Hi William,

You sent me a question about the Hasselblad finder that I use.

There are many ways to use the Hassleblad chimney finder with your 5D, either unfixed, fixed, semi-fixed to camera or simply in hand.

The Hoodman rubber cross-strap probably fits, although it is far cheaper to simply buy some cheap thin fixing straps or tough rubber band straps and then form a loop and cross-over with the camera body. I've used a home-made rubber strap. The only problem is that the Hasselblad finder is made of sturdy metal and not plastic/rubber, so the base can scratch the LCD or body of the 5D if it moves slightly in use, so it is best to place some velcro or thin strip of material along the finder base. However, the LCD pop-up shade mount is the one I now prefer (see Vimeo clip below).

For a more fixed device you can make a simple metal L-shaped bar and screw this to the actual wall of the finder (boring tiny holes for screws or mini-bolts) and fit a universal tripod spacer at the other end so that you can fix it via the tripod hole on the underside of the 5D.

You can also fit it to a quick-release tripod plate, such as the Manfrotto.

I made my own cheap rubber strap mount (similar to Hoodman strap mount) but now use a clip mount. This was made by removing the shade flaps on a LCD 5D pop-up shade and then simply glueing the hasselblad magnifier to the LCD shade mount. This makes it easy to clip the Hasselbald finder on and off the 5D Mark II.

Here is a video of how to do it with an LCDVF, but the technique also works with the Hasselblad. The Hassy viewfinder is well made and sharp with inbuilt magnification of the image on the focusing screen at 2.5x for a full-frame view of the screen without the need for moving the eye and manually adjusts from 3.5 to -2.5 diopters:


I hope this helps.

Here is a photo of the Hasselblad finder with diopter adjustment extended:

Personally, I find solid mounting - so the loupe can't slide around the LCD - to be critically important. For normal shooting, you don't need something so solid that you can lift the camera with it, it just needs to not slide around - at all.

Then again, I wouldn't want to use the Z-Finder sticky frame in an open helicopter without using the lanyard. The Z-Finder pops off easily, which is really nice, until the day it falls off a cliff. The new Zacuto mounts should solve that, as does the Red Rock mount for the Hoodloupe.

In any case, I'm no fan of the rubber bands. As soon as you notice that the loupe has slipped, it's hard to concentrate on framing, focus, footing and all those other important things.

Yes Jon, I agree entirely about a solid or fixed mount. That's why I prefer the adapted clip-on mount (shown at the end of the video). At least this keeps the finder firmly in place during filming and can be easily and quickly removed.

The rubber bands option I hated because, as you mentioned, the finder kept moving slightly out of place - OK for tripod work but not for run-n'-gun hectic stuff, and the same can be said about the magnet technique - even a slight knock sends it flying off the camera...

Yeah I haven't used mine a lot since I got it because I don't have a solid mounting system. I just went ahead and ordered one of the LCD hoods to do my own mount, looks like a good solid solution.

I did exactly what Tony explains in his video with my Hoodman about a year ago and can confirm that it is a very good solution. Locks tightly to the eyepiece frame when in use, but can slide on and off quite easily for transport.

I don't use it now because I bought the Z-Finder and a couple of mounting frames, one for my 5D2 and one for my 7D. However, if I was to get another 5D2, (Unlikely) I would probably give the new x3 Hoodman eyepiece a try and fit it to the new cam rather than using anther Z-Finder mounting frame.

The problem is, you can't use the Hoodman/cheap sunshade system while there's a Z-Finder mounting frame in position as it won't lie flat to the camera back, so it's one or the other I'm afraid.

But essentially, what Tony describes in his video is an excellent way to work with the Hoodman hoodloupe.

Avey

Got my magnifier and man what a great piece. It's just enough to make it look great and just enough to let you see mistakes that the regular magnification won't show you. Everything looks great on that tiny screen, but when you put it on a bigger screen it you say.... What was I thinking???? Now with the magnification you can see those mistakes right away. Don't know if it's better than some higher priced versions, but at this price point it's a no brainer if you already own a Hoodman.

I just got my hoodloupe and hoodmag in the other day and mounted it up with my redrock microfinder loupe kit and it works pretty good. I have looked through the Z-Finder before, but I cannot recall how it differentiated from this setup.

Does anyone know what size BlueStar eye cushion will fit the hoodman loupe with the hoodmag? loupe viewfinder cushion

Has anybody tried this?

Cinema Kit Pro-Hoodman Corporation

It's announced on front page actually but Hoodman finally came around to release their own loupe mount called 'HoodCrane'. Sold together as a bundle 'Cinema Kit Pro' with the original loupe and mag 3.0.

