Monocular? What is this called?
 

I've seen many directors frame their shots using a monocular of some kind so they don't have to actually whip out the camera to plan shots. In fact most recently I believe Gus Van Sant does this on the special features of Elephant. I was wondering what the official name of this device is. I imagine it's just a small lens that mimics the field of view of a camera lens, but not sure what it's called or where to find them. Well I'd bet B&H would have them, but I don't know what to search for! Anyone know what this device is called and if it's actually useful as opposed to just whipping out the camera, and/or just framing purely with the eye?

It is a Director's Viewfinder. They are fairly expensive.

You can always frame with the cardboard portion of a 35mm slide... but you have to pretend zoom. :-)

Thanks. Yeah, I saw the prices... definitely expensive. I think I might just make a makeshift one like you described. In reality I don't need anything like those. I don't need to be adjustable based on format, aspect ratio, and focus. I just need somethign to assist with framing without having to power up the DVX and drag it across the room just to get some ideas.

Well.... you can always to the 'thumb and forefinger' frame with both hands... it's corny, but it works.

I actually like having the cam, so I can see how it will react to the setting. There are always little surprises, you just might not notice them until all is shot.