I am using this on a Canon 60d and I wanted to provide some details as to how this LCD viewfinder/loupe functions for me. Please note: I noticed that the same reviews come up under two different products, so I want to be clear that my review is for the 3:2 Swi-View LCDVF LCD Viewfinder for Canon 60D, T3i, any other 3:2 3" LCD Cameras by Carry Speed SOLD by Photo Smart, NOT the one sold by Cowboy Studio. The Cowboy Studio offering, according to them (in a customer service email), does not come with the neoprene cover that allows attachment to your swivel screen. The one that Photo Smart offers comes with: viewfinder, strap, microfiber cleaning cloth, two metal self-adheasive frames and neoprene cover.First off, I have never been interested in permanently attaching any metal frame to my LCD to allow the typical magnetic attachment of a viewfinder/loupe. That is why this product is so beautifully elegant. The one from Photo Smart comes with Carry Speed Swiview Swi-View for LCD View Finder fits any 3" Swivel LCD Screen as part of the kit.
If you purchase the Cowboy Studio offering: 3:2 Swi-View LCDVF LCD Viewfinder for Canon 60D, T3i, any other 3:2 3" LCD Cameras by Carry Speed you will need to purchase the Carry Speed Swiview Swi-View for LCD View Finder fits any 3" Swivel LCD Screen as well if you want to use it with your 60d or T3i swivel screen and not require the adhesive frame.
Attachment is a breeze with the neoprene wrap, just flip out your LCD, wrap the viewfinder with the included Swi-View neoprene cover and secure to your LCD.
**A word of caution, if you out in direct sunlight, be sure to bring something (the included microfiber cloth works great) to put over your viewfinder/loupe when you are not actively using it. The direct sun can shine in and burn your LCD very quickly much like a magnifying glass.**
This viewfinder solution provides great results and allows you to see much more clearly when adjusting focusing during video recording, especially in very bright conditions. There is no diopter adjustment on this model, but I wear glasses and have no problem getting good results with my glasses on. You can check the accuracy of the loupe by holding the camera focus button halfway and once the camera is finished focusing, be sure what you see through the viewfinder/loupe is in focus as intended.
I use this solution with my 60d and my "DSLR Follow Focus" from DSLR Solutions (google search) mounted on a modified version of the CowboyStudio Shoulder Support Pad for Video Camcorder Camera DV / DC and it works great! I am able to put my eye up to the viewfinder attached to my flipped out swivel screen and walk around and focus with near identical functionality to a larger shoulder mounted camera.
Conclusion
This viewfinder/loupe is a fantastic value costing a fraction of the more expensive offerings and produces really nice results. It makes hitting critical focus during video recording much easier and will be a regular addition to my camera setup. Since I did not see many reviews talking about how this product works with Canon 60d, I wanted to provide some insight. I hope some people find this information helpful.
The T3i has a viewfinder than is closed. You open the viewfinder, swivel 180 degrees, and snap it back into itself. Now it is just like any other camera. To protect it and put it away, you swivel it 180 degrees and snap back in.
Here's the problems. If you mount the metal frame, it's adhesive. if you try and "put away" the viewfinder it will no longer work, you'll have to leave it in its
open" position with the viewfinder exposed.
I thought I could get around this by purchasing the metal mounting hardware that mounts to the bottom of camera. This would work very well, but if you have a battery grip on your camera liek mine, forget it. It won't work.
I am rating this high as I can see it would work well with other cameras, just not the Canon T3i (600d) series.It should be obvious to anyone that this is not a true LCDVF model viewfinder. The seller should get dinged for this and be forced to correct their wording, but I'm not going to base my review off of a misleading title since I knew what I was getting into when I made the purchase.
This little gem is at the right price and the optical quality is perfect for me to finally rack proper focus with my t2i. The construction is hard plastic and seems like it will take some abuse. Inside of the tunnel it is lined with a felt like material, which picks up lint pretty easily. Comes with a handy lanyard and a neoprene carry case.
I originally mounted it directly to the camera, the paint started flaking off the first metal bracket within a few hours but the effects were only aesthetic. Magnet holds strong and takes a forceful bump to knock it off the mounting bracket.
My screen protector finally showed up, so I pulled the original metal bracket and mounted the second one that comes with directly to the protector. I like this route because there's no longer any adhesive touching the camera, but I need to find a better way to secure the bottom if it's going to go through any type of abuse.
In my opinion, someone finally priced a view finder appropriately and this one does exactly what it is supposed to do.I love this little thing! It makes filming in daylight so much easier, makes focusing on moving shots easier, adds some stability to the shots as well, and cost a tiny fraction of what other companies make too. Only warning is to be careful not to leave the open/exposed side out because it has a sort of carpet-like fabric inside that can collect dust. I recommend using your extra magnetic strip, leaving it in the plastic bag, and putting that on top to act as a plastic screen to cover the opening.In the first week I used it twice. Went to take away from camera and one magnet pulled out of viewfinder. The viewfinder works for what it is but quality not so hot.
Justin
Pacenotes.tv
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