I would need an LCD Viewfinder at some point in the future, and so wondering about everyone's experience with this more complete set up. Like some of you guys, I find that Zacuto Z-finder is a great choice, both practically and aesthetically. But like lots more of you guys, I also think it's insanely-priced.
So this looks like the next viable alternative.

Hoodcrane looks like a decent solution - certainly more flexible than most of the mounting systems out there. For the price though ($99 on it's own) I'll skip it.

I just got my pop-up sunshade a couple days ago, haven't had a chance to glue the loupe to it so just gaffed it for now. Works perfectly, very securely mounted even just using tape, and much lower profile than the hoodcrane. Snaps on and off in a second so I don't see a lot of advantage to having the flip up capabilities of the crane. Hard to beat for $12.

To bad they don't make them for the 7D or that would be the route I would take as well. For now the RR mount works for me, but I wish taking it off and on was easier.

Anyone have a picture of them mounting the viewfinder on the lcd hood?

Does it fit perfectly inside the lcd hood or do you glue it on the bracket itself

Here's a quick shot of my temporary tape mount job - you can see it doesn't fit inside the LCD hood frame, it sits flush with the sides of the frame, so it'll have to be glued along the edge of the loupe where it contacts the frame.

Saw it today at NAB. Worked quite well. When looking through the loupe the edges of the video appeared blurry but overall it is fine. I liked the view of the Zacuto better.

Nice DIY, Evan. I agree that this setup doesn't attract unnecessary attention. But it seems like your solution only works for 5D2 so far, unfortunately. I own a 7D, and the LCD screen placement is on the same level as the rest of the buttons - no protruding edge like the one shown in your picture of 5D2 where you can stick the gaffer tape on.

So the Hoodman is STILL only good and focussed in the centre? I was hoping the magnifying thing would improve it a little.

The magnifying does improve it, but I've found it's really sensitive to getting the diopter correction right. Just a little off and you get blurry edges, but get it right on and it's mostly clear from edge to edge. Placement of your eye is important too, and the new eyecup makes it much harder to get your eye at the wrong position.

That's not part of the camera - that's the snap-on LCD sunshade frame. I removed the sunshade itself, leaving only the frame, and taped to that, so that I can snap the whole unit on and off easily. Unfortunately it sounds like there isn't an equivalent sunshade for the 7D yet, but you might be able to achieve a similar effect with something like this:

LCD Screen Hood Clear Cover Protector fits Canon EOS 7D - eBay (item 380220827200 end time May-05-10 19:24:29 PDT)

If you can glue the loupe to that it might work, assuming it attaches securely enough to support the weight.

Thanks for the link. It looks like a tougher version of an LCD film protector. From the picture though, I may be wrong here, it looks rather flimsy and not sturdy enough to support the loupe. I may just wait and see if the Hoodcrane Cinema Kit Pro is really worth to buy. Unless Zacuto has a Gold box Deal of the Day like Amazon's :)

FWIW, Cinevate is showing a HOOD loupe prototype at the show. It's HUGE and goes over both eyes. The glass is huge and you can see a good part of the screen from a foot or more off the camera.

The concept needs some refinement, since people's heads are shaped differently, but it's a very interesting solution. And the glass is crisp as can be.

Check out what I posted about it earlier. We've had a Hoodloupe mounted to the sunshade and it is 100% secure and rugged and stable. It goes on and of the camera several times a shoot and gets hauled all over some rugged outdoor shoots.

I can't imagine a better, easier way to mount a VF than this. As I've posted before, it took minutes to execute, it looks like it was done by Canon and it's light and immediately swappable. What more could you want?

Oh, yeah...it's really cheap too.

I echo Jim and Evan's comments. I've been using the hoodloupe on the lcd shade for over a year and it's super solid and fast to take on and off. Mine is neatly gaffer taped and has remained solid after a year of heavy use. I see no need to glue it.

But I'm not super impressed with the hoodmag. The diopter doesn't quite work anymore for my eyes. And the increase in size is not so huge.

Anyway, all things considered, the hoodman stuff is great.

Hi Jim,

Evan mentioned that the sunshade is only available for 5D2. Unless a similar one is available for 7D (which is the DSLR I own), I might have to either wait till they release one and try your method or go for another alternative, depending on how long I can wait.

I understand your assumption though, since this thread belongs to 5D2 forum. But totally agree that it's a way cheaper solution :)

Review of HoodMag 3.0 (7D Owner)
 

I ordered the new HoodMag 3.0 3X eyepiece for the HoodmanUSA Hoodloupe 3.0 from B&H Sunday night (May 9th). UPS delivered it today (12th).

