T2i Best Loupe Viewfinder for T2i

J

jrod81

Veteran
Could someone tell me what all I need to look for when choosing an LCD VF for my T2i. I know that I need something like a 3/2 but I have no idea what that means. Also, what options (other than Zacuto cause I can't afford that) are there. I have seen the Letus Hawk and that too might be out of my price range. What other ones are there?
Will I have to attach something to my camera with all of these that is going to leave a sticky residue behind if I ever want to sell the camera?
 
I can't recommend the LCDVF enough. They make one specifically for the T2i like you said, and as long as you don't need a diopter (aka as long as you don't wear glasses) you'll be okay. The adhesive frame you attach to your camera needs to be put on over night, and then it's pretty solid, but still easily removable if you pull it off with the lip of the frame.
 
Loren Simons said:
I can't recommend the LCDVF enough. They make one specifically for the T2i like you said, and as long as you don't need a diopter (aka as long as you don't wear glasses) you'll be okay. The adhesive frame you attach to your camera needs to be put on over night, and then it's pretty solid, but still easily removable if you pull it off with the lip of the frame.
Click to expand...

I love my LCDVF. I was on the fence and my wife bought mine for me as a birthday present. It really works great. I just hope my eye sight stays good until the DSLR killers come out.
 
the above cheesycam link is not a 3/2 and doesn't fit properly on the lcd of the t2i... thats kinda deal breaker for me but then again it does have the diopter, so not sure still...
 
I love my letus hawk. I have the carbon fiber. It is not the 3:2 version but like others said it only cuts off about 1mm so it doesn't bother me at all. The thing I love about it the most is the quick release system they use. It is really fast and I can still take the battery out with out removing the base plate.

Also, the build and optics are very high quality and the glass is made in japan.
 
I got the Hoodman Loupe from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=658617&is=REG

It works really good, but those rubber bands are a joke. I keep it in place with the Redrock Micro microFinder Loupe Accessory Kit, also from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=672646&is=REG

I slide this gizmo between my Miller 30 head baseplate and the camera and it is very stable. It would work with any baseplate, but without one, the hole in the metal would need to be made larger to add a 1/4 20 screw so you can screw it to the camera's tripod hole. The Redrock loupe holder is vastly overpriced though, in my opinion.
 
I'm curious too. I'm not thrilled about gluing something to my camera. Does the GGS DSLR 3X LCD View Finder Loupe cover the remote sensor?
 
i bought an ipad screen protector thing on ebay for $3... i am just going to cut that the size of my LCD so that the glue doesn't have to stick on my LCD... but yeah, i just bought the GGS myself
 
jrod81 said:
can you tell me how this attaches to the camera?
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Here's the instructions, the entire glass protector piece has adhesive, it's a pretty snug fit.
10003903_fea3.jpg
 
David G. Smith said:
I got the Hoodman Loupe from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=658617&is=REG
It works really good, but those rubber bands are a joke. I keep it in place with the Redrock Micro microFinder Loupe Accessory Kit, also from B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=WishList.jsp&A=details&Q=&sku=672646&is=REG
Click to expand...

I tried to live with the rubber band thing and it kind of worked for awhile. When they came out with that "crane" for holding the Hoodloupe against the LCD, I didn't give it serious consideration for about 5 months. Too "klunky" looking.

Finally ordered it and the 3x eyepiece and for awhile it "lived" on my T2i. I find it really super convenient as it mounts and unmounts in just about 5 seconds or so (and I'm old and slow). But it swaps over to my 7D and now 60D and any realignment takes 20-30 seconds or less.

I spent about $225 or so buying "piecemeal", now the whole setup (Cinema Pro Kit) is available for $171.89 at B&H.
 
Hood man is a joke. I bought one and it's a waste of money. Ended up buying a zacuta. There is no comparison. Save your money & buy zacuta. Or you could buy my hood man for $40. Contact me off list .
 
well you sure made a good plug for selling your hoodman... lol... i just got one so i'm out on the purchase
 
8string said:
Hood man is a joke. I bought one and it's a waste of money. Ended up buying a zacuta. There is no comparison. Save your money & buy zacuta. Or you could buy my hood man for $40. Contact me off list .
Click to expand...

There are so many variations in how people's eyesight works it's hard to find a perfect fit for everyone. The Zacuto has an outstanding rep and a lot of raves. And perhaps a bit pricey.

The Hoodman Loupe came out before the higher definition LCDs we are seeing on current DSLRs so the optical system was designed with no magnification. On most LCDs at that time magnification was not very effective as you were magnifying larger pixels on the screen. And if you didn't get your eye centered properly some folks could not stand the distortion. Others like me it didn't bother.

The 3x eyepiece makes a difference.

jrod81 said:
well you sure made a good plug for selling your hoodman... lol... i just got one so i'm out on the purchase
Click to expand...

He would have me thinking except I just bought a spare one from a friend (no crane etc). Something to "toss in the bag" for when I don't carry the Hoodman Cine Pro Kit. No magnifying eyepiece on it but I use it mainly for checking stills out in daylight.

I also have the CAVISION viewfinder loupe setup with 6x eyepiece, but it takes a few minutes to mount or unmount so it's not as fast and convenient as the Hoodman system. But it sure works good on the 7D and 60D (no realignment necessary going from one to the other).

It's on the 7D in my avatar.
 
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Thx Bruce 4 backgrounder. Yes, jrod, marketing is everything (g). Some folks can't afford a zacuta, and yes,maybe the hood man might work 4 them. I found it to be one of those cheap devices I often waste my money on before buying the right thing. The zacuta also has a great mounting plate that allows me to properly mount my 7d to a video camera tripod plate. It's just a properly designed product. I love it and it's essentially integrated on my kit. While expensive there just was no comparison when I finally got the chance to use it at a demo. I bought it on the spot. I suppose red rock is like that too.

After all I've bought for my 7d I should have just bought an AF100 and avoided the never ending card failures I struggle thru with over priced cf cards. Live and learn...

bTW what shoulder rig r u using?
 
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