Hoodman Loupe vs. Carryspeed Viewfinder

wildviper

Anyone know if this is a competitor/replacement product as the Hoodman Loupe?


http://www.vendio.com/stores/CarrySpeedStore/item/lcd-view-finder-lvf43/carry-speed-2-5-x-magnificatio/lid=13747661

I think it is..except for the 2.5x magnification vs. Hoodman's 3x. I can't tell a difference....besides price that is.

Is a HD viewfinder something totally different? All I want to do is be able to check my images in the sun for focus, composition, light and so on...just what the hoodman is used for.

I do not do video work and not planning on either.

Matthew Saville

If that's the item I've seen before, then it's AWESOME. It comes with a metal frame that you glue / stick around the edge of your camera LCD, and then magnets inside the viewer loupe can attach the loupe to the back of the camera! It's used mostly for video, but is SO COOL either way. :-)

It may have been another brand that I'm thinking of, but I'd say that considering the "Hoodman overpricing factor" and the price of this item, I'd say it's a quality piece of equipment...

=Matt=

wildviper

Yeah this is the one with the magnet. I am not sure about the gluing bit cause they don't mention it...but I don't really care for the magnet piece anyways....I just want to plunk the thing on my LCD to check focus/exposure and stuff quickly and continue shooting.

I guess if no one has tried this, I will be the "tester"! Anyone?? anyone...before I order it! :P

wildviper

well...couldn't wait...just bought it....I will do a review of it once I get it!

Icebear

:lurk

wildviper

Well here is an update. I got this in the mail today. Quick shipping. The product came well packed.

Initial reaction: WOW!

This thing is awesome. A bit big...but very nice. I checked my LCD with this and it is clear and sharp. However, since the time I tested this was in the evening, I can't fully see how this would work outside in the sun. I am sure it would be fine. I will test and report back.

I was not going to put the magnetic frame around the LCD, but probably will. Since it is big, it is harder to handle and control the camera to magnify an image or select next pictures and so on. I think the magnet will help.

I will report back with more tests and usage report.

wildviper

Here is my second part of the review now. I have taken it out in the sun and tried it out. No problems. Does what the Hoodman does. It is clear and boy it helps to see the lcd in the sun. I love it! For less than half the price!!

It has its issues though. It is big. So I did have some difficulty handling it and trying to move images and magnify images and stuff. I ended attaching the metal strip for the magnet and it works perfect after I that. It attaches and doesn't easily come off..so you can cycle through the images, zoom in and all that.

Some downsides of attaching the metal thingy:
- I had to take off my LCD cover...I could have glued to it to the lcd screen...but I wanted to make sure I do not loose it if the lcd cover ever dropped off.
- Also since this is made to fit many different 3" LCD screen...it may not "fit" perfectly over the screen. I had to adjust it to glue it a bit below.

I do not think the downsides are a product killer...but as a FYI. It doesn't really bother me anymore.

Hope that helps people..especially saving money.