Zacuto Z-Finder vs Hoodman Loupe - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

xianchi · 05-31-2009, 12:03 PM

I haven't tried either but I am wondering what the $300 price difference can be...

I have some Zacuto products and they are well made but can it really be worth the extra $300?

Anyone have experience with both units?

Thanks!

puredrifting · 05-31-2009, 02:05 PM

I have the Z-Finder. I have not used the Hoodman but the general consensus on the boards is that the Hooman is just okay, but if you try view it at any angle other than dead on, the images distort and as far as mounting, the Hoodman rubber band overall does not hold the loupe in the exact position you want it to stay in.

The Z-finder has a big, bright image and works really well, I did an all weekend even shoot a few weeks ago and the Z-Finder was excellent. Zacuto is re-designing the Z-Finder and coming out with the version 2.0 soon.

Well worth the money.

Dan

yoclay · 05-31-2009, 02:57 PM

I have the Z-Finder and have tried the Hoodman. The Z is much better, far better magnification and much brighter. Does it justify being more than 5 times more expensive? Probably not. The Hoodman is great value for the money. However if you are professional, there is an obligation to use something twice as good, even if it is 4/5 times more expensive. It still does not have a good mounting system and the rubber eyepiece fogs up the viewfinder if you cup it too firmly to the eye. There is apparently a version 2 on it's way, and I am sure it will improve. However another option looks interesting as well:

http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2675

Redrock will be coming out with a new mounting option for any viewfinder you chose shortly as well.

It appears a new class of product is coming onto the market and this is really only the beginning.

DEPTH OF PHIL · 05-31-2009, 04:57 PM

Yes, go Zacuto but wait till version 2

puredrifting · 05-31-2009, 05:20 PM

Yes, I don't think any more of the V1 Z-Finders are available. Steve Weiss mentioned that the V2 is going to be available in 10 weeks and that was about 2 weeks ago. Can't wait to try it.

Dan

booggerg2 · 05-31-2009, 11:34 PM

what is the difference between the ZFinder and the Schneider loupe it's based on? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_for_6x7.html

PaulM · 06-01-2009, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by booggerg2

what is the difference between the ZFinder and the Schneider loupe it's based on? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_for_6x7.html

A $240 eyecup?

puredrifting · 06-01-2009, 07:22 AM

Paul:

Do you own or have you tried the Z-Finder or are you playing armchair quarterback? I had one of the first Z-Finders V1.0 sold and have shot about 30 hours with it now.

1. The front piece (that spaces the loupe optics the correct distance from the LCD for the correct FOV) of the Z-Finder is custom made
2. Optics have been optimized per Zacuto's specs
3. The eyecups cost $50.00 to $70.00 when purchased as a Sony or Panasonic part
4. There are numerous threads on this on this site and others but after doing the math, IF you had the time, CAD/CAM skills and optical printing acumen to custom fabricate the front piece, with the loupe, eyepiece, fabricating the front piece, Velcro and shipping, you would be at around $280.00 to $300.00. Of course, this is discounting your time and effort, which for some of us is really expensive. For others with nothing better to do, perhaps their time is cheap, there are plenty of DIY solutions out there that people have fabricated but few of them will be at the level of the Z-Finder.

The Zacuto is close to perfect, it works very, very well and makes focusing the 5D MKII a breeze in bright daylight. The only downsides are the eyepiece will fog under certain humid circumstances and the Velcro mounting system leaves something to be desired, it works but is not really the ideal solution. Just wanted to offer my experience from actually using the product.

Best,

Dan

xianchi · 06-01-2009, 10:32 AM

Hey thanks you guys! I think I'll take Dan's advice and manufacture my own. If anybody is interested the retail price will be around $700 and they'll be out in early 2010.

or... I guess I'll have to wait for version 2

Thanks again for the input!!

05-31-2009, 12:03 PM	#1
xianchi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 144	Zacuto Z-Finder vs Hoodman Loupe I haven't tried either but I am wondering what the $300 price difference can be... I have some Zacuto products and they are well made but can it really be worth the extra $300? Anyone have experience with both units? Thanks!

