A Cinematography Buyers Guide for HDSLR Users
Part 1 of 4 - LCD Viewfinder Loupes (x)
Part 2 of 4 - Follow Focus Units
Part 3 of 4 - Mobile / Shoulder Supports
Part 4 of 4 - Steadicams / Stabilizers
With the introduction of the Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Nikon D90 & D300s, Panasonic LUMIX DMC-GH1, and now the Canon EOS 7D filmmakers and cinematographers now have
relatively inexpensive tools at their disposal to create video that offers the look of film. With their large image sensors, this new generation
of HDSLR's (High Definition - Digital SLR's) are bringing cinema-quality DOF (Depth-of-Field) control to the masses. Depth-of-Field is the term
given to the area of the scene (front to back) that appears in-focus. A large depth-of-field means that most everything in the scene will appear
to be in focus, while a shallow depth-of-field means that only a small portion of scene will be in focus. Filmmakers use shallow DOF to help
control where the audience should be looking and will shift the focus point when they need to move our attention elsewhere.
The reason why DSLR's are often favored over professional camcorders for filmmaking is due to both the larger image sensors and the ability to use
a wide-variety of interchangeable 35mm lenses and f-stops. Larger image sensors will offer a shallower depth-of-field over camera's with smaller
senses when shooting at the same focal length and aperture. This, combined with the ability to switch lenses, puts full creative control back into
the hands of the filmmaker.
As with photography, shooting video may require some new tools (gear) and skill sets that many of you may not yet be aware of. While none of the
gear below will turn you into a filmmaker by themselves these tools, when chosen wisely, can help to increase the overall production value of your
final product and can help to set you apart from your competition.
I have grouped the products below into categories (shoulder mounts, steadicams, viewfinders, microphones and audio recorders) and have used manufacturer descriptions to help
highlight the advantages of each of the products. You will soon discover that prices range from modest to expensive for most of this gear so it
is important to think about the type of work you want to be doing before making such a large investment. It is very easy to be lured into wanting
the latest tech gadget, but with prices that can easily exceed the cost of the camera itself you need to stay focused on what it is you're trying
to achieve.
Part 1 - LCD Viewfinder / Loupes
Despite new high-resolution VGA displays on many of today's HDSLR cameras - manually focusing while recording is still a challenge due to the small 3.0"
(or smaller) displays. These loupes help to turn the rear LCD of your camera into a viewfinder by allowing you to bring your eye closer to the
screen while the loupe blocks out light and uses a diopter to bring the screen into sharp focus. Some models, such as the Zacuto Z-Finder v2 also
magnifies the image, making it even easier to judge focus.
Hoodman Loupe 3.0 ($79)
The HoodLoupe 3.0 is engineered to give you a 1 to 1 ratio for true LCD screen viewing. You may be tempted to use an old Loupe with a single magnifying lens to view your LCD screen outdoors. Some competitors who do not understand LCD screen viewing will offer you a single lens magnifying solution as well. You will find as we did, that magnification just makes the pixels of an LCD screen bigger resulting in image distortion. Making the call on focus is very difficult when your image is over pixilated through optical magnification. The HoodLoupe 3.0 uses 3 German glass lenses in its optical solution and is guaranteed to give you the best optical solution for viewing your LCD screen in the field.
Hoodman also sells rubber bands (Cinema strap) that allow you to attach the Loupe to your camera for continuous video use - though this is a band-aid
solution, but for limited use may work for some. Hoodman also now sells a new, more comfortable rubber eyecup, called the HoodEYE 3.0, that for another $30 promises
improved LCD screen viewing.
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RedRock Micro microFinder Support ($55)
The microFinder loupe accessory from redrock micro allows the Hoodman Loupe 3.0 to be securely fastened to the rear of a video DSLR with 3" LCD without any modification,
glue, or sticking velcro, or any other substances that may potentialy damage or discolor your camera. The kit includes the microFinder loupe bracket and the rubberized
retaining ring.
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LCDVF Loupe ($159)
Manufacturer Web Page
This product was announced quite a while ago and has just started to ship. We just published our review of this product, that the company was nice enough to send
out to us to test. Overall I really liked the product, but it does not have an eye diopter so it may not be suitable for those who wear reading glasses or are
far-sighted.
Here is information from their website: LCD View Finder turns your video enabled DSLR LCD screen into a huge electronic viewfinder for precise image evaluation -
it's like viewing a 42" screen from 140cm (4.6 feet)! Suitable for all 3" screens with up to 60mm X 45mm viewable area.
- Transforms your video enabled DSLR into a discreet handheld video camera whenever the need arises
- Aids on the fly focusing
- Allows the use of LCD in bright daylight outdoors
- Magnification of 200% specially tailored to most 3" LCD screens
- AR coated and optically corrected lens with 40mm clear aperture
- No diopter correction
- Robust and durable design: no moving parts
- Splash and dust proof
- 180 degrees flippable design allows instant left or right eye usage
- Universal magnetic mounting interface allows rapid mounting and demounting
- Allows the use of battery and wireless grip and all other original accessories
- Flat mounting interface allows easyer cleaning of the LCD screen: specially useful for left-eyed photographers
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Cavision LCD Viewfinder ($169)
Attaching a unique base plate to the camera body's tripod socket allows the 6x magnification optic and hood to be used without the need for messy adhesive or touch fasteners. The unit is easily
adjustable to control light leaking and can be further enhanced with optional Cavision hand grips and other accessories.
This particular design attaches to the tripod mount of your camera making it difficult to remove when you want to shoot stills using the camera's optical TTL viewfinder.
Cavision does make a swing away connection piece (MHE52C-SA-R) that makes it easy to swing the viewfinder away from the screen, but it must be used
with the Cavision RS15II + RPMD90 rod support system, making this a more expensive solution in the end.
Of even more interest may be the companies new Dual Handgrip Viewfinder package that includes both additional support AND their LCD Viewfinder Loupe
at a very affordable $269.95 price (B&H).
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iDC LCD Viewfinder ($199)
iDC's milled-aluminum bracket firmly mounts a Hoodman 3.0 magnifying loupe over the camera's rear LCD screen to eliminate stray light while allowing accurate manual focus.
This robust viewfinder makes the capture of HD video and Live View stills a much easier proposition in both bright and low light conditions.
Delivered with a Hoodman 3.0 loupe permanently installed, the black- anodized aluminum bracket and base plate includes accommodations for any 1/4"-20 threaded
quick-release tripod adapters. This LCD viewfinder is designed to work with the basic 5D Mark II camera body ONLY. It does not accommodate Canon's
BG-E6 Battery Grip. The price of this solution is $199, which seems a bit high when you consider the Hoodman Loupe 3.0 itself sells for about $79.
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Zacuto Z-Finder v2 ($395)
The Z-Finder is Zacuto's Optical Viewfinder that allows DSLR cameras to have the correct form factor for video.
It offers 3x focusable magnification, a 40mm diameter lens, an eyecup preventing extraneous light leakage,
and a field of view perfectly matched to LCD screens. With Optics by Schneider, this 6 oz viewfinder is a
filmmaker's best tool for creating precision focus. The Z-Finder v2 can be easily attached and detached making this an ideal, if expensive,
loupe for those who want to jump from video to stills very quickly. While the price of the Z-Finder v2 is the highest of the group, user reviews
around the web have been extremely positive.
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Part 1 of 3 - LCD Viewfinder Loupes (x)
Part 2 of 3 - Follow Focus Units
Part 3 of 3 - Mobile / Shoulder Supports
Part 4 of 4 - Steadicams / Stabilizers
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HOT DEALS
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