GH3 My GH3 With My New Carry Speed
- Thread starter larrys
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freezeframereality
Active member
Thanks. I've been looking into this gadget, too. But I decided to get the Zacuto Z-Finder for the GH3.
Anyway: How does the VF-4 fit without the battery grip on?
Anyway: How does the VF-4 fit without the battery grip on?
Sol M.
Veteran
When magnified by this loupe, is the LCD usable for critical focus at wide apertures (e.g. f/2)? The GH2's LCD was too low rez so magnifying just enlarged the pixel grid and actually made it harder focus with IMHO. The GH3's LCD is definitely sharper, but I've been holding off from a loupe for it because of my experience with the GH2's LCD.
I just received the Carry Speed VF4, and I have mixed feelings about it. While the general design and optic quality is nice, it is a very tight fit onto my GH3 which makes it ackward to use. The bottom of the GH3 EVF hits the top of the VF4, so I have to loosen the VF4's baseplate, position the VF4, then retighten the VF4's baseplate. Once in position, the fit is good, but difficult to remove without loosening the base plate.
Another problem I have is that the viewpoint favors the right side of the device. Meaning, I can not see the entire interior of the VF4 without pushing hard on the right side of the eyecup. Maybe I have a weirdly shaped eye socket, but this issue makes the VF4 a bit cumbersome to use. BTW, this has nothing to do with how the VF4 is centered over the GH3's OLED.
Another problem I have is that the viewpoint favors the right side of the device. Meaning, I can not see the entire interior of the VF4 without pushing hard on the right side of the eyecup. Maybe I have a weirdly shaped eye socket, but this issue makes the VF4 a bit cumbersome to use. BTW, this has nothing to do with how the VF4 is centered over the GH3's OLED.
MBPRODUCTS
Active member
I just ordered one $114.00 with the $50.00 off. Hope it works well.
FWIW, I have the previous version, the VF3, and it takes a bit of work to get it to fit to the GH3. Basically, you can't just attach the included quick-release plate to the camera, because the VF3 doesn't go low enough, and the EVF is in the way. So, what I did was to first attach a quick release plate and base for the Fancier 717 custom QR to the camera, and then the VF3 QR to the bottom of that, and then the VF3 fits perfectly.
Since this fits, I wonder what the difference between the VF3 and VF4 is - anyone know off-hand?
Since this fits, I wonder what the difference between the VF3 and VF4 is - anyone know off-hand?
In the case of the VF4, I think replacing the base plate's rubber pad with one thicker by 1/8" is all it would take for a proper fit.
One of the differences between the VF3 and VF4 is that the mounting bracket on the VF4 is moved back a bit, for better access to controls on the camera. Also, the sun hood is angled so that its easier to access the touch screen.
One of the differences between the VF3 and VF4 is that the mounting bracket on the VF4 is moved back a bit, for better access to controls on the camera. Also, the sun hood is angled so that its easier to access the touch screen.
I just got my Carry Speed VF4 and I am having the same issues with my GH3 where it's too tight of a fit.
I can get it to fit by first attaching the VF4 viewfinder to the baseplate and then tightening everything down, but
I'm worried about too much pressure on the underside of the GH3's EVF being caused by the VF4 pressing up against it so tightly.
This also negates the ease of removing it easily, which is one of the main features of the VF4.
I don't quite see how the base plate of the VF4 can fit under the Fancier 717?
I don't have the Fancier 717, but from the pictures there doesn't appear to be any mounting hole to attach the VF-4s base plate?
Anyone have any suggestions?
I can get it to fit by first attaching the VF4 viewfinder to the baseplate and then tightening everything down, but
I'm worried about too much pressure on the underside of the GH3's EVF being caused by the VF4 pressing up against it so tightly.
This also negates the ease of removing it easily, which is one of the main features of the VF4.
I don't quite see how the base plate of the VF4 can fit under the Fancier 717?
