FS7: The FS7 flimsy viewfinder.

A few years ago I saw a great video of how to prepare a fs7 viewfinder for production. Ever since its been my go-to preparation. Its hard to see when they put they viewfinder in but its before the first layer of bacon (atleast thats how I do it):

https://youtu.be/7Xc5wIpUenQ
 
...as much as I don't want to fuel the fire, I would have to agree w the original post at least as far as "flimsy". I never really understood the design either at least as far as attaching the viewfinder and as one who has stripped the locking nut twice the viewfinder and assembly needs to be handled w kid gloves which is sometimes not real easy out in the field running and gunning as I often am.
 
The fs7 viewfinder in general is the Achilles heel of the camera.

The cable isn't always long enough (example, canon 17-120... camera slides further back on your shoulder for balance... viewfinder ends up too close to your face for comfort)
The display isn't always sharp enough (it gets the job done, but it's pretty pixely for shooting 4k and getting critical focus)
In stock configuration, it's way too easy to accidentally un-level the viewfinder and end up with a crooked horizon
Not a fan of how easy it is to bump the contrast wheel on the left side....

AND THE NUMBER ONE FLUB OF ALL FLUBS ----- when you turn off the display, the record light does not remain on in the display!!!!!! A double punch of the record button, and lack of display info during a hectic moment has caused me to miss a shot. it's not always, but it's preventable :(
 
from the annals of Camera Dept. shame: in about 2007 I was shooting alone with an EX1 on a Vinten 5 tripod. Nice sunny day, just grabbing some B roll for a project I was in the middle of editing. I stepped away from the sticks to grab something out of a camera bag, it was on the coast of Maine, Linekin Bay near Boothbay Harbor - I felt a gust of wind come off the bay and turned to watch the entire rig goes ass over tea cup, camera landing perfectly onto the one large field stone in a wide expanse of soft grass lawn. That field stone was remarkably stout- splaying the camera guts out like a Crusader's belly opened by a Saxon battle axe. I said Oh ****, crammed the guts back in, wrapped a turn of gaff tape to artfully leave access to some essential controls and kept right on shooting. Camera worked- but soon began to develop a mind of its own, deciding for me when might be a good time to zoom, or say go into expanded focus mode etc...

I found a repair shop in Boston and gave it to them. No lessons learned, no moral to the story ("watch out for gusty wind laddies") it just sucked but I got my money out of that camera 6 ways to Sunday. Was actually kinda glad to see it go!
 
I don't know, I'm not responsible for anything I say. Like the Prez says, its all just words.

"I am Uhtred, son of Uhtred!"
 
Publimix said:
I have the 2016 model with the titanium viewfinder. Dropped often, no scratch.
Click to expand...

The actual VF construction is fine enough. It's the connectivity that's flawed. All held together with POS stainless srews in pot aluminum. If they put stainless steel screw inserts, that would solve everything.
 
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