Hoodman HoodLoupe VS Zacuto Z-Finder

<$1K for your whole shoulder rails system with follow focus and viewfinder sounds doable to a cheapskate like me. But as you said...you first. lol
 
Just got my Z-finder in the mail today have been playing with it on a point and shoot for now... I am more than impressed with it my point and shoot has never been so stable
 
I just got the hoodman yesterday. The Zacuto is backordered and for 80 bucks I figured I would give it a shot. It is definitely well built and comes with a nice case. It does the job as others have mentioned but it is nothing spectacular. The lcd looks very clear and focus is slighly easier to get with this on. I think it will mostly come in handy for suny days to have a glare free view of the screen and to get better exposure. I am happy with it for the time being especially for the money. The eyepiece isn't the most comfortable and could be bigger and magnification would help with focus but that's what the Zacuto does very well from what I hear. I just need to try out some of the mounting options listed on here.
 
I'd be surprised if Hoodman didn't come out with a further improved version of their product in the not too distant future, and I bet they sell it for substantially less than Zacuto.

The recent explosion of DSLR sales for video use would seem impossible for Hoodman & others to ignore. Seems reasonable to expect a corresponding explosion of after-market add-ons.

In the meantime & beyond, there'll always be a place in the market for Zacuto-style & Zacuto-priced gear.

The market will probably get bigger, wider & deeper. Interesting times!
 
I never tried Z-finder due to all the TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE stories around...I bought hoodloupe and simply doesn´t work!!! Terrible image deformation can´t properly hold it to the screen and it certainly won´t get better. Most people talking about Zacuto prices are supposedly "professionals". How many of those professionals don´t pay the z-finder with a job??? Some investment has to be made in order to make money, to make our job a better one! I have spent money in lenses which are not cheap, all the ZF series, the Canon 16-35mm 2.8, Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-ED, nikon 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.4 and I am having second thoughts about getting a Z-finder??? I miss shots and focus when the loupe comes out of place! I don´t want DIY loupes when someone actually makes the best at this price. Plese stop complaining and start dignifying your work without looking for cheap solutions that won´t take ou anywhere. I am buying the Z-finder tomorrow morning. End of story.
 
kikojiu said:
I never tried Z-finder due to all the TERRIBLY EXPENSIVE stories around...I bought hoodloupe and simply doesn´t work!!! Terrible image deformation can´t properly hold it to the screen and it certainly won´t get better. Most people talking about Zacuto prices are supposedly "professionals". How many of those professionals don´t pay the z-finder with a job??? Some investment has to be made in order to make money, to make our job a better one! I have spent money in lenses which are not cheap, all the ZF series, the Canon 16-35mm 2.8, Nikon 80-200 2.8 AF-ED, nikon 35mm 1.4, 50mm 1.2, 85mm 1.4 and I am having second thoughts about getting a Z-finder??? I miss shots and focus when the loupe comes out of place! I don´t want DIY loupes when someone actually makes the best at this price. Plese stop complaining and start dignifying your work without looking for cheap solutions that won´t take ou anywhere. I am buying the Z-finder tomorrow morning. End of story.
Click to expand...

Good for you man, I do live event and with the Z-finder, about 97% of my stuff is focus, there is no way it would be that high without the Z-finder.
 
It's not really terribly expensive. For those of us in broadcast television, the price isn't mind-blowing. But I can see for indi guys and event guys it could be. But even the smaller operators I know who have bought swear by it (not at it). Buy it. You won't wake every day thinking, "Damn that Z-finder cost me 400 bucks".

Peter
 
LCDVF LCD Viewfinder 5d and 7d

LCDVF LCD Viewfinder 5d and 7d

If you have not already seen the LCDVF you should take a look at it. It is now currently being offered at EVS. This product is new to the US market. At $189.00 it is a great add on..

http://www.evsonline.com/vlcd-vf-viewfinder.html

lcdvf2.jpg
 
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i have had one for over a month now it does a great job. i find it fogs up quickly , i haven,t tryed the non fog cloth yet . i was thinking of putting something thicker around the eye peice to keep me further away. when you using the eye peice as a contact point for stabilization you pressing on the eye a little harder. will have to make a pad about 3/8 thick. well worth the $185 .
 
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