Any Consumer Cameras With Flip Image?

[Medavoym]

Hello everyone,

I was wondering, is there ANY camera that has flip image capabilities?

For the RED, I am thinking to use my 35mm lenses + my 35mm adapter + one of these (hypothetical) flip-image-capable camcorders as a sort of a director's viewfinder. With a small camera, the set-up shouldn't be too bulky to carry around and find exact shots.

Mike

[David Mullen ASC]

The JVC ProHD cameras have an image-flip feature, or at least, some of them.
http://pro.jvc.com/pro/attributes/HDTV/desc/prohd_camcorders.html

[Bruce Allen]

Most of the consumer cameras have flip "hacks"
HV20:
http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=518
HVX200:
http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=78
GS400!:
http://www.cinevate.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=79

Or if your don't want to take apart your camera, you could use my monitor - prototype in a week or so :)

Bear in mind that your "director's viewfinder" has the problem that it is full-frame still camera 35mm, which does not equal super35 / Red size (which is cropped, similar to a DSLR camera crop).

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Medavoym]

Thank you David and Bruce.

David, I believe the JVC is way too big to be used as a director's viewfinder. A small camcorder is what I'm looking for to get the job done.

Bruce, I believe these hacks only flip the image upside down, but not left to right. Am I correct? Also, with a monitor, you add again too much space/weight.

What I'm looking for, is a camcorder with true flip capabilities so I can see the image on the camera's LCD and keep everything to a minimum.

Any suggestions?

Mike

[Medavoym]

Bruce,

You might be right after all, the image will be re-oriented perfectly in two of the three cases you mentioned.

However if you have true flip capability, you can just pop the tape/dvd/hard-disk and see what you recorded as well, without importing into FCP and flipping the image.

[Bruce Allen]

Bruce,

You might be right after all, the image will be re-oriented perfectly in two of the three cases you mentioned.

However if you have true flip capability, you can just pop the tape/dvd/hard-disk and see what you recorded as well, without importing into FCP and flipping the image.

Then go with the higher-end JVC cameras (HD200 or something?) as David mentioned.

However, as you said, that does weigh a heck of a lot more than a HV20 with an upside down external monitor!

Or use a flip-capable 35mm adapter - but this loses you more light.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Poi Boy]

If your're looking for a directors finder use a Dslr. Way cheaper, way lighter, way more accurate and less bulky. You also get a sophisicated light meter and stills for your production or for scouting.
Aloha
-A

[Bruce Allen]

If your're looking for a directors finder use a Dslr. Way cheaper, way lighter, way more accurate and less bulky. You also get a sophisicated light meter and stills for your production or for scouting.
Aloha
-A

Second that!

Forgot to mention that option... Poi Boy, we seem to be agreeing about things a lot of late.

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Joel Kaye]

Second that!

Forgot to mention that option... Poi Boy, we seem to be agreeing about things a lot of late.


Yeah - this is the right idea. Plus you'll grab production stills at the same time.

The upcoming Brevis Flip with an HV-20 could turn out to be good if you really want moving pictures... perhaps for previz.

[Cail Young]

Or, god forbid, an actual director's viewfinder? How much do these things cost, anyway?

[Bruce Allen]

Or, god forbid, an actual director's viewfinder? How much do these things cost, anyway?

$300 - $700 new...
http://www.filmtools.com/conviewandvi.html

Bruce Allen
www.boacinema.com

[Medavoym]

These director's viewfinders are not as good as the real ones. The good ones allow you to put actual lenses and see the actual image, with DOF etc. They cost $1,000 PLUS.
Example:

http://www.visualproducts.com/storeProductDetail02.asp?productID=913&Cat=3&Cat2=43

I am also building one of these actually. So far I almost have everything -- an Arri 35BL eyepiece, an Arri 35BL viewfinder extender, a BNCR mount from an Arri III and an Arri 35BL ground-glass. The only thing I need to do, is to figure a way to properly see the ground-glass through the viewfinder extender. So far I have been unable to properly position these two pieces close together for me to see the whole GG (and in focus). I might need another small lens at the end of the viewfinder extender. But the good news is that I bought all components over time from eBay and so far I have spent only about $400 and have already all the pieces.

[Stephen Gentle]

Do you think that a digital SLR would make a good (low budget) replacement for a director's viewfinder?