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Cinerod EVF, Z-Finder EVF, Micro EVF, for RED-One ? Are they any good ?

George D.

George D.

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While waiting for Red to get the Bomb EVF back in stock for our RED-One, I have been checking out three other different 3rd party makes of EVFs as a temporary substitute :

Cinerod EVF, by Opitek

Z-Finder EVF, by Zacuto

Micro EVF, by Redrock Micro


They all claim to be the best, with the best features, etc, etc, all have HDMI outputs, and will work on the RED-One. And, all are approximately the same price.

Except for the Redrock Micro EVF, the other two just look like over-glorified LCD magnifiers, and therefore it's hard for me to imagine they would be any good. And, they ALL were principally designed for HDSLRs, not professional, high end, video cameras.

Follow-focusing on moving subjects is difficult enough, so a sharp image with accurate focusing is IMPERATIVE.

If anyone has any experience with any or all of these EVFs, I'd greatly appreciate any information, advice, or opinions you care to offer.

LCD monitors will NOT work for our kind of cinematography.

Thanks.

.
 
George D. said:
they ALL were principally designed for HDSLRs, not professional, high end, video cameras.
Click to expand...

Right here, I think you answer your own question. In my opinion, for Epics and Red Ones, the Bomb EVF will always outperform. However, not everyone can afford that unit, especially Scarlet users and the lower end of the market. There will be compromises, but they are certainly acceptable at that price point. If you're simply looking for a replacement while you're waiting for the Bomb, just get the cheapest one :)
 
You might want to give these guys consideration:

http://www.kinotehnik.com/lcdvfe/

They had reps at NAB, unfortunately their working prototype didn't show up for the first day so they only had a mockup, but promise production in a month or two. Looks promising. Will run off the RED auxiliary power. I'm going to buy one; I don't need or use an EVF enough to justify the price of a RED one, excellent though they are.

I do NOT speak from personal experience but I've heard suggestions of poor reliability as regards the Cineroid.

Mike
 
Mike 'Fireman' Ross said:
You might want to give these guys consideration:

http://www.kinotehnik.com/lcdvfe/

"..................... but promise production in a month or two. Looks promising. Will run off the RED auxiliary power......"

Mike
Click to expand...

Thanks, but you see, that's the problem Mike. Many of these so-called "good" EVFs are not even available yet. Just like the Red BOMB.

We need one now.
 
I pre-ordered Zacuto Z-Finder EVF Pro because need something robust and it's working

Steve Weiss from Zacuto showed that already at his presentation of Zacuto Z-Finder EVF Pro online...
 
Sanjin Jukic said:
I pre-ordered Zacuto Z-Finder EVF Pro because need something robust and it's working

Steve Weiss from Zacuto showed that already at his presentation of Zacuto Z-Finder EVF Pro online...
Click to expand...

Thanks, that "might" be a choice. The problem is, that I bought a Zacuto HDSLR LCD viewfinder in the past for my Nikon D7000, and was unhappy with the product, and returned it. I would hope this one would be a vast improvement.

Again though, it is no more than a LCD magnifier. I'd much rather have a true EVF, but maybe I have no choice at this time.

.
 
George D. said:
Thanks, but, again, it is nothing more than a glorified LCD monitor magnifier, and seems a little pricey to me for such a device.

And, it's NOT available yet either.

.
Click to expand...

That's essentially what a viewfinder is: a monitor magnifier, but I get what you are saying.

In one of your other THREE posts on the same subject you say that you don't want to spend a lot of money but it also sounds like you think that these "monitor magnifiers' should measure up to a bomb evf. The fact is, they won't. If you need something right now, I believe that you can pick up a cineroid today.
However, Small hd's dp6 is a fantastic monitor and I expect their viewfinder to be just as good so that's the one that I would buy if i had to get something until the bomb comes out and I could wait for a month or so.
 
Shane Kelly said:
That's essentially what a viewfinder is: a monitor magnifier, but I get what you are saying.

In one of your other THREE posts on the same subject you say that you don't want to spend a lot of money but it also sounds like you think that these "monitor magnifiers' should measure up to a bomb evf. The fact is, they won't. If you need something right now, I believe that you can pick up a cineroid today.
However, Small hd's dp6 is a fantastic monitor and I expect their viewfinder to be just as good so that's the one that I would buy if i had to get something until the bomb comes out and I could wait for a month or so.
Click to expand...

