C100: Custom Eyecup Solution

A

andrewaldenmiller

Member
I'm working on a custom eyecup for the C100 and am looking for initial feedback, particularly on what users would be willing to pay and for any insight on potentially interested users/bloggers who might help get the word out. This being a custom solution fitting only the C100, I really do need to get the word out far and wide if a crowdsourcing campaign is to be successful. Pictured below are castings from a handmade mold, of which I have a only few good copies. Moving forward we would need a high-pressure, high-heat mold, which is kinda pricey - hence an upcoming crowdsourcing campaign.

Happy to get any and all feedback. Please let me know if I can answer any questions, and stay tuned for the Kickstarter campaign soon!

I began a similar thread in another forum and one of those users asked that I post here as well. Here is the original thread: http://www.dvinfo.net/forum/canon-cinema-eos-camera-systems/521557-custom-eyecup-c100.html
 

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Can you change the viewfinder in there as well?? haha
I would never use that viewfinder regardless of eyecup unfortunately.
 
The viewfinder is not that bad. I use the eyecup from my varavon loupe (gh2) and it works quite nicely.
but this eyecup seems to be a better fit and way more confortable than mine.
 
chappelldigital said:
Can you change the viewfinder in there as well?? haha
I would never use that viewfinder regardless of eyecup unfortunately.
Click to expand...

That's a bit beyond my capability!

It's no C300 for sure. But I agree with Doug_EX. I've sometimes framed a shot with the LCD thinking the image was sharp, then checked it in the EVF to discover it was soft. I am using peaking, and I've got the contrast cranked a bit, but I can catch focus every time with the EVF. I'm less confident in the LCD, personally. As important as sharpness, though, is the shape of the camera. I wouldn't love it for run and gun shooting, which I do, if the EVF wasn't working for me.
 
This looks great. Keep us updated. It seems like there is both high demand and low competition for this solution.
 
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Heres what i use. Its a slightly modified Zacuto EVF eyecup with a bluestar chamois eyecover. Only issue i have with it is that the LCD clips it when it opens. Without the chamois theres less issue, but frankly my eye deserves the chamois....
 
MacPhail said:
Heres what i use. Its a slightly modified Zacuto EVF eyecup with a bluestar chamois eyecover. Only issue i have with it is that the LCD clips it when it opens. Without the chamois theres less issue, but frankly my eye deserves the chamois....
Click to expand...

I spoke with a C100 user named Slavik Boyechko on another forum who has used this exact solution, as well as a few other options. In fact he just added a comment in response to a different user asking me to explain the advantages of my design (you can read their comments here: http://bit.ly/1dBo1Rb). I'm sending Slavik a prototype this morning, so hopefully he will be able to provide an objective comparison between what you're using and my new design.
 
Cool, only thing I would say is the viewfinder has to be quite firm to act as a point of contact, perhaps you could make a foam cover for it? Or jerry rig am existing bluestar or similar. Also I would say to watch the size of it, because I've found due to the small size of the C100's viewfinder, being taken too far from it can make it hard to see. In terms of attaching it I form it around the C100 viewfinder and then secure it with string and the supplied plastic cable tie (not sure of the word for it), that comes with the zacuto eyecup. This allows you to secure it and remove the string quickly when you want to take off the handle.
Id be happy to help if you need anymore info, I've tried a good few options now :).
 
MacPhail said:
Id be happy to help if you need anymore info, I've tried a good few options now :).
Click to expand...

Thanks. Your feedback is very helpful. The existing prototype works as an excellent third point of contact. I'm a C100 shooter, not a manufacturer by any means (until now), and from my perspective this thing works very well. Very firm, but flexible enough that it's quite comfortable. It is totally consistent in that your eye is close to the EVF. I'm not sure yet how well it will work for users wearing glasses.

I use the prototype on all my shoots and am perfectly satisfied with it. There is one other prototype being used by a friend of mine, who reports that he loves it. Sincerely, even if no one wanted one I'd be happy because I have a prototype that does what I need it to do. This morning I'm sending prototypes out to a handful of users, and whatever we learn from their feedback will be implemented into the design before we begin manufacturing.

Someone made a similar request regarding the chamois, so I've just ordered a couple different sizes to see how well they fit on my prototype. The outside diameter of the eyecup currently measures a little larger than 3"

I'm about to head out on a shoot where I'll have limited connectivity, but I'll do my best to answer further questions when I can. Thanks everyone.
 
Groovy, if you get something to work well id be up for one as I'm always looking for new solutions. Might be out the prototype range though, I'm in Scotland! But I'll keep an eye on what you come up with :).
 
Count me in!!!

And if you can make it a size that would fit an existing Bluestar chamois, that would be great, and possibly a selling bonus!
Maybe even offer a package with a Bluestar?

Keep us posted, and good luck!
 
Thank you groveChuck. We can make it compatible and we shall.

As an aside, how does one pronounce chamois? I wanna say "Sham Wow." I'm gonna say Sham Wow.

Also I'm on the mobile phone only now for the next week so if I can answer questions hit me on Twitter @raddosilver

Thanks!
 
Thanks! Actually, though French (I guess properly pronounced "sham wah"), everybody says "shammy".
As in "On my super-sweaty shoots here, I use my shammy in Miami" :grin:

They are great for keeping your EVF from fogging up (unlike rubber), yet keeping light out.
Maybe Bluestar (or Filmtools) can give you a break on bulk chamois- increase the "chamoisity factor"?

Have fun on the Big Muddy! :thumbsup:
 
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