New_Zealand
Veteran
anyone uses this? It looks like it would be handy on the desert (sun) shoot
C300: Zacuto Z-Finder Pro Optical Viewfinder
- Thread starter New_Zealand
- Start date
Run&Gun
Veteran
Have a client with some. I generally dislike clip-on loupe's and especially these. I cannot see the entire image(LCD Panel), because it makes it too big. If budget is an issue, I can see the value, but give me a real, quality EVF any day and everyday of the week and twice on Sunday's.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
I just scored one, it arrives from Zacuto on Monday, I bought an open box off of Ebay from them and got a really good deal. I will report back my findings once I use it but I've owned the Zacuto EVF Pro for years. The Loupe for the C200 will
fix all of the things that frustrate the hell out of me about the EVF Pro, which is the one with it's own little LED screen instead of a loupe that goes over the Canon screen. I think you have the C300 while I have the C200 so the results might be a bit different?
On the C200, I really need to see the waveform display in the eyepiece. The EVFPro doesn't have a waveform. So I have to turn on the C200's waveform and full screen display on to see the waveform from the C200s HDMI out ran into the EVF Pro.
Problem is, I am usually using the Ninja Blade to record 1080 Prores when shooting outdoor, on movie and TV sets, so I can't really loop out the OSDs from the C200 for the EVF Pro as it will be recorded by the Blade. So shooting with the EVF Pro just doesn't
work for my situation as I live and die by the waveform monitor when shooting. I've tried just Zebras and it doesn't work for me, I need a waveform to get exposure for the whole image.
The actual construction, eyepiece and how the Z Finders functions is fine, I contemplated getting a Kameleon or Gratical as they look better but the other thing is, I use the buttons on the LCD screen left hand column a lot. If I mount a Kameleon or Gratical
I lose all of those buttons for menu, display on and off with one button and the little joystick (which I still have on the handgrip and back of camera) but I like it on the monitor as well. I agree with the others, a loupe isn't nearly as good of an image as a good EVF but functionally
it works better for me for my camera and shooting situations. You can easily flip up the eye piece when you want to use the screen alone and then click it back down when going shoulder mounted.
Overall, the Z-Finder works, is not as good as a real EVF but only costs a fraction (A new Gratical or Kamelon, the top plate, handle, Axis Mini, etc. is going to cost close to $3k) On a $6.5K C200, doesn't make much financial sense. I got an open boxed C200 Z-Finder for
under $300 on Ebay, a used Recoil handle here from a user for $125.00 and a C200 Top Plate for $99.00 used on Ebay. I already have a ULCS arm setup that will hold it all and let me position the screen and Z-Finder so hopefully that'll work in holding it so I don't have
to shell out another $400.00 for an Axis Mini Pro and the Rosette!
Will let you know next week how it all looks and works. Wish I could afford the EVF-70 but once again, that would cost as much as the camera, I can't see the value equation.
fix all of the things that frustrate the hell out of me about the EVF Pro, which is the one with it's own little LED screen instead of a loupe that goes over the Canon screen. I think you have the C300 while I have the C200 so the results might be a bit different?
On the C200, I really need to see the waveform display in the eyepiece. The EVFPro doesn't have a waveform. So I have to turn on the C200's waveform and full screen display on to see the waveform from the C200s HDMI out ran into the EVF Pro.
Problem is, I am usually using the Ninja Blade to record 1080 Prores when shooting outdoor, on movie and TV sets, so I can't really loop out the OSDs from the C200 for the EVF Pro as it will be recorded by the Blade. So shooting with the EVF Pro just doesn't
work for my situation as I live and die by the waveform monitor when shooting. I've tried just Zebras and it doesn't work for me, I need a waveform to get exposure for the whole image.
The actual construction, eyepiece and how the Z Finders functions is fine, I contemplated getting a Kameleon or Gratical as they look better but the other thing is, I use the buttons on the LCD screen left hand column a lot. If I mount a Kameleon or Gratical
I lose all of those buttons for menu, display on and off with one button and the little joystick (which I still have on the handgrip and back of camera) but I like it on the monitor as well. I agree with the others, a loupe isn't nearly as good of an image as a good EVF but functionally
it works better for me for my camera and shooting situations. You can easily flip up the eye piece when you want to use the screen alone and then click it back down when going shoulder mounted.
