Director's Viewfinder

[peres]

Hi RF forum

This is a bit of an indulgence 🙂

I've always wanted a viewfinder to carry around (like film directors have) so I don't have to get my camera out to view a potential shot.

I can find various film director's viewfinder's on Ebay etc, however I presume these would be set up for movie 35mm (anamorphic difference) ???

It would be great to have something that relates to my set-up - M6 with 28, 35, 75.

Cheers
Chris

 

[rlouzan]

Hi Chris,

Welcome to the forum!

Several options:

1)Practice - train your eyes/brain

2)Use your fingers
http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/TAC4787.jpg

3) Plastic slide frame with string or old Zone VI 35mm viewing filter
http://www.cameraposition.com/podcast/images/ViewCard.jpg

4) Variable 35mm finder made by Leitz, Komura ...
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photograph...r/Leica_RF/images/DavidSLeicaFinder_nose1.jpg

5) Masked Directors VF

Regards,
Robert

 

[oftheherd]

I have an idea that the russian viewfinders might me a little cheaper. Search for turret finder. I don't know what they sell for, but I think several years ago I paid something under $100 US. They don't have a 75mm, but an 85mm as I recall.

 

[dogberryjr]

TEWE Zoomfinder goes 28-200 if you can find one with the 28mm adapter, otherwise it's 35-200.

 

[taskoni]

Hi RF forum

This is a bit of an indulgence 🙂

I've always wanted a viewfinder to carry around (like film directors have) so I don't have to get my camera out to view a potential shot.

I can find various film director's viewfinder's on Ebay etc, however I presume these would be set up for movie 35mm (anamorphic difference) ???

It would be great to have something that relates to my set-up - M6 with 28, 35, 75.

Cheers
Chris

Hi Chris and welcome to the RFF.
There are certain models Diretor's viewfinders that can show you different picture formats as well as depth of field, but I think you won't spend that kind of money for a really good one 🙂
I have Alan Gordon's viewfinder (Mark Vb) that I still use on bigger production, the cheap viewfinders are rather annoying and you'll be better taking your camera out and checking frame with it.
Here's the link that you might find helpful:

http://www.directorsviewfinders.com/#markvb

 

[Vince Lupo]

An Imarect (VIOOH) finder would work pretty well too -- it's not a magnifying finder, but more of a mask that crops down to a chosen focal length (35, 50, 90 etc). However, it's not like a director's viewfinder in terms of being able to wear it around your neck (if that's more what you're after).

Or for a real visual challenge, get a VIDOM finder -- it shows the view in reverse!

 

[peres]

Robert that's a good idea to train the brain, I've been using an M8 for some time and recently gone back to the M6. Now that I'm back in the land of accurate frame lines I could try and get a feel for frame without looking through the finder.

The desire for using a viewfinder away from the camera is something to do with the act of holding a camera to the eye, and how that attracts attention which can sometimes be a negative thing. Also I like the idea of looking for subjects without having a camera in the hand, and potentially seeing something close to a finished image within the finder, magnification needed rather than simply crop or mask perhaps. I guess that the glass could render the image with some nice characteristics too, and therefore enhance the experience.

As I say it's something of an indulgence...

Thanks for your suggestions 🙂