LCD viewfinder for DP Merrills

[noimmunity]

http://www.lin-evans.org/xtend/index.htm

While there are other options available, this one looks neat, easy-to-use, stable, and durable. And a fraction of the cost of the Sigma one for the Quattro.

Looks like landscape and macro with the Merrill series just got even better.

 

[Keith]

All the attributes of a view camera without needing the donkey and the tent! 😀

 

[VertovSvilova]

I use the Hoodman which can be folded (made of thick rubber.) This isn't my image but I got the idea from seeing the photo on the web a year or so ago; you can see it here in an earlier post: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2422622&postcount=24

As I mention in that post, I had a machinist make a nice anodized attaching bar and thumb screw so it can be installed and removed easily and quickly. The Hoodman then can fold up and be stashed away. The machinist charged me $15.00. But I sure on can find parts in any hardware store and DIY. The Hoodman is probably overpriced ($99 in the US) but it does fold away and the optics are very good. And it's pretty close to the same price as the one posted by noimmunity when all is said and done (and which appears to me to be a copy of the Hoodman concept but without the compactness factor.) http://hoodmanusa.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=CH32

 

[GaryLH]

All the attributes of a view camera without needing the donkey and the tent! 😀

Lol.. I think u need to start shooting your crown 4x5 again.. 😛.. I saw someone in sf last year using an 8x10 by Macy's at union square. Did have time to talk to him since I was w/ my wife shopping.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

I was tempted by the Quattro LCD hood (their version of the hoodman) until I saw the price. Hoodman w/ that modification maybe an interesting alternative as well.

Gary

 

[noimmunity]

I use the Hoodman which can be folded (made of thick rubber.) This isn't my image but I got the idea from seeing the photo on the web a year or so ago; you can see it here in an earlier post: http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2422622&postcount=24

As I mention in that post, I had a machinist make a nice anodized attaching bar and thumb screw so it can be installed and removed easily and quickly. The Hoodman then can fold up and be stashed away. The machinist charged me $15.00. But I sure on can find parts in any hardware store and DIY. The Hoodman is probably overpriced ($99 in the US) but it does fold away and the optics are very good. And it's pretty close to the same price as the one posted by noimmunity when all is said and done (and which appears to me to be a copy of the Hoodman concept but without the compactness factor.) http://hoodmanusa.com/cgi/commerce.cgi?preadd=action&key=CH32

That looks like a nice set-up, too.

I've seen people talking about that before, but never have seen an explanation of how it works. That's what I really like about the post by Lin Evans to which I linked above.

Since the difference in price between the two options is right at the point at which customs duties kick in, I'll have to research this a little more.

If one is looking for the cheapest solution, here is another alternative:

http://www.photographyandcinema.com/products/magview-lcd-view-finder

 

[noimmunity]

I use the Hoodman which can be folded (made of thick rubber.)

May I ask you to provide the measurements of the Hoodman when it is folded? And provide a measured weight? Thank you very much. None of this information is on the manufacturer's website.

I'm concerned about how the collapsible loupe would work as a support for viewing when it is NOT tripod-mounted but hand-held.

My guess is that the Delrin housing on the Xtend-a-view from Photosolve is both lighter and more rigid than the Hoodloupe Compact.

I'm thinking about using the Photosolve Xtend-a-view by drilling holes in the delrin housing and using shock cord to attach the loupe quickly to the body, but would like to compare size/weight first.

 

[VertovSvilova]

May I ask you to provide the measurements of the Hoodman when it is folded? And provide a measured weight? Thank you very much. None of this information is on the manufacturer's website.

I'm concerned about how the collapsible loupe would work as a support for viewing when it is NOT tripod-mounted but hand-held.

My guess is that the Delrin housing on the Xtend-a-view from Photosolve is both lighter and more rigid than the Hoodloupe Compact.

I'm thinking about using the Photosolve Xtend-a-view by drilling holes in the delrin housing and using shock cord to attach the loupe quickly to the body, but would like to compare size/weight first.

I keep all my photography equipment in my office at school and can't give you any specific measurements until later in the week. But by memory, I think the folded depth is about 50mm tall; extended it's about 80mm or so. The length and sides are probably about 50x76mm. It's pretty light but not featherlight. The optics are good quality and they add some weight (good diopter range, too.) It's well built and robust, and considering the cost of photo related stuff I guess the $99 price tag is probably about right. It has a rigid plastic (Delrin?) frame and the eyepiece does too, and is mounted with screws. It's put together well and the tripod screw mount is brass (and also screwed onto the frame.)

I suppose over several years the rubber could deteriorate after a lot of folding and unfolding. But the rubber seems to be good quality too, and it does stay erect when extended. It's not easy to make it inadvertently collapse when in use hand-held.

 

[noimmunity]

I keep all my photography equipment in my office at school and can't give you any specific measurements until later in the week. But by memory, I think the folded depth is about 50mm tall; extended it's about 80mm or so. The length and sides are probably about 50x76mm. It's pretty light but not featherlight. The optics are good quality and they add some weight (good diopter range, too.) It's well built and robust, and considering the cost of photo related stuff I guess the $99 price tag is probably about right. It has a rigid plastic (Delrin?) frame and the eyepiece does too, and is mounted with screws. It's put together well and the tripod screw mount is brass (and also screwed onto the frame.)

I suppose over several years the rubber could deteriorate after a lot of folding and unfolding. But the rubber seems to be good quality too, and it does stay erect when extended. It's not easy to make it inadvertently collapse when in use hand-held.

Thank you, I appreciate the description, and, when you have the time, would be very interested to know about weights and measurements.

Sounds like a nice unit.

 

[VertovSvilova]

Thank you, I appreciate the description, and, when you have the time, would be very interested to know about weights and measurements.

Sounds like a nice unit.

When folded, the height is 55mm. Extended it's 81mm. The width (long side) of the frame is 80mm. The height (short side) of the frame is 60mm. The weight is 106 grams including the nylon strap that comes with it and is attached with a small plastic clip (removable.)

Here's a photo of it folded in relation to a roll of 35mm film. The long side is in front. btw, the Hoodman's frame dimensions fits the size of the Merrill's LCD without any issues.

 

[noimmunity]

When folded, the height is 55mm. Extended it's 81mm. The width (long side) of the frame is 80mm. The height (short side) of the frame is 60mm. The weight is 106 grams including the nylon strap that comes with it and is attached with a small plastic clip (removable.)

Here's a photo of it folded in relation to a roll of 35mm film. The long side is in front. btw, the Hoodman's frame dimensions fits the size of the Merrill's LCD without any issues.

Thanks for that.
Collapsed, it is not much smaller than the Photosolve option.
It does boast a more elegant design, however. Which translates in the field to easier use on the fly with just a lanyard.
Now, about that attaching bar...Trying to source those parts in France could be a challenge in itself! 😕