Overall, the Z-Finder works, is not as good as a real EVF but only costs a fraction (A new Gratical or Kamelon, the top plate, handle, Axis Mini, etc. is going to cost close to $3k) On a $6.5K C200, doesn't make much financial sense. I got an open boxed C200 Z-Finder for
under $300 on Ebay, a used Recoil handle here from a user for $125.00 and a C200 Top Plate for $99.00 used on Ebay. I already have a ULCS arm setup that will hold it all and let me position the screen and Z-Finder so hopefully that'll work in holding it so I don't have
to shell out another $400.00 for an Axis Mini Pro and the Rosette!
Will let you know next week how it all looks and works. Wish I could afford the EVF-70 but once again, that would cost as much as the camera, I can't see the value equation.
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chris f
Veteran
I love the Z-finder on my C200. It’s my preferred method of shooting and I have the most confidence in accuracy for exposure, color, and focus using it over any monitor or the built in viewfinder. It takes a lot of gak for it to have all the versatility/flexibility I want, but I really like it
I have the Z-Finder EVF Pro (not on a C300). I had the same problem. They sell short extensions that snap on and move the loupe further back so that you can see the whole image. This is useful for those of us that wear glasses.
I like the flip function to switch between EVF and monitor. Some of the models don't flip.
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Reporting back, have not yet had a chance to do a real, all day handheld/shoulder mounted shoot with the C200 and the Zacuto Z-Finder but I have been playing with, re-positioning it and so far, it's pretty good. The screen looks good, focus is easy to see and I love still having the touchscreen functionality. The open box Z-Finder I picked up for a song from Zacuto on Ebay was bascially in brand new condition and all of the accessories were included. I am using our Ultra Light Control Systems (ULCS) arm set up rather than the Zacuto Axis Mini and the Rosette. There are advantages and disadvantages to the ULCS arm over the Zacuto. The Zacuto is probably easier and quicker to position, the ULCS, I pretty much have to have the camera on tripod or a table to position the Z-Finder and screen exactly where I want them. But it has a lot more adjust range than the Axis Mini Mount as well to move the Z-Finder higher, lower, etc. I still have tilt ability too with the ULCS arm.
The flip up Z-Finder function is great for when you are going from tripod to shoulder mount shooting. I am a also discovering that rather than using a single Tilta extension arm when shooting handheld in the past, the right side with the grip relocater using the Shape cable back to the C200, I am also using the left side as well with a handgrip, doing the dual arm/grip thing. I discovered if I play with the angle of the left extension arm, in tilting down to get lower angle shots, the left handgrip sometimes ends up against my chest, giving me a super steady, rock solid feel for lock off shots.
About the only thing I hate is the stupid C200 fan blowing hot air into my ear or down my neck if I have the camera balanced way back. Dumbest ventilation design in history, intake on the dumb side and exhaust into the camera ops ear, WTH were they thinking? Might be good when shooting in cold temps, you get a free ear heater? ;-)
For those of you with the C200, the Z-Finder is pretty good and makes shoulder mounted shooting better. I can still sometimes get away with just positioning the screen far forward and using the Hoodman H400 on it but when operating for long shoots on the shoulder, Z-Finder is a good solution.
The flip up Z-Finder function is great for when you are going from tripod to shoulder mount shooting. I am a also discovering that rather than using a single Tilta extension arm when shooting handheld in the past, the right side with the grip relocater using the Shape cable back to the C200, I am also using the left side as well with a handgrip, doing the dual arm/grip thing. I discovered if I play with the angle of the left extension arm, in tilting down to get lower angle shots, the left handgrip sometimes ends up against my chest, giving me a super steady, rock solid feel for lock off shots.
About the only thing I hate is the stupid C200 fan blowing hot air into my ear or down my neck if I have the camera balanced way back. Dumbest ventilation design in history, intake on the dumb side and exhaust into the camera ops ear, WTH were they thinking? Might be good when shooting in cold temps, you get a free ear heater? ;-)
For those of you with the C200, the Z-Finder is pretty good and makes shoulder mounted shooting better. I can still sometimes get away with just positioning the screen far forward and using the Hoodman H400 on it but when operating for long shoots on the shoulder, Z-Finder is a good solution.
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ericsanpablo
Active member
Just in case you hadn't heard of it, there seems to be a 3d printed vent part that might help with the heat outtake on the c200 for you - https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3502750/files . I'd get it, but the heat hasn't really ever bothered me yet
puredrifting
Major Contributor
Thanks! Now if I just knew someone with a 3D printer!
ericsanpablo
Active member
Check your local library, they often have a free 3d printer. Also, in my area, I searched around and found companies that did 3 printing for pretty cheap
Whoa! Nice tip. I just checked and my library has one. Guess who is going to be spending a lot of time at the library. I have machine tools, but just couldn't get myself to buy a printer. What fun it will be to design some parts and go to the library to make them. You made my day.