Are different ENG/EFP viewfinders interchangeable?

Shingoshi

Shingoshi

Member
I'm looking for viewfinders for the broadcast cameras I have. One of those cameras is made by Sony, and I would like to attach a viewfinder to it. I need to know whether I can use a viewfinder from a different Sony camera on the one I have?

I am only mainly concerned with being able to view the images produced by my camera. I don't know what other features are limited from one viewfinder to another between different models of cameras. So I want to know if most cameras have finder plugs that are interchangeable?

Are there cable adapters that will allow this to happen? Is there a way to get video output to a viewfinder from a BNC connector?

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao
 
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As long as the pin configuration is the same you should have no problem. I use a small Panasonic Monitor for EFP, mount it on an arm and attach it via SDI or BNC.
 
I was beginning to think this was a STUPID question!

I was beginning to think this was a STUPID question!

phudsontx said:
As long as the pin configuration is the same you should have no problem. I use a small Panasonic Monitor for EFP, mount it on an arm and attach it via SDI or BNC.
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Seriously! I had just looked at this page to see if anyone had answered my question yet. And when I saw that no one had, I was tempted to be sarcastic, and ask if the question was to stupid for anyone to bother answering. So I'm really glad you did!

Now to the specifics of my case. I purchased a Sony DXC-151A CCTV camera. I also just successfully made an offer that was accepted for a Sony DXC-M7. That's the viewfinder we're talking about here. I was thinking of using it for shooting basic videos. But the camera was never likely intended to be used with a viewfinder attached to it. It only has a BNC socket on the rear of the camera. So I'm beginning to think now, that I would have to modify the camera and install my own plug for the viewfinder. I just need to find out now what wires need to be connected to which points in the image output. I would install the plug on the same side of the camera where the main controls are.

I guess another alternative to this would be to install a BNC connector on the viewfinder. If indeed that can be done provided enough room is there inside to do it.

So does any of this make any sense? Or is there a simpler way to go about this? Remember, this is not even a studio camera. But I would like to use it for remote shooting. Another thing I've thought about is whether the output of the Sony can be superimposed in the viewfinder of my JVC.

I'll leave it here at this point so that we can take this one or a few steps at a time.

Thanks for answering...
Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao

I really need to go to bed now! It's 03:44 PST here, and I'm long overdue for sleep.
 
Who do you know who carries a monitor on their shoulder?

Who do you know who carries a monitor on their shoulder?

Smifis said:
How about getting a monitor?
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Was there something that you missed here? This was in my last post. Obviously, you missed it:
Remember, this is not even a studio camera. But I would like to use it for remote shooting.
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So I hope now that I've cleared that up, I won't be asked that again. My main concern here is for the amount of weight I would have to be carrying. I want as little as possible. I also want to be as inconspicuous as possible. A monitor doesn't meet either of those qualifications.

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao
 
A viewfinder is not a monitor.

I personally cant see a way of attaching a viewfinder and you will need to bring a power supple and a recorder for the camera anyway so it's not going to be "lightweight".
 
Even if you could accomplish what you are asking most professional viewfinders are going to be bigger than that little cctv camera. Balance will be way off and really won't be very inconspicuous.
Jim
 
The topic's title is: Are different ENG/EFP viewfinders interchangeable?

The topic's title is: Are different ENG/EFP viewfinders interchangeable?

Smifis said:
A viewfinder is not a monitor.

I personally cant see a way of attaching a viewfinder and you will need to bring a power supple and a recorder for the camera anyway so it's not going to be "lightweight".
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Nowhere did I say I had any interest in monitors. In fact it's almost incongruous to even think of attaching something so much larger and heavier than the camera to view it's image. And I can't help that you're not as inventive as I am.

The recorder I plan on using is one of those small pocket HDD DVRs. It will also have an SSD for it's storage device. So there will be no issue with reliability either. It will have it's own power source or one provided by a small battery worn on my belt or attached under the camera by it's tripod mount. And if you "cant see a way of attaching a viewfinder", what's your point in answering the question? You've already disqualified yourself as a means of solution. So please don't remind me again of how you don't see the point.

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao
 
My point is it's not practical, and i know you didn't mention a monitor which is why i suggested it. As Jim said, the view finder will be at least the same size as teh camera, and the camera is at least 15 years old.

I also cant see how you could even connect the two together without some sort of intermediate conversion.
 
There was only one answer I needed here...

There was only one answer I needed here...

Smifis said:
My point is it's not practical, and i know you didn't mention a monitor which is why i suggested it. As Jim said, the view finder will be at least the same size as teh camera, and the camera is at least 15 years old.

