Scott Wilkinson
March 23rd, 2011, 07:55 AM
I just received a Carry Speed (http://www.carryspeed.com/) LCD Viewfinder after seeing a good review of it on Cheesycam.com, where it was described as one of the best of the "cheap" LCD viewfinders. (For me, "cheap" = "affordable!") Cost for this one was right around $60.
http://www.benhenryonline.com/sites/carryspeed/prods/prod04_lcdViewFinder_main.jpg
The viewfinder seems very well-made for $60. Though plastic, it seems very solid. The eyecup is large and comfortable, and the optical quality of the lens was more than good enough for me (though some say it does exhibit a bit of distortion around the edges—I'm willing to live with this as it's not bad at all).
The mounting frames for this viewfinder are made of decent-quality, stiff metal—nothing cheesy about those. And perhaps the best point about this viewfinder is that it clicks positively into place on the mounting frame and does not slide around at all.
The downside, of course, is that the viewfinder doesn't have a diopter adjustment. So it was with great sadness that I discovered the focal distance isn't perfect for my eyes. (I don't wear glasses, but I also don't have 20/20 vision.)
It goes without saying that if you can't have a perfect focal distance for your eyes, there isn't much point in having a viewfinder (in my opinion).
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Zacuto solves this problem with their Z-Finder Jr. (which also does not have a diopter adjustment) by offering stackable mounting frames to increase the viewfinder's distance from the LCD.
In my case, I found out that holding the viewfinder a hair under 1/8" away from the LCD gave me perfect sharpness.
Alas, I'm not sure what to do with my Carry Speed viewfinder. I really can't afford a Zacuto now. I've heard rumors that people have used the Zacuto mounts with a cheap viewfinder, but don't know if this really works? I also don't know if any of the other cheap viewfinders have a solution to compensate for focal distance?
If anyone else has the same issue with focal distance and found a solution, please let me know!
I thought of just buying more of the thin metal frames from Carry Speed and stacking them...but the frames are SO thin it might take 3 or 4 to get the right distance (and that could get messy).
I also emailed Carry Speed and asked if they could develop some sort of stackable frame. (I pointed out they would definitely sell more of the viewfinders if there was an option like this.)
I might explore some DIY solutions...but have no idea where to start...
Thanks,
Scott
http://www.benhenryonline.com/sites/carryspeed/prods/prod04_lcdViewFinder_main.jpg
The viewfinder seems very well-made for $60. Though plastic, it seems very solid. The eyecup is large and comfortable, and the optical quality of the lens was more than good enough for me (though some say it does exhibit a bit of distortion around the edges—I'm willing to live with this as it's not bad at all).
The mounting frames for this viewfinder are made of decent-quality, stiff metal—nothing cheesy about those. And perhaps the best point about this viewfinder is that it clicks positively into place on the mounting frame and does not slide around at all.
The downside, of course, is that the viewfinder doesn't have a diopter adjustment. So it was with great sadness that I discovered the focal distance isn't perfect for my eyes. (I don't wear glasses, but I also don't have 20/20 vision.)
It goes without saying that if you can't have a perfect focal distance for your eyes, there isn't much point in having a viewfinder (in my opinion).
---
Zacuto solves this problem with their Z-Finder Jr. (which also does not have a diopter adjustment) by offering stackable mounting frames to increase the viewfinder's distance from the LCD.
In my case, I found out that holding the viewfinder a hair under 1/8" away from the LCD gave me perfect sharpness.
Alas, I'm not sure what to do with my Carry Speed viewfinder. I really can't afford a Zacuto now. I've heard rumors that people have used the Zacuto mounts with a cheap viewfinder, but don't know if this really works? I also don't know if any of the other cheap viewfinders have a solution to compensate for focal distance?
If anyone else has the same issue with focal distance and found a solution, please let me know!
I thought of just buying more of the thin metal frames from Carry Speed and stacking them...but the frames are SO thin it might take 3 or 4 to get the right distance (and that could get messy).
I also emailed Carry Speed and asked if they could develop some sort of stackable frame. (I pointed out they would definitely sell more of the viewfinders if there was an option like this.)
I might explore some DIY solutions...but have no idea where to start...
Thanks,
Scott