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  • Hey all, just changed over the backend after 15 years I figured time to give it a bit of an update, its probably gonna be a bit weird for most of you and i am sure there is a few bugs to work out but it should kinda work the same as before... hopefully :)

Looking for an EVF; Cineroid Retina or Alphatron Retina and Which EVF Mount?

J

John Wee

The Tapeless One
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I wish I can just walk into a store and test these two out. Word on the street that I heard regarding these two retina models;

a) Cineroid has better image than Alphatron.

b) Alphatron is built better than Cineroid.

Anybody have any experience with the above two units ? Which one do you have and a small review would be great ! :emote_hippie:

Mounting option; should I go with the W00den Camera Mount or Solid Camera Mount ??
 
I have the Cineroid with the w00den camera mount, i really like that V2 mount, works great and is nice and small and easily detachable for transport. Can't comment on the solid camera mount, never used it.

The alphatron is a bit bigger and bulkier in size, but also more robust, the cineroid loupe is quite plasticy, but hold up fine for the last few months now. Alphatron comes with hdmi loop through, which the cineroid doesn't have. But the cineroid has full size hdmi input, instead of mini hdmi.

After sending two versions of the cineroid back because first time i had color leaks on the edges of monitor and second time there was some dust underneath the monitor, i now have a good model. I think they have to up their QC, but the unit i have now works flawless. It's a nice sharp picture, feels as a big screen area when looking through the viewfinder and love the peaking function for focus.

The cineroid gets quite hot, but that doesn't bother me.

I like the rubber part of the loupe from cineroid beter than the alphatron, it's softer and fits better to the eye.

Image wise, i have the feeling the cineroid is a little bit sharper. I see less pixels on the cineroid than on the alphatron, but i think they are pretty close in sharpness, mostly has to due with the design of the loupe i think.
Retina resolution doesn't mean you don't see any pixels, you can still see them a bit on both the cineroid and the alphatron, but it's much better than previous versions, but way off from for example an Alexa viewfinder, which is the best in the world right now :)

I would opt for the cineroid, but that is just my personal experience.
 
Don't forget about the SmallHD DP4-EVF. I had the Cineroid, but sold it when I got the DP4-EVF. The DP4 is much better built. I was always wondering when the Cineroid was going to break. I don't worry about the DP4.
 
John-
Just got the DP4 myself. I actually ordered and received the Alphatron, which is nice if a little bulky, but because of several burnt pixels (I bought a used one from BH) I sent it back and it gave me the chance to rethink my choice, so I went with the DP4. Almost all of my shooting is standard film set up, with an AC pulling focus. So for me, the EVF is nothing other than a framing monitor. Seems silly to pay for the retina display when I'm not looking to make critical focus decisions on it. Anyway, for me, if I'm focusing by eye I always punch in on the Scarlet anyway. I think if you're looking for a nice sharp image though, it's probably worth whatever time it would take to save up the difference and go for the RED EVF. They're selling used LCOS versions for $2,000 now, and then you're saving money from batteries, etc. for the Alphatron...probably only about $500 more when all is said and done. Hope whatever you wind up with works well for you.
Took a look at your reel by the way...great stuff!
Best,

-Harry
 
I haven't used the Alphatron, so I can't compare them. I use a RED arm attached to my hand held unit since that is the only time I tend use the EVF.
 
Thanks guys for the input,

Larry, Is there HUGE difference in noticeable resolutions between your old Cineroid and the DP4 ? Would really like to save some money if the DP4 is adequate enough to be the only focusing monitor. The Solid Camera EVF mount is almost $800 by itself.

Harry, sometimes I do go out and shoot alone and do have to pull my own focus and I like to use an EVF vs the Red touch screen. Is there a noticeable huge difference in dp4 vs Alphatron for focus pulling or would the DP4 be fine? I also saw that the DP4 now offers locking HDMI port ( http://store.smallhd.com/Store/DP4-Monitor-Accessories/DP4-HDMI-Port-Lock ). However I dont know how this is going to work with EVF mounting cradle. I would love the bomb EVF but I want the flexibility of using the EVF with other cameras as well. Your Reel and camera setup are awesome !
 
John-
I'd say the Alphatron at the end of the day is going to be better for pulling focus by eye...an extra million or so pixels makes a pretty solid difference. That's said, I don't know that twice as many pixels make it twice as easy to tell focus. It does sound like for the sort of solo shooting you describe, the Alphatron's probably the safer bet...SDI is nice to have too.

Thanks for the nice words about my reel...I really need to get about updating that. It's been two years, that still all 7D footage!
Best,

-Harry
 
I think the Cineroid and the DP4 have about the same resolution. I hardly ever use it for focus. I have a 1st AC for that most of the time. When I have used it for focus, I seem to be able to get good focus by using the peaking function.
 
You should consider one of the loupes for the 5" touchscreen. Works great and gives you the most trustworthy color and exposure rendition.
 
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