I only have ONE other post like this one, and sorry, but I had to put in a this new one with different wording. I would have changed the title in the first one, but it would not allow me to.

You're saying that the Red-Bomb is essentially a monitor magnifier? I find that hard to believe!

I'm sure you're right in what you say and I will have to settle for a LCD viewfinder. I was just asking to get other people's opinions and feelings.

I don't want to spend a lot of money if I don't have to, because I'll just be reselling it when the Bomb comes out.

Thanks.

.
 
I have the Cineroid and use it with my 5Ds and 7Ds. It's passable, but only just. The resolution is okay, but you can see pixels quite clearly.

The zebras aren't accurate. The peaking is fine and it has pass through of the HDMI signal and decent audio monitoring. It's plasticky, but it's light and useful for handheld when a normal loupe or monitor wont get the job done.

It's not in the same class as the old RED EVF let alone the Bomb. The Redrock and Zacuto offerings look slightly more promising...
 
Liam Hall said:
I have the Cineroid and use it with my 5Ds and 7Ds. It's passable, but only just. The resolution is okay, but you can see pixels quite clearly.

The zebras aren't accurate. The peaking is fine and it has pass through of the HDMI signal and decent audio monitoring. It's plasticky, but it's light and useful for handheld when a normal loupe or monitor wont get the job done.

It's not in the same class as the old RED EVF let alone the Bomb. The Redrock and Zacuto offerings look slightly more promising...
Click to expand...

After hearing that, I'm beginning to think I'd be better off waiting until I can find a used Red EVF. I just can't wait too long.

Oh well !!

Thanks.

.
 
George D. said:
After hearing that, I'm beginning to think I'd be better off waiting until I can find a used Red EVF. I just can't wait too long.

Oh well !!

Thanks.

.
Click to expand...

It's not a bad idea. When BOMBs are plentiful, and used original RED EVFs get cheaper, I'll spring for one myself. You know the original RED EVF is basically a re-engineered RED-badged Accuscene? (aye and designed by a Scotsman!)... and the Accuscene was a... what? $14k or so... finder, the best in the world at that time. Comparing that to a Cineroid is apples & anthrax...

Mike
 
George D. said:
You're saying that the Red-Bomb is essentially a monitor magnifier? I find that hard to believe!


.
Click to expand...

I'm saying that all evfs are magnifying a monitor albeit a very small one. That is putting it a bit simply though.
Maybe you could tell us what style of shooting you intend to do and why a lcd will not work.
 
Shane Kelly said:
I'm saying that all evfs are magnifying a monitor albeit a very small one. That is putting it a bit simply though.
Maybe you could tell us what style of shooting you intend to do and why a lcd will not work.
Click to expand...

Not meaning to sound conceited, but as a DP with over 36 years experience shooting "film" with cameras using very sharp viewfinders, I require the means to shoot with a VERY sharp viewfinder where I "know" the focus is right on.

The subjects we shoot are small, move fast, and never tell us which way they're going to move. As I've said before, being able to accurately follow-focus is critical to our work. And, our clients demand it.

Thanks for your help.

.
 
George D. said:
Not meaning to sound conceited, but as a DP with over 36 years experience shooting "film" with cameras using very sharp viewfinders, I require the means to shoot with a VERY sharp viewfinder where I "know" the focus is right on.

The subjects we shoot are small, move fast, and never tell us which way they're going to move. As I've said before, being able to accurately follow-focus is critical to our work. And, our clients demand it.

Thanks for your help.

.
Click to expand...

Then I think that you'll never be happy with the lower quality lcd viewfinders. I'd wait on the bomb evf.
Although you did say that you were not interested in an lcd, do take a look at the small hd dp6 monitor, every focus puller that I've worked with has loved it and ended up buying one. Resale value on those is also very high.
That may be a better interim solution.
 
Shane Kelly said:
Then I think that you'll never be happy with the lower quality lcd viewfinders. I'd wait on the bomb evf.
Although you did say that you were not interested in an lcd, do take a look at the small hd dp6 monitor, every focus puller that I've worked with has loved it and ended up buying one. Resale value on those is also very high.
That may be a better interim solution.
Click to expand...

You might be right, and maybe it is the best temporary solution.

How would I magnify it through a viewfinder though ?

.
 
George D. said:
You might be right, and maybe it is the best temporary solution.

How would I magnify it through a viewfinder though ?

.
Click to expand...

you wouldn't. you would need the dp4evf for that. I was just saying that it's a really sharp and bright monitor and great for focus pulling.
 
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