I don't have the Fancier 717, but from the pictures there doesn't appear to be any mounting hole to attach the VF-4s base plate?
Anyone have any suggestions?
I don't have the VF4, I have the VF3, but regarding the Fancier 717 adapter, there are three mounting holes right in the middle:
Custom Fancier 717 Quick Release Adapter
The photos show the 717 QR adapter from the top - note, it has 3 mounting holes. Well, it's exactly the same holes in the bottom. Mount the whole thing to your camera. Then, mount the VF plate to the bottom of the 717 QR adapter, and there you go. One tip wrt. the GH3, make sure you orient the camera so that the tightening screw on the side of the 717 QR adaptor is on the LEFT side of the camera, because if it is on the right side, that screw will prevent a full opening of the battery door... operationally, it doesn't make any difference, as the 717 QR is symmetrical, but it's a better fit for the GH3 on the left side.
Again, I don't have the VF4, only the VF3, but the VF3 will also go up too high under the EVF, so it needs something to fit lower - inserting the 717 QR adaptor works perfectly.
Thanks OldCorpse for pointing that out. I'll order the 717. it seems that Photography and Cinema only sells the base unit without the plate.
I believe I need the plate as well, as this is what gets attached to the camera.
The camera plate slides into the 717 base and then the VF4 base plate gets attached to the bottom of the 717 base plate?
I'll let you know how it works out once I receive the additional items I need to make it work better.
Thanks.
I believe I need the plate as well, as this is what gets attached to the camera.
The camera plate slides into the 717 base and then the VF4 base plate gets attached to the bottom of the 717 base plate?
I'll let you know how it works out once I receive the additional items I need to make it work better.
Thanks.
You can get one on Amazon:
WF717 replacement quick release plate for fluid tripod head 717AH and WF717 - $13.99
Yes, first attach the WF717 plate from Amazon, then put on the adapter from PhotographyAndCinema (keeping the tightening screw on the left side of the camera!), then attach the plate from the VF4... again, I must stress, I have the VF3, so the only solution I know 100% works with this setup is with the VF3 - anyone who has both the VF3 and VF4 can chime in on the differences - see davidp158 post above detailing some differences between the VF3 and VF4. Good luck!
WF717 replacement quick release plate for fluid tripod head 717AH and WF717 - $13.99
Yes, first attach the WF717 plate from Amazon, then put on the adapter from PhotographyAndCinema (keeping the tightening screw on the left side of the camera!), then attach the plate from the VF4... again, I must stress, I have the VF3, so the only solution I know 100% works with this setup is with the VF3 - anyone who has both the VF3 and VF4 can chime in on the differences - see davidp158 post above detailing some differences between the VF3 and VF4. Good luck!
Have had my VF4 for a couple weeks now and my opinion is that it is useful and essential for daytime run and gun/news style shooting on the GH3. Focusing is easier with the loupe, although yes pixels are magnified too (i still want that focus peaking!). As far as fitment, it doesnt bother me at all. It is tight and requires a bit more finesse for removal and installation but why would you constantly be slapping the thing on and off anyway? I keep it permanently on as it provides a nice soft and comfy point of contact and help in image stabilizing. It seems like decent quality.
One point though is i wear glasses and with the diopter adjusted for my eye w/o glasses its a bit difficult to see the entire LCD without adjusting your eyeball a bit. But with the OLED screen I can now wear polarized sunglasses and it is a nice combo.
The biggest gripe is I'm bummed I missed out on the $50 off deal!
One point though is i wear glasses and with the diopter adjusted for my eye w/o glasses its a bit difficult to see the entire LCD without adjusting your eyeball a bit. But with the OLED screen I can now wear polarized sunglasses and it is a nice combo.
The biggest gripe is I'm bummed I missed out on the $50 off deal!
Just received my WF717 base and plate. The plate and base connected well to the GH3 but when I tried to attach the Carry Speeds VF-4s base plate to the 717 base plate, the screw from the VF-4 base plate would not insert deep enough into the 717s base plate to be able to tighten the plate flush with the 717 base.
Not sure if I have a defective 717 base, I tried both 1/4 inch holes but could not screw in more than a few turns. The 1/4 holes on the side of the 717 worked fine and I was
able to turn a 1/4 screw into those with no problem.
Too bad, I thought this was going to be a good work around for the VF-4 and GH3 being too tight.
Not sure if I have a defective 717 base, I tried both 1/4 inch holes but could not screw in more than a few turns. The 1/4 holes on the side of the 717 worked fine and I was
able to turn a 1/4 screw into those with no problem.
Too bad, I thought this was going to be a good work around for the VF-4 and GH3 being too tight.
That's a bummer, mmaller - don't know what to tell you, other than it works flawlessly for me. I took a close look at the screw on the VF-3 base - if you count, it has 4 ridges sticking out above the metal of the base, which means you should be able to turn that screw 360 degrees 4 times, enough to get good purchase on whatever hole it gets screwed in. As to the bottom of the 717 base, I looked into the 1/4" holes, and see that the corresponding first ridge in the hole is close to the surface of the base, so if you now put a screw in from the VF, it should turn comfortably 4 times a full 360 degrees. Try this experiment: grab a free-standing 1/4" screw, or if you don't have one, take out the screw from the quick release plate that goes on top of the 717 base plate, and try to screw it into either of the holes on the bottom of the 717 base... if it doesn't go in, then you know the problem - the hole has not been milled correctly and it's a defective unit, because it doesn't accept a 1/4" screw. Otherwise, if:
1) The screw from the VF sticks out at least 4 ridges
2) The corresponding first ridge in the hole on the bottom of the 717 is close to the surface
3) Your experiment with the free-standing 1/4" screw shows the 717 has been milled correctly
then you should be able to attach the VF plate to the 717 base bottom. One of those conditions - 1), 2), or 3) is not being met - which one is it? Is the screw on the VF not long enough? Are the 717 base 1/4" holes not milled correctly by size, or the ridge is not close enough to the surface to accept a screw?
1) The screw from the VF sticks out at least 4 ridges
2) The corresponding first ridge in the hole on the bottom of the 717 is close to the surface
3) Your experiment with the free-standing 1/4" screw shows the 717 has been milled correctly
then you should be able to attach the VF plate to the 717 base bottom. One of those conditions - 1), 2), or 3) is not being met - which one is it? Is the screw on the VF not long enough? Are the 717 base 1/4" holes not milled correctly by size, or the ridge is not close enough to the surface to accept a screw?
Thanks for responding OldCorpse. I can't even get one full rotation of a free-standing 1/4" screw. Something seems wrong with the 1/4" holes on the bottom of the 717 base.
The 3/4" hole works fine. I can screw a free standing 3/4" screw completely into the 717 base with no resistance at all.
The 1/4" screw just jams up in the 1/4" hole before even getting to one full rotation. The same thing happens in both 1/4" holes.
Not sure if I should try and force the screw in but I certainly can't do it by hand. Maybe with a screwdriver bit on a drill, but i'm afraid I'll just ruin the piece completely.
I also noticed that when I shine a flash light into the four holes on the side of the 717 base all 4 holes appear to have rust and mold at the base of the holes.
If your unit works fine then I think I have a defective base.
The 3/4" hole works fine. I can screw a free standing 3/4" screw completely into the 717 base with no resistance at all.
The 1/4" screw just jams up in the 1/4" hole before even getting to one full rotation. The same thing happens in both 1/4" holes.
Not sure if I should try and force the screw in but I certainly can't do it by hand. Maybe with a screwdriver bit on a drill, but i'm afraid I'll just ruin the piece completely.
I also noticed that when I shine a flash light into the four holes on the side of the 717 base all 4 holes appear to have rust and mold at the base of the holes.
If your unit works fine then I think I have a defective base.