Zacuto Z-Finder mounted to EX1R

Sony Cameras

Zacuto Z-Finder mounted to EX1R

Posted by Justin Lee on May 11, 2011 at 2:33 am

i just discovered something cool to do with my EX1R, a NOGA arm, and a Zacuto Z-Finder. I thought I’d share it for those EX1/EX1R owners who might find this interesting.

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I think the photos do a pretty good job explaining things, but I’m happy to answer questions if you have any.

It’s nice if you have an EX1 and a Z-Finder handy, and it does make it easier to focus with the EX1’s flip out viewfinder. It doesn’t cover the entire viewable area when flush-mounted, but you do get all of the 16×9 safe-areas. If there was a way to fashion a spacer to float the Z-Finder a few millimeters above the viewfinder it would be quite easy to include the entire screen area.

I had forgotten that you can remove the shoe mount on the EX1R (Possibly the EX1, which I don’t have) to reveal a threaded 1’4″ receiver. This made it a snap to mount my NOGA arm and feels sturdier than using the shoe mount.

I’m not suggesting that you go out and buy the items to do this. I imagine there are better options available – I just haven’t tried them. But if you happen to have the parts handy, then you might find it useful for checking focus. It’s not as comfortable as using the EX3, but it will do until I can afford the Zacuto EVF.

Regards,
Justin Lee

JBL Communications / Northside Post
Atlanta, Ga. 30318
(404) 384-1779
justin@northsidepost.com

Brent Dunn replied 15 years, 3 months ago 3 Members · 2 Replies
2 Replies

David Speace
May 11, 2011 at 6:42 pm

That’s pretty cool and it seems to work! Call this the EX2… half EX1 and half EX3! Anyway, I’m wondering if you could take a piece of clear plexiglass and use that as a spacer to get the viewfinder farther away from the screen? You can mask the edges off with black tape. I’ve been considering doing this myself, but haven’t gotten around to doing it. I shoot freelance for a local tv station in Philly and they have an EX3… I’ve already broken off the viewfinder eyepiece (poorly constructed on the EX3) and the rubber eye cup is always coming off, so I have to retrace my steps looking for it!

Dave Speace
Producer/Director/DP
DZP Video

Windows 7, 64 Bit, i7 8 Core, 16Gb Ram, GeForce 4800
Brent Dunn
May 23, 2011 at 5:21 pm

Unfortunately, it isn’t as wide as your LCD screen.

Brent Dunn
Owner / Director / Editor
DunnRight Films
DunnRight Video.com
Video Marketing Toolbox.net

Sony EX-1,
Canon 5D Mark II
Canon 7D
Mac Pro Tower, Quad Core,
with Final Cut Studio

HP i7 Quad laptop
Adobe CS-5 Production Suite

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