Zacuto Z-Finder V2 Review

I got the Zacuto Z-Finder V2.
i.e. http://store.zacuto.com/Z-Finder.html




It arrived quickly and was packed well enough that there was no damage in transit.
The packaging is a pretty standard blister pack, but thankfully it is the type that is very easy to get into, not the sort you have to attack with shears to open.




The instructions are clear and in colour.
Installation is easy.
Basically you peel of the backing on the double sided tape and stick the bracket onto your monitor.
You need to weigh it down for 24 hours to ensure the adhesive sticks well.
I used a few batteries to weight it down.





The eyecup is a fairly similar size and shape to standard Sony ones.
It can be easily rotated for right or left eye use.
I used a standard Bluestar chamois eyepiece cover.
These are very easy to find from all film and video expendables suppliers or in the bottom of every camera assistant’s bag.
It doesn’t fit perfectly, but it is close. Close enough to be perfectly functional.




The quality of construction is good.
The unit is heavier than it looks.
The diopter adjustment is well made.
It works smoothly, has fine adjustment and stays where you leave it.




The inside is fairly shiny black plastic.
It really could use some matte black flocking in there, like you would find on most video viewfinders.
I would be tempted to buy some stick-on flocking and add this myself, as I find the internal reflections distracting.
Due to the design of the unit, it would be easy to add this.




There is the option to attach a lanyard.
There is a metal loop than can be screwed to either side of the viewfinder (or I suppose you could order one for each side).
The whole lanyard concept is a very good one. I'm constantly using the Lanyard because I like to take the viewfinder off and on at will.
The attachment loop is well made.
The actual lanyard supplied is a bit cheap and cheesy looking with big logos printed all over it, but this is no biggie as you can use any lanyard.
If you are like me, you probably have a drawer full of them collected from trade shows and the like.





The viewfinder snaps on and off easily and securely.
The optics are very nice.
The view is very clear and free from distortion.

The coverage could be better.
You can’t really see the whole frame right to the corners easily.
If you really push your eye to the viewfinder and collapse the rubber eyecup, you can see the whole frame, but only just.

Part of the problem is that in video mode, the image is not in the centre of the LCD. We have Canon to thank for that.
The reality is that for shooting video, the coverage is adequate, but it would be nice if it was better.
The thing is, I like the Z-Finder so much that I find myself using it for shooting stills as well, as I love the zoomed in Live View mode for manual focus.
When shooting stills, I find I really want to have easy coverage of the full viewfinder.


Pros:
- Well constructed
- High quality optics
- Attaches easily and securely
- Lanyard system is secure and works well

Cons:
- Coverage could be better
- Could use internal flocking


Bottom Line:
- Works as advertised
- Good quality
- Currently the best solution on the market
- No hesitation in recommending this for purchase


Regards,

-Mike V.

Nice documentation.

I like the eyepiece cushion. I may have to get one. Once sort of "hack" that I've done is to not use the lanyard. I always have a quick release plate on my camera, so I got a thin, flat wrist strap (it came with an old point & shoot camera but you can get these anywhere for a few bucks). Mine is kind of like this: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/3 ... Strap.html

I attached the eyelet of the wrist strap to the Z-Finder's metal loop. Then I put the strap part of the wrist strap between my camera and the QR plate, and tightened the plate. The strap is thin and flat, so the QR plate tightens as normal. Now my Z-Finder is always attached to my camera. I can quickly switch from handheld to monopod to tripod without worrying about losing the Z-Finder.

I used a standard Bluestar chamois eyepiece cover.

The diopter adjustment is well made.
It works smoothly

1. Could someone please explain the purpose/advantage of the chamois.

2. My dopter adjustment on same product is "smooth" in the sense that it takes even pressure to turn the knob thoughout its range, however the amount of force needed to turn the knob seems high to me, much much higher amount of force compared to say turning the focus on a lens. I can see that the high degree of force can be a benefit because the knob is less likely to move inadvertently. But just curious as to other users' experiences are with the amount of force needed to turn the knob.

1. The chamois helps with keeping the body's moisture of the eyepiece's optics. In hot climates it also helps to allow air into pocket between your eye and the glass. I need to add one myself...

2. Dude, sounds like you need to hit the gym. Mine spins fine, but I've noticed a fair amount of lubricant on the threads. I wonder if they started adding grease to the threads on the units they are shipping now?

I've noticed a fair amount of lubricant on the threads.

Mine doesn't have any lube from what I can tell from touching the threads. I called Zacuto and was told to just carefully put a little silicone based lube on a q-tip to dab the threads. But they also confirmed that it is designed to be tougher to turn than a lens so that once set, it won't accidentally stray off focus.

P.S. I use at home the Hoist PTS-ENS3, which covers everything anyone would need. I highly recommend it:

http://www.hoistfitness.com/consumer-eq ... -ens3.aspx

I like the eyepiece covers because they feel nice.
I don't like the feel of pressing my eye against the rubber for long periods of time.
Also soaks up sweat and oil from your skin, so it doesn't migrate to the viewfinder optics and make them smeary.

Also you can change the cover if other people are using it to be more hygenic.


The one I have here distinctly has lube on the threads.
It's more difficult to turn than focus on a lens, but isn't difficult to turn at all.
You want some weight to it so that it stays where you leave it.


Here is an image of the holder stuck to the monitor with the viewfinder off:




.