05-31-2009, 02:05 PM	#2
puredrifting Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 4,471	I have the Z-Finder. I have not used the Hoodman but the general consensus on the boards is that the Hooman is just okay, but if you try view it at any angle other than dead on, the images distort and as far as mounting, the Hoodman rubber band overall does not hold the loupe in the exact position you want it to stay in. The Z-finder has a big, bright image and works really well, I did an all weekend even shoot a few weeks ago and the Z-Finder was excellent. Zacuto is re-designing the Z-Finder and coming out with the version 2.0 soon. Well worth the money. Dan __________________ Using the HPX-170 to produce extraordinary content for all of your favorite DVDs and the 5D MKII to have fun.

05-31-2009, 02:57 PM	#3
yoclay Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 471	I have the Z-Finder and have tried the Hoodman. The Z is much better, far better magnification and much brighter. Does it justify being more than 5 times more expensive? Probably not. The Hoodman is great value for the money. However if you are professional, there is an obligation to use something twice as good, even if it is 4/5 times more expensive. It still does not have a good mounting system and the rubber eyepiece fogs up the viewfinder if you cup it too firmly to the eye. There is apparently a version 2 on it's way, and I am sure it will improve. However another option looks interesting as well: http://www.cinema5d.com/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=2675 Redrock will be coming out with a new mounting option for any viewfinder you chose shortly as well. It appears a new class of product is coming onto the market and this is really only the beginning. Last edited by yoclay; 05-31-2009 at 03:07 PM.

05-31-2009, 04:57 PM	#4
DEPTH OF PHIL Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 481	Yes, go Zacuto but wait till version 2 __________________ Philip Adrian Booth Spooked Television (SyFy) Sci-Fi Channel - NBC -Universal A Booth Brothers Double Feature "Children of the Grave" and "The Possessed" July 14th on SyFy, check local listings for times! Back to Back! http://vimeo.com/4426515 http://www.spookedtelevisionreleasing.com

05-31-2009, 05:20 PM	#5
puredrifting Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 4,471	Yes, I don't think any more of the V1 Z-Finders are available. Steve Weiss mentioned that the V2 is going to be available in 10 weeks and that was about 2 weeks ago. Can't wait to try it. Dan __________________ Using the HPX-170 to produce extraordinary content for all of your favorite DVDs and the 5D MKII to have fun.

05-31-2009, 11:34 PM	#6
booggerg2 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 615	what is the difference between the ZFinder and the Schneider loupe it's based on? http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...r_for_6x7.html

06-01-2009, 07:22 AM	#8
puredrifting Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Los Angeles, Ca. Posts: 4,471	Paul: Do you own or have you tried the Z-Finder or are you playing armchair quarterback? I had one of the first Z-Finders V1.0 sold and have shot about 30 hours with it now. 1. The front piece (that spaces the loupe optics the correct distance from the LCD for the correct FOV) of the Z-Finder is custom made 2. Optics have been optimized per Zacuto's specs 3. The eyecups cost $50.00 to $70.00 when purchased as a Sony or Panasonic part 4. There are numerous threads on this on this site and others but after doing the math, IF you had the time, CAD/CAM skills and optical printing acumen to custom fabricate the front piece, with the loupe, eyepiece, fabricating the front piece, Velcro and shipping, you would be at around $280.00 to $300.00. Of course, this is discounting your time and effort, which for some of us is really expensive. For others with nothing better to do, perhaps their time is cheap, there are plenty of DIY solutions out there that people have fabricated but few of them will be at the level of the Z-Finder. The Zacuto is close to perfect, it works very, very well and makes focusing the 5D MKII a breeze in bright daylight. The only downsides are the eyepiece will fog under certain humid circumstances and the Velcro mounting system leaves something to be desired, it works but is not really the ideal solution. Just wanted to offer my experience from actually using the product. Best, Dan __________________ Using the HPX-170 to produce extraordinary content for all of your favorite DVDs and the 5D MKII to have fun. Last edited by puredrifting; 06-01-2009 at 07:27 AM.

06-01-2009, 10:32 AM	#9
xianchi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 144	Hey thanks you guys! I think I'll take Dan's advice and manufacture my own. If anybody is interested the retail price will be around $700 and they'll be out in early 2010. or... I guess I'll have to wait for version 2 Thanks again for the input!!

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