I agree. I was at local store for a demo couple months ago and I was very pleased with EVA. I did not buy it just because of heavy/expensive EVF solutions.
EVA1: Recommended EVF for EVA?
- Thread starter TubEfingers
- Start date
I agree. I was at local store for a demo couple months ago and I was very pleased with EVA. I did not buy it just because of heavy/expensive EVF solutions.
Clermond
Veteran
I bought a used URSA EVF with the woodencamera modification kit. It's attached with smallRig stuff.
Overall cost URSA 900€, wooden 250€, SmallRig was already there from FS7, estimated 100€
After two months of usage: it's really great, the VF is sharp and brilliant, great for focussing.
the VF is not as big as it looks on the photo wit the mobile wide angle lens
Only downside so far: it blocks the only SDI port which I use sometimes for s directors's monitor. I use it with HDMI now but I don't have to say a word of the advatange from SDI over HDMI
Overall cost URSA 900€, wooden 250€, SmallRig was already there from FS7, estimated 100€
After two months of usage: it's really great, the VF is sharp and brilliant, great for focussing.
the VF is not as big as it looks on the photo wit the mobile wide angle lens
Only downside so far: it blocks the only SDI port which I use sometimes for s directors's monitor. I use it with HDMI now but I don't have to say a word of the advatange from SDI over HDMI
This is the low-priced alternative mount for my old Zacuto EVF.
Probably about $100. in adapters/clamps/rods - mostly from SmallRig. When I put the camera on the 'Cowboy Studio' shoulder mount (at top) the eyepiece is in the perfect spot for my eye.
Of course the $100. didn't include the cost of the Sachtler quick release adapter on the shoulder mount...
Retrospective
Well-known member
Panasonic should release a separate EVF/Loupe as an add-in for the EVA1. I find it annoying having to separately mount a SmallHD but cannot control the camera with it. Also the fact that I have 2 EVF sticking out.
Marcel Zyskind
Member
Yes please Panasonic, can you please release a good quality (and fairly priced) evf that is powered from the lcd plug. Leaving sdi free. If you need inspiration the Alexa Mini/Amira type evf with a small flip-out monitor on the side is ideal. Many thanks.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
Note that this viewfinder costs as much as the EVA1 and consumes more power.
Marcel Zyskind
Member
Yes, the Alexa Mini/Amira evf costs as much. But a new EVA-1 evf might not? ;-) Re. power, a lot of us already run bigger batteries.
Retrospective
Well-known member
We need something more of an actual replacement of the EVA1 EVF so it shouldn't use any HDMI or SDI. Just the proprietary EVA1 plug. The downside would be that its only for the EVA1 but you won't need any other EVFs. No need to power any extra third party EVFs.
Yeah this could be a bad idea but the existing EVF was bad idea by itself.
Yeah this could be a bad idea but the existing EVF was bad idea by itself.
sunporchmedia
Well-known member
Mitch, the FS7 already provides a roadmap to a reasonable solution. (and, to some degree, the Z-finder as well). A stronger orientable hinge for the existing LCD monitor (or, yes...a brighter and/or less reflective one), plus a flip-up loupe that can be removed. Done.
The Z-finder is already too heavy as you certainly know, and their only "solution" to adding back the basic function of orientability is to tell you to buy an Axis Mini, a top plate, and either a top handle or an Axis bracket. Heavy, ridiculously expensive and over-engineered.
The Z-finder is already too heavy as you certainly know, and their only "solution" to adding back the basic function of orientability is to tell you to buy an Axis Mini, a top plate, and either a top handle or an Axis bracket. Heavy, ridiculously expensive and over-engineered.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
Ok, but you just asked for something that powered from the LCD port.
Mitch Gross
Veteran
Understood, but please note that Zacuto mounting is not the only option out there.
BTW to everyone, I’m not trying to be argumentative or contrarian. I listen to all comments and do communicate with the factory. It doesn’t mean that I can make everything happen here, or even that I can make anything happen here. My replies are to keep the dialogue going and to discuss various options. For example, you can mount the Zacuto Z-Finder using a fairly inexpensive Small Rig solution.
Marcel Zyskind
Member
My thought with the LCD port was partly to get the video feed from there and keep sdi free for director's monitor. Power and video feed through the lcd port to a Zacuto Gractical for instance would be good. Is this possible with a bespoke cable?
You managed to make such a great little camera, but the one big hurdle with this camera is the lack of evf. I know you've heard over and over again sorry to keep going on about this.
Trying to balance the camera with a shoulder pad and operate hand held with a monitor 3 inches from your face. Doesn't work, your neck is buggered, plus the monitor blocks the whole view if you want to have a look at what's going on.