It's even better than I'd hoped. Had this been available mid last year I could have saved myself the $240 or so spent on the CAVISION setup I ordered from CAVISION in Canada (not to intimate that wasn't worth it, I will still get a lot of use out of it, an excellent product!).

The problem with the original Hoodloupe 3.0 was twofold: No magnification (at 1:1 the image appeared even smaller than direct view), and if you didn't have your eye quite centered you got distortion (this didn't bother me too much, I adapt, but it drove some others NUTS).

The HoodMag 3.0 solves both problems for me, providing 3X magnification and curing the eye centration issue. The view is NICE!

You have to already have the Hoodloupe ($79.99) or order it separately. The HoodMag 3.0 3X eyepiece is $39.99. To install you pull up on the original rubber eyeshield and pull it off (gently), all of the original optics remain in place on the loupe. Next stretch the bottom of the new assembly enough to pull it on and you're DONE!

Now hold it on the LCD of ANY DLSR and turn the eyepiece tube to focus, rotate the eyeshield to fit your face and it's ready for use (eyeglass wearers may prefer to fold the eyeshield down (I do) as once it gets skin oil or grease on it that will get on eyeglass lenses if left unfolded.

The "view" is great.

All that remains is to employ one of the mounting methods you'll find in these forums. My preference is one 12" rubber band or two 7" as this is easiest to mount and remove, although most of the time I will continue to use the lanyard to hang it around my neck and hold it in place on the LCD as necessary to focus, compose, and review video, or to simply review stills.

For me, well worth the $39.99

Ditto on the Hoodmag 3.0. Huge improvement for me and no complaints about it at all except that I still have not decided on a good way to attach to my T2i.I'm using the cine straps so far but its wanky.

From my personal experience, I think the hoodmag 3.0 is just OK. The good things are it has adjustable diopter control, it's magnified, and it's really lightweight. The main issue I have is the small optics used. The problem is the whole perimeter of the optics makes the perimeter of my LCD distorted and you can't tell what's in focus. If you stand on one leg, hop in a circle, spit on the ground, then look through the hoodmag at a certain eye level and 23.987 degrees to the top of it, you can see the LCD pretty good. I tried using mine for a few shoots, but this was waaaay to cumbersome and I had better results just using the LCD screen.

Am I the only one having this problem with the small optics? Or do I just have abnormally large eyes :)

Glad you're liking it Bruce. But for the record, using the rubber band method is definitely not the fastest or easiest way to take it on and off. The sunshade setup slides on and off instantly and fits like a glove.

And Cody, for me at least, the Mag fixed the perimeter blurriness issue.

I don't have a 5D MkII, I'm using a 7D and I don't believe there is a sunshade that hooks on the eyepiece.

I mainly use a CAVISION LCD viewfinder and mounting plate assembly with "swing away" adapter with the 7D. The CAVISION has a 6X eyepiece.

I ordered the Mag 3.0 because I already had the Hoodloupe 3.0 and usually carry it when I'm shooting stills or more "spur of the moment" video.

Hoodcrane!
 

Just got this, and it works quite well!

Only caveat is that flip-up feature requires two-hands to enable the spring switch release. It would be better if there were a one-hand release solution so that one could flip up and down while shooting.

Otherwise Hoodcrane is well designed and functions quite well. I use with mag 3.0 eyepiece. The whole thing is the "Cinema Kit" for around $200 - far better value and function, IMO, than Zacuto.

Here are some images of my Hasselblad finder on the 5D Mark 2 shown in an earlier thread (post No.12):

http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-eo...-took-lcd.html

Hoodloupe 3
 

I went down the Hoodloupe 3 route risking the edge blurriness and put the Mag on.

I am very happy with this solution as I have no edge blurriness. To mount the Hoodloupe, I found this article and purchased the Redrock mount.

UPDATED: Redrock Micro microFinder Loupe and Hoodloupe Review Small Town Photojournalism

It works really well. It's a little soft and so can bend at times. However as it allows the mount and dismount of the Hoodloupe, I really like it. It is held on with my Manfrotto quick release plate basically clasping the metal bracket against the camera base plate. It pretty much lives on my camera now, other than when I want to use Auto Focus and get some stills.

In the UK, at least I purchased the Redrock mount from Production Gear.

Regards

Jeff

The hoodloupe still sucks for me... I tried out the z-finder on someone elses camera and the optics are much larger! The large optics make a lot of sense... coming from using 35mm adapters, the optics for the achromat had to be large enough because they had a "Sweet" spot in the middle of the achromat that wasn't distorted. The sweet spot on the hoodmag is really small compared to the actual diameter of the glass. Zacuto's z-finder costs more, but it's using the right size optics.

I too am using the redrock loupe holder and it works great with my rig, but the hoodman optics could be vastly improved.