Alexa Eyepiece problem

[Mark Karavite]

Hey fellow Ops. I'm shooting my first show with Alexa, and there's a nagging (non Steadicam) problem both I and the other operator are experiencing with the eyepiece. The eyecup spins the diopter, causing the viewfinder to constantly go out of focus. The diopter needs to be tighter & the eyecup needs to be looser. There aren't any visible adjustments on the eyepiece to correct this.

 

There are a lot of tough focus pulls on Master Primes nearly wide open on this show, and it's tough to help the AC look for focus when the diopter goes out of focus if you move your head just the littlest bit during a shot.

 

Has anyone else had this problem & possibly have a fix for it.

 

Thanks,

Mark

[Jess Haas SOC]

You can tape the diopter adjustment in place after setting it. Not perfect but better than nothing.

[Jeff Muhlstock SOC]

I used a tight bongo tie. Kinda sad for this beautiful camera but until Arri adds a thumb screw to tighten the ring its the best I could do. Arri is very aware of the problem and Im sure it will get resolved. Growing pains

 

Jeff

[Mark Karavite]

Just did another Alexa shoot last week. We took a rubber eyepiece off an Arri film camera (honestly I don't know if they grabbed it from a 435 or Arricam) and the issue was still there, but much better. I hope they don't fix this problem with a set screw. With constantly switching diopter between DP's, Directors & mine, a set screw would be a hassle, and a poor fix. Arri has known about this problem since at least October of 2010, but still no fix. Disappointing!

[Ramon Engle]

I've been shooting with that crazy eyepeice since October. The Bongo works perfectly................well not perfectly but it does a great job allowing a little adjustment but not free wheeling.

 

Ramon