Homemade DSLR Viewfinder Diy LCD Z Finder

Download as pdf or txt
Download as pdf or txt
You are on page 1of 10

Home Sign Up!

Browse Community Submit


All Art Craft Food Games Green Home Kids Life Music Offbeat Outdoors Pets Photo Ride Science Tech

HOMEMADE DSLR VIEWFINDER - DIY LCD Z-Finder


by knoptop on February 2, 2011

Table of Contents

HOMEMADE DSLR VIEWFINDER - DIY LCD Z-Finder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: HOMEMADE DSLR VIEWFINDER - DIY LCD Z-Finder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: .................................................................................................................. 3

Step 2: .................................................................................................................. 3

Step 3: .................................................................................................................. 4

Step 4: .................................................................................................................. 5

Step 5: .................................................................................................................. 5

Step 6: .................................................................................................................. 6

Step 7: .................................................................................................................. 6

Step 8: .................................................................................................................. 7

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Author:knoptop blog and website
QUICK FX!
Fast, Fun, Filmmaking Tips and Tutorials, DIY Builds, Props, DSLR Stuff, Short Films and MORE!

Look for us on Facebook!!


See behind the scenes photos and info from the Quick FX series!!

Follow me on Twitter!
www.Twitter.com/knoptop

Intro: HOMEMADE DSLR VIEWFINDER - DIY LCD Z-Finder


DSLR Camera's can shoot amazing video, but being photo camera's first, they typically need some accessories to help shoot video. LCD Viewfinders are one of the first
accessories needed, but they can be VERY expensive!

Here's a simple way to make an LCD viewfinder for your DSLR camera (or any other LCD display)!!
It'll cost about $5 but most of this stuff you probably have around your house, so it'll really cost you nothing!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Step 1:
What you'll need:

Baby Powder Container


(or any container with a round hole at one end, and rectangular end on the other side).

Magnifying glass (plastic lens)

Rubber bands (hair ties work great, and add a pro look).

A set of earphones, you'll need the padding from those (just one).

Some hot glue and paint.

That's it!!

Let's get started!

Step 2:
Remove any stickers from your container, and cut the bottom of the container off, leaving as much of the plastic in tact. Temporarily place the magnifying lens inside the
container using tape.

With the lens in place, put the container on the LCD of your camera and test the focal length. If it's out of focus, trim a little off the bottom of the container and check
again. Continue to do this gradually trimming the bottom of the container so you can get the custom focus for your eye with your viewfinder (container).

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Step 3:
Once you get your focus set with your viewfinder, remove the lens and paint the container.
Be sure to prep the plastic and use paint for plastic.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Step 4:
After your viewfinder (container) is painted, we're going to hot glue the lens in place. You want to bead around the lens with hot glue and place it inside the container,
and add more glue to secure inside.

Step 5:
Next cut a hole in the foam earphone padding and stretch it over your container eye piece.

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Step 6:
Take your hair ties (rubber bands) and tie two together using a slip knot so the band forms an 'X' formation. Make two of these and stretch them over the eyepiece of
your viewfinder.

Step 7:
Your DONE! It's that easy! Now lets stretch it over the camera. Stretch the top bands over the top of the camera. Then the bottom over the bottom of the camera. You'll
will most likely need to use the tripod mount as the holder of the bottom band.

And that's it! DSLR LCD VIEWFINDER!

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Step 8:
Here's another example using a different type of container!
This container needed to be slightly modified to fit the LCD. I simply cut a slit in each side and hot glued them back into position to fit the LCD area exactly. I cut and stuck
sticker foam on both sides to give it a unique look and also to cover the cuts on the side of this customized viewfinder!

Get creative and go and make one yourself!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
Related Instructables

Home made DIY Camera Rig Lcd Photo How To Change


DSLR Rear LCD by daniel2008 Frame or DPF Lenses On An
Viewfinder for Photography- (yet another!) Build a star SLR/DSLR by
shooting Video the guide to by arte.sano tracker for your listoman
by AronC0816 great photos by DSLR and make
daniel2008 your own star
charts! by
tholopotami

Comments
20 comments Add Comment

rdgard says: Feb 27, 2011. 4:39 PM REPLY


Damn! I just spent $ 50 on one of these and I thought I got a good deal. Wish I would have seen this first. Great job!
bob

eltonh1011 says: Feb 15, 2011. 1:47 PM REPLY


Easy way to remove labels from plastic containers: Pour in hot water or fill with water and heat in microwave. Don't get burnt! Label should peel off much
more easily.

strehlow says: Feb 12, 2011. 7:48 AM REPLY


Since the container has a screw-on lid, it might be feasible to incorporated some diopter adjustment. Drill or cut a suitable hole in the cap to mount the lens.
Apply a layer of black vinyl tape over the bottle threads to make the cap snug. Then screw the cap on. Then you can adjust the focal length slightly.

