ZACUTO'S RANGE OF DSLR ACCESSORIES

Zacuto recognizes that video DSLRs have changed the game. When it comes to capturing gorgeous HD footage, in an extremely cost-effective and portable way, DSLRs can now be considered as a serious option.

One drawback of DSLR cameras though, is that they are designed for taking photographs and thus, do not have the correct form factor for shooting video. Zacuto has an exciting new line of DSLR accessories to rememdy this issue, including kits to cater for various shooting styles.

With the convergence of DSLR filmmaking, there are many essential tools that are needed to give the correct form factor for video. When shooting video on a DSLR camera, you must use the LCD screen and you must use manual focus. The combination of a very small screen, manual focus, and razor thin shallow depth-of-field makes it very challenging to focus. When shooting in both outdoor and indoor settings the sunlight and glares make it nearly impossible to see the LCD. Lastly, holding the camera out in front of you so that you can focus on the screen makes the camera unstable and shaky. With any camera, you want to bring it close to the body for stability. The first essential item to help with these challenges is a DSLR optical viewfinder. Zacuto has three models for you to choose between.

Z-Finder Jr.

The Z-Finder Jr. is one of Zacuto's Optical Viewfinders that allows DSLR cameras to have the correct form factor for video. It offers 2.5x focusable magnification, a 40mm diameter lens, an eyecup preventing extraneous light leakage, and a field of view perfectly matched to 3" LCD screens.

The Z-Finder Jr. does not have a diopter instead it uses Z-Finder Extender Frames to adjust the focal length. The Z-Finder Extender Frames attach to the skirt of the Z-Finder Jr. and allow you to semi-permanently stack the frames until the LCD screen is in focus for you.

The Z-Finder Jr. uses a mounting bracket that must be sandwiched in between a tripod plate and the camera. The bracket mounts to the 1/4 20" screw on your tripod plate and the actual Jr. is held in place with pressure from the fork of the bracket it sits in.

There is also a lanyard hook on the outside of the Z-Finder Jr. so you can attach a Zacuto lanyard to it. This allows for the user to quickly take the Z-finder Jr. off and on when needed.

The Z-Finder Jr. includes:
- 2 Extender Frames
- Z-Finder JR. Mounting Bracket
- Lanyard and Lanyard Hook - Lens Cap

Z-Finder Pro 2.5x

The Z-Finder Pro 2.5x is another one of Zacuto's Optical Viewfinders that allows DSLR cameras to have the correct form factor for video. It offers 2.5x focusable magnification (Z-Finder Pro is available in 3x magnification), a 40mm diameter Anti-Fog lens, an eyecup preventing extraneous light leakage, a diopter and a field of view perfectly matched to 3" LCD screens. The diopter allows you to dial in the focus to match your eye perfectly. If you need extra focal length you can use the Z-Finder Extender Frames. These are semi-permanently stackable frames that attach to the skirt of the Z-Finder Pro and extends the Z-Finder glass further way from the LCD screen for people who are farsighted.

The Z-Finder Pro uses Zacuto's Gorilla Baseplate and Z-Finder mounting frame to mount to the camera. The Gorilla Baseplate attaches to the bottom of your camera using a 1/4 20" screw and the Z-Finder mounting frame attaches to the Gorilla Baseplate using thumb screws. The rubber back mounting frame does not attach to your LCD; it is held in place against your LCD with pressure. This method allows you to quickly remove the Z-Finder Pro by snapping it off the frame. If you want to remove the entire mounting frame from your camera, you can do so by loosening the thumb screws and pulling up on the metal mounting frame to release it. With the Z-Finder Pro, you are also a step closer to using one of Zacuto's Gorilla Support Rigs, as they use the same baseplate as the base.

The Z-Finder Pro 2.5x includes:
- 3 Extender Frames
- Gorilla Baseplate and Metal Mounting Frame
- Lens Cap & Protective Boot
- Lanyard Hook and Lanyard
- 2.5x Magnification Anti-Fog Coating Lens

Note: The Z-Finder Pro is also available in a 3x magnification model.

Gorilla Kits are simply “points of contact” kits. These rigs have been developed to be lightweight for a more “on the go” gorilla shooter. We recommend the Gorilla kits for journalists as well as event and indie shooters who might be doing a combination of still photography and small clips of high definition video. Gorilla kits are extremely light weight. The Gorilla Kits are easy and light to handle because they do not have accessory rods built into the Gorilla baseplate, therefore you cannot mount any film accessories like a matte box or follow focus. The Gorilla Kits give you just the stability needed to shoot small segments of HD video and keeping your overall rig compact, light and small. 

The Gorilla kits have a unique design, by attaching your tripod plate to the bottom of the Gorilla plate you can go from the tripod to handheld just by hitting your tripods quick-release button. The Zacuto accessory port with red locking lever allows you to remove or install the entire Gorilla mounting system. Speed is the name of the game if you are a Gorilla shooter and these kits have it.

The Gorilla Kits line is compromised of the following two models:

Target Shooter

The Target Shooter is Zacuto's lightest kit. It has three points of contact by having both hands on the camera and the gunstock in your chest. The entire kit is infinitely adjustable. You can add a fourth point of contact by adding one of Zacuto's Z-Finders to the kit.

The Gorilla Plate, included with the Target Shooter, attaches to the bottom of your camera using the standard tripod screw hole. The Gorilla plate has a 15mm hole in the bottom which allows you to attach the main rod for the Target Shooter. The rig can be freed from the Gorilla plate by flipping the red lever. A tripod plate can be installed on the Gorilla plate for quickly moving from handheld to tripod by.

The Target Shooter can not accommodate a follow focus or matte box as it does not have a baseplate. Once you add more weight to the front of the camera, such as a follow focus and matte box, Zacuto recommend going to one of their Cinema DSLR Kits that have a shoulder pad and counterbalance weight to properly balance the rig.

Striker

The Striker is light and easy to handle. It has three points of contact by having one hand on the handgrip, the gunstock in your chest and your focusing hand on the lens. The entire kit is infinitely adjustable. You can add a fourth point of contact by adding one of Zacuto's Z-Finders to the kit.

The Zacuto Gorilla plate attaches to the bottom of your camera using the standard tripod screw hole. The Gorilla plate has a 15mm hole in the bottom which allows you to attach the main rod for the Striker rig. The rig can be freed from the Gorilla plate by flipping the red lever. A tripod plate can be installed on the Gorilla plate for quickly moving from handheld to tripod.

The Striker kit can not accommodate a follow focus or matte box as it does not have a baseplate. Once you add more weight to the front of the camera, such as a follow focus and matte box, Zacuto recommend going to one of their Cinema DSLR Kits which have a shoulder pad and counterbalance weight to properly balance the rig.

Visit your nearest Lemac showroom to purchase these products and many others from the exciting new Zacuto DSLR range.