Cinematography : Youtuber with DIY Viewfinder idea by Alicia Benjamin

A piece of black foam core does the same thing... and looks a lot less ...silly.... to actors and others.... don't you think ?

Hi Royce. Thank you for commenting. Yes, indeed! Black foam would be more appealing. :-) I guess you could simply tape a piece at the top of the viewfinder? Or would you need a box shape?

AC's make these every day for all size monitors... a box made of art card or foamcore and black gaffer or paper tape. Nothing wrong with the solution you show at all... but if I brought that on set with a paid client, they'd never call me again ;)

The image of that is funny. Yes, I can see how the appearance of this DIY viewfinder would not be well received. Of course, I am a very beginning film director (I come from the stage) and so to start out with (my first project is an experiemental short documentary), this will actually work for me, unless I can figure out how to make the contraption you're talking about. I think I can actually............

Don't use a chamomile tea box- you may fall asleep while filming ;)

OK. I promise, I won't. I am very susceptible to the effects of chamomile tea. :-)

One of those aftermarket places make em with black vinyl and folds down via veclro to hold it into a position and slides over the viewfinder. However the idea behind a viewfinder and a lcd screen as viewfinder. Is the viewfinder show you exactly the whole frame of what is in frame. No light stands in frame in editing to crop, etc. I like a towel over my head think NFL and the Hood for argue calls.

Thanks for commenting Simon. Yes, I did think of putting a towel over my head, and I will definitely consider that option! Thanks!

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=&sku=441827&gclid=CK_Y...

Wow Simon. That's the solution right there isn't it? No telling how long it would have taken me to find that item if you hadn't sent me the link. Many thanks! and happy filmmaking.

I should check out my own doo-hicki to see if I can boom boom boom

What's that mean Dean?

this is guy knows what he is talking about, but he uses substitute words for camera accessories (e.g. view finder, shield)

Such viewfinder shades are common and often factory accessories on the studio viewfinders of broadcast cameras. As Royce stated, these are common on sets and have been for years. A couple of tricks. Paint the interior black or line it with black construction paper. or black paper tape. This lessens reflection and distraction from light walls focusing attention on the viewfinder. It also lessens the impact of the sun brightening the walls of the viewfinder shade. If you will operate with any space between your face and the open end of the viewfinder shade you will have light leak past your head and reflect off of the viewfinder. To mitigate this, the shade should be at an angle to the screen so that the light that leaks past reflects onto the blacken walls of the viewfinder shade instead of reflecting back at your eyes. In bright sunlight a black cloth draped over your head and the viewfinder helps immensely.

Dean, That's very clever.

Andrew, That's a very thorough explanation of the viewfinders. You're the second person to mention using a cloth draped over the head. I will definitely keep that option in mind also. Thanks for the great advice!

Great stuff, a cost effective solution!

I thought so too John. It's so simple and you couldn't find a cheaper way to create a viewfinder. I am glad though that some of the other filmmakers have given me additional suggestions.

Does it have to be that brand of Ginger tea? ; ) In all seriousness this is a tried and tested method of improvising a solution to overcome expense or other obstacles. I think I would disguise the box with gaffa tape , and it would make it nore durable in the long term as well, especially it was in the rain....

Like that it's a Chinese box.

I have so done this!