Silence says: Feb 11, 2011. 12:24 AM REPLY


Maybe to make a cushioned and shaped eyepiece buy a cheap pair of swim goggles w a silicone eye ring.
http://www.swimoutlet.com/photos/options/22394-30028.jpg
You'll probably want some clear ones unless you wanna cut the plastic lens.

knoptop says: Feb 11, 2011. 7:21 AM REPLY


That is a great idea!! I may have to look into that! Thanks!

Silence says: Feb 12, 2011. 12:32 AM REPLY


No prob, I think I'm gonna use this idea when I manage to get my new camera !

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
T-Hawke says: Feb 10, 2011. 8:00 PM REPLY
Excellent video. Great quality. Very informative. Love it when someone thinks outside the "Box" I intend on making one of these for my camera. Great Job! A
real KISS (Keep it Simple Stupid) idea. Thanks for the idea. I have subscribed. so keep the projects coming.

uberklok says: Feb 10, 2011. 3:58 PM REPLY


Nice project! -- I made a similar one, making the box out of black foam board, but I like your plastic bottle idea better!

I used Scotch reclosable fastener strips, sort of a unisex velcro thing, and that worked really well to hold the thing on and take it off easily. Sort of a little nicer
than the rubber band solution, I think, if you don't mind sticking em on your camera.

http://vimeo.com/14075508

jrothlisberger says: Feb 10, 2011. 8:48 AM REPLY


Awesome video!!! I think I will be making one of these for my camera! Thanks!

rbormann says: Feb 10, 2011. 7:48 AM REPLY


Awesome! You had an idea so simple and practical that can be changed as needed for any camera at all.
As we say KIIG - Keep It Simple Genius
Congrats from Brazil

Nate95 says: Feb 8, 2011. 4:35 PM REPLY


Could this work with camcorders also like the sanyo cg-10? I think this would really help me with my manual focusing. Thanks!

knoptop says: Feb 9, 2011. 9:03 AM REPLY


The basic design could work on just about any LCD camera! On the Sanyo cg-10 you'd wanna make sure to keep your design as lightwieght as possible
to avoid harming the swingout lcd hinge. Give it a shot tho!

Tututu says: Feb 6, 2011. 3:49 AM REPLY


Awesome project!
The hardest thing is maybe to find the right container

knoptop says: Feb 6, 2011. 1:56 PM REPLY


I've made a couple of these finders and so far the baby powder container is the fastest and easiest to work with. The shake pancake container was nice,
because i also fit good on my other photo camera's lcd, but having to cut it, is an extra step that is a pain.

mman1506 says: Feb 5, 2011. 3:53 PM REPLY


you did the painting laser gun thing for indy mogul!

knoptop says: Feb 6, 2011. 1:54 PM REPLY


Yes! That's mee.

frollard says: Feb 5, 2011. 4:40 PM REPLY


Awesome ible, awesome video, awesome concept!

5 from me:

Question: Do you have to take any steps to prevent light-leaks around the base of the new viewfinder? Some closed cell foam insulation I'm sure would pad
the connection point well.

Again, great stuff!

knoptop says: Feb 6, 2011. 1:53 PM REPLY


I took extra care to cut the plastic as straight as possible (at the connection point), and I haven't noticed light leaks that were enough to be a distraction.
The foam might still be a good addition, thanks for the suggestion!

nicholas1951 says: Feb 5, 2011. 11:37 AM REPLY


Fine job! Your offering represents many of the elements of a fine instructable - great presentation, a project made of low-cost and common materials that
rivals the expensive retail versions, and it works!

Thanks!

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/
knoptop says: Feb 5, 2011. 12:15 PM REPLY
I was actually surprised myself with how well this viewfinder worked out. So much so, I'm going to sell my expen$ive one that I purchased, and just use
this DIY finder! I hope some people can get some use from this tutorial!! And especially, try it out themselves!!

Thanks for the feedback! I appreciate it!

http://www.instructables.com/id/HOMEMADE-DSLR-VIEWFINDER-DIY-LCD-Z-Finder/

You might also like

pFad - Phonifier reborn

Pfad - The Proxy pFad of © 2024 Garber Painting. All rights reserved.

Note: This service is not intended for secure transactions such as banking, social media, email, or purchasing. Use at your own risk. We assume no liability whatsoever for broken pages.


Alternative Proxies:

Alternative Proxy

pFad Proxy

pFad v3 Proxy

pFad v4 Proxy