EVF SOLUTION (for now...)

telecam said:
I like Zacuto's new Cheese Stick for their EVF. Allows for top mount on the F3 with a much simpler arm.
Click to expand...

i'm all for inexpensive and simple solutions but I'm not seeing at all how this is going to help on the F3 unless you are into serious compromise. The EVF has to be put forward on the F3 towards and off to the side of where the lens is. Using this would bring the eyecup of the EVF towards the back of the camera. Not sure it would be long enough for people with the larger EVFs and you would have to incorporate articulation into it as this is simply a bar with holes at 90 degrees to one another.

Good to know this exists though. It could be useful for other things as well.
 
Thought I'd mention this since the topic hasn't come up in the past week but Sony has unveiled a bunch of consumer level cameras in the past week or two that have OLED viewfinders with 3 million pixels. I have a hunch the EVF solution that Mitch Gross with hinting at a few weeks ago may be an replacement OLED EVF for the small viewfinder hanging off the back of the F3. IBC is around the corner, this would be a perfect place to announce something like this.
 
Andrew Stone said:
Thought I'd mention this since the topic hasn't come up in the past week but Sony has unveiled a bunch of consumer level cameras in the past week or two that have OLED viewfinders with 3 million pixels. I have a hunch the EVF solution that Mitch Gross with hinting at a few weeks ago may be an replacement OLED EVF for the small viewfinder hanging off the back of the F3. IBC is around the corner, this would be a perfect place to announce something like this.
Click to expand...

Boy I hope not. I need a better one on the side ENG-style, not on top in the back.
 
Andrew Stone said:
i'm all for inexpensive and simple solutions but I'm not seeing at all how this is going to help on the F3 unless you are into serious compromise. The EVF has to be put forward on the F3 towards and off to the side of where the lens is. Using this would bring the eyecup of the EVF towards the back of the camera. Not sure it would be long enough for people with the larger EVFs and you would have to incorporate articulation into it as this is simply a bar with holes at 90 degrees to one another.

Good to know this exists though. It could be useful for other things as well.
Click to expand...

Andrew,

You can either add a Berkey top plate with the optional extender to have mounting holes on the front of the F3 or use Noga VP-TBRKT simple bracket to add additional 1/4"-20 and 3/8" holes on the F3. Then, with Zacuto's Cheese Stick, you can use the mounting hole that is closest to the EVF corner (right side when looking at the LCD screen) which would reduce the size of the mouting arm between the F3 and EVF. I am waiting for my Zacuto EVF to arrive along various other mouting hardware and will keep you guys updated. I planning to use a single lightwieght composite Ram-Mount arm to attach the EVF but I may have to resort to something a bit more advanced such as Zacuto's mounting arms if in need of more adjustments. I too am looking for a lightweight, simple and sturdy EVF setup on the F3.

Cheers,

Thierry.
 
Last edited:
Hi Thierry,

Trust you're doing well... Thanks for pointing out the Noga part. I had seen that before but promptly forgot about it. Simple but very useful. Earlier in this thread I posted up my EVF mounting solution. Not as inexpensive as your solution but it involves a good deal of the parts you are talking about. I thought about a RAM mount as I use them on my sportbike for GPS and other devices but they don't have the finness in adjustment of the solution I ended up with... took me about 3 weeks of pondering to figure it out.

-Andrew
 
Today's project... an old VF from my DSR-500 which had TONS of dead pixels... it is a goner. I sent it to Luckies years ago and he said there were no more memory registers to mask any more dead pixels. So, the Sony viewfinder has been adapted to my F3. I made a rigid plate to the darned thing wouldn't wiglle or move when I am shooting. I haven't finished the rest of the rig, but it is working out.

This one required a 12 VDC regulator, but there was room inside for one. I powered it up the first time with a Li-Ion battery (figure 16-17 VDC) and popped the fusable resistor.... ooops! Of course Sony doesn't have one outside Japan... weeks to replace. VF is designed for a regulated 12VDC power source from a camera. Live and learn.

George
 

Attachments

  • Sony VF on F3-2.jpg
    Sony VF on F3-2.jpg
    63.7 KB · Views: 0
  • Sony VF on F3-1.jpg
    Sony VF on F3-1.jpg
    69 KB · Views: 0
Here is how it looks now:

p622319816-4.jpg

p940099857-4.jpg

p763858272-4.jpg

p637478771-4.jpg

Only thing missing is another 16x9inc. quick lock (still traveling from BH). Once mounted, system will be perfectly balanced for off shoulder shooting with set up time of less than 5min. from tripod position...
 
Last edited:
IMG_1460.jpgIMG_1462.jpgIMG_1461.jpgJust got the Zacuto EVF Cheese Stick. Here are a few images of attaching it with Noga arm to Berkey top plate.
 
That configuration is primarily for when I want to attach the shoulder mount and DVTec ENGRig to use camera handheld. I plan to mount it higher when using it on sticks. The way I would generally prefer to work would be to take clean signal coming from HDMI of recording device and use the camera's flip screen for menus and possibly even peaking for focus. The only thing I don't like about the Zacuto, btw, is that the peaking is just outline and I have some problems with it. I personally prefer color peaking. Jens at Zacuto says it is something they are considering in future firmware upgrades, but not immediately.
 
Hello,
I duplicated your solution to the Z-Finder/F3 mounting dilemma.
That said, I now find it necessary, using my existing carry-bag, to remove the Handle Mount Rod each time I store the camera for the night. Have you found a case that will allow it to remain attached, or do you simply remove it as described?
 
The petrol Dr Decca PC005 works but is a
Tad on the large size. I have one for my
350 and may get another, rather than
Having to readjust each time the cam is
Used.
 
As promised, here are pics of my Zacuto EVF top mount using a combination of Zac new EVF Cheese Stick, Ultralight Control System arm and clamps and a 16x9 Inc Cinelock quickrelease. UCS component are very light and very adjustable. A feature that is of particular interest is the clamping system that is designed to allow for moderate tightening thus, allowins for a level of friction and adjustment in the arm position which is perfect to fine tune the EVF position. Here are the pics:

https://picasaweb.google.com/102229709054581761897/F3ZacutoEVF#

Thierry.
 
Last edited:
I'm using the Petrol Dr. Bag 005 as well. I thought it was going to be exceedingly large but it isn't by any stretch. Once you load up your F3 with accessories the bag does not seem big at all. I used a bunch of dividers from a Pelican set I had to add more compartments in the bag as it is designed for a self contained ENG camera. When I got it B & H sold it with the trolley cart. It was good value in my mind.

Nice job Thierry on your solid mounting apparatus.
 
+ 1 on the ultralight control systems components. That is what I am using on my cineroid hdsdi viewfinder and they work GREAT.
 
Thierry, Could you detail which components you used to create the UCS mount and where did you purchase? They don't seem to have prices on the web site that I can find.

Ned
 
nsoltz said:
Thierry, Could you detail which components you used to create the UCS mount and where did you purchase? They don't seem to have prices on the web site that I can find.

Ned
Click to expand...

If I may,

filmtools.com has them, and in Canada image gear inc.

Ryan
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top