Zacuto Z-Find-Pro3 Optical Viewfinder

by Zacuto

Product Details

• Item Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• ASIN: B003UF22RG
• Item model number: Z-Find-PRO3
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 17, 2003

Product Description

The Z-Finder Pro 3x is another one of Zacuto's Optical Viewfinders that allows DSLR cameras to have the correct form factor for video. It offers 3x focusable magnification (2.5x is available), a 40mm diameter Zacuto optical designed Anti-Fog lens, an eyecup preventing extraneous light leakage, a diopter and a field of view perfectly matched to 3" LCD screens.The diopter allows you to dial in the focus to match your eye. If you need extra focal point you can use the Z-Finder Extender Frames. The Z-Finder Pro 3x has a diopter range of -2.75 and up (unlimited with extender frames). These are semi-permanently stackable frames that attach to the skirt of the Z-Finder Pro and extends the Z-Finder glass further way from the LCD screen for people who are farsighted.The Z-Finder Pro uses Zacuto's Gorilla Baseplate and Z-Finder mounting frame to mount to the camera. The Gorilla Baseplate attaches to the bottom of your camera using a ¼ 20" screw and the Z-Finder mounting frame attaches to the Gorilla Baseplate using thumb screws. The rubber back mounting frame does not attach to your LCD; it is held in place against your LCD with pressure.This method allows you to quickly remove the Z-Finder Pro by snapping it off the frame. If you want to remove the entire mounting frame from your camera, you can do so by loosening the thumb screws and pulling up on the metal mounting frame to release it. With the Z-Finder Pro, you are also a step closer to using one of Zacuto's

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME...but too expensive..., August 9, 2010

By 

NM Productions - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zacuto Z-Find-Pro3 Optical Viewfinder (Electronics)

Pros: Great Viewfinder. Well made, the anti-fog coating covers are wonderful. It is simply great, fits perfectly on my T2I. I suggest buying the "Z-Finder Mounting Frame" if you have the Canon T2I so you don't have to unscrew the mounting plate every time you have to change the battery. Plus if you have only one viewfinder and a spare camera, you can swap between the two.

Cons:It is very expensive...there are much cheaper ones, but I am unsure of the cheaper one's quality.

Final Thoughts: I took off one star for the price, but in my opinion, when filming video on these DSLRs or any video for that matter, one of the most important things is seeing what you are recording. Focus is SO important. So I decided to not skimp out with this one item, and I am very happy I did not skimp out. Dont get me wrong, you may be able to get similar results out of another viewfinder, but I have not found any that are 3x and that have anti-fog and a diopter. Plus most others use magnetic strips which...I don't like the idea of magnets near my electronics.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential HDDSLR add on..., October 23, 2010

By 

Ric Kasnoff (seattle) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zacuto Z-Find-Pro3 Optical Viewfinder (Electronics)

Purchased this for my new Nikon D7000 which I acquired primarily for video shooting

As a long time Pro Photographer I wasn't used to shooting with the LCD screen on my dslrs...manual focus was proving problematic at best while shooting video so I decided to add a loupe to assist until I can justify getting a SmallHD D6 video monitor (check it out...it's the ultimate hddslr wish list item ;-).

First tried the Hoodman combo and returned it after one day...the rubber they use attracts dirt, fingerprints and dust like a magnet so it looked beat up after a few hours attempted use. I say attempted because it moved around a bit when used as a third brace point and wasn't the most comfortable against my eye...the $16 rubber band is a joke and kept blocking the lens opening during changes.

This was what I should have ordered from the start...pro build quality, excellent optics and feels solid and comfortable against my eye with or without glasses. The slight offset it's mount causes when adding a quick release plate actually worked well for me with my Shape Composite Stabilizer shoulder rig adding just a touch more offset of the camera on the rig and placing it directly in front of my eye...set up was quick and easy as I didn't need any of the extender frames and things just popped into focus bright crisp and clear.

I took 1 point off because for this price you'd think they'd include a bag to store it in and protect it from camera bag dust as even the less expensive ones do...

I justify the price paid by thinking about it like I do my lenses...Always buy the best optics you can...the glass you use will be around through many camera bodies...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best small solution available, January 5, 2011

By 

design ninja - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zacuto Z-Find-Pro3 Optical Viewfinder (Electronics)

I've looked at all the options for a compact solution to solve the question:

What product will help me improve my focusing ability on my DSLR?

This is it.

Excellent construction and handling. Fits perfectly, works perfectly.

Note: Some may prefer the 2.5x version. If I had to do it again, I might get that version, because the 3x makes the screen of my Canon 5D mk2 look a bit pixelated (ie: not enough resolution for this much magnification).