EVF for rental package

[Mike Halper]

I'm in a bit of a conundrum. I need to include an EVF with my camera package when it's being rented out or used by someone other than myself. What is everyone using for rental packages? Naturally it seems the Bomb EVF would be the way to go, but I've heard so many bad things about it that I'm very reluctant to buy it. Is there another option? I have a SmallHD DP4-EVF, but it's only HDMI and I don't know how the EVF itself would look for a professional rental package since it's not the typical style EVF.

 

[Nate Fu]

Personally when I rent, I hardly ever use the Bomb EVF (since I have to pick between the LCD or EVF), If I need it I'll know in advanced. You may be able to subrent it for people that really need it. Also I was thinking about buying the Small HD DP4 - EVF for my Scarlet, do you like it? Have you compared it to the EVF? How long does it take from plug in to the image up on screen?

 

[Mike Halper]

I have only used the DP4-EVF with an AF100 and a GH2. I've yet to use it with a Scarlet or Epic. When I did use it, it was pretty good. The main issue I see with it is that it's HDMI. I also think the form factor is a big issue because it's actually a 4" LCD, so it's fairly bulky. But for all I know every camera operator would be okay with it. I just don't know.

Unless there's been a change even the Cineroid, which does have SDI, won't work with the Scarlet or Epic.

 

[Ryan Lalonde]

I think HDMI is actually a benefit for an EVF since the epic only has 1 SDI port. HDMI is pretty useless, but since the EVF is attached to the camera you could somehow lock the hdmi cable into the port. I think the real failure is that there is only 1 display port on the epic.. making you choose between EVF and a touch screen. Hopefully a module or splitter comes out to address this!

 

[Mike Halper]

Is HDMI and SDI outputting on the Epic at the same time now? If not, then since most displays with SDI have a loop out, it becomes more important to use SDI, especially for feeding a signal to video village.

 

[Trevor Meeks]

Hopefully a module or splitter comes out to address this!

It's called the Pro I/O Module.

 

[Jeff Garton]

If you want to rent your camera, get a Bomb EVF. They have worked great for me. The only downside is that focus is not always sharp across the entire field depending on eye position. Could be better, but not a killer. There are many, many times when an eyepiece is a must on a professional set-up. There may be some viable third party viewfinder options down the road , but I have yet to encounter one.

 

[Justin Marx]

If you want to rent your camera, get a Bomb EVF. They have worked great for me. The only downside is that focus is not always sharp across the entire field depending on eye position. Could be better, but not a killer. There are many, many times when an eyepiece is a must on a professional set-up. There may be some viable third party viewfinder options down the road , but I have yet to encounter one.

I have this same problem.. It's just not sharp! I goto the Less expensive Zacuto EVF and it's like going to HD from SD.

 

[Jeff Garton]

Have you tried the new "focus" set-up in the Epic? Its great. Finally, edging in a large sensor camera that works and works well. Not that stupid red fringing. In my experience thru all kinds of viewfinders, optical, SD and HD, edging usually provides the best results for evaluating focus. I love optical viewfinders (no delay!) but on wide lenses, edging on good electronic viewfinder is superior. Not sure if this setting works on third party monitors or viewfinders. Seems like it wouldn't, but haven't tried.

 

[Stephen Mick]

Have you tried the new "focus" set-up in the Epic? Its great. Finally, edging in a large sensor camera that works and works well. Not that stupid red fringing. In my experience thru all kinds of viewfinders, optical, SD and HD, edging usually provides the best results for evaluating focus. I love optical viewfinders (no delay!) but on wide lenses, edging on good electronic viewfinder is superior. Not sure if this setting works or third party monitors of viewfinders. Seems like it wouldn't, but haven't tried.

+1 to what Jeff said. I picked up the Bomb EVF earlier this week, and the edge "focus" feature really is well-designed.