As many of you know by now, if you expose the eyepiece of an aftermarket EVF to the sun for even a few seconds it can cause catastrophic injury to the LCD screen. I've had it happen on the Cineroid, and nearly happen on the Z-Finder (I burned the bezel), as have others. Someone here posted the problem with the SmallHD a few weeks ago. Yesterday I met a guy at the beach in Cambria using a Z-Finder on a Canon, and he'd had the same problem. He thought it was just him because he doesn't read these online forums. Think of how many others there must be.
It is true that the manufacturers do provide a warning, but it is identical to the warning on camera viewfinders, and most of us have been dealing with them for years without a bad burn. This extreme sensitivity of these small LCDs with loupes needs some attention. It probably can't be improved mechanically, so...
First: I think the manufacturers need to spell out the warning in more graphic detail. Cop to the fact IN LARGE TYPE that this is a bit of a flaky device, from a professional POV. I still use mine even though I know that, others would as well.
Second: Z-Finder has made a 16x9 mask that I bought as an option - it, or something similar, should come with all the finders (someone told me it does now with the Z-Pro). That mask helps prevent light entering at an oblique angle - it doesn't help with direct sunlight (remember, we're talking SECONDS here) but at least it helps some.
Third: I once had a film camera (I think it was the 35mm Eclair Cameflex) that had a spring loaded shutter that opened when you pressed your eye to the eyepiece - that would be a nice solution as an option or aftermarket accessory. It wouldn't need to be spring loaded, it could be a twist device, but either way it would be easier than using the bathtub plug I'm using now.
It is true that the manufacturers do provide a warning, but it is identical to the warning on camera viewfinders, and most of us have been dealing with them for years without a bad burn. This extreme sensitivity of these small LCDs with loupes needs some attention. It probably can't be improved mechanically, so...
First: I think the manufacturers need to spell out the warning in more graphic detail. Cop to the fact IN LARGE TYPE that this is a bit of a flaky device, from a professional POV. I still use mine even though I know that, others would as well.
Second: Z-Finder has made a 16x9 mask that I bought as an option - it, or something similar, should come with all the finders (someone told me it does now with the Z-Pro). That mask helps prevent light entering at an oblique angle - it doesn't help with direct sunlight (remember, we're talking SECONDS here) but at least it helps some.
Third: I once had a film camera (I think it was the 35mm Eclair Cameflex) that had a spring loaded shutter that opened when you pressed your eye to the eyepiece - that would be a nice solution as an option or aftermarket accessory. It wouldn't need to be spring loaded, it could be a twist device, but either way it would be easier than using the bathtub plug I'm using now.