I also cant see how you could even connect the two together without some sort of intermediate conversion.
Click to expand...
The means of intermediate conversion was precisely my point. I realize I need one. However, I'm also thinking of other ways to deal with this. As I also suggested connecting the output of the Sony's BNC to the JVC, and viewing a superimposed image there. One way or another, I will figure this out. But my main question was answered in the very first response. The issue was whether or not viewfinders are interchangeable. And it was clearly stated that as long as the plugs are the same, there shouldn't be a problem. Now if you don't have reason to contradict that answer, I'll leave it as the ONLY one that's valid. The topic here is compatibility and/or conversion. I'd rather not have to respond to any further OFF-topic posts.

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao
 
Shingoshi, you do realize that phudsontx is talking about a monitor as well, right? Not to mention that what he tells you really doesn't apply to your situation, because your plugs are very clearly not the same. So it may be valid, but it doesn't apply to your situation at all.
 
The point of my very generalized question was...

The point of my very generalized question was...

Captain Pierce said:
Shingoshi, you do realize that phudsontx is talking about a monitor as well, right? Not to mention that what he tells you really doesn't apply to your situation, because your plugs are very clearly not the same. So it may be valid, but it doesn't apply to your situation at all.
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Whether or not different viewfinders (and monitors by extension) from the same manufacturer were interchangeable across their product lines. So my larger question was correctly answered, even if it doesn't apply to my specific (Sony) situation.

What I wanted to know was whether or not if I have a camera of a certain model, could I use viewfinders on it from other cameras in the same product line. That's what I wanted to know. Because I may want to use a color monitor on my JVC ENG/EFP camera which likely didn't exist at the time the camera was made. In this case, I would also be looking for a monitor that could display anamorphic images correctly, since I intend to use anamorphic lenses on the JVC camera. As for using a viewfinder under those circumstances, I would use an anamorphic eyepiece to solve that situation. Here, any anamorphic lens of small size and appropriate magnification would work.

Thanks again to all of you!
Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao
 
Camera viewfinders have multi-pin connectors which carry not only the video, but also the power (and usually the tally light as well). Sure you can typically use one of these on a camera which has only a BNC (or RCA) composite video output, but there are two issues:
  • CONNECTOR: Obviously, the devices need to be interconnected. That means modifying one or the other device, or making an adapter cable. None of these options are rocket science. They are all pretty straightforward and obvious.
  • POWER: Big cameras with multi-pin viewfinder connectors provide the viewfinder power as part of the multi-pin connector. If you want to use the viewfinder with some other camera, then you will need to provide the viewfinder power. This typically ~12 VDC.
Some viewfinders use pretty easy to find connectors, while others use quite proprietary connectors which sell (individually) for perhaps more than you paid for the viewfinder. I have successfully hacked various studio viewfinders (of different brands) to work on other cameras. As I said, it isn't rocket surgery.

This question is a bit esoteric to expect a good response instantly. Consider chilling a bit and being a little more patient. :-)
 
I appreciate you in-depth answer...

I appreciate you in-depth answer...

Richard Crowley said:
Camera viewfinders have multi-pin connectors which carry not only the video, but also the power (and usually the tally light as well). Sure you can typically use one of these on a camera which has only a BNC (or RCA) composite video output, but there are two issues:
  • CONNECTOR: Obviously, the devices need to be interconnected. That means modifying one or the other device, or making an adapter cable. None of these options are rocket science. They are all pretty straightforward and obvious.
  • POWER: Big cameras with multi-pin viewfinder connectors provide the viewfinder power as part of the multi-pin connector. If you want to use the viewfinder with some other camera, then you will need to provide the viewfinder power. This typically ~12 VDC.
Some viewfinders use pretty easy to find connectors, while others use quite proprietary connectors which sell (individually) for perhaps more than you paid for the viewfinder. I have successfully hacked various studio viewfinders (of different brands) to work on other cameras. As I said, it isn't rocket surgery.

This question is a bit esoteric to expect a good response instantly. Consider chilling a bit and being a little more patient. :-)
Click to expand...
After thinking this through a bit more today, I've decided to find the correct connector for the DXF-3000 viewfinder that I'm getting, and mount that connector in the camera itself. Yes, there will still be the complication of having to find all the internal connection points to make this work. But I think as you said, this isn't rocket science. I've also thought about something else as a possible solution. But I don't need to go into that now. Needless to say, there's more than one way to do this.

As far as the power requirements go, the viewfinder connector should also provide for this as well. If need be, I can run a direct line from the external power supply to the viewfinder, so as not to place an extra load on the camera's components. Bypassing the internal components won't require rocket science either. I simply have to be very imaginative and pay close attention to the details involved. However this is kind of funny. Because I was also thinking of doing something else even more unusual in the use of the camera. That would involve having two identical cameras working together on a single mount. In that case, I would use a widescreen monitor to view the images from both. I'll let the rest of you figure out why I would want to do this. It'll just give me more pleasure seeing you try.

Xavian-Anderson Macpherson
ShingoshiDao
 
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