it has false colors for exposure. Both can be asigned to buttons so there's no menu groping. I bought the package that includes the snap on/rotating VF and sun shield. YMMV

[Josh Bass]

There's one called the Swivi I just read about. . .same idea as Z-finder (mounts on plate/rods, etc.), but it's $150. Wonder if any of you have used or heard about it. I believe I read something about the issues being cropping (covering some of the LCD frame on certain cams) and that the frame of the device didn't sit snug against the LCD, leaving a small gap that was killer in bright daylight. Will not swear to any of that being true.

Amazon.com: VF-3 Swivi Universal LCD View Finder for DSLR: Camera & Photo

 

Amazon.com: VF-3 Swivi Universal LCD View Finder for DSLR: Camera & Photo

[Les Wilson]

Seems like those shortcoming defeat the whole purpose of getting a camera with near 100% framing. Add a problematic light leaker and it's headed for the garbage can pretty fast.