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Mitch Gross
Veteran
I don't know that the signal coming out of the LCD port is a standard video signal. It's designed to feed our LCD panel, but the drivers may all be located within the camera.
Marcel Zyskind
Member
I've been testing the Zacuto Gratical Eye EVF the last couple of days. Excellent viewfinder! To get it to work on the EVA with the Zacuto only having SDI I tried the following. Direct from SDI to Eye works great, but no SDI available for directors monitor, I could then go HDMI to Pix-e5 on camera and then SDI out from there to directors monitor or a transmitter. Also could go HDMI to Pix then SDI out from Pix to Eye, leaving SDI on camera for director. If you then wanted to record on the Pix you can't have any camera info on the image this way around. Either way, I can make it work. The best would be a bespoke cable from the LCD port to power and provide video for the Eye, I've mentioned this to Zacuto and in here to Mitch. Cross my fingers. Yes it's an expensive EVF, but this camera comes to life with it on! Highly recommended.
TubEfingers
Well-known member
Finally got my EVA1 fully kitted out with Zacuto Z Finder and shoulder mount/VCT plate and Shogun Inferno - really happy with the set up and over the moon with the images I can get out of this camera 
sunporchmedia
Well-known member
I'm wanting to avoid having to buy a top cheeseplate and/or replacement handle, for weight and cost purposes. Also, I have already purchased the Tilta VCT shoulder kit and I like their "minimalist" top cheeseplate with the battery plate hanging from it via 15mm rods.
Hard to tell for sure from pictures, but it appears that the Smallrig solutions would push the Zfinder awfully far to the left. Would that prevent comfortable viewin> The best I can figure out from Smallrig's website would be:
Smallrig 15mm stud for "Sony" 8-hole top handle connection
4" nato rail with 15mm hole at one end (1910)
Nato clamp with Arri rosette and articulating joint#1583
Zacuto Z-FSAA Axis EVF adapter for Z-finder, with Arri rosette
Is this what you were thinking re; Smallrig?
And yes, I appreciate your constructive and knowledgable posts. Very helpful.
Hard to tell for sure from pictures, but it appears that the Smallrig solutions would push the Zfinder awfully far to the left. Would that prevent comfortable viewin> The best I can figure out from Smallrig's website would be:
Smallrig 15mm stud for "Sony" 8-hole top handle connection
4" nato rail with 15mm hole at one end (1910)
Nato clamp with Arri rosette and articulating joint#1583
Zacuto Z-FSAA Axis EVF adapter for Z-finder, with Arri rosette
Is this what you were thinking re; Smallrig?
And yes, I appreciate your constructive and knowledgable posts. Very helpful.
Mark,
I'm not clear on whether you're wanting to mount an EVF on the camera or try to rig a magnifier eyepiece to improve the visibility of the Panasonic LCD viewfinder?
I've been using the Zacuto EVF (I had posted a picture back about 15 posts...) and did a few hours of 'man on the street' interviews with it this week. After playing with it a bit more, I opted to use a different 15mm holder for the Z-EVF - which pushed it about 35mm further forward (and I similarly adjusted the position of the quick release on the shoulder brace to move the camera back accordingly). All worked surprisingly well shooting with the Sigma 18-35. The Zacuto EVF is pretty big and clunky - and with the HDMI plugs on its right side you can't have it that far to the right- only as far as the camera - but it the camera did feel totally natural on the shoulder rig.
I did buy one of the SmallRig 15mm adapters that goes to the mini rosette on the handle - but I've found for the Zacuto EVF I really prefer coming off a top plate (the SmallRig one I got was the narrow strip - separate ones for each side of the camera.
I'm not clear on whether you're wanting to mount an EVF on the camera or try to rig a magnifier eyepiece to improve the visibility of the Panasonic LCD viewfinder?
I've been using the Zacuto EVF (I had posted a picture back about 15 posts...) and did a few hours of 'man on the street' interviews with it this week. After playing with it a bit more, I opted to use a different 15mm holder for the Z-EVF - which pushed it about 35mm further forward (and I similarly adjusted the position of the quick release on the shoulder brace to move the camera back accordingly). All worked surprisingly well shooting with the Sigma 18-35. The Zacuto EVF is pretty big and clunky - and with the HDMI plugs on its right side you can't have it that far to the right- only as far as the camera - but it the camera did feel totally natural on the shoulder rig.
I did buy one of the SmallRig 15mm adapters that goes to the mini rosette on the handle - but I've found for the Zacuto EVF I really prefer coming off a top plate (the SmallRig one I got was the narrow strip - separate ones for each side of the camera.