Looking for a Director's viewfinder

[Lars Erik]

Hey all,

 

did a search. Found nothing.

 

I'm looking for a director's viewfinder, I'm not going to buy one at $5K, but I'm willing to invest about $1K.

 

I need a finder to be able to walk shots, and get a clearer view of the shots. I realize I might not get a finder that will be 100% accurate lens wise, but one that is close is better than nothing. I used to own one from Kish Optics. It was ok.

 

But has anyone got any good tips for a good one? I've heard ok stuff about Mark V finder. Can anyone confirm that?

 

And please don't link me to FilmTools, as they don't ship abroad.

 

 

Thanks.

 

LE

[JobScholtze]

huh? The always ship goods i order from them to europe. And i did that several times this last year.

[Charles Papert]

http://www.cavision.com/viewfinders/VFM11X.htm

 

I have one of their older models, it works fine and I like the small size.

[Dan Coplan]

I have one from Birns and Sawyer which is nice and compact. Has etchings for everything from 1/4" DV to anamorphic and ratios of 1.33, 1.66, 1.78, 1.85, and 2.35. Not sure the cost, but I believe it's under $500. Check their site.

 

Dan

[Lars Erik]

huh? The always ship goods i order from them to europe. And i did that several times this last year.

 

Strange. This is what's stated at Filmtools website regarding international shipping;

 

"International Shipping Policy (non US Military) Due to increased international credit card fraud, Filmtools has suspended all international orders, with the exception of Canada, and the United Kingdom (see International terms and conditions)"

 

LE

[JobScholtze]

Send them an email, let them check your creditcard, also tell them your an steadicam op and there is no problem. I did that too and since then the have no problems sending me the goods i order.

 

Job

[Lars Erik]

They said no to letting me use my credit card. I told them I had people in the US in the industry who could vouch for me, I told them I was a Steadicam operator and a user of this forum. Linked to my homepage etc. They only accept a wire transfer, which is a LOT more hassle and it cost $40 just for the transfer. This because of fraud and that international orders are much more "time consuming". Hmm...strange that Bhphoto, Cinebags and Jim Bartell and all the other guys in the US don't charge extra for international orders...

 

BTW, it's not really good business by complaining to potential customers that their orders are time consuming. I don't know, maybe I'm not a great business man, but I wouldn't tell any client of mine that they were.

 

Forget it. Ordering somewhere else. F' em'!

 

Lars "in a really bad mood" Erik

 

 

Reply form Filmtools:

 

"Lars-Erik,

 

Unfortunately this does not solve our international orders issue. The issue lies within the credit card verification process and the fact that international orders are much much more time consuming. Please read the attachment and let me know if you would still like to place an order.

 

Thank you,

 

Aaron Rainwater

Filmtools

Assistant Sales Manager

1400 W. Burbank Blvd

Burbank, Ca 91506

818 845 8066 Voice

818 845 8138 Fax

888 807 1900 Toll Free"

 

 

 

Filmtools International Orders Policy

 

At this time we are unable to handle international orders as efficiently as we would like. Unfortunately, this means that international orders will take longer than others and that certain precautions must be taken in order to avoid fraud. While we value our international customers immensely, we do need to place our domestic customers first, therefore it may be up to a week before you receive a quote and another week to ship the order once you approve it. We are currently working to rectify this situation, however for the time being we must enact the following policies:

 

1) We can only accept payment via wire transfer for which there is a $40 fee. We are sometimes able to verify American Express card numbers and we can attempt do so, but please be advised that this does not always work and if we are unable to verify the billing address we must ask that the transaction be completed via wire transfer.

 

2) The customer is responsible for all customs, duties and brokerage fees. These charges will not be included in the quote that you receive, so you will need to be aware that your government will most likely charge you for these. Once an order leaves our store you will be responsible for these fees. If you decide not to pay them and return or refuse the merchandise, you will receive a refund minus all of the aforementioned fees, the return shipping fee, a restocking fee of 10% and any other fees incurred by Filmtools Inc . It goes without saying that in many cases this amount will exceed the total cost of the order, thereby nullifying any refund that you might receive.

[chris fawcett]

Hi Lars Erik,

 

I bought a Kish Standard Directors' Viewfinder from Film Tools when I was in LA for Cinegear this year. On my return to Europe, I discovered that the aspect ratio was wildly inaccurate. I emailed Film Tools and Kish. No reply. I emailed both again two weeks later, this time Kish replied. They were friendly enough.

 

Quote: "The inaccuracies can be there...If you are particular then you may recalibrate it for your self (sic) and put on an overlay sticker or if you are in LA, we can get you a better calibrated one."

 

No reply whatsoever from Film Tools.

 

Anyone want a barely used, inaccurate directors' viewfinder, slightly too small for use as a doorstop?

 

Never wanted to be a director anyway,

 

Chris