GH1 Loupe / Eyecup - Does a Good One Exist??

A

Andreus

Well-known member
Has anyone found a Loupe/Eyecup that works that works well with the GH1 LCD?

As in:
Easy mounting/unmounting on swivel LCD (No bands around cam body, etc)
Doesn't stick out past bottom of camera (this is a biggie.)
Doesn't over-magnify (i.e, Zacuto 3x magnification too much for GH1)
etc...

If anyone has a loupe that fits the above description they'd like to sell, PM me...
 
I can't figure out why you would want one instead of using the actual EVF on the camera and closing the LCD?

But, no, I've never seen one.

I did, however, manage to use a Hoodman LCD shade on it and that's kinda helpful in bright situations.

Otherwise, I just press the LCD/LVF button and use the eyepiece. Superb for focus pulling, operating, etc.
 
We're talking about the actual eyepiece on the camera itself, right? Not the articulating LCD?

As in, holding the eyepieces up to your eye with the LCD closed.

That pretty much defeats sunlight,, form factor, ergonomics and stability.

The only reason these hood loupe's exist is because you can't view the image through the Optical Viewfinder on Canon DSLRS.

If you could, there may be one or two manufacturers of loupes instead of twenty-eight-thousand.

The GH1 doesn't have the same issue.
 
Ergonomics - What if I've got the camera mounted at a hard angle to look through the eyepiece and I'm shooting IN bright sunlight?

Stability - What if I've got the kit lens, or a longer, heavier lens on, and I'm handheld/on a monopod? This setup ismore stable having my eye the length of a loupe away from the back of the camera, than having my face pressed up against the rear of the camera. In the former the center of gravity nearer to the center of the rig and the tripod mount, stabilizing it, the latter setup is front heavy and awkward.

Peripheral vision - if my face is 4-6" from the camera, on a loupe, I have more than twice as much of a peripheral field of a view with my left eye than I do with my face pressed up against the back of the camera. I don't think I should need to explain why or how this can be beneficial...

Habit - Filmmakers are used to operating through a loupe-style viewfinder. What if the operator (who is not always me) is not used to shooting with an optical viewfinder. i.e, he comes from Film, Video, or the Canon Zfinder world... it can throw him or her off. I'd rather keep the same standard form factor most operators know. LCD's always there if he prefers that (which most don't.) I don't know any filmmakers used to operating shots through a tiny SLR style eyepiece like the GH1 has, unless they've shot with a GH1 a LOT -- which 99% of filmmakers haven't.

Like I said, there's lots of reasons why a good loupe would still be nice on the GH1. Someone should start making it if they're not already.
 
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How about if you set the camera on the ground or floor, open the LCD and tilt it up, attach the loupe to the LCD, and view it that way? Beats getting your face on the floor to get your eye against the EVF. I have the Hoodman loupe. It's decent and was fairly inexpensive.
 
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The Ergo I can see. I personally would rather have my lens off center (aligned with my right shoulder) as that's what I'm used to.

The rest of it, well, I've operated this big-ass lens without fail in broad daylight... handheld.

One thing I wouldn't rely on is pressure against the GH1 LCD. The pivot-point is flimsy as all get out, so it'll be difficult to keep your eye against it without running the risk of breaking the LCD or simply bending it/twisting it out of your way and becoming annoyed.

Another reason why the camera could stand a video out...

But if you find one that works, let us know. I'd be interested in the response and how it would work properly/effectively/efficiently.
 
Mike@AF said:
How about if you set the camera on the ground or floor, open the LCD and tilt it up, attach the loupe to the LCD, and view it that way? Beats getting your face on the floor to get your eye against the EVF. I have the Hoodman loupe. It's decent and was fairly inexpensive.
Click to expand...

It works witht he GH1's odd LCD? How's putting pressure against it?
 
I shoot out in the snow a lot during the winter. I found a few times that an articulating EVF would have been really practical for low mounted shots. I'd agree and say that the LCD is way to flimsy to press your face against it and when it's that bright, even a hoodman style screen doesn't really work that well.
On the shoulder mount ergonomics, I've been using a modified tripod head on a centre column, which I find really well balanced. It sits very close to your neck and allows me to bring the EVF tight up to my right eye. This set up also works for me for handheld, shooting from the hip.
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=210647
 
I just got the hoodman to help stabilize walking shots and it works much better for me instead of the EVF. It's much more comfortable and stable then pressing my eye up to the EVF. I use the hoodman in combination with a hand grip, and my shots are pretty stable even with a 50mm lens. Ive trimmed down the holding bands to the point they're almost unnoticeable. I reviewed the zacuto and I couldn't see spending over 300 dollars for something not really designed very well for a GH1.. they even offered to cut the price for me, but I couldn't do it.. the hoodman was a better value and I'm really glad I got it... I really like it.
 
Yes, I'm very glad that we have the evf on the GH1, but sometimes a little more stability and magnification might come in handy. I noticed it was quite a bit easier to focus a Leica F1.0 Noctilux I had on Phillip Bloom's GF1 with a Z-finder than it was on my GH1 with evf. Of course the Gf1 doesn't have the articulating screen, but I'm told a Z-finder will work on a GH1. However, since we have the EVF which is enough for most things, z-finder seems pricey. And the search continues...
 
Yes, it is pricey
I recently enquired about the z-finder and was told the finder holder needed to be stuck to the back of the camera. The body is too small to take the standard fitting.
Also, I believe the gorilla plate you also need to employ sticks out front of the body.
Neither are ideal for me.
It's hard to use the LCD in bright sun.
 
Kholi said:
It works witht he GH1's odd LCD? How's putting pressure against it?
Click to expand...

Works really well for me. There's tiny slivers of light coming in at the top and bottom because the Hoodman Loupe is slightly larger than the LCD housing, but it's nothing a little bit of tape can't fix and it still works well.

I haven't had an issue with pressure against it, but then I don't apply much pressure anyways so...
 
Mike@AF said:
Works really well for me. There's tiny slivers of light coming in at the top and bottom because the Hoodman Loupe is slightly larger than the LCD housing, but it's nothing a little bit of tape can't fix and it still works well.

I haven't had an issue with pressure against it, but then I don't apply much pressure anyways so...
Click to expand...

Do you mean you use it with the LCD open (out to the side)? I have the Hoodman as well and find it works decently if the LCD in the locked position, but not with it flipped out. 99% of the time I prefer the excellent VF, but it's good to have the Hoodman I suppose if I want to move back from the camera a few inches. The loupe view can be a bit distracting tho since it's blowing up an image (the LCD's) that's already pretty soft.
 
Mike@AF said:
I have used it with the LCD flipped out. Otherwise you may well just use the EVF.
Click to expand...

Mike, that's what I was hoping to do, but I find it "gives" too much since the LCD doesn't really lock into position. I guess I need to play with it some more. Agree that you might as well use the EVF, which is what I end up doing while the Hoodman usually sits in a bag.
 
Just hold it to your eye. Don't put pressure on it. I haven't had an issue with the LCD not locking into position.
 
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