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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 Ľ 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
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Amazon Verified Purchase
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.
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.
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By VCP329
Amazon Verified Purchase
This product review is more about application and less about the product itself. This viewfinder is great, the gorilla mount is super heavy duty, the viewfinder is rugged and solid, and most importantly it works really well and does not fog up. Even the fact that it snaps onto the plastic clips, which originally seemed like a flaw and something that would wear down and eventually stop working, have held up pretty well for me.
The issue is, I use it less and less. I have a Canon 7D and a Canon 60 D at my disposal, obviously this presents a problem with the 60 D because it'll eliminates the FlipOut LCD screen. On the 7D, it's fine but I find I'm constantly popping it off and on because otherwise it limits your shots. We do a lot of run and gun shooting for weddings and corporate events and I found that this viewfinder sits in my bag more than it sits on the camera. That being said its great for shooting a speech or conference because you don't always have the luxury of getting a critical focus at the beginning of a speech and nothing is worse than being out of focus for a full speech (in 12 minute increments of course...damn limited recording time!)
Bottom line, it's something good to have, but if you're starting out building your kit and you keep reading all these reviews that you can't trust the LCD screen on your camera that's not true either. If your on a limited budget and it's between this and something else you might need like a mic or a lens, get that first.
If someone reads this and thinks I'm full of it and has a better workflow for running and gunning I'm all ears by the way :)
The issue is, I use it less and less. I have a Canon 7D and a Canon 60 D at my disposal, obviously this presents a problem with the 60 D because it'll eliminates the FlipOut LCD screen. On the 7D, it's fine but I find I'm constantly popping it off and on because otherwise it limits your shots. We do a lot of run and gun shooting for weddings and corporate events and I found that this viewfinder sits in my bag more than it sits on the camera. That being said its great for shooting a speech or conference because you don't always have the luxury of getting a critical focus at the beginning of a speech and nothing is worse than being out of focus for a full speech (in 12 minute increments of course...damn limited recording time!)
Bottom line, it's something good to have, but if you're starting out building your kit and you keep reading all these reviews that you can't trust the LCD screen on your camera that's not true either. If your on a limited budget and it's between this and something else you might need like a mic or a lens, get that first.
If someone reads this and thinks I'm full of it and has a better workflow for running and gunning I'm all ears by the way :)
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By design ninja
Amazon Verified Purchase
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).
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).
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Ric Kasnoff
Amazon Verified Purchase
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...
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
By VSSP
Amazon Verified Purchase
Purchased the 3x version over the 2.5x version based on a gut feeling, thinking more would be better... Well, upon first use I thought I may have made the wrong choice. The view is so much bigger that initially I wasn't comfortable with it. But after a few weeks of use I really appreciate having it. (If you are lucky enough to compare the 2 versions, I recommend you do before you buy)
My Nikon D7000 has the battery attachment. So, I also order the Zacuto extended mounting plate for cameras with battery grips. It all fits around the LCD perfectly. However, it does make it a little harder to use the selection pad around the OK button since the frame is robust and cramps the space normally between the LCD and the selection pad.
Some minor issues after a few weeks of usage:
* Try not to get the anti-fog shield dirty - it's sticky. They do warn you in the instructions. But, if you're like me and don't read them, then you'll find out the hard way the first time you try to clean it. READ THE INSTRUCTION on how to clean it properly.
* The lanyard is oversized in every way - a giant billboard that is unnecessary. I would've preferred a simple tether to keep the loupe secured when not attached. There's been a few times that it has actually gotten in the way and caused me to yank the view off the camera... I've since replace it with a much shorter and detachable strap/tether.
* The plastic eye cover is attached with a simple cord, however the cord was cut and melted as a way to keep the cover attached. Unfortunately, this made a little ball of plastic at the end of the string on the inside of the cap which gets in the way of letting the cap sit flush within the eye piece. So the cap keeps coming off and won't stay on while I'm handling the camera.... Read more ›
My Nikon D7000 has the battery attachment. So, I also order the Zacuto extended mounting plate for cameras with battery grips. It all fits around the LCD perfectly. However, it does make it a little harder to use the selection pad around the OK button since the frame is robust and cramps the space normally between the LCD and the selection pad.
Some minor issues after a few weeks of usage:
* Try not to get the anti-fog shield dirty - it's sticky. They do warn you in the instructions. But, if you're like me and don't read them, then you'll find out the hard way the first time you try to clean it. READ THE INSTRUCTION on how to clean it properly.
* The lanyard is oversized in every way - a giant billboard that is unnecessary. I would've preferred a simple tether to keep the loupe secured when not attached. There's been a few times that it has actually gotten in the way and caused me to yank the view off the camera... I've since replace it with a much shorter and detachable strap/tether.
* The plastic eye cover is attached with a simple cord, however the cord was cut and melted as a way to keep the cover attached. Unfortunately, this made a little ball of plastic at the end of the string on the inside of the cap which gets in the way of letting the cap sit flush within the eye piece. So the cap keeps coming off and won't stay on while I'm handling the camera.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
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Published 2 months ago by Eduardo Mendes
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
Lifetime warranty! Couldn't focus without it! A bit expensive but there's a life time warranty so if you can afford it go for it!
Published 4 months ago by C. Autin
5.0 out of 5 stars
great product! i recommend it
used for: events like weddings, Quinceañeras, debuts, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs
I used to use those cheap ones from ebay that cost $30 from china. Read more
I used to use those cheap ones from ebay that cost $30 from china. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Geronimo Tambong
4.0 out of 5 stars
Z-Finder Pro 3x - so far great
I have bought this device based on recommendation from Jason Levine from Adobe.
Based on some reviews from the web I was not sure whether to choose 2.5x or 3x. Read more
Based on some reviews from the web I was not sure whether to choose 2.5x or 3x. Read more
Published on November 28, 2010 by Michal Metlicka
