Zigview adds LCD finder to film and digital SLRs
By Marc Perton 
posted Jun 8th 2005 5:42AM
posted Jun 8th 2005 5:42AM
Here's one for SLR users (both film and digital) who want to use an LCD to frame their
shots. The Zigview is an adapter that includes both a CMOS sensor and a 1.9-inch LCD; it attaches to the camera's
viewfinder and can rotate for high and low-angle shooting. Nothing in the specs about how much image coverage you get
or how sharp the display is; it also blocks the viewfinder, so switching back and forth between the Zigview and the
finder could get tedious. Still, it's still an intriguing idea, and could be worth the £119.99 price if it really works
as advertised.
[Via DPReview - Thanks, Matt H]
Sounds like a good idea, it'd be goot for the really low angles and shooting from the hip and even better for press photographers!
Well I don't see how it'd be good for press photographers, but yeah, it'd let you put the camera basically on the floor and shoot from there if you want. One thing I've always had a problem with being 6'4 is getting low enough for certain types of shots.
Still, there's a reason why SLR's still use a viewfinder for framing. An LCD is just never going to be nearly as accurate. Now that I've got my 350D, it feels totally natural going back to using a viewfinder again, after being stuck with LCD framing for the last few years. Viewfinder framing is actually a good thing.
There is nothing wrong with viewfinder framing, but I don't understand why more digital SLR makers just don't put an LCD INSIDE the viewfinder! My Minolta DiMage 7 has one and its great. Then again you can't swap lenses or anything with it...
Plenty of reasons not to use an EVF (LCD in the viewfinder). For one thing, it lags a fraction of a second. For another, it's not high-res enough to tell whether the shot is in focus.
With an LCD you have to rely on the camera's autofocus to get the focus right. Of course a lot of us rely on that anyway 99% of the time, so it's no big deal. I would love something like this for occasional low-angle or high-angle shooting. It doesn't have to be as good as a real viewfinder, just good enough to frame up a shot.
The problem with this product is that its angle is not adjustable aside from being able to flip it upside-down. It needs to swivel a lot more.
It might be good for street photographers. I keep reading on photo.net that people don't use autofocus SLRs for street photography because the cameras tend to be pretty big and obvious. You could use one of these accessory viewfinders to compose without lifting the camera to your eye.
But I'm also a rangefinder guy. I really want to know if I use one of thse EVFs with my 6x9 rangefinder. Is it good enough to let me align the rangefinder spots (i.e. to focus)?
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
that was my idea, i was so goona devlop this.. oh well they beat me to it. Next up using a cheapo CVS camera to do the same thing. Well i guess there are other things that i would like to add to my version should i ever build one. like light metering, storing shots so you can review them later etc...
I don't know why camera manufacturers can't just use the el-cheapo cameraphone sensors on a flip-away panel for digiSLRs to feed the LCD panel on the back. Everyone knows this isn't going to be a perfect image, but it's "good enough" for the casual shooter and even helps semi-pros frame a shot from a difficult angle. But I guess I'm ranting a bit more than I should today...