New Zacuto Z Finder - which one?

M

Mike Brent

Carbonite Member
Hey,

Which would be better for the 5D? Is the difference between the 2.5 or 3 version just a matter of personal taste or is there something else that I should know about? I would think the bigger the better, no?

Thanks... sorry if dumb question.
 
Its mainly just a matter of tatses, would you like 3x view of the LCD of a 2x view. Thats all you really have to decide.
 
The pixels are slightly over-magnified on the 3x in my opinion, but the 2.5x is an unknown for me so it might be better to play it safe. Tonis has stated that his LCDVF is around 2.2x. A little easier for longer takes (I find my eyes get more tired with 3x) but slightly more difficult for critical focusing while recording.
 
Many props to Zacuto for creating a great product. I personally own the 3x and I love it. Never shoot without it.

As a filmmaker and developer of a professional slider/tracking system, I know how much time it takes to go into development of a product and appreciate the time Zacuto put into this one. Not to put any other system down, but I have used almost all the current products for an lcd viewfinder solution, and this is by far the best.

2.5 or 3x is a personal choice, and since I've only shot with the 3x, I can only give me opinion of that, but definitely a great choice as a product and you'll love to shoot with it.

Great shooting!
 
Does anyone that saw the Zacuto Pro at Nab have an opinion on the differences between the 2.5x and the 3X ?
 
slickh said:
Does anyone that saw the Zacuto Pro at Nab have an opinion on the differences between the 2.5x and the 3X ?
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That's a great question that myself and a good buddy of mine discussed while at NAB. I felt the 2.5x was perfect as far as magnification and size was concerned. I felt like the 3x was a little over magnified and gave me a slight feeling of motion sickness when I walked around while using it. In addition, I had to actually move my eye in order to look from edge to edge. I know, it seems a little extreme for just a .5x difference, but it was almost 2 different products to me. It was for these reasons that I ordered the 2.5x version.

Now, my good friend that I was with felt a little differently. He gets motion sickness much easier then I do, yet he didn't feel any of it with the 3x. While comparing both for quite a while, he decided to get the 3x version. He didn't agree with me on almost any of my observations about the 2.5x version, so - to each his own.

The one thing we did agree on was that the Z-Finder was far and away better then the LCDVF we tried.
 
I have the V2 3X version and like the snap on, snap off option to switch between cameras and to switch between video and stills.

I have always had mixed emotions regarding the 3X magnification - it's great for critical focusing, you can zero in on the focus without having to back up to get it.

However the overall view is just a little too pixellated for judging overall composition. It is somewhat distracting.

After reading adster's post above, I am going to order the 2.5X version. Thanks.
 
adster said:
That's a great question that myself and a good buddy of mine discussed while at NAB. I felt the 2.5x was perfect as far as magnification and size was concerned. I felt like the 3x was a little over magnified and gave me a slight feeling of motion sickness when I walked around while using it. In addition, I had to actually move my eye in order to look from edge to edge. I know, it seems a little extreme for just a .5x difference, but it was almost 2 different products to me. It was for these reasons that I ordered the 2.5x version.

Now, my good friend that I was with felt a little differently. He gets motion sickness much easier then I do, yet he didn't feel any of it with the 3x. While comparing both for quite a while, he decided to get the 3x version. He didn't agree with me on almost any of my observations about the 2.5x version, so - to each his own.

The one thing we did agree on was that the Z-Finder was far and away better then the LCDVF we tried.
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Thanks adster for your reply. It's good to hear from someone who has tried the two. I hope I made the right choice as I pre-ordered the 3X version.
 
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I preordered the 3x version, but I'm going to try and switch to the 2.5 instead. I think the 3x is going to be a bit more than what I need. I've contacted Rachel at Zacuto about the switch. Hopefully it doesn't toss me back at the end of the line for the shipping process.
 
I really don't have any idea why they changed the line the way they did...a fragmented product line adds to production costs and confuses customers...I suppose there's something to be said for adding more options, but...eh.

Also I don't see why the mounting frame is a hugely better solution than what they were using before. Sure it means you can quickly use your Z-Finder on a camera that has not been previously equipped, but it also means that if you're using a battery grip and decide to remove it you have to swap frames...also they don't have pictures but I am not sure how the battery grip version of the frame allows you access to the rear battery door when it's on...or if it does. One of my favorite things about filming on the 5D with battery grip is that you just flip that door open to replace your batteries....you can do it in all of 2 seconds.

I get the logic behind the new setup but I feel like it adds cost and hassle to what was really a quite good arrangement.
 
Ben_B said:
I really don't have any idea why they changed the line the way they did...a fragmented product line adds to production costs and confuses customers...I suppose there's something to be said for adding more options, but...eh.

Also I don't see why the mounting frame is a hugely better solution than what they were using before. Sure it means you can quickly use your Z-Finder on a camera that has not been previously equipped, but it also means that if you're using a battery grip and decide to remove it you have to swap frames...also they don't have pictures but I am not sure how the battery grip version of the frame allows you access to the rear battery door when it's on...or if it does. One of my favorite things about filming on the 5D with battery grip is that you just flip that door open to replace your batteries....you can do it in all of 2 seconds.

I get the logic behind the new setup but I feel like it adds cost and hassle to what was really a quite good arrangement.
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Not everyone wants to glue a frame to their LCD. I have had cameras damaged in the past with this kind of solution. Also when you are working on several cameras for multiple shoots you need something rock solid. If I need to rent extra cameras for instance what do I do? Glue a frame on a rental body and put a weight on it for 24 hours? In heavy production environments this is a much more serious solution.
 
Ben_B said:
I really don't have any idea why they changed the line the way they did...a fragmented product line adds to production costs and confuses customers...I suppose there's something to be said for adding more options, but...eh.

Also I don't see why the mounting frame is a hugely better solution than what they were using before. Sure it means you can quickly use your Z-Finder on a camera that has not been previously equipped, but it also means that if you're using a battery grip and decide to remove it you have to swap frames...also they don't have pictures but I am not sure how the battery grip version of the frame allows you access to the rear battery door when it's on...or if it does. One of my favorite things about filming on the 5D with battery grip is that you just flip that door open to replace your batteries....you can do it in all of 2 seconds.

I get the logic behind the new setup but I feel like it adds cost and hassle to what was really a quite good arrangement.
Click to expand...

I had this same problem so I ordered the jr. mount. It connects between the battery grip and the camera, therefore (so I'm told) I still have access to the battery grip door to quickly trade out batteries. This is all theoretically, since I don't have the unit yet, but this is what they told me it will be like.
 
Is it not possible to magnify using Live view to check focusing...in which case wouldn't the 2.5 be fine....unless maybe the subject was moving.
 
To add my experince - I ordered the Zacuto 3", thought it was too magnified, returned it, purchased the Carryspeed viewfinder for 1/2 the price and find it has a better mounting solution along with better magnification. All is good.
 
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