Replacement EVF/monitor recommendations?

[M Harvey]

Recently confronted with the shocking cost of replacing the broken EVF on my Sony FS7. Forgetting taking a hit on resale value of the camera for the moment, should I just be thinking Alphatron/Zacuto/SmallHD 502 for that kind of money (approaching $2k)? Or, to take a slightly different route, any experience reports on the new Blackmagic 4k monitor/recorder? I'd lose a lot the convenience of the dedicated EVF, but it also looks like I could save some money while upgrading quality of viewfinder/gaining functionality.

For reference, I rarely use the EVF as a traditional viewfinder-- usually use it loupe off, "monitor" style. I'd like to retain the ability to shoulder mount and use in bright sun, but the camera really mostly sits on a tripod.

You guys in Red-land are necessarily the experts on modular viewfinders. Thanks for your suggestions!

(As an aside, my Hard Lesson of the Week: yes, your Sachtler tripod/head combo is more cumbersome than the one your client is providing for free on site, and you'll make more money if you use one fewer car service rides. BUT, if you use your own tripod, you will not have to worry that one of the leg angle locks on the client-supplied tripod is broken, and that it will collapse onto a marble floor-- in front of an audience! I was very lucky it was only the EVF that was damaged...)

 

[Hugh Scully]

Oy... sorry to hear that. I'd consider a third party EVF. I always use mine in the sun and, since I'm farsighted, I need it if I'm pulling wild focus hand held. I can't have a monitor pinned up close to my face, even with glasses on. Better to use the diopter for me. I just find it better. I have the Alphatron which has great features like focus in red and a waveform, basically what you get on a TV Logic monitor. It's huge but you can use it like a little monitor by flipping the loupe as you like to do and you can get them pretty cheap used. I don't have any thoughts on mounting it.