Z-Finder

Y

yoclay

Veteran
yoclay said:
... in my the opinion this mounting point and the mounting screw hole on the underside of the camera are the only possible means to create a support for the new video finder which is entirely independent and truly stable.

Imagine being able to slide the viewfinder on and off of this eyefinder mounting point....

An underside plate either as a secondary or primary source of support would also provide the opportunity to create anti-twist device, which the camera sorely needs in combination with a follow focus.
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So all those months ago, when I said that I thought the only way to go really was a baseplate and a lot of others agreed. Basically Steve nixed it as impractical:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=170779&highlight=z-finder&page

He also said:

zacuto said:
I though you guys knew me & Zacuto’s customer service better than that, generous at Zacuto is code for free.
You will send me back you Z-Finder, I’ll remove the optics and place it in the version 2 housing and send it back to you....
....I haven’t figured out what mounting option we will give for free with the V2 unit yet. Maybe some sort rubber band system, which you seem to like. It should probably work with or without rods. Any ideas here?
Many of the mounting options I’ve been talking about will be separate kits, just to let you know.
Steve
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Now I see that a baseplate is being offered for free with the Z-Finder and on top of that with an anti-fog optic for the same price I paid. If I want the baseplate and to have an Z-finder that doesn't fog up it will now cost me more than $130 more* (+ shipping) for something I and several others wanted originally and which Steve felt wasn't practical. Guess it wasn't so farfetched afterall. Now I know that Mandy is nice and everyone is doing their best, and that it is a business like any other, but I sincerely wish they would reconsider this.

What happened to that generous upgrade policy that Steve spoke about which is a Zacuto tradition?

Is there anyone out there that feels as I do?




edit: Rahn has calculated the addtional cost to be around $155 + shipping in a later post
 
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yoclay said:
Not according to Mandy at Zacuto.
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Honestly I think that kinda sucks. It sets a bad president. First you change the v1 to v2, no extra charge, but won't change v2 to v3. It just looks bad. I also just purchased my Z-Finder around 3weeks ago, and I wasn't EXTREMELY happy when they released the new version, but hey, what you gonna do....
 
Could not agree more. I just got my Z-Fineder 3 weeks ago...so are there no options, upgrade path etc? I guess I am stuck with this piece
 
Not that you care, but here's my opinion…

I don't want the new version. Judging from the mounting plate and all that, it looks like it blocks access to the battery compartment. Also, I shoot primarily with a battery grip and would need the extender (or whatever they call it).

The previous mounting system adds no bulk to the camera, doesn't interfere with any camera-mounted accessories, and works perfectly.

Your mileage may vary, of course.
 
Ya I am a bit disappointed as well after getting a Z-Finder very recently and now suddenly its cheaper with more features. Many software companies like Cineform offer upgrades or at least some sort of discount to folks who buy their products within a certain period of a major version revision. Hardware is mostly a different animal though but clearly these parts look like addon's which make it a bit disappointing.

Still I love my Z-Finder but Zacuto needs to step up and show it cares about customers for the long term.
 
ah, forgot. Also + shipping for sending it into Zacuto to get the optic swapped out.
 
Yeah, with shipping from Europe, it is approaching $180. The more I look at all of this, the more uncomfortable I am becoming with it. I know it is a process, but it many ways I think this Z-Finder starting with Version 1 was an unfinished product which they rushed to market to fill a requested need. Given their reputation in terms of "generous upgrade" (read free) I really think this kind of additional cost to have a fully functioning product is excessive. I sincerely hope they reconsider this, because it does not encourage me to buy new products from them.
 
You bring up a good point that we had many conversations about at Zacuto.

First, from the sales and feedback we've gotten most people still prefer the sticky frame over the baseplate. I prefer the baseplate especially if you are using any of our gorilla kits because they attach super quickly. In handheld mode with no support system the sticky frame is nice because it's light but if you want a more a rock solid fit then the baseplate is a better option. This I see as a preference. If you are happy with your sticky frame continue to use it, if not the baseplate is an option for you. Regardless, you have a workable solution.

The Z-Finder was the first optical viewfinder on the market next to the Hoodman. Our Version one was rushed to market due to extreme demand. Our V2 was in development at the same time and came out shortly thereafter. We did replace the 100 V1's free of charge (because the V1 product was substandard and really more a prototype product). That is not the case with the V2. If the Z-Finder v2 was substandard, I would be forced to make a free upgrade. But look at the reviews, they for the most part are overwhelmingly good. I don't believe the anti-fog to be a defect. No other company on the market has an anti-fog solution as of yet, probably because it's very hard to do. This is a new technology that wasn't available before. It's taken us about 6 months to figure out the right formula for the anti-fog coating so it doesn't cut the resolution of the optics.

The other issue is that a lot is learned by having products in the field in actual use. We are trying to improve our products like I think everyone would like us to. Time is partly a factor in this, designs, molds and such take a long time to create. Realize we are only one year into this. We released the Z-Finder v1 a year ago at NAB. Since then we have created five different models within one year. This is why we make products in the USA, 30 miles from Zacuto HQ. It allows us to create extremely high quality products and deliver them fast to the marketplace. Creating products in China takes three times longer with all of the back and forth and tweaking (plus the quality is not there). As we have discussed in the past, this luxury does add to the cost.

I think we did the right thing by making the Z-Finder & Pro upgradable. We could have gone the Canon route and made the current Z-Finder incompatible with previous V2's. Then you would have had to retire the Z-Finder V2 and have to buy the new model. Making the V2 universal to work with the 2.5x optic was the problem, so with the development of our Z-Finder extender frames, that made it possible. It took a while to come up with that idea and time to create the molds.

Now to address how we can make the pro for the same cost as the V2. When we created the V2 we were ordering in way less quantities becuase at that time the market was smaller. As time went on, the market for Z-Finders increased, now we are creating our components in larger quantities so the cost per item has gone down. Just like how Canon can keep coming out with better cameras for lower cost or dropping the price on existing cameras. That's how we can put the Pro out at the same cost as the V2.

I'm going to try my best to do what I think is fair (most companies would not even have this conversation with you). So here is my proposal.

If you bought your Z-Finder march 1st and after you have two options free of charge with proof of purchase:
1. You can send back your Z-Finder at the end of April and we will up-grade it to a Pro.
2. We can send you the gorilla baseplate, frame, V2 protective upgrade, 2 extender frames (if you are not interested in the optic upgrade or interested in sending your V2 back to us).
As a bonus, we will include whichever Z-finder mounting frame of your choice, tall camera, battery grips or standard sized camera frames.

You will need to email Rachel at Kenton@Zacuto.com for the above options so you can get an RMA.

For existing Z-Finder users who bought your Z-Finder Prior to March 1st:
1. If you are only interested in the optic upgrade (your choice 2.5x or 3x) is available for $45 and I'll add an additional 15% off that. You do have to ship your Z-Finder back to Zacuto to get this upgrade done, it's not something that can be done in the field. Contact Kenton@Zacuto.com for this.
2. Any other Z-Finder upgrades will also get 15% off. Their are upgrade kits, just use coupon code Dslr15 at www.store.Zacuto.com

All of these options will be available around the 1st of May.

I think this is fair and still allows Zacuto to continually try to improve our Z-Finder line without upsetting current Z-Finder users.
Steve
 
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Thank you for responding to this Steve. I am happy that the folks who recently purchased this will have the ability to upgrade for free. While for the rest of us it is less than I wished for, I appreciate your willingness to make an effort towards reducing the price and your taking the time to respond at length to this question.
 
Yes Steve, thank you as well for the response which for sure will keep me using Zacuto products in the future!
 
SWEET thanks so much Steve. As a person who JUST bought it on March 3, I am more than elated at Zactuo's customer service, and will DEFINETLY be referring others to you, as always.
 
Unfortunately the baseplate design while an improvement on the sticky frame won't work for everyone. I have one of those Korean shoulder rigs and a Really Right Stuff quick release and baseplate. This mounts the 5D at the right height for my Genus mattebox. The added height with a Gorilla baseplate wouldn't allow me to mount the mattebox on my rails.

The other problem I have is after a long days shooting in the sun the adhesive on the V2 sticky frame started to melt and it's not sticking too well now and there's some light leakage. I have some z-bands and they're holding everything together. I'm thinking the best solution is some gaff or a bead of black silicone around the frame.

Steve have you considered a design where the mounting frame attaches to the viewfinder like on those cheap eBay DSLR LCD hoods?
The other solution would be to design a quick release system or team up with Really Right Stuff to design a QR baseplate for the z-finder. I love the speed of the QR switching from shoulder to steadicam to jib in seconds. The antitwist baseplate also stops the camera body from moving due to the torque from a follow focus.

Is the V2 2.5 or 3x?
 
J. Odoms said:
SWEET thanks so much Steve. As a person who JUST bought it on March 3, I am more than elated at Zactuo's customer service, and will DEFINETLY be referring others to you, as always.
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Ditto. 'Cept got mine last week.

Weiss, you're the man. Thank you!
 
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