Zacuto EVF or DP4(EVF mode) for FS100 shoulder rig? Ergonomic differences?

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Damien Collier

Member
What are people's opinions regarding Zacuto EVF vs SmallHD Dp4(EVF mode) for FS100 shoulder rig use?
I'm concerned about side to side balance, weight, and over all clunkiness. Also, if anyone has bought a Zacuto EVF Refurbished/Open Box from Zacuto, have they been happy with it? Dead pixel issues?


I already have a DP6 and love it. I am just trying to figure out the best EVF for shoulder work.
 
I really love my Zacuto EVF. Can't really speak highly enough about the product.
The accuracy of the monitor is quite good, enough to use and judge your overall
picture.

No dead pixel issues and I've had mine for quite some time pretty much one
of the first batches actually. No clunkiness for my setup. You can't mount it upside
down with a top mount, however you can flip the image and just invert the monitor.
I really like it's size and weight, it's very manageable.

Only dislike is the peaking. It's only over sharpening no focus in red. Which sounds minor
but pair it with the FS100 which doesn't output peaking and it can suck in situations. Like
high detail, perhaps tons of grass. That can be a time when you definitely turn the function
off and use one to one and other methods to just confirm.

It's workable it's just a feature I hope the firmware puts out to make this a perfect
product. Really other than that I have no bad things to say at all. Use it on every
shoot.
 
I'm with stancemedia- I love my Zacuto EVF Pro. Twice the battery life than the DP4 + smaller. Oh and having the option to black out your aspect ratio guidelines is really nice (instead of a simple line).
 
I had both and sold my Zacuto EVF. The peaking mode of the D4 is worth it alone. Although I do miss the battery life of the Zacuto.
 
The Zacuto doesnt support the fs100's 1080p output. Only 60i or 720p so there is a slight interlace jitter when using 60i. When the fs100 is set to 1080p, the image on the zacuto is stretched out and unusuable. Could be a concern if you are thinking about recording 1080p to an external recorder whilst using the zacuto at the same time.
 
They are both great products!!! Choose what you feel is right for you, you won't regret because like I said they both do an amazing job. As an owner of DP6/4 and Zacuto EVF I can tell so far I'm really satisfied. They both have pros and cons. I can't say that one is better than other.
 
Received the DP4 today for my shoulder rig, as I had found my DP6 was little big (and hence heavy). I also want another contact point with my body to add stability. Since I have had it only a few hours, I can just say a few things.

1) you will miss the 720P screen of the DP6. The DP4 looks fine without the viewfinder loupe, but with the magnification of the loupe things are a little grainy for my eyes, and pristine focus is not as easy to judge with the straight picture, guess I got to get use to it. I'm wondering if I would be happier with no magnification at all, but don't know yet if that is possible with how the VF is put together.

2) I'm powering my with a TEKKEON battery so am not expecting battery problems, don't see problems with any batteries really, just buy more batteries (cheap from CHINA). The DP4 does have a voltage indication while the DP6 has no indication of when it is going to go dead.

3). Construction is great for my needs. Somewhere on smallhd or youtube this a comparison of the ZACUTO and the DP4 construction, I remember the DP4 won.

On the news, a 1080 viewfinder has come up, showing at NAB, but it probably will be ungodly expensive.
 
Zacuto. I think the DP4 is way too big and bulky if you have the camera on your shoulder. Zacutos EVF is the perfect size, almost like it's not even on the camera.

And the battery life on zacutos is awesome.
 
As a DP6 Owner I would not get either - IMO you just cant see focus

Of course Im desperate for a reduction in size that an EFV would bring

Certainly its worth waiting for NAB and finding out about the 1080 version

Also there is one Cineroid? - I think - that a focus (zoom) check on an external finger switch

I would see that as an essential feature for an EVF that is less than 720p

Best

S
 
I have a DP6, as well as a Zacuto EVF along with the FS100, I also got the Zacuto EVF mount in order to be able to mount it to the left side and forward, to mimic a ENG camcorder setup. I made a special plate that allows the Zacuto EVF mount to be mounted to the top mounting holes. For ENG with a shoulder type mount where the FS100 is on your shoulder and to the right of your head, this setup is really the only thing out there.

Zacuto is an amazing company, though their products are 'premium' priced, they are very well designed and engineered. Their customer support is always very helpful. Focus with the EVF is much easier than the built in LCD. I got the flip version which I also think is necessary in case you are shooting low, you can tilt the EVF upward and flip the Zfinder up and away. You could also do this with the built in but the EVF along with the mount is much more versatile.

One of the posters above mentioned that the EVF is useless in 1080P mode, which is not true, I use it in 1080P mode exclusively and the EVF works great, there is even a FS100 preset for the correct proportions in the EVF menu.

I would recommend the Zacuto EVF, you'll find a lot of uses for it, and they are updating the firmware constantly.
 
kmoreau893 said:
One of the posters above mentioned that the EVF is useless in 1080P mode, which is not true, I use it in 1080P mode exclusively and the EVF works great, there is even a FS100 preset for the correct proportions in the EVF menu.
Click to expand...

that was me. I've got the latest firmware and am using the fs100 preset yet everytime I set the HDMI output to 1080p, the image always comes out stretched. Even says at the bottom of their evf faq page that the fs100 has issues with 1080p output here http://www.zacuto.com/electronicviewfinder-faq

What settings have you got it on? Or did you mean you record in 1080p but monitor in 1080i? In that case that isn't an issue.
 
Don't forget that there's also the new Alphatron EVF debuting at NAB. We'll have some in our booth. We're taking orders now.
 
I have to chime in here, I think the DP4 is an excellent EVF and I am VERY pleased with mine and I like the fact that it is still large enough to use as a monitor without the evepiece. I have not used the Zacuto.
 
I power my DP4 off of a Tekkeon on the back of the shoulder mount, saves weight up front, the DP4 by itself (sans VF) is a featherweight compared to the DP6.
 
I have the Dp 4 and it works really well. Nothing is as sharp as the old black and white evfs on Betacams, but the Small Hd is very decent. I have no problems focusing with it.

It isnt tiny, but it is not too heavy either. It is also very well built for its size. Trymto get b stock from Small and save some money. They sell off b stock every month or two.

I have also dealt directly with the company and have found them to be very personable and helpful.
 
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