Monocular? What is this called? at DVinfo.net

Daniel Hollister · March 29th, 2005, 02:13 PM

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?

John McManimie · March 29th, 2005, 02:56 PM

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. :-)

Daniel Hollister · March 29th, 2005, 03:27 PM

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.

Richard Alvarez · March 29th, 2005, 03:40 PM

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

K. Forman · March 29th, 2005, 05:12 PM

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.

March 29th, 2005, 02:13 PM	#1
Daniel Hollister Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 128	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?

March 29th, 2005, 05:12 PM	#5
K. Forman Capt. Quirk Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Middle of the woods in Georgia Posts: 3,596	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. __________________ www.SmokeWagonLeather.us

March 29th, 2005, 02:56 PM	#2
John McManimie Major Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 314	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. :-)

March 29th, 2005, 03:27 PM	#3
Daniel Hollister Regular Crew Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Hollywood, CA Posts: 128	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.

March 29th, 2005, 03:40 PM	#4
Richard Alvarez Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 3,840	Well.... you can always to the 'thumb and forefinger' frame with both hands... it